Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Almaty Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
I didn’t actually sleep in the building and they’d probably turf anyone out that was silly enough to try. -chris
ALA Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Almaty International Airport.
What to Expect
Almaty Airport (code: ALA) is divided into two smaller terminals, International and Domestic, which are not connected on the airside. Travellers have reported long security lines (arrive early!) and a significant language barrier. Facilities are basic, with a few shops and eateries. WiFi is free, but connecting to it can be tricky. For added comfort, economy class travellers flying internationally can pay to enter a business lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for its location and access information.
Sleeping in Almaty Airport
The airport is busiest at night, when the majority of flights depart and arrive. Seating is limited, but a few comfortable seats are located in the baggage drop-off and Departures areas. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Almaty Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Almaty International Business Lounge – Location: Airside, 1st Floor, located after Security Checks and Passport Control. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- VIP Lounge – Location: Unknown. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door (Rates: 23,000 Tenge for the Departures Lounge and 17,500 Tenge for the Arrivals Lounge. Rates are per person.)
Related Pages: Almaty Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Almaty Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Aksunkar Hotel – The hotel is a 3-minute walk to the airport. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Almaty Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Almaty Airport. Connect to the “AIRPORT_Almaty” network. You will need to provide a mobile phone number in order to receive a PIN via SMS.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
This is a small airport. There is not much going for it, so bring your own comfort and entertainment. The following is a list of services and facilities available at Almaty Airport:
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: unknown.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available.
Currency Exchange – Foreign exchange services are available. Locations: First and Second Floors.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free is available as well as a small selection of shops (magazines, souvenirs, etc.).
Family Services – A mother and child room is available. The airport also offers baby strollers for use within the airport, free of charge.
Food & Drinks – The airport offers cafes, bars, restaurants; none of which are open 24 hours. Vending machines are available on the first and second floors.
Information Desk – Need help finding your way? An information desk is available.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Luggage storage is available. Location: unknown.
Luggage Wrapping – Wrapping service are available.
Medical Services – A First Aid office is located within the airport which is open 24 hours.
Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Pharmacy – Location: 2nd Floor. Hours: open 24 hours.
Prayer Room – A prayer room is available.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Unavailable.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Almaty airport is served by the following airlines: Aerofloat • Air Arabia • Air Astana • Flydubai • Flyarystan • Lufthansa • Qazaq Air • SCAT • Sky Up • Somon Air • Uzbekistan AirAirlines • Turkish Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Almaty Airport is served by city bus routes 92, #3 (only at night)
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Bay Tau Rent Company, Caspian Rent-A-Car, Dixie, Europcar, Evrasia Car, Garage Taxi Rental, Navigator Auto Rental and Prokatis KZ.
Hotel Shuttles
A few area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Aksunkar Hotel • Mika City Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis are available in a line outside of the terminal. Since taxis are not metered, fares must be agreed upon before departing on your journey. Uniformed staff are available on hand to assist in hiring an airport taxi.
Last updated: 2023-03-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
