The best flights and hotels for Celtic fans to book ahead of mammoth journey to Kairat Almaty

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Celtic know their opponents for the Champions League play-off.

The Hoops will play Kairat Almaty after they knocked out Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava on penalties.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will be at home in the first leg on 20 August before facing a gruelling 4,656.3 mile trip to central Asia on 26 August just four days before playing Rangers.

It’s the longest trip possible for Celtic fans but despite the time it takes to get there, we know that the best fanbase in the world will still have representatives out there.

So, with that, 67 Hail Hail have compiled a list of the best flights, hotels and any other questions for the trip to Kazakhstan.

• READ MORE: ‘It is clear’ – Kairat Almaty star delivers brave shout ahead of Celtic Champions League play-off

Flights to Almaty

As expected, flights to the eastern end of Kazakhstan are few and far between, but we’ve found ones that can get you there the day before the game and home in time for the first Glasgow derby.

All flights have been found via Sky Scanner and would need to be booked with the airline in question. Alternative routes include flying to Astana and taking the train are covered below.

Glasgow to Almaty

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (06:10-23:05)
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (08:55-23:00)
• From £851

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (13:10-08:0 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (08:55-23:00)
• From £804

Edinburgh to Almaty

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (06:15-01:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (08:55-22:45)
• From £798

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (10:35-03:35 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (05:25-14:10)
• From £906

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (12:45-06:40 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-17:40)
• From £628

London to Almaty

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (12:15-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-10:25)
• From £497

• To Almaty: Sunday 24 August (09:00-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-10:25)
• From £466

Belfast to Almaty

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (09:05-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-13:45)
• From £662

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (08:10-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-13:45)
• From £625

Dublin to Almaty

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (07:10-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-14:30)
• From £594

• To Almaty: Monday 25 August (07:55-04:15 (+1))
• Leaving: Wednesday 27 August (02:35-14:30)
• From £596

How to get to Almaty from Astana

There are three ways to get to Almaty from the country’s capital, Astana.

The quickest way is to fly, which will take you just under four hours. The cheapest way is to travel by train, but that will take 16 hours and 19 minutes.

Driving will take you 14 hours and 45 minutes, while going by bus is a 21 hour trip.

Hotels in Almaty

According to TripAdvisor as of August 2025, these are the top 10 places to stay in Almaty with the price included for two nights.

1. The Ritz-Carlton (contact for availability)
2. Novotel Almaty city centre (£132)
3. Holiday Inn (£82)
4. Intercontinental by IHG (£304)
5. Rixos (£287)
6. Mercure Almaty city centre (£144)
7. Grand Hotel Tien-Shan (£105)
8. Park Hotel Almaty (£81)
9. Kazzhol Hotel (£74)
10. Ramada by Wyndham (£74)

Do you need a visa for Kazakhstan if you’re from the UK?

No, you will not need a visa if you are travelling from the UK.

Kazakhstan allows UK residents to stay for up to 30 days and you can enter and stay in Kazakhstan for a maximum of 30 calendar days without a visa.

If you plan to stay for longer then you will need to obtain a visa.