If you're like me and you haven't heard much about Central Asia, and don't speak the Kazakh or the Russian language, the idea of traveling to Kazakhstan can be quite daunting. In this blog post, I'll introduce you to five mobile apps that will be your go-to during your travels in Kazakhstan. These apps will ensure you make the most of your time in this beautiful country.
5 Essential Apps for Your Trip to Kazakhstan
1. Yandex Go
Uber or Lyft are not available in Kazakhstan. However, Yandex Go is an alternative and it works exactly like the Western apps. What's great is that you can connect your international Visa card for payments or directly pay in cash to the driver. Also, the app is completely in English so it is super easy to navigate.
2. 2GIS
Even though Google Maps works great in Kazakhstan, I noticed that it lacks information on many small businesses. 2GIS is a navigation app that offers detailed maps, up-to-date business listings, and reviews. Whether you're driving or walking, their maps are specifically designed to be user-friendly and offer accurate navigation, making it easier for you to find your way around unfamiliar streets and neighborhoods.
2GIS offers an extensive database of business listings in Kazakhstan. This includes restaurants, hotels, shops, ATMs, pharmacies, and more. With 2GIS, you can search for specific places or browse through different categories to find the services you need. Each listing provides essential information such as contact details, operating hours, customer reviews, and even photos, helping you make informed decisions about where to eat, stay, or shop.
3. Google Translate
This might be a no-brainer for non-Kazakh and Russian speakers but the camera function has saved my life. The app's camera translation feature lets you point your phone's camera at written text, such as street signs or menus, and instantly see translations on your screen. This visual translation feature helps you navigate unfamiliar surroundings and understand important information in real-time.
The Google Translate app can serve as your personal language assistant. It allows you to quickly translate written text or spoken words between languages. This can be immensely helpful when communicating with locals or understanding basic phrases.
4. WhatsApp
I didn't use WhatsApp before coming to Central Asia, but you're going to need it when you come to Kazakhstan. WhatsApp is a popular messaging app and a convenient app to communicate with people and businesses. When you go on 2GIS, you'll notice that a majority of businesses have a WhatsApp account associated with it, making it easy for you to message them. What's even better is that since it is an online messaging app, you can use Google Translate when communicating with them.
I've used WhatsApp to make reservations with restaurants, dentist appointments, orders for food delivery, and more!
5. Glovo
Glovo is a popular delivery app that allows users to order food, groceries, and other items from local stores and have them delivered to their location. I noticed the availability of restaurants is far greater than other food delivery applications in Kazakhstan, and their estimated delivery time and tracker are much more accurate.
Based on your desired location, you can explore a variety of local restaurants and order meals for delivery. It provides convenience and saves you the hassle of finding restaurants in unfamiliar areas or dealing with language barriers when placing orders. Glovo's app interface is typically available in multiple languages, including English. This makes it easier for international travelers to navigate the app and place orders, even if they are not fluent in the local language. However, I typically notice that the menu items aren't translated into English which makes me just rely on the images.
You can also pay with international Visa cards online or by cash to the delivery person.
Have any more apps that should be added to this list? Leave it in the comments below!
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