Direct (nonstop) flights from Almaty to Urumqi

2 airlines fly nonstop from Almaty International Airport (ALA) to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (URC). It's 524 miles (844 km), about 1h 40m in the air. Operated by China Southern Airlines, Air Astana.

ALA
Almaty International Airport
🇰🇿 Almaty, Kazakhstan
URC
Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport
🇨🇳 Urumqi, China
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
524 mi
844 km
CO₂/pax
97 kg
−73 kg vs. layover
Airlines
2
China Southern Airlines +1
Time Diff
+3h
Operated by China Southern Airlines China Southern Airlines Air Astana Air Astana

Route data last updated: May 31, 2026

Airlines with non-stop flights

China Southern Airlines CZ China Southern Airlines
Route
ALA → URC
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
524 mi
Air Astana KC Air Astana
Route
ALA → URC
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
524 mi

Alternative Routes

Other ways to fly from Almaty to Urumqi with one stop · direct emits 97 kg CO₂ per passenger

ALA BSZ (Bishkek) URC
Leg 1: 50m (131 mi) Leg 2: 1h 55m (656 mi) Total: ~2h 45m 🍃 170 kg CO₂ (+75% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ALA → BSZ
50m · 131 mi
View ALA to BSZ flights →
Leg 2
BSZ → URC
1h 55m · 656 mi
View BSZ to URC flights →
ALA YIN (Yining) URC
Leg 1: 1h 30m (219 mi) Leg 2: 1h 20m (306 mi) Total: ~2h 50m 🍃 122 kg CO₂ (+26% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ALA → YIN
1h 30m · 219 mi
View ALA to YIN flights →
Leg 2
YIN → URC
1h 20m · 306 mi
View YIN to URC flights →
ALA CIT (Shymkent) URC
Leg 1: 1h 25m (389 mi) Leg 2: 2h 13m (913 mi) Total: ~3h 38m 🍃 266 kg CO₂ (+174% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ALA → CIT
1h 25m · 389 mi
View ALA to CIT flights →
Leg 2
CIT → URC
2h 13m · 913 mi
View CIT to URC flights →
ALA TAS (Tashkent) URC
Leg 1: 1h 35m (423 mi) Leg 2: 2h 25m (943 mi) Total: ~4h 🍃 262 kg CO₂ (+170% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ALA → TAS
1h 35m · 423 mi
View ALA to TAS flights →
Leg 2
TAS → URC
2h 25m · 943 mi
View TAS to URC flights →
ALA NQZ (Astana) URC
Leg 1: 1h 45m (591 mi) Leg 2: 2h 30m (894 mi) Total: ~4h 15m 🍃 299 kg CO₂ (+208% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ALA → NQZ
1h 45m · 591 mi
View ALA to NQZ flights →
Leg 2
NQZ → URC
2h 30m · 894 mi
View NQZ to URC flights →

Looking for the return flight?

URC → ALA: Flights from Urumqi to Almaty

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the direct flight from Almaty to Urumqi?

A nonstop flight from Almaty (ALA) to Urumqi (URC) takes approximately 1 hours and 40 minutes. The distance is 524 miles (844 km).

Which airlines fly nonstop from Almaty to Urumqi?

2 airlines: China Southern Airlines, Air Astana.

Is there a nonstop flight from Almaty to Urumqi?

Yes. 2 airlines: China Southern Airlines, Air Astana.

How far is Almaty from Urumqi?

The flight distance from Almaty to Urumqi is 524 miles (844 km), measured as the great-circle (shortest air) distance.

What is the time difference between Almaty and Urumqi?

Urumqi is 3 hours ahead of Almaty. (Asia/Almaty vs Asia/Shanghai.)

What type of aircraft flies from Almaty to Urumqi?

At 1h 40m, this route typically uses narrow-body aircraft — Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Varies by airline.

Do I need a visa to travel from Kazakhstan to China?

Depends on your passport. Check with the China embassy or an official visa portal before booking — requirements change.

What is the carbon footprint of a flight from Almaty to Urumqi?

Roughly 97 kg CO2 per passenger one-way. That's about the same as driving 485 km.

Is the return flight from Urumqi to Almaty also nonstop?

Yes — nonstop flights run both ways. Flight time may differ slightly due to wind patterns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Almaty to Urumqi?

Midweek flights (Tue/Wed) outside holiday peaks are usually cheapest. 3-6 weeks ahead is a good window for this route. Use "Check Prices" above to compare.

How early should I arrive at Almaty International Airport for this flight?

3 hours before departure for international flights. You need time for check-in, security, and immigration.