How to Get from Almaty to Shymbulak

Almaty, Kazakhstan is the gateway for exploring Shymbulak, Kazakhstan’s premier ski resort. Likely if you are visiting Almaty you will be heading from Almaty to Shymbulak at least once. Whether it is during the winter for skiing in Kazakhstan or in the summer for hiking the Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains, you will not want to miss this opportunity to explore some of the nature that abounds in Kazakhstan.

While travelers can stay at Shymbulak, in fact, some of the best hotels are in the Shymbulak resort, many people (including us) chose to stay in Almaty and make the trek to Shymbulak each day. Almaty has access to more restaurants, bars, and cultural activities to spend your time when you are not skiing or hiking.

Luckily, getting from Almaty to Shymbulak couldn’t be easier. Public buses and taxis run from the city to Medeu, the base station below the resort. From Medeu, the Shymbulak cable car provides easy access up the mountain. For those who prefer not to use public transport, taxis and ride-hailing services can also take you directly to the Medeu cable car station.

Almaty to Shymbulak By Taxi

The easiest way to get from Almaty to Shymbulak is by taxi or ride-hailing service. The most widely used and reliable option in Kazakhstan is Yandex Go, which works much like other ride-hailing apps. You request a ride through the app based on your location and destination, and you can usually pay either in cash or by card.

A Yandex Go taxi from central Almaty to Medeu, the base station below Shymbulak, typically costs between 1,600 ₸ ($3.50 USD) and 3,000 ₸ ($6.75 USD) one-way, depending on traffic, time of day, and demand. From Medeu, you’ll need to take the Shymbulak cable car up to the resort.

In some conditions, a driver may be willing to continue further up the mountain road, but access depends on weather, season, and the driver’s discretion. During our visit, we took a taxi only as far as Medeu and used the cable car for the final ascent.

Almaty to Shymbulak by Bus

The second-best option for getting from Almaty to Shymbulak is by public transportation. Almaty’s public transport network is reliable and makes it easy to travel across the city and up to Medeu, the base station below the ski resort.

The main bus serving this route is Bus No. 12, which runs from the city to the Medeu-Shymbulak base station. The bus starts near Alma-Ata-2 and travels along major avenues before climbing into the mountains toward Medeu. You can view the full list of stops and current routing online if you want to catch it closer to your accommodation.

The journey typically takes 30–45 minutes, depending on where you board and traffic conditions. When boarding closer to the start of the route, allow more time. Bus No. 12 generally runs every 15–20 minutes from early morning until late evening.

A bus ticket usually costs around 120–150 ₸ (under $0.50 USD) per person. Payment is made using the ONAY! public transport system, either via an ONAY! card or the mobile app. Some drivers may still accept cash, but this can vary, so using ONAY! is the most reliable option.

Traveling with ski gear is permitted, though larger items may occasionally incur a small surcharge depending on the driver.

To track bus arrival times and avoid long waits — especially on cold winter mornings — use Yandex Maps, which provides real-time bus locations and up-to-date transit information.

Shymbulak Cable Car

Once you reach the base of the mountain at the Medeu station, the last leg of the journey to Shymbulak is one of the best parts — a scenic cable car ride with panoramic views over the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains.

The Medeu–Shymbulak cable car runs daily (typically from morning through early evening, though seasonal hours vary). Tickets for the cable car can be purchased at the ticket office near the boarding area, and lines are usually short outside peak times.

For non-skiers and hikers, standalone cable car tickets are available. A one-way ticket from Medeu up toward Shymbulak generally costs around 4,000 ₸ per person, while a round-trip ticket is about 6,500 ₸ per person. Some panoramic or special cabin options (e.g., a 360° cabin) may cost more.

If you’re skiing, the cost of the cable car lift access is typically included in your ski pass for that day, so you won’t need a separate cable car ticket.

For the most up-to-date price list, check the Shymbulak Ski Resort website.

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As you can see getting from Almaty to Shymbulak is pretty simple. Whether you choose to travel to Shymbulak by taxi or if you prefer to travel from Alamaty to Shymbulak by bus, you will be at the Shymbulak cable car in less than an hour!

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Thanks for wandering with us!