Almaty to Ürümqi (ALA–URC) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
ALA–URC is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Air Astana and China Southern Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 523 miles in approximately 1h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC Air Astana | 24 | 320, 738 | 1h40-1h45 | – | – | – |
| CZ China Southern Airlines | 21 | 320, 7M8 | 1h40-1h45 | – | 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 | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 45 | 6 |
| Flight time | 1h 40m | 1h 55m |
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 Air Astana and China Southern Airlines. With 45 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
ALA to URC Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ALA to URC is about 1 hours 40 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 523 miles (842 km). There are approximately 45 weekly flights outbound and 38 return, totaling 83 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Yining, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Tashkent. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Bishkek (BSZ).