Turkey Trip from Kazakhstan in 2027: Holiday Calendar and Best Months

Kazakh citizens can visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, so a 2027 trip comes down to choosing the right holiday window. The best ones are the May holidays, when Istanbul and the coast are warm but not hot, and the weeks either side of the summer peak in June and September. Nauryz in late March suits a cool city break. For a first trip, our 7-day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour starts from $1,286 per person with the domestic flights included.

This page lines up Kazakhstan's 2027 public holidays with the weather in Türkiye, lists the direct flights from Almaty, Astana and Shymkent, and suggests a package for each length of holiday. If you fly from Almaty and already know you want Istanbul and Cappadocia, our Istanbul and Cappadocia tour from Almaty page goes straight to those routes.

Kazakhstan's 2027 holidays, matched to Türkiye

The table shows the main public holidays in Kazakhstan in 2027, what Türkiye is like at that time, and the kind of trip that fits.

When a holiday falls on a weekend, Kazakhstan often moves days off to make a longer break. Check the government's official 2027 calendar of working days before you book flights.

The May holidays are the strongest window. Three holidays in nine days, and Kurban Ait soon after, make it possible to take a week or more with only a few days of leave. In Türkiye, mid-May is also before the summer heat. Just avoid flying inside Türkiye on 15 and 16 May, when Turkish families travel for Kurban Bayramı.

Best months: the weather in Türkiye

These are long-term averages from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM). Cappadocia figures are for Nevşehir; sea temperatures are MGM's monthly averages for the Mediterranean, where Antalya is.

What the numbers mean for a traveller from Kazakhstan:

• Spring and autumn feel familiar. Istanbul in May or October is similar to a warm Almaty spring day, without the mountain chill in the evening.
• Summer is hotter than at home. Antalya averages 34°C by day in July. Sightseeing is best in the morning and evening, with the middle of the day by the sea.
• Cappadocia is cold at night. Even in summer, Nevşehir's average low is around 13°C to 14°C. Bring a jacket for the sunrise balloon morning.
• September is the best beach month. The Mediterranean is at its warmest, 27°C on average, and the school holidays in many countries are over.

For a month-by-month view of the whole country, see our guide to the best time to visit Turkey.

Flights from Almaty, Astana and Shymkent

All three of Kazakhstan's largest airports have direct flights to Türkiye. Based on the airports' published airline lists:

• From Almaty. Air Astana and Turkish Airlines fly to Istanbul Airport, and Pegasus to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Air Astana also flies to Antalya, and to Bodrum in season, SunExpress to Izmir and AJet to Ankara.
• From Astana. Air Astana and Turkish Airlines fly to Istanbul Airport, Pegasus to Sabiha Gökçen and Antalya, and AJet to Ankara. Air Astana adds Antalya and Bodrum in season. AJet lists a new Astana to Sabiha Gökçen route from 7 January 2027.
• From Shymkent. Pegasus flies to Sabiha Gökçen, and SCAT to Istanbul. Seasonal flights to Antalya are added in summer.

Charter flights to Antalya from several Kazakh cities are common in the summer season. Schedules change between the winter and summer timetables, so check the airline before you plan.

Which Istanbul airport? Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, about 40 to 60 minutes from the Old City by car depending on traffic. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side and usually further from the Old City. Our packages include the transfer from either.

Open-jaw tickets. Because there are direct flights to Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum, you can fly into Istanbul and home from the coast. That avoids a domestic flight back to Istanbul at the end.

Time difference. Kazakhstan uses UTC+5 and Türkiye UTC+3 all year, so Istanbul is two hours behind. Jet lag is mild.

Entry rules for Kazakh passports

According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holders of ordinary Kazakh passports are exempt from a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

• Passport validity. Turkish law requires your passport to be valid for at least 60 days beyond the end of your stay. The ministry recommends six months' validity from the date of arrival, which is the safer rule.
• Children. Each child needs their own passport.
• Domestic flights. You show the same passport on internal flights in Türkiye, so keep it in your hand luggage.
• Other passports. If someone in your group travels on a Russian, Uzbek or other passport, check their rules separately. Our Turkey visa requirements update covers the main nationalities.

Which package for which holiday

Match the trip to the number of days you can take.

A long weekend of 4 or 5 days (Nauryz, Republic Day, the May holidays). Istanbul and Cappadocia together, with a flight between them. Our 5-day Istanbul and Cappadocia package with flights and the Bosphorus starts from $872 per person, and the version with two nights in a cave hotel, the 5-day Istanbul and Cappadocia package, from $1,150 per person. If you only want the city, our Istanbul tour package for 4 days starts from $699 per person.

One week. The classic loop of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, with domestic flights: the 7-day tour starts from $1,286 per person.

One week with a beach. Three nights in Istanbul, then the Mediterranean. The 8-day Istanbul and Antalya package starts from $1,980 per person, with the flight and a boat trip included. For the Aegean instead, a Bodrum holiday package from Istanbul starts from $1,300 per person for four days; it pairs well with Air Astana's seasonal Bodrum flights, so you can fly home from Bodrum.

Ten days. All four classic regions plus the coast: the 10-day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Antalya tour starts from $1,605 per person.

Travelling with children in the summer holidays

Kazakh schools break for the summer from the end of May until 1 September, which makes June to August the main family season. Some points that help:

• June beats August. The sea is already warm in late June and Istanbul is less hot than in August.
• Short drives. Choose packages with domestic flights between regions, so children spend less time in a car.
• Family rooms. Ask for family rooms or connecting rooms early, especially in Cappadocia cave hotels, which have fewer large rooms.
• Balloons and children. Balloon companies set their own minimum age and height rules, so ask before you book a flight for a child. Our balloon flight with hotel pickup starts from $111 per person. Every flight depends on permission from the civil aviation authority on the morning.
• Antalya days out. Boat trips, waterfalls and old Kaleiçi suit families. Our Antalya excursions page lists them in Russian.

Our Istanbul tour packages for families page has more ideas for the city part of the trip.

Language, money and practical points

Guides. Our tours are led by licensed guides, usually in English. A Russian-speaking guide can be arranged on request, subject to availability; see our Russian-speaking guide in Istanbul page. A Kazakh-speaking guide can also be requested, but very few licensed guides in Türkiye work in Kazakh, so ask early.

Money. Our tours are priced and paid in US dollars. In Türkiye, everyday payments are in Turkish lira, and Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, restaurants and most shops. Tenge is hard to exchange in Türkiye, so bring US dollars or euros for cash.

Food. Türkiye is a Muslim-majority country and the meat in ordinary restaurants is halal. Grilled meats, rice pilaf, yoghurt and fresh bread will feel familiar.

Phones. Turkish mobile operators sell tourist SIM cards and eSIMs at the airport. Our Turkey travel tips page explains how to pay, tip and stay connected.

Tours that cover this

• Istanbul and Cappadocia package, 5 days with flights and the Bosphorus: from $872 per person.
• Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour, 7 days with flights: from $1,286 per person.
• Istanbul and Antalya tour package, 8 days with flight and Suluada: from $1,980 per person.
• Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Antalya tour, 10 days: from $1,605 per person.

Travellers from neighbouring countries can also compare our Turkey trip from Russia 2027 page, which covers the May holidays from a Russian angle.

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