Astana to Shymkent by train
Shymkent lies 996 km (619 mi) south of Astana, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 14 h 19 min at the speeds typical of Kazakhstan rail, over roughly 1,215 km (755 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Astana | Shymkent | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan |
| Population | 1.5 million | 1.2 million |
| Elevation | 358 m (1,175 ft) | 520 m (1,706 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+5 (Asia/Almaty) | UTC+5 (Asia/Almaty) |
| Stations on record | Astana-1 station, Astana Nurly Zhol station | Shymkent railway station |
Where to book trains from Astana to Shymkent
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Staying in Shymkent
Our booking partner lists 92 places to stay in Shymkent. Of the 40 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (21), and 1 are five-star. Across 31 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 9 out of 10. Guests have left 21,842 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Shymkent
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Shymkent from Astana?
996 km (619 mi) in a straight line, south of Astana; by road roughly 1,215 km (755 mi).
How long does it take to get from Astana to Shymkent by train?
About 14 h 19 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Astana and Shymkent?
No, both are on Asia/Almaty at the moment.
Where can I stay in Shymkent?
Our booking partner lists 92 places to stay in Shymkent, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.