Tours to Spain from Shymkent: prices

The best time for tours to Spain from Shymkent is from late May to early October, when beach weather prevails on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. In winter, a warm holiday in Spain is possible in Tenerife. The flight from Shymkent is routed through Almaty with one transfer in Istanbul or Dubai and takes from 12 to 18 hours. Accommodation and tickets should be booked 3–4 months in advance.

Trip arrangements: what to prepare in advance

Trips to this country from Shymkent begin with paperwork, and it is important not to miss anything here. Holidays in Spain are loved for the sun and the sea, but the journey to it requires attentiveness.

Submission deadlines and the package of documents

Documents should be submitted one and a half to two months before departure: during high season the queue stretches, and applicants from Shymkent travel to the visa center in Almaty. Appointments there open several weeks in advance, and the package includes an application form, photographs, confirmation of accommodation, and ticket reservations. Processing most often takes about two weeks, but at the peak of summer holidays in Spain the period increases. Apply in advance so you can calmly wait for the answer and not overpay for urgency. Check the exact list of documents on the department's website before your trip.

What matters in your passport and insurance

The passport must be valid for at least three more months after the expected date of return, and blank pages must be left in it for stamps. Medical insurance for a trip to Spain covers at least thirty thousand euros and is valid throughout the entire territory of the country. The policy is purchased for the entire period of the holiday in Spain, including the days of the flight. Without it, you may not be allowed across the border. Keep the printed insurance together with your tickets, it is sometimes asked for at check-in.

How to get from Shymkent to Spanish cities?

The journey from Shymkent to Spain takes a whole day, and the route is best thought through in advance. There are no direct flights from here, so the route is built through Almaty or major hubs.

Connections through Istanbul and Dubai: travel time and transfers

The route through Istanbul is considered the shortest and most convenient for such tours from Shymkent. The total travel time with a transfer usually takes from twelve to eighteen hours. Flying through Dubai takes longer, but connections are sometimes overnight and cheap. In Istanbul the transfer takes two to four hours, in Dubai — from three to six. Choose tickets with one connection point so as not to get lost in an unfamiliar airport. When transferring in Europe, check whether additional baggage screening is required.

Time difference and acclimatization

The time difference between Kazakhstan and Spain is about four to five hours. Spain lives on Central European Time, and after the flight the body gets thrown off. On the first day of your holiday in Spain, do not plan long excursions. Go to bed according to the local schedule, even if you want to take a nap during the day. Dinner in Spain is served late, around nine in the evening, so getting used to it happens naturally. Children adapt more easily if the first day is spent by the sea in Mallorca or Malaga.

Money, communication and getting around on site

Financial and everyday little things decide how comfortable your holiday in Spain will be. Let's look at currency, communication and ways of getting around the resorts.

Currency, exchanging tenge and paying by card

The official currency of Spain is the euro, and exchanging tenge directly is unprofitable. The easiest way to exchange tenge is in Kazakhstan before departure or through dollars on site. Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted almost everywhere: in hotels, supermarkets, cafes. Small shops and markets sometimes work only with cash. It is more convenient to pay for a trip to this country by card, but keep cash on you for small expenses. In tourist areas of Barcelona the exchange rate is worse than in banks.

ATMs, commissions and tourist tax

ATMs in Spain are found at every turn, but the withdrawal commission differs. Some banks take a fixed fee plus a percentage, others — only a percentage. Withdraw large sums less often so as not to pay twice. A tourist tax on accommodation applies in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. It is paid at the hotel at check-in, the amount depends on the category of accommodation and the season. In Madrid and Malaga there is no such fee. Check the tax amount in advance so as not to be surprised at the desk.

Transfer from the airport, car rental and toll roads

From Barcelona airport to the center there is a bus and a commuter train, a taxi costs more. In Malaga and Tenerife, shuttles and city buses are convenient. Renting a car gives freedom, but requires an international driving permit. Toll roads in Spain exist on the mainland; on the islands there are almost none. Parking in coastal towns is paid and often occupied. Include rental, fuel and parking in your budget if you plan to drive a lot. For a short holiday in Spain, public transport is more profitable.

