Almaty to Shymkent Transport by Private Minibus with Driver
To Shymkent as a business group or a large family, in one vehicle. A private 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a driver who knows the long highway through Taraz and runs on your schedule.
from 150,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus, one way
Pickup at your address · passenger insurance · available 24/7
Our drivers don’t speak English. Phone calls are in Russian or Kazakh, so WhatsApp works best: write in English and we’ll reply using a translator. Need an interpreter? We can arrange one for an extra fee, agreed in advance.
How the trip works
Pickup at your door in Almaty
You choose the address and time: home, office, hotel or airport. When you book, we name the vehicle and give you the driver’s phone number; the driver arrives early and helps with the luggage.
The minibus is yours
The 13-seat Toyota Hiace travels with your group only. The price is for the vehicle, so the bigger the group, the less each person pays. If there are more than 13 of you, you can book a second minibus, or we do two runs in a row on a short route.
Driver, fuel and road included
The driver’s service, fuel, toll sections and pickup in Almaty are all in the quoted price. Paid separately, if your route needs them: national park entrance fees, ski passes, a local off-road vehicle, paid parking and pickup outside the city.
One way
The price is for the one-way drive. If you need a ride back, waiting time on site or a trip of several days, send us your plan and we’ll price that option.
Luggage: 13 traveling light, up to 9 with suitcases
Bags and gear go in a separate compartment. If everyone has a large suitcase or a stroller, we take up to 9 people; with skis and snowboards, 9–10. Tell us what you’re bringing when you book.
Payment: cash, Kaspi or invoice
Trips in the city and nearby are paid after the trip. Long intercity trips and trips of several days need a partial prepayment to hold the date, the rest before departure. Companies get an invoice, a contract and closing documents.
We drive groups and families from Almaty to Shymkent: a 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a driver, from 150,000 ₸ for the whole minibus one way. We leave at a time that suits you, drive direct with no unnecessary stops, and take you right to the address you need.
Shymkent is Kazakhstan’s third-largest city and a major business center in the south. People travel here from Almaty for negotiations, to see family, for conferences and sports training camps, and often continue on to Turkestan. The distance between Almaty and Shymkent is about 700 km and the drive takes roughly 8–9 hours, so people usually leave early in the morning to arrive by evening the same day.
The cabin has air conditioning, a media system and reclining seats for the long road, so you can sleep, work or take calls on the way.
Shymkent: how to get there from Almaty
The route follows the national highway through Kordai, Merke and Taraz, the main road to the west of the country, with good pavement for most of the way. The distance from Almaty to Shymkent is about 700 km, roughly 8–9 hours not counting long stops. There are plenty of gas stations and roadside cafés for a break, lunch and a stretch; the driver will point out reliable places.
You pass Taraz after about 500 km, in the last third of the trip; that is where people usually stop for a rest. Since the road is long, it is best to leave early in the morning: that way the group reaches Shymkent by evening the same day, with no overnight stop on the way. If needed, we plan the route in advance around your meeting schedule, hotel check-in or a train connection.
When to go and what to know about the western highway
In summer the south is noticeably hotter than Almaty: in July and August it can reach nearly 40°C by midday, so departure is set for early morning: we cover most of the highway before the worst heat, and the air conditioning isn’t pushed to its limit. In winter the main variable is the Kordai Pass: in snow and ice, traffic there is restricted, and sometimes the whole section is closed until the road services have done their work. We check conditions before departure: if the pass is closed, we shift the time. The road is easiest in spring and September: warm, light and no extremes.
The western highway is one of the country’s main roads, with two lanes in each direction in places. The route does not cross the border: near Kordai the road runs close to the Kyrgyz side but stays in Kazakhstan, so you will not need a foreign-travel passport. Bring plenty of water and something for sun protection for summer stops, and in winter keep a warm jacket handy: it is noticeably colder on the pass than below, even when it is above freezing in Almaty.
Business and family trips as a group
Almaty and Shymkent are the two largest cities in the south, and people travel between them all the time for work and to see family. For a business delegation, a team or a large family, your own minibus is more convenient than an intercity taxi: the whole group in one vehicle, with room for luggage, laptops and gifts.
