Almaty Metro: Stations, Map & Travel Guide

Updated September 2026, Almaty Metro: Stations, Map & Travel Guide was originally written in October 2019

This is a guide to the Almaty Metro including the most beautiful and interesting stations in Kazakhstan’s

The Almaty Metro is one of the most unusual things to see in Kazakhstan’s largest city. Opened in 2011 after more than two decades of construction, the metro currently has 11 stations, each with its own artwork, architecture, and connection to Kazakh history and culture.

Even if you have no actual need to use public transportation in Almaty, riding the metro is worth doing for the stations alone. Jibek Joli’s yurt-inspired design, Baikonur’s space-age interiors, and Abay’s ornate mosaics are particularly impressive.

This guide covers Almaty Metro fares, hours, the metro map, all 11 stations, and the best stations to visit, along with a little history and tips for exploring the system.

Full disclosure: I’m a complete moron when it comes to public transportation. You could probably blame it on me being from the USA, I mean, we are a nation of people who love their cars after all.

Mostly I’d say you should blame it on my Alaskaness— as public transport is almost non-existent here (for real, take a look at a People Mover coverage map and tell me how easy it is to get around Anchorage, and more so between Anchorage and its neglected northern and southern ‘burbs).

But I can without a doubt say that the Almaty Metro puts the subways of New York, Paris, and Budapest to great shame (though it’s not quite as grandiose as the Tashkent and Moscow metros).

In this post, you’ll get to see some of the world’s most beautiful metro stations, including cost, tips, the best stations to visit, and a little history on the stations.

If you’re starting to plan your travels in Kazakhstan, I recommend picking up a copy of the Bradt Kazakhstan guidebook to help you organize your visit.

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Almaty Metro at a Glance

Lines	1
Stations	11
Opened	December 1, 2011
Length	About 13-14 km
Operating hours	About 6:20 am-midnight
Fare	120 KZT per ride
Best stations for visitors	Jibek Joli, Almali, Abay, Baikonur
Airport connection	No direct metro connection

A Quick History Of The Almaty Metro

The construction of the Almaty Metro began in 1988, when Kazakhstan was still part of the Soviet Union. The project was interrupted after the collapse of the USSR, leaving Almaty without a functioning metro for more than two decades.

Construction eventually resumed, and the Almaty Metro finally opened on December 1, 2011, with seven stations between Raiymbek Batyr and Alatau. Two additional stations, Sairan and Moskva, opened in 2015.

The network was expanded again in 2022 with Saryarka and Bauyrzhan Momyshuly, bringing the system to its current 11 stations. The metro currently operates as a single line, with further expansion planned toward the western suburbs.

A second line consisting of 10 more stations is planned to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2035.

Read: The Best Things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty Metro: What to Know Before You Go

How Much Does the Almaty Metro Cost?

A single ride on the Almaty Metro currently costs 120 KZT. Tickets can be purchased from the kassa inside the stations, and contactless payment is also available at metro gates.

You can purchase yellow metro tokens at the kassa windows inside each of the metro stations. Children under the age of 7 ride free, and kids (7-15 years old) ride for half the price (40 KZT).

Does the Almaty Metro Go to the Airport?

No, there is currently no direct metro connection to Almaty International Airport. If you’re arriving by air, you’ll need to continue into the city by bus or taxi from the airport.

Almaty Metro Hours of Operation

The metro trains run from 6:20 am to 11:30 pm. The first train for the morning departs Raimbek Batyr Station at 6:24 am and arrives at Moskva Station by 6:40 am.

Trains run on a 10 minute interval on weekdays with that interval being shortened to 8 minutes during peak rush hours.

On weekends and holidays, the trains run on 15 minute intervals.

Need inspiration: See 32 photos that will make you want to book a ticket to Kazakhstan

Almaty Metro Map

The Almaty Metro currently has one line and 11 stations, running roughly east-west through the city before continuing west toward Bauyrzhan Momyshuly. There are no transfers, making the system particularly easy for first-time visitors to navigate.

Almaty Metro Stations: A Guide to All 11 Stops

My personal favorites are Jibek Joli and Baikonur stations, however, each station is ornate and unique in its own right.

Raimbek Batyr Station (Райымбек Батыра)

Raimbek was an 18th century Kazakh hero who was awarded the title of Batyr for his efforts in fending off the Dzungar invasions into Kazakh territories and helped liberate the Kazakhs oppressed by the Dzungarian Empire. The station has high arched ceilings and as you exit the platform on the escalator, you’ll see a large statue of Raimbek Batyr on horseback.

Nearby attractions: Almaty-2 Railway Station, Green Bazaar

Jibek Joli Station (Жибек Жолы)

Jibek Joli is the Kazakh (and other Turkic-based languages) name for the Silk Road. The architecture of the Jibek Joli Metro Station reflects elements of Kazakh nomadic culture.

