Almaty to Ürümqi (ALA–URC) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
ALA–URC is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. China Southern Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 523 miles in approximately 1h 45m. Beyond nonstop, 12 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ China Southern Airlines | 14 | 738, 7M8 | 1h45-3h13 | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Ürümqi from Almaty
| Metric | ALA→URC | BSZ→URC |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from ALA | – | 131 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 14 | 4 |
| Flight time | 1h 45m | 2h |
Travel Essentials
ALA: +05 · URC: +06
When it's 6:00 PM in Almaty, it's 7:00 PM in Ürümqi.
Airport shuttle buses depart from outside arrivals to the city centre for CNY 20–30 and take 30–40 minutes. Taxis and DiDi queue outside the terminal; fares to downtown are CNY 40–70. The terminal has a taxi dispatch system; queue at the designated stand rather than accepting offers from touts.Ürümqi is a domestic hub for flights across Xinjiang; connections to Kashgar (KHG), Hotan (HTN), and other regional cities are frequent. Rental cars are available, but international driving permits may be required; verify current regulations before booking.
Semi-arid continental climate with extreme seasonal variation. Winters (November–March) are severe and prolonged at −15 to −5°C with heavy snowfall, ice, and persistent cold that regularly causes de-icing delays and ground stops. Ürümqi is one of the most continentally extreme climates of any major airport in the world.
Summers (June–August) are hot and dry at 28–36°C with low humidity and excellent visibility. Spring sandstorms can reduce airport visibility significantly. Autumn is brief. Pack serious cold-weather gear for winter travel. Temperatures occasionally drop below −25°C.
ALA–URC Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from ALA to URC
Almaty International Airport (ALA) and Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC) are connected by nonstop service from China Southern Airlines. With 14 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
ALA to URC Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ALA to URC ranges from 1 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 13 minutes. The route covers a distance of 523 miles (842 km). There are approximately 14 weekly flights outbound and 21 return, totaling 35 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
12 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 10 hours via CIT. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Bishkek (BSZ).