The driver handles the long highway, and you arrive in Shymkent without being worn out from driving. By arrangement, the minibus stays with you for several days for trips around the city and region, or returns to Almaty.
On to Turkestan, and the return transfer
Many people combine a trip to Shymkent with a day trip to Turkestan by minibus, another 160 km or so to the northwest, to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the new tourist center. With your own minibus this side trip is easy to plan: we head to Turkestan on whatever day suits you, without being tied to bus or train schedules.
We run Almaty–Shymkent trips one way, round trip, or as a multi-day route with waiting on site. Tell us your travel plan, and we will calculate the price in advance.
Shymkent: how the trip works
The long haul in one vehicle
Pickup at your door in Almaty and drop-off at your address in Shymkent.
Early start on your schedule
We set off early in the morning to cover ~700 km in daylight and reach Shymkent by evening the same day. You choose the departure time.
A rest stop in Taraz
Taraz comes after about 500 km, in the last third of the trip: that is where we usually stop for a rest.
On to Turkestan
Turkestan is about another 160 km beyond Shymkent: we can add the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi to the route on a day that suits you.
Shymkent: trip price
from 150,000 ₸ — for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus, one way
The driver and fuel are included. We quote the total before departure; it only goes up if you decide to extend the waiting time.
All intercity trips from Almaty →Customer reviews on 2GIS
“Efficient and fast — a clean bus with a driver arrived on time.”
“Excellent — they provided a minibus with a driver very quickly.”
Toyota Hiace: cabin and luggage
All photos
- 13 passenger seats
- Air conditioning and heating
- High roof
- Soft reclining seats
- Electric door
- Luggage compartment
These photos show a 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a high roof and a wide aisle between the seats. We took them ourselves: the cabin, the seats and the luggage compartment.
13-seat cabin
Luggage compartment
Almaty to Shymkent: a private minibus instead of a scheduled bus
Your group travels in our minibus with a driver, from your door to the destination. Distance: ~700 km; drive time: ~8–9 hours.
Your own AlaGo minibus
- from 150,000 ₸ for the whole minibus with a driver.
- Leave when it suits you, even at 5 a.m.
- We pick you up at your door and drive you to the address you need.
- Luggage, strollers and gear ride in a separate compartment.
Why a scheduled bus is less convenient
- It leaves only on a timetable.
- You have to get to the departure point and from the arrival point on your own, with your bags.
- Luggage goes in a shared hold, and oversized bags and gear usually cost extra.
- You get off at a bus station or the last stop.
Tell us the date and how many of you are traveling. We’ll quote the trip and tell you right away whether the minibus is free; WhatsApp or a phone call is quickest.
Shymkent: frequently asked questions
How much is a minibus from Almaty to Shymkent?
From 150,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace, one way. Tell us whether you need the way back or waiting time in Shymkent. We’ll give you the exact price right away, by phone or on WhatsApp.
How long is the drive from Almaty to Shymkent?
About 8–9 hours each way, not counting long stops. On the long highway we take short breaks for rest and fuel, usually stopping around Taraz.
What is the distance between Almaty and Shymkent?
About 700 km by highway via Taraz. It is one of the main roads of southern Kazakhstan, with good pavement for most of the way.
Can we stop in Turkestan on the way?
Yes. Turkestan is about 160 km beyond Shymkent, and with your own minibus it is easy to plan a trip there; we will add it to the route on a day that suits you.
How many people does the minibus to Shymkent take?
The cabin has 13 seats and a separate luggage compartment. A delegation, a team or a large family travels to Shymkent in one vehicle. All 13 can travel light; if everyone has a large suitcase or bulky gear, we take up to 9 passengers.
What time is best to leave for Shymkent?
On a long road it is best to start early in the morning to cover ~700 km in daylight and reach Shymkent by evening the same day. We set the exact departure time to suit you; we work 24/7.
Tell us where and when
We’ll bring a Toyota Hiace minibus with a driver to any address in Almaty at the time you need. Available 24/7.
Our drivers don’t speak English. Phone calls are in Russian or Kazakh, so WhatsApp works best: write in English and we’ll reply using a translator. Need an interpreter? We can arrange one for an extra fee, agreed in advance.