There are 5 ways to get from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent by car, plane, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Drive, fly
best- Drive from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Almaty International Airport (ALA)car
- Fly from Almaty International Airport (ALA) to Shymkent International Airport (CIT)plane ALA - CIT
7h 27m$77–139Drive, train
cheapest- Drive from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Almaty 2car
- Take the train from Almaty 2 to Shymkenttrain 001Х / ...
17h 2m$47–209Drive, bus
- Drive from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Almaty Sayran Bus Stationcar
- Take the bus from Almaty Sayran Bus Station to Taraz bus stationbus 235
- Take the bus from Taraz bus station to Shymkent Samal Bus Stationbus
19h 23mDrive 673.3 km
- Drive from Tamchy to Shymkentcar 673.3 km
9h 46m$51–73Drive, train via Chemolgan
- Drive from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Zhandosova / Sainacar
- Take the train from Tschemolgan to Shymkenttrain 077Т / ...
22h 54m$58–94
Almaty International Airport (ALA) to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent is to drive which costs $50 - $75 and takes 9h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent is to drive and fly which takes 7h 27m and costs $75 - $140.
The distance between Issyk-Kul (Lake) and Shymkent is 1104 km. The road distance is 673.3 km.
It takes approximately 7h 27m to get from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent, including transfers.
Shymkent is 1h behind Issyk-Kul (Lake). It is currently 2:03 PM in Issyk-Kul (Lake) and 1:03 PM in Shymkent.
Yes, the driving distance between Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent is 673 km. It takes approximately 9h 46m to drive from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent.
There are 316+ hotels available in Shymkent.
What companies run services between Issyk-Kul (Lake), Kyrgyzstan and Shymkent, Kazakhstan?
There is no direct connection from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent. However, you can drive to Almaty International Airport (ALA) airport, fly to Shymkent International Airport (CIT), then take the taxi to Shymkent. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Issyk-Kul (Lake) to Shymkent via Almaty 2 in around 17h 2m.
- Website
- scat.kz
Flights from Almaty International Airport to Shymkent International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Phone
- 1433
- [email protected]
- Website
- Kazakhstan Railways
Train from Almaty 2 to Shymkent
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 8m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $13–17
- Website
- Kazakhstan Railways
- Schedules at
- Kazakhstan Railways
- Book at
- Kazakhstan Railways
- 1st Class (Lux)
- $40–55
- 2nd Class (Coupe)
- $35–50
- 3rd Class (Seat)
- $13–17
- Phone
- +7 727 396-70-63
- Website
- Almaty Sayran Bus Terminal
Bus from Almaty Sayran Bus Station to Taraz bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $11–16
- Website
- Almaty Sayran Bus Terminal
- Schedules at
- Almaty Sayran Bus Terminal
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Need to know: Jadrolinija, Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose (and how do I get there)?, and Italian Lakes: Getting around by train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.