Shymkent to Astana by train
Astana lies 996 km (619 mi) north of Shymkent, 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.
| Shymkent | Astana | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan |
| Population | 1.2 million | 1.5 million |
| Elevation | 520 m (1,706 ft) | 358 m (1,175 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+5 (Asia/Almaty) | UTC+5 (Asia/Almaty) |
| Stations on record | Shymkent railway station | Astana-1 station, Astana Nurly Zhol station |
Where to book trains from Shymkent to Astana
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Staying in Astana
Our booking partner lists 490 places to stay in Astana. Of the 242 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (124), and 13 are five-star. Across 108 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.4 out of 10. Guests have left 72,152 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Astana
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 Astana from Shymkent?
996 km (619 mi) in a straight line, north of Shymkent; by road roughly 1,215 km (755 mi).
How long does it take to get from Shymkent to Astana 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 Shymkent and Astana?
No, both are on Asia/Almaty at the moment.
Where can I stay in Astana?
Our booking partner lists 490 places to stay in Astana, 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.