SIM card or roaming: which is more profitable

A local SIM card costs less than roaming with Kazakh operators. Spanish operators sell prepaid packages with internet for two weeks. You can buy a SIM card at the airport or at a mobile phone shop in the city. Roaming is convenient because the number stays the same, but you have to pay more for internet. For a trip to Spain from Shymkent for a week, a local card is enough. If you are traveling as a family, take one SIM card with internet sharing.

Visa and entry rules change: check the primary source — Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/astana/es/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/index.aspx. The information on this page was verified on 17.09.2026.

Accommodation and seasons: when to go and what to consider

The season determines prices, weather, and how crowded resorts are. Let's break down when a holiday in Spain costs less and what works in winter.

High season, school holidays, and peak prices

High season in Spain lasts from June to September, and accommodation prices are at their maximum then. School holidays in Kazakhstan coincide with the peak, so it is better to book here several months in advance. In July and August, there are almost no available hotels on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. Mallorca and Tenerife fill up with families with children. Barcelona gets more expensive because of tourists and conferences. If your dates are flexible, choose late May or early October — the sea is still warm, but there are fewer crowds.

Winter holidays at resorts: what works in low season

In winter, the mainland is cool, but the Canary Islands remain warm. Tenerife welcomes tourists all year round, with temperatures staying around twenty degrees. Mallorca quiets down in winter, and many hotels close until spring. The Costa Brava and Costa Dorada empty out in low season, with only large cities still active. Malaga is mild, but not everyone finds it comfortable for swimming. Winter holidays in Spain are chosen for sightseeing and walks, not beaches. Accommodation prices drop by half, which is good for long trips.

Hotels, apartments, and aparthotels for a family with children

For a family with children, apartments with a kitchen are more convenient than a standard room. Aparthotels combine a kitchen and hotel service, which saves on food. Hotels with an all inclusive system save you from cooking, but cost more. On the Costa Dorada there are many family complexes with pools and mini-clubs. In Barcelona and Madrid, it is more profitable to take apartments in the center. Check the distance to the beach and the availability of an elevator before booking. For trips to this country with small children, look for accommodation with a baby cot.

How to have a holiday on the coast and what to take?

Beaches, sightseeing tours, and small details make a holiday in Spain memorable. Let's break down where to swim with children and how not to overpay.

Beaches with a gentle entry and calm sea

For swimming with children, beaches with a gentle entry and protection from waves are suitable. On the Costa Dorada, the coast in Salou and Cambrils is considered such. The Costa Brava offers bays with clear water, but the entry is rocky in places. In Malaga there is a wide sandy strip and a calm sea almost all season. Tenerife in the south pleases with a gentle entry and warm water all year round. Mallorca is famous for bays with shallow water, convenient for small children. Take shoes for stones if you are going to wild beaches.

Sightseeing tours, museums, and ticket booking

Tickets to popular museums in Barcelona and Madrid are better booked in advance. Queues in high season stretch for hours, and online entry saves time. Sightseeing tours of Gaudi and the old city sell out several days in advance. On the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, trips to the mountains and wine tours are offered. Tenerife is interesting for its volcano and ocean walks. Mallorca beckons with caves and old villages. Buy tickets on official websites so as not to overpay intermediaries.

Language barrier and souvenirs

In tourist areas of Spain, English is understood almost everywhere. In Barcelona and Malaga, hotel staff speak several languages. In remote areas, basic Spanish or a translator on your phone will come in handy. Souvenirs brought from here include ceramics, olive oil, wine, and fans. In the markets of Barcelona and Madrid, haggling is not customary, but in small shops it is possible. Groceries are cheaper in supermarkets than in tourist spots. Buy souvenirs away from the main streets, where prices are lower.

Briefly

• A flight from Shymkent is built through Almaty and one connecting hub.
• Submit documents in advance, one and a half to two months before departure.
• The tourist tax is paid in Catalonia and the Balearics.
• High season is from June to September, book in advance.
• Buy tickets to museums in Barcelona and Madrid online.