Top 10 Best Airports in Central Asia in 2025

Skytrax’s awards for 2025 are in full swing, and the latest category is the world’s best airports in the Central Asia region.

Central Asia’s top hubs were all up for contention as over the past few years, a surprising number of airports in this geography have upped their game by building new terminals, improving services, and generally becoming an attractive destination for leisure travellers.

Without much ado, here is a look at the top 10 best airports in Central Asia in 2025.

Top 10 Best Airports in Central Asia in 2025

1. Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku – GYD/UBBB

Baku’s main airport doesn’t feel like an airport at first glance and gives out the vibes of a luxury shopping complex or hotel.

The golden, curved wood interiors are warm and welcoming, and quiet corners are a surprisingly frequent occurrence around the airport.

The security and check-in are quick for the most part, but immigration can be a bit of a fuss, although that’s the only step that takes a bit of time. The lounges are no-nonsense but luxurious.

There’s a decent mix of food, from Azerbaijani delicacies to proper coffee and a few conventional Western dishes, and the duty-free items include the usual, plus local liquors and chocolates too.

Only 20 minutes from the city centre, it’s easy to get in and out via taxis and buses.

2. Almaty International Airport, Almaty – ALA/UAAA

Almaty’s airport has undergone a revamp recently, and the place feels brighter, more open, and less chaotic than it used to be.

Getting through security is generally painless, and the terminal layout makes sense with everything accessible through short walks and no lengthy train rides or terminal changes.

The shops offer a collection of Kazakh chocolates, wines, and the regular duty-free items, whereas the food court is a mix of local and global, so it matches everyone’s tastes.

Almaty, unlike Baku, has only one lounge that caters to just business class flyers, so those with loyalty cards and airline tiers are not offered any special amenities.

The airport is about 15 minutes from the city by taxi, which makes it easy for short visits.

3. Nazarbayev International Airport, Nur Sultan – NQZ/UACC

Kazakhstan’s capital airport is neat, bright, and easy to figure out. The big glass windows flood everything with daylight, and there’s no dingy vibe that travellers usually complain about when travelling through other Central Asian hubs.

The staff are polite and quietly efficient, while the food and shopping aren’t huge here, but they provide the basics flawlessly to locals as well as overseas customers.

The lounges are calm spots with all the modern amenities, and getting into the city is easy enough, as a bus stand and taxi agencies are right outside.

4. Tashkent International Airport, Tashkent – TAS/UTTT

Tashkent’s airport has been making gradual improvements, and the newer international terminal feels fresher and more organised than before.

It’s not massive, which means passengers can get from one end to the other comfortably on foot, with efficiency a big part of the hub’s operating model.

That said, immigration can get busy during peak arrivals, but things tend to move along steadily. Meanwhile, duty-free offerings include perfumes, spirits, and local culinary crafts.

The food is limited, however, and leans towards the local side, so those with Western preferences are forced to pay and access one of the lounges at the airport, which offer more amenities than the rest of the terminal.

The airport is about 15 minutes from the city by taxi, so the overall experience is largely stress-free.

5. Chisinau International Airport, Chisinau – RMO/LUKK

Chisinau Airport is small to say the least, with everything close together, with a lesser frequency of flights than its competition in this category, making it already a very efficient port.

The check-in, security, and immigration are a breeze, and there are a couple of cafes where passengers can enjoy Moldovan food and drinks with views of the tarmac.

The duty-free isn’t huge, but houses local brandy, honey, and a few quirky souvenirs, and the Wi-Fi is good, and the lounges provide a calmer space for the premium travellers.

Being only 13 kilometres from the city centre means travelling by cabs is the fastest as well as the most cost-effective way of getting to and from the airport.

6. Zvarnots International Airport, Yerevan – EVN/UDYZ

Yerevan’s main airport feels bright and airy from the moment passengers step inside, thanks to its high ceilings and big windows, which make it a pleasant space to travel through.

The pragmatic layout complements the modern architecture nicely, and the facilities also live up to the billing. There’s a decent spread of food, including wraps and barbecued meats, to coffees.

The duty-free zone is worth a stop with the local brandy and sweets, the highlights of the shopping affair. The lounges are close to the gates and offer a distinguished space for premium flyers.

The airport is conveniently located only 12 kilometres from the city centre, thus being well-connected by more than one mode of transport.

7. Atyrau International Airport, Atyrau – GUW/UATG

Atyrau keeps it simple.

This is a small airport that does exactly what it needs to, offers efficiency without any long queues or complicated layouts, allowing passengers to head straight from the entry to the gate.

The facilities are basic with a cafe, a few kiosks, and some seating areas, but the airport is clean and everything works well.

The Wi-Fi is free, there’s a currency exchange booth, and it’s only a short drive into the city. For a city serving Kazakhstan’s oil sector, this offers the perfect experience for business travellers.

8. Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat – ASB/UTAA

Ashgabat’s airport has a distinct design with the terminal shaped like a giant falcon, gleaming white against the sky.

Inside, the terminal is built of polished marble floors, high ceilings, and a sense of pragmatic architecture. It’s spacious without feeling empty, and because flights are tightly managed, it rarely feels crowded.

There’s a handful of shops, a duty-free shop, and a couple of cafes for a quick snack. The security and immigration are thorough but efficient, as staff keep things moving.

Wi-Fi is also available, and lounges give you a more private space for those seeking it. Commute-wise, it is just a short hop away from the city centre.

9. Samarkand International Airport, Samarkand – SKD/UTSS

The new Samarkand Airport terminal is beautifully built. It is modern, shiny, and designed with nods to the city’s famous Registan Square.

Inside, it’s clean, bright, and easy to navigate. There aren’t tons of shops, but passengers can grab some local snacks or browse a small but tidy duty-free shop.

The seating is comfortable, Wi-Fi works fine, and everything feels well looked after. It’s just 8 km from the city centre, so as a secondary hub to the country besides Tashkent, it works superbly.

10. Nakhchivan International Airport, Nakhchivan – NAJ/UBBN

Nakhchivan’s airport is tiny, but it’s clean and well-run.

Passengers are barely a couple of minutes from check-in to their gate, and there’s none of that big-airport stress and glamour.

The facilities are basic with a cafe, a kiosk or two, and the staff are polite and will usually go out of their way to help.

The majority of flights connect here to Baku and a few other spots, and it’s only a short drive into the city. The airport is not built for exploring, but as a quick, no-nonsense stop.

Bottom line

Central Asia’s best airports aren’t all about size or flashy gimmicks, although some certainly have the style factor. What makes them shine is a mix of efficiency, friendliness, and enough personality to live up to their cultural roots.

Each airport has its way of welcoming travellers, and while they may not be household names like Singapore or Dubai, they make arrivals and departures smoother, with good connectivity to most of the region’s transit hubs and tourist spots.

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