Travelling from Shimkent Airport (CIT) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport is 5 hours 25 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours behind Shimkent.
Choose from four weekly Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport flights. The 05:40 departure with SCAT Airlines is the earliest you can take. SCAT Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 17:00.
Your CIT to IST flight won't wait if you're running late, so get to the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during a high season in general.
Scat Airlines is your gateway to discovering Istanbul (and perhaps some other exciting corners of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Browse the direct flights from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport offered by this popular carrier.
The airline that serves the most passengers on this route is Scat Airlines.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here's where you can stop between CIT and IST:
Antalya Airport
Almaty Airport
Aktau Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Shimkent Airport (CIT) to Istanbul Airport (IST)
$267 is currently the best price for a one-way Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Return flights start from $495. These fares can change based on demand.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from CIT to IST if you book early. Airlines often have some terrific early bird discounts.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport. If you need to fly at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from CIT to IST by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Secure the ideal flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Handy information about Shimkent Airport (CIT)
When it comes to Shimkent Airport's on-time performance, 71% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Central Shimkent to Shimkent Airport is around 11 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi.
You can expect a trip time of about 40 minutes when using public transport.
Get your journey off to a leisurely start by staying near CIT. Whether you're catching an early flight from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are the answer:
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and discover more of Istanbul and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks before you travel.
Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Airport is roughly 40 kilometres from central Istanbul. Driving there takes about 45 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)
August is the most popular month for flights from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport. For smaller crowds, go to Istanbul in March.
When booking your flight from Shimkent Airport to Istanbul Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from CIT to IST in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
If there's time to check out another side of Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are among its highlights.