Astana Airport Guide

sleeping in astana airport — (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / August 2018)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Astana Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.

NQZ Airport Overview

Astana Airport (code: NQZ) has two terminals: Terminal 1 handles international flights, while Terminal 2 serves domestic flights. A connecting hallway links the terminals for transit passengers. Travellers will find shops, restaurants, free WiFi and several airport lounges.

The airport is open 24 hours, although food and shopping hours vary.

Sleeping in Astana Airport

Overnight stays appear to be permitted at Astana Airport, and travellers have reported sleeping in the terminals without problems. However, there are no dedicated rest zones. Bring an eye mask to combat the bright overhead lights. Keep your belongings secure, as security staff may not patrol all areas throughout the night.

For more privacy, the CAPS Lock Airport Hotel offers sleeping capsules on the landside 1st floor of Terminal 1, with hourly bookings, showers and lockers. The Port Inn Hotel also offers rooms for shorter stays.

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Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Astana Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are accommodations inside the terminal and hotels within a short drive.

Inside the Airport

CAPS Lock Airport Hotel
Terminal 1, landside on the 1st floor.
Capsule Hotel. Pods include Wi-Fi, individual lighting, ventilation and a safe. Showers and lockers are also available. Bookable by the hour.

Port Inn Hotel (formerly Astana Transit Hotel)
Terminal 2, landside, with an entrance near the northern end of the terminal building.
Mid-range hotel. Offers 16 rooms, including Double Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites. Double room rates start at KZT 16,600 for up to 12 hours and KZT 20,000 for 24 hours.

Hotels within a Short Drive

Wyndham Garden Astana
(4.5 mi / 7.2 km) Upscale hotel.

Hilton Astana
(4.9 mi / 7.9 km) Upscale hotel.

Hampton by Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch
(5.3 mi / 8.5 km) Mid-range hotel.

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 by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Terminal 1 - International

Business Lounge “Turan” – Location: Airside, Terminal 1, International Departures. Hours: Not currently published. Showers: No confirmed showers. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Eligible Business Class / premium passengers and passengers covered by participating airline agreements. The lounge includes a buffet, bar, children’s play area and work area with computers.

VIP/CIP Lounge (International) – Location: Terminal 1, left side. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: No confirmed showers. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Paid VIP/CIP service • Advance reservation / contracted access. The airport currently lists the international VIP/CIP service at 42,000 KZT per adult passenger, with additional lounge/bar service available for 16,936 KZT for passengers using the VIP area. The service includes dedicated check-in, baggage processing and customs/passport formalities.

Sapar Lounge (International) – Location: Airside, Terminal 1, International Departures, after security, customs and passport control; turn right and continue past Duty Free to the lounge near Gates A5-A6. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Priority Pass and participating lounge membership programs. Maximum stay is 2 hours.

Terminal 2 - Domestic

VIP/CIP Lounge (Domestic) – Location: Terminal 2, 1st Floor, to the right of the main terminal entrance. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: No confirmed showers. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Paid VIP/CIP service • Advance reservation / contracted access. The airport currently lists the service at 32,000 KZT per passenger for both departures and arrivals; children ages 2-14 are charged 16,000 KZT.

The Shanyraq (Air Astana Lounge) – Location: Airside, Terminal 2, Domestic Departures, 2nd Floor, opposite Gate D04. Hours: 4:00 AM – 12:00 AM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Air Astana Business Class passengers • Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members travelling domestically on Air Astana. Maximum stay is 3 hours before departure.

Sapar Lounge (Domestic) – Location: Airside, Terminal 2, Domestic Departures, after security; turn left and proceed past Gate D06. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Priority Pass and participating lounge membership programs. Maximum stay is 2 hours; children under 2 are admitted free.

Airport Services & Facilities

WiFi: Free WiFi is available throughout the airport. Connect to the “OpenWiFi_TSE” network. A mobile phone number is required to receive an access PIN.

Food & Drinks: Cafés and restaurants are available both landside and airside, mainly during daytime and evening hours. Do not count on finding food overnight, as 24-hour dining options have not been confirmed.

Mobile Charging: Charging facilities are available.

Showers: Shower facilities are offered at the CAPS Lock Airport Hotel.

Luggage Storage: Storage facilities are located landside on the 1st floor of both terminals. Past information indicates a rate of 900 KZT per piece per day, with 24-hour access.

Other Services: Additional facilities include ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, a supermarket, baby care rooms, baggage wrapping, information desks, a pharmacy, medical assistance and designated smoking rooms.

Transportation: Public buses #10 and #12 connect the airport with the city centre. Taxis are available outside Arrivals, with a dispatcher to help arrange rides. Car rental services are also available at the airport. Some nearby hotels may offer shuttle transfers.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Help Keep This Airport Guide Updated

Have you recently travelled through Astana Airport? If any information is outdated or missing, we’d love to hear from you. Your updates help fellow travellers know what to expect.