Flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport is 5 hours.
The timezone in Astana is UTC+5, which is two hours ahead of Istanbul.
Flights from IST to NQZ start at 00:35 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last service of the day is at 23:10 with Air Astana. Overall, you can take your pick of 16 weekly Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport flights.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your IST to NQZ flight.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
Travelling to Astana (and then discovering more of Kazakhstan!) is a snap with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline has direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport.
The airline most travellers prefer to fly with on this route is Turkish Airlines.
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
To reach Istanbul Airport from central Istanbul, it'll take about 45 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 40 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
You can expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near IST:
Arriving at Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ)
Reserve a hotel near NQZ if you're on a late Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport flight. Choose one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Venture beyond Astana and check out places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport rental car from Avis.
Give yourself a better shot at securing the lowest price by booking as early as possible. Reserving your vehicle from Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport at least a few weeks ahead is a smart move.
Getting from Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ) to central Astana
From Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport, Astana is approximately 19 kilometres away. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It'll take around 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
When to fly to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Astana based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When reserving your flight from Istanbul Airport to Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Astana, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to NQZ in January. Temperatures average between -23ºC (-9ºF) and -7ºC (19ºF) then.
Explore more of Kazakhstan
Pavlodar is just one of the many cities in Kazakhstan waiting to be discovered once you've seen Astana. Around 402 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Pavlodar, Naberezhnaya Irtysha, Naberezhnaya (Embankment) and Aqmeshit Mosque.
Journey 161 kilometres south-east from Astana and you'll find yourself in Temirtau, another favourite stop in Kazakhstan. Be sure to check out Museum of the First President and Gorodskoy Muzey.


