Why go
- City in Abai Region, Kazakhstan.
- Served by Semei International Airport (PLX).
History
Semey, formerly known as Semipalatinsk until 2007 and as Alash-Qala from 1917 to 1920, is a city in north-eastern Kazakhstan, in the Kazakh part of Siberia. When Abai Region was created in 2022, Semey became its administrative centre. It lies along the Irtysh River near the border with Russia, 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) north of Almaty and 700 kilometers (430 mi) southeast of the Russian city of Omsk. Its population is 312,764 (stat.gov.kz).
Where to stay
Restaurants & places to go
48 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 3 direct destinations
- Scat Air DV (CRJ, AN4) · 3 routes: Alma-ata, Tselinograd, Ust Kamenogorsk
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Semei International Airport (PLX). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PLX has direct flights to 3 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Alma-ata, Tselinograd, Ust Kamenogorsk).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Semey, Kazakhstan. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.