The walls resemble the lattice-like appearance of the inside of a yurt and the end of the platform has a mural that displays the Shanyrak, the top opening of a yurt and important cultural symbol in Kazakhstan (as well as Kyrgyzstan).

Nearby attractions: Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, Zhibek Zholy pedestrian street

Almali Station (Алмалы)

Almaty is the ‘City of Apples’. To celebrate the fruit that gives Almaty its nickname, it was only fitting to name a station Almali, the word for apple in Kazakh.

When you walk out of the platform, you’ll notice a glass mural of an apple tree. The floors and walls of Almali Station reflect patterns that can be seen in traditional Kazakh felt and carpet works.

Nearby attractions: Arbat, Opera House, central Almaty

Abay Station (Абая)

Rumi is to Iran is who Abay is to Kazakhstan. Abay Qunanbaiuli was Kazakhstan’s most famous and celebrated poet. The station is adorned with Florentine-style mosaics and at either end a bronze relief of Abay.

Nearby attractions: Central State Museum, Kok-Tobe area

Baikonur Station (Байконур)

Baikonur Station pays homage to the Baikonur Kosmodrome, the largest space complex in the world. Located in southeastern Kazakhstan at the banks of the Syr-Darya River, Baikonur was home to the Soviet Space Program from 1955 until the collapse of the USSR, and since has been rented and administered by the Russian Federation.

Baikonur is the launching site for many famous space expeditions, including the launch of Sputnik-1, Yuri Gagarin (the first man in space), Valentina Tereshkova (the first woman in space), and more groundbreaking firsts.

Baikonur Station has a futuristic look with gleaming white and blue panels and even plays launch footage on a large screen at the end of the platform. Akzheleng Bassen was the artist behind the unique design.

Need a city break: Take a hike to Big Almaty Lake

Auezov Theatre Station (Театр Имени Мухтара Ауэзова)

Circular stone carvings adorn the walls of Auezov Theatre Station, depicting scenes of Kazakh traditional lifestyles and national pride that have for many years inspired Kazakh playwrights’ storylines. Mukhtar Auezov was a famous Kazakh writer who penned The Path Of Abay, and is the man the Auezov Theatre was named after.

Neaby attractions: Auezov Theatre, Almaty Circus

Alatau Station (Алатау)

Alatau Station houses mosaics of Kazakhstan’s mountains, one of which includes the Ile-Alatau Range that flanks Almaty to the south. Alatau (sometimes written ala-too) is a Turkic word meaning diverse mountains, and, thus you’ll see many a range with the name Alatau in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and more.

Sayran Station (Сайран)

Sayran Lake is a manmade reservoir in the city of Almaty, where the metro station of the same name sits just 1 kilometer southeast of. Sayran features a rainbow relief on the platform wall.

Moskva Station (Москва)

Moskva Station honors the bond between Russia and Kazakhstan. At the time of construction, management contacted the Russian Embassy to notify that the new station would be called Moskva rather than the originally slated name of Molodyozhnaya, as a tribute to Russia and their relations.

Saryarka Station(Сарыарқа)

Saryarka means yellow range in the Kazakh language. The station opened in May of 2022 and is located near Family Park.

Bauyrjon Momyshuli Station (Бауыржан Момышұлы)

Named after the Kazakh-Soviet war hero Bauyrjon Momyshuli, the station is one of Almaty Metro’s newest opened in May 2022. Bauyrjon Momyshuli was a Soviet military officer from Kazakhstan who defended the Soviet Union during WWII and was awarded the title of People’s Hero of Kazakhstan

The Best Almaty Metro Stations to Visit

If you’re riding the Almaty Metro primarily to see the architecture rather than to get somewhere, you don’t necessarily need to stop at every station. My favorites are Jibek Joli, Baikonur, Abay, and Almali, each of which has a distinctly different design.

Station	Why Visit
Jibek Joli	Silk Road and yurt-inspired design
Baikonur	Space-themed interiors
Abay	Ornate mosaics and tribute to Abay
Almali	Apple-themed artwork and traditional motifs
Auezov Theatre	Kazakh cultural imagery

How to Tour the Almaty Metro

The easiest way to explore the Almaty Metro is simply to ride the line and get off at the stations that interest you. Because the network currently consists of a single line with 11 stations and no transfers, navigating it is surprisingly easy.

If you’re primarily interested in the architecture, I’d start around Jibek Joli and work your way through the central stations, stopping at Almali, Abay, Baikonur, and Auezov Theatre before continuing farther west if you have time.

Need More Information on the Almaty Metro?

Ask your Almaty Metro and station questions in the comments section below. You can also see more information on the metro here.

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