Transport & Travel Essentials
Essential Apps for Travelling in Kazakhstan
The apps I'd download before you land — for maps, taxis, buses, trains, flights, translation and getting online.
Quick Answer
- Download your essential apps and sort out connectivity before you travel.
- Some apps are only available in some countries' app stores — you shouldn't need to change your store region; use the browser version where there is one.
- For train tickets, use the official site: bilet.railways.kz.
What You Need to Know
Before you go
Download the apps you'll need before you travel, and arrange your mobile data (an eSIM or a local SIM) so you can use them from the moment you land.
Some apps can have country-specific availability in the app stores. You shouldn't need to change your app-store country — if an app isn't available to you, check whether it has a browser version or an official website, which are listed below where they exist.
Maps and getting around
2GIS
Maps and local businesses. Dinara's pick for precise building entrances and live bus tracking.
Has a browser version too.
Yandex Go
Taxis, and in some places food delivery. The “Uber” or “Bolt” of Kazakhstan.
You may also see it under other Yandex ride-hailing names. Keep some tenge in case a driver prefers cash.
inDrive
Transport where you propose your own fare and drivers respond. Handy for city-to-city trips or when other prices are high.
ONAY
Paying for public transport in Almaty and some other cities, including the metro.
Dinara's tip: it needs a local SIM. Whether foreign cards can top it up has been reported to vary — check the app before relying on it, and keep cash as a backup.
Google Translate
Translation between English, Russian and Kazakh.
Works in the browser too.
Trains and flights
For trains, use the official ticket website of Kazakhstan's national railway. It has an English version, and there is also an official app (look for “БИЛЕТЫ КТЖ”).
Kazakhstan Railways tickets
The official ticket website for long-distance trains.
Available in Kazakh, Russian and English.
Air Astana
Kazakhstan's national airline — book and manage flights on its official website or app.
FlyArystan
A low-cost airline with domestic routes — book on its official website or app.
Other domestic flights
Staying connected
Arrange connectivity before you travel: either an eSIM from a provider you've checked, or a SIM from a local mobile operator. Check that it covers the places on your route.
Businesses in Kazakhstan run a lot on WhatsApp, so it's worth having to book tours, reserve tables, and contact guides and drivers.
Practical Tips
- Download and sign in to your apps before you leave home.
- Check Yandex Go before agreeing to a taxi price.
- Save the browser versions of 2GIS and Yandex Maps as a backup.
Sources & Checks
Frequently Asked Questions
Yandex Go is the "Uber" or "Bolt" of Kazakhstan for rides, food delivery and even e-scooters. It's reliable, safe, and lets you link your international card.
inDrive is the "haggling app": you propose your own fare and drivers bid. It's useful for city-to-city trips or when Yandex prices are too high.
In Almaty, the Onay app is essential for paying for buses and the metro (only if you have a local SIM card).
2GIS is the king of precise entrances and live bus tracking — use the web version if the app isn't in your store. And businesses in Kazakhstan run on WhatsApp, so it's worth having to book tours, tables and more.
Last reviewed October 2026
You shouldn't need to. Some apps can have country-specific availability in the app stores.
If an app isn't available to you, check whether it has a browser version (2GIS, Yandex Maps and Google Translate do) or an official website — for example the official train ticket site, bilet.railways.kz.
Download what you need, and arrange mobile data, before you travel.
Last reviewed October 2026
Yes — use the official ticket website of Kazakhstan's national railway, bilet.railways.kz. It's available in English as well as Kazakh and Russian, and there is an official app too (look for “БИЛЕТЫ КТЖ”).
Trains are useful if you have more time and want to see how people actually travel between cities.
Last reviewed October 2026
For long distances, flying is often the easiest option. Air Astana and FlyArystan both fly within Kazakhstan — book on their official websites or apps.
Other airlines may serve some routes, and operators change, so check the current options when you book.
Last reviewed October 2026
Both work.
If you want internet ready as soon as you land, an eSIM can be the easiest option.
I'm currently looking at providers I can recommend, and I'll add my preferred option here.
Last reviewed October 2026