New Year in Turkey from Astana: tours

New Year in Turkey from Astana is a flight with winter weather, a festive program at the hotel and a choice between sea, city and snow. On the coast in December and January, daytime temperatures are +14…+18 °C, in Istanbul +5…+10 °C, in Cappadocia around +5 °C and snow.

When is the best time to go on New Year holidays?

Holiday dates in Turkey fall during high season, and it is worth preparing for them in advance. Below is information about weather, prices and timing so that a trip from Astana during the New Year holidays goes without surprises.

Weather and temperature on the coast in December–January

In Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Side and Belek, daytime temperatures are usually +14…+18 °C, at night around +8…+11 °C, and rain falls often and for long periods. The sea cools to +16…+18 °C, so few people dare to swim in open water, but hotels have heated pools. In Istanbul, winter is damp and windy, the thermometer stays within +5…+10 °C, and snow falls several times per season. In Cappadocia, nighttime frosts down to −5 °C occur, daytime is around +5 °C, and snow cover remains on the plateau until spring. On the Aegean coast, in Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi, life comes to a standstill in winter: most hotels and cafes are closed, and the towns live their ordinary, non-tourist life. The conclusion is simple: choose the region for what you want to do, not the other way around.

High season, prices and booking deadlines

The New Year holidays are the most expensive stretch of winter in Turkey, and hotel prices on these dates are higher than in early December or late January. Peak demand falls on December 28 — January 5, when Turkish hotels hold festive programs, and places on the coast become fewer and fewer. It is reasonable to book the tour and flight from Astana two to three months in advance: closer to the holidays, the choice narrows to individual rooms, and the cost rises. Outside the holidays, in the same December and January, the same hotel will cost noticeably less, and the weather is almost no different. If your dates are flexible, shift the trip to the first half of December — you will get the same resort at a reduced price.

What to consider when choosing a hotel in winter?

In winter, a Turkish hotel operates differently than in summer, and this is worth checking before paying. Below is information about recreation areas and how all inclusive behaves in low season.

Working recreation areas: spa, heated pools, indoor water parks

In Kemer, Antalya, Alanya and Belek, only some hotels are open in winter, but it is precisely they that maintain spa centers, indoor heated pools and indoor water parks. The water temperature in a heated pool is usually +28…+30 °C, and swimming there is comfortable even in January, which cannot be said about the open sea. A Turkish bath, sauna and massage are part of the winter package of almost any spa hotel, and it is better to book procedures in the morning. In Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi, most spas are closed along with the hotels, so winter holidays there are walks around the city, not the pool. When booking, check whether the pool is heated and whether the water park is operating: some facilities open only depending on the weather.

Features of the all inclusive concept in low season

In low season, the all inclusive system in Turkey operates in a reduced form: some restaurants and bars are closed, and the operating outlets may open later and close earlier. Meals usually remain three times a day, but the choice of dishes is more modest than in summer, and some à la carte restaurants require an additional payment. Alcohol under the concept is often served local and in limited quantities, while imported alcohol is available for a separate fee. In winter, animation is reduced to evening shows and board games, and the kids' club may operate by the hour. Before paying, ask the hotel for a list of open restaurants, bars and pools for your dates: that way you will know exactly what you are paying for.

How to get to the resorts and what about the visa

The journey from Kazakhstan to Turkey in winter almost always involves a connection. Below is information about flights, transfers and organizational details of the trip.

Flights, connections and transfers to the coast

The time difference with Turkey is plus two hours to Astana time, and this is worth considering when planning New Year's Eve.

Documents, insurance and time difference

For the trip, a Kazakhstani needs a foreign passport, and it is better to arrange medical insurance in advance: in winter, colds and injuries on slippery streets occur more often, and treatment in private clinics is paid. A policy with coverage for hospitalization and calling a doctor will cost little and remove most of the risks. Keep copies of the hotel booking and airline tickets at hand in your phone, and the originals in carry-on luggage. The time difference with Turkey is plus two hours to Astana time, so it is better to leave the first day without excursions. Acclimatization is mild, but children and elderly travelers should be given an extra day to rest.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa. The information on this page was verified on 18.09.2026.

What to do besides the beach

Winter Turkey is not only the sea, which is not there anyway. Below is information about snow entertainment and what to do in the cities.

Ski destinations and snow entertainment

On the ski resorts of Turkey — Erciyes, Palandoken and Kartalkaya — in December and January there is stable snow, and people go there specifically for skiing. Erciyes rises above Kayseri and welcomes skiers from December to March, the slopes there are of varying difficulty, and rentals and instructors work right by the lifts. Palandoken near Erzurum is known for its long season and wide slopes, Kartalkaya is convenient for a day trip from Istanbul. There are also snow activities on the plains: tubing hills, snowmobiles and walks through snowy Cappadocia. Warm clothing is essential here, and car rentals in the mountains should be taken with winter tires.

City walks, fairs and gastronomy

Istanbul during the New Year holidays is decorated, fairs operate in the squares, and store windows turn into a separate attraction. Turkish cuisine in winter means soups, kebabs, fresh fish and hot drinks like salep, and in Istanbul such places are open around the clock. In Cappadocia in winter it is quiet and uncrowded, but hot air balloon flights are often canceled due to wind and snow, so allow a backup day. On the coast, street cafes in Kemer, Antalya, Alanya and Side in December operate on a reduced schedule, but the cities themselves host concerts and holiday programs. Museums and shops in Istanbul on January 1 are often closed, plan this day as a walking day.

How to prepare for the trip

Packing for winter Turkey differs from summer, and the little things here decide a lot. Below — about money, clothing and car rental.

Money, cash and currency exchange

Bank cards of Kazakhstani banks are not accepted everywhere in Turkey, so cash in lira or dollars will come in handy at markets, in taxis and small cafes. Exchanging tenge for lira directly is difficult, it is more profitable to bring dollars or euros and exchange them at exchange offices or through ATMs. The rate at the airport is usually worse than in the city, so it is better to exchange a large sum at exchange points in resort centers. Keep part of the cash in small bills: large ones often do not have change. It is convenient to pay by card in hotels and large stores, but just in case keep a reserve for a day or two.

Warm clothing, first aid kit and car rental

For a trip to Cappadocia and Istanbul you need warm clothing: at night frosts and snow are possible, during the day around +5…+10 °C, and on the coast a jacket, umbrella and waterproof shoes will come in handy. A first aid kit in winter is assembled broader than in summer: antipyretics, cold remedies, painkillers and bandages will come in handy on any trip. Car rental in winter is cheaper, but in the mountains and on passes winter tires and chains may be required, and this should be clarified with the rental company in advance.

Briefly

• Holiday dates are high season, book your hotel and flight two to three months in advance.
• In Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Side and Belek in winter, some hotels with spas and heated pools are open.
• In Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi in winter, most hotels and cafes are closed.
• Swimming is comfortable only in heated pools: the sea cools to +16…+18 °C.