A cab is the most convenient way of getting from point A to point B in a big city. And Almaty is not an exception. Almost half a million cabs (according to unofficial stats) compete with each other; this is an astonishing figure both for Kazakhstan and the overall post-Soviet space.

There are ample options of getting a cab in Almaty: through Yandex.Taxi or inDriver (a full list of verified cabs) or simply by hailing right on the street - and several “private cabs” will stop immediately.

Yandex Taxi

For the safest and most convenient way to get a taxi, you can install an app and use the services of Yandex Taxi. It functions in a similar way to Uber and accepts payment both in cash and card. The app works well with an English translation, but remember that most drivers won't be able to speak English or understand it.

To order, simply install the app, register as a user, add a payment card (or select the cash payment option), and order a taxi from 4 available classes from point A to point B. The economy class are typically old cars, don't be too shocked with what arrives.

Comfort and Comfort plus are newer, more comfortable cars, with a chance of getting a Business class car in Comfort Plus. Business are typically new comfortable cars with air conditioning, complimentary water and phone chargers, and very polite drivers. If you are visiting Almaty in summer, we recommend you order a higher class taxi so you have air conditioning.

Yandex taxis have a wide range of travel and you can take them quite far outside the city, for example to the popular mountain resort Lesnaya Skazka. However, remember this - you can find a taxi easily from the city to somewhere outside, but the chances of finding a taxi outside the city are much smaller. Be sure that you have a backup plan of returning to your hotel. Most popular resorts and tourist destinations will have some kind of unofficial taxi available, at least during daylight hours, but it doesn't hurt to be sure still. A good option is to ask the driver of a taxi to pick you up later on for a good fee. Most drivers will be happy to agree.

There is always an option of hailing a car that is going the same way as you are or just giving lifts to people for money. However, despite being cheaper than any official taxi, this option is increasingly unsafe. There have been incidents of taxi drivers taking advantage of tourists and extorting more money from them then the ride is worth, or even threatening them until they pay, so hail cars on your own risk.

The licensed cabs have advantages and disadvantages. The pros are:

• The key advantage is that cab drivers do not accept additional passengers in, but immediately drive to your destination.
• The price of the service is known right from the start. This is especially convenient if you are in Almaty for the first time, and do not know how much it costs to reach your point.
• Official cabs are not fined by the road police for tax evasion: they will not keep you waiting on the way to your destination.
• Relative safety: you know the car number in advance and can tell it to the people meeting you or your family.

The cons are:

• The trip is about 30 % more expensive than in an illegal cab. 
• If you are in a hurry, do not call an official cab. One has to wait quite for some time, many cab drivers are not locals and do not know the city, thus, can get lost. The maps of Almaty used by both Yandex and Uber have inaccuracies, and you will probably have to show the way.
• Lcal people say that in poor weather official cabs stop operating. If it is raining or snowing, there is no chance to get it either by calling or through the app.
• New comfy cars are rare. Chances are that you get a junk.
• Official cab drivers also violate traffic rules.

There are ample gypsy cabs in Almaty. Almost all car owners pick up for money if people are going their way. This is called “making an extra buck” - and many earn a living this way. This illegal business has its pros:

• One can hail a cab quickly and securely right on the road. If you raise your hand, several cars stop at once.
• It is cheaper than official cabs.
• You can also bargain with a driver - some like it.
• When it is raining and snowing cars stop as well, there is 30-100 % up-charge in bad weather. But the core advantage is that you go against all odds.
• If you are well-dressed, chances are that a fairly expensive and new car will stop.

Cons of using a gypsy cab in Almaty:

• Illegal cabs accept additional passengers en route. But you can settle this issue by paying more for a sole ride.
• It happens that one has to show the way to an illegal cab too.
• Chances are that a car will be old and uncomfortable.
• Gypsy cabs often break the rules and obstruct other cars, thus, they are often stopped by the traffic police.
• There are high chances to meet a boor, and small chances to call a thief. Hitchhiking is not safe.

The authorities of Kazakhstan are fighting against illegal cabs by providing privileges to authorized cabs. For example, in Astana, official cars with the checkerboard pattern can move along a lane allocated for public transport. And if caught, illegal carriers are fined up to ₸45,000. In Almaty airport, passengers may complain to the transport police if some illegal cabs are too obtrusive - and the latter will be fined. Obtrusive cab drivers are the scourge of this place. When a tourist with a suitcase is walking along the terminal, he/she has to stand against a mob of cab drivers.

It is exactly the airport from where it is worth using the services of an authorized cab - at night it will cost almost the same and you will not have to wait long. At night, regardless of whether you prefer an illegal driver or call a verified cab, prepare the money to pay the fare in advance - there is often no change.

List of companies - Almaty cabs

Useful links

Best hotels in Astana (Kazakhstan)

Best hotels in Almaty (Kazakhstan)

4 ways to get to Shymbulak

Best hotels in the mountains of Almaty 

Tourist Attractions in the Almaty Mountains

An abandoned rocket shaft in the Almaty region