Almaty Intl. Airport (ALA) is the one and only airport serving Almaty.

It’s 16 kilometers from Almaty Intl. Airport (ALA) to downtown Almaty. Make things easier by working out the quickest way of traveling from the airport to the city center before you touchdown.

A flight to Almaty means landing at Almaty International Airport. Hop off the plane, grab your baggage and you’ll be 16 kilometers from downtown.

There are a total of 19 airlines connecting Almaty with 46 airports globally.

Typically, travelers opt to fly with Air Astana, SCAT Airlines and Qazaq Air when heading to Almaty. The largest number of these flights depart from Nur-Sultan, with Air Astana flying this route the most frequently.

With around 510 direct flights each week, you’ll be touching down in Almaty before you have time to say, “Are we there yet?”

Travelers often depart from Astana, Shymkent and Aktau airports when flying to Almaty.

If it’s Nur-Sultan you’re departing, you’ll be in the sky for around 1 hour and 40 minutes before you touchdown in Almaty. Airport to airport from Shymkent generally takes 1 hour and 11 minutes and from Moscow, the average flight time is 4 hours and 28 minutes.

We all know those jet-setters who somehow manage to nab wonderfully cheap plane tickets wherever they go. Would you like to know how to do it for your Almaty vacation? Don’t leave it until the last moment to lock in your flight. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and see if there are multiple airports at your destination. Prices often differ depending on which airport you jet into. Be sure to compare prices across air carriers as well. Last but not least, another simple way to save a few dollars is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you stumble on a good deal, don’t think twice — snap it up while you’ve got the chance.

We’ve rounded up all the info you need to make your flight as pain-free as possible. Follow our top tips and you’ll be cruising through airport security and enjoying Almaty in no time flat.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a comfortable experience if you carry the right things. First things first, you’ll need toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a spare change of clothes and a good book. Secondly, find a spot in your hand luggage for your electronic devices, chargers, any vital medications and maybe a cozy neck pillow as well. Lastly, remember to bring your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like your pocket knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fuels, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• The narrow aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear comfortable clothes and remember to take a cardigan as the temperature can drop inside the cabin during longer flights. Slightly roomy, flat shoes are always a good idea too.
• Unfortunately, a risk of flying long-haul is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity. To prevent this, make the most of every opportunity to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs. Compression socks and tights are another easy way to help minimize this risk.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We’ve put together some handy tips and tricks for a fuss-free trip through security. Watch out Almaty, here you come:

• First things first. Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don’t hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• It’s also likely that you’ll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Airlines won’t allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.