Saparzhay bus station: where it is and when the bus wins
Saparzhay is Astana’s main bus station: 5 Goethe Street, on the right bank. Suburban, intercity and international services depart from here — about 146 routes according to the station’s own figures — and it runs around the clock.
The station is 22.5 km and about 29 min from the airport without traffic, and 9.7 km and 13 min from the centre. The old Astana-1 railway station is 300 metres away — easy to confuse in a navigation app.
Updated:
Where the station is and how far it is
| From | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| NQZ airport | 22.5 km | 29 min |
| Central Astana | 9.7 km | 13 min |
| Astana-1 station | 0.3 km | 1 min |
Road routes from OpenStreetMap data (OSRM), times without traffic, measured on 2026-09-23. Distances from the centre are measured from Baiterek.
When the bus is genuinely better
- You travel alone and light, and the timetable suits you: a ticket costs less than a car, and that is simply true.
- The route is a busy one with frequent departures, and the travel time works for you.
- The trip is not tied to a flight: missing a bus costs little, missing a plane does not.
A car wins in the opposite cases: a family or group shares the per-car price; you travel with children, a pram or a lot of luggage; you leave at night or very early; or you need to go straight from the airport without stopping at the bus station.
Where we drive on the same routes
- Astana — Borovoe (Burabay): 258 km, 2 h 45 min
- Astana — Karaganda: 216 km, 2 h 26 min
- Astana — Kokshetau: 312 km, 3 h 12 min
- Astana — Pavlodar: 442 km, 4 h 16 min
- Astana — Temirtau: 179 km, 2 h 4 min
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Saparzhay bus station?
At 5 Goethe Street, Saryarka district — the right bank of Astana. The Astana-1 railway station is 300 metres away.
How far is the bus station from the airport?
22.5 km by road, about 29 min without traffic. From the city centre it is 9.7 km, about 13 min.
When is the bus better than a transfer?
When you travel alone, light, and the timetable suits you: a bus ticket costs less than a car. A transfer wins for groups and families, with children and luggage, at night, and when you need to leave at your own time rather than by timetable.
How much is a car to the bus station?
The price is quoted individually — by vehicle class, pickup time and day of the week. A ride within the city starts from 12 000 ₸. The manager gives the exact amount when confirming the order.
Each ride is priced individually; the amount is fixed when the order is confirmed.