Shymkent to Istanbul (CIT–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
CIT–IST is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and SCAT lead the route. The flight covers 2,079 miles in approximately 4h 57m. Beyond nonstop, 16 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 18 | 33F, 33X | 4h57-11h50 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| DV SCAT | 6 | 738 | 5h20 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Shymkent
| Metric | CIT→IST | TAS→IST | HSA→IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from CIT | – | 77 mi | 80 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 24 | 75 | 2 |
| Flight time | 4h 57m | 5h 15m | 5h 25m |
Travel Essentials
CIT: +05 · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Shymkent, it's 4:00 PM in Istanbul.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
CIT–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from CIT to IST
Shymkent International Airport (CIT) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from SCAT and Turkish Airlines. With 24 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
CIT to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CIT to IST ranges from 4 hours 57 minutes to 11 hours 50 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,079 miles (3,346 km). There are approximately 24 weekly flights outbound and 6 return, totaling 30 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
16 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 9 hours via URC. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Tashkent (TAS), Turkıstan (HSA) and Fergana (FEG).