Can I pay taxis in Kazakhstan in cash?

Kazakhstan is catching up with card payments but taxis are not fully there yet. In Astana, I paid with card every time through Yandex Go, but when I tried in Shymkent, I had to scramble for cash because the driver wouldn’t even consider card. The safe option is to keep tenge in your pocket, especially small bills. That way you’re never stuck. I’d say card works in big cities if you plan right, but cash is still the norm elsewhere.

I was in Almaty for a few weeks and got around mainly using Yandex Go. The app charges straight to your card, and drivers don’t argue. The only time I really needed cash was when I hopped into a random taxi outside the Green Bazaar. Those guys almost always want cash on the spot. If you’re sticking to the apps, cards are fine, but if you like flagging down cars on the street, make sure you’ve got cash ready.

My experience in Kazakhstan was a bit of both. In Astana, every Yandex taxi I booked let me link my credit card, and payment was smooth. But once I crossed into smaller towns, drivers wanted tenge, no exceptions. I recommend always having some local cash because the country still has that hybrid system. You’ll see plenty of locals paying in cash too. For convenience in cities, card works fine through the apps, but don’t expect that luxury in villages.

In Almaty and Astana, taxis often accept cards if you use apps like Yandex Go or Uber, which dominate the market. Street-hailed taxis, however, are still very much a cash deal. I learned this the hard way when I tried to pay with a card in Karaganda and the driver simply shook his head. It’s smart to carry tenge in small notes because not every driver has change. Apps are reliable in the big cities, but outside them, always assume cash.