Cheap flights from Istanbul to Shimkent

Compare Istanbul to Shimkent flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Shimkent

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Flight deals from Istanbul to Shimkent

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Istanbul to Shimkent Airport? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $336. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Shimkent

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Istanbul to Shimkent flights are currently cheapest in March.

Direct flights from Istanbul to Shimkent

Istanbul to Shimkent: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Istanbul to Shimkent below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Shimkent.

Istanbul to Shimkent: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$317
Cheapest month to flyMarch
Average flight time4 hrs, 26 mins
Most popular airlineScat Airlines
Average flights per week10

Finding cheap flights from Istanbul to Shimkent: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Istanbul to Shimkent is $317. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
4 hours and 25 minutes is the average flight time from Istanbul to Shimkent.
Scat Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly direct from Istanbul to Shimkent.
There are 10 flights per week flying from Istanbul to Shimkent, as of June 2026.
The cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Shimkent is usually March.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Istanbul to Shimkent Airport on Sunday, March 7, 2027.
Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 25 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shimkent but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shimkent is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
The cheapest airline that flies to Shimkent is Pegasus Airlines.

Flying from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT): What you need to know

  • Istanbul is home to a couple of airports where you can kick off your trip. Explore your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) flying out of Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • The average duration of a direct Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport flight is 4 hours 10 minutes.

  • Shimkent is two hours ahead of Istanbul. Shymkent International Airport is located in Shimkent, which operates on the UTC+5 timezone.

  • Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Be at the airport with enough time to catch your flight from Istanbul to CIT.

  • Head to the airport even earlier during popular months like August. Aim for two hours before domestic departures and as much as four hours for international journeys. Once you've checked in, you can use any extra time to grab something to eat or simply relax.

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

  • Fly without interruptions from Istanbul Airport (IST). Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) can be booked from here.

  • SCAT Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport taking off from IST.

  • The top choice among passengers flying between IST and CIT is Scat Airlines.

  • A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even tour another city. When browsing cheap flights from Istanbul to CIT leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to find all potential stops. Top options include:

    • Antalya Airport (AYT)

    • Almaty International Airport (ALA)

    • Atyrau Airport (GUW)

  • IST is around 40 kilometers from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.

  • In search of a convenient hotel close to Istanbul Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport, these accommodation options will put you a quick hop from check-in:

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Thinking of flying out of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? Direct Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) plane tickets can be booked from this popular hub.

  • Pegasus offers direct flights from Istanbul to CIT departing from SAW. Book your favorite window seat and arrive at your destination in a single journey.

  • Pegasus Airlines is the top choice for bookings on the SAW to CIT route.

  • With 72.0% of services landing on schedule, Pegasus Airlines is the top on-time carrier flying between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Shymkent International Airport.

  • Work a stopover into your journey at Antalya Airport (AYT). It's a popular transfer point for flights from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) leaving Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.

  • You can arrive at SAW from central Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 48 kilometers or so.

  • Get your vacation started early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Istanbul to CIT flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:

  • Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 68%.

About Shymkent International Airport (CIT)

Getting from Shymkent International Airport (CIT) to central Shimkent

  • Shymkent International Airport is around 11 kilometers from central Shimkent. It takes around 20 minutes or so to drive to the city.

  • It typically takes 40 minutes if you're traveling by public transport.

How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT)

  • $157 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport. Return flights start from $317. These fares can change depending on availability.

  • To find cheap flights from Istanbul to CIT, book early. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets are first released.

  • The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.

  • Spend less time searching for cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to CIT by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when prices go down.

  • Save on your flight from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport by using filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

The best time to fly from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT)

  • January is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport (CIT). Plan your visit to Shimkent in December if you prefer a quieter experience.

  • Book a Istanbul to CIT plane ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Shimkent to range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 38ºC (100ºF).

  • Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -10ºC (14ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF).

More about Shimkent

  • When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Shimkent right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Shymkent International Airport:

  • There are so many things to discover in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Victory Park, Syrdar'ya-Turkestanskiy Gosudarstvennyy Regional'nyy Prirodnyy Park and Ethnic Park Ken Baba are top sights which should feature on any well-planned Shimkent itinerary.

Explore more of Kazakhstan

  • Turkestan is just one of the many cities in Kazakhstan waiting to be explored after you've seen Shimkent. Around 153 kilometers away to the northwest, its best attractions include The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Juma Mosque and Dendropark.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.