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Kazakhstan · Public Transport & MapsAvtobys
Avtobys is a Kazakh app for paying city bus fares from a phone in more than 20 cities, letting visitors ride without a local transport card by QR code, NFC, Bluetooth or bank card.
What it helps with
- Paying for a bus without a transport cardBus fares are paid from the phone in more than 20 Kazakh cities, including on selected Almaty routes since March 2026.
- Several ways to pay on boardPayment works by scanning the QR code, via Bluetooth, NFC, entering the vehicle number or by bank card.
- No cash on the busWhere cash payment has been abolished, the app's smart wallet lets visitors ride without buying a local card.
About Avtobys
Avtobys is an electronic fare payment system used on public buses in more than 20 cities of Kazakhstan. Since 4 March 2026 it has worked on Almaty routes 51, 117, 219, 221, 228, 234 and 258, with 82 buses equipped. Riders register with a phone number, top up the in-app smart wallet and pay by QR code, Bluetooth, NFC, vehicle number or bank card. Payment is confirmed within seconds. Besides Almaty, Avtobys is used in Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda and other cities. In Almaty the rollout is phased, so on routes without Avtobys validators the fare is paid with Onay.
Key Features
- Many cities: Used on buses in over 20 Kazakh cities.
- Payment options: QR code, Bluetooth, NFC, vehicle number or bank card.
- Smart wallet: Fares are taken from a balance topped up in the app.
- Instant confirmation: The driver sees the payment right after the transaction.
How to Get Started
- Install Avtobys from the App Store, Google Play or AppGallery.
- Register with your phone number.
- Top up the smart wallet.
- On the bus, scan the QR code or tap your phone to pay.
- Check the sticker at the bus door to see whether the bus takes Avtobys or Onay.
Before you use it
- Sign-up: Registration is by phone number, and the smart wallet must be topped up before the ride.
- Limits: In Almaty, Avtobys payment started on routes 51, 117, 219, 221, 228, 234 and 258; other routes use the Onay system.
- Good to know: The app is available on the App Store, Google Play and AppGallery.
Foreign card OK
Local number needed
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Avtobys work with a foreign bank card in Kazakhstan?
- Yes - Avtobys accepts foreign-issued cards in Kazakhstan.
- Is Avtobys available in English?
- Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
- Do I need a local phone number to use Avtobys?
- Yes, Avtobys requires a local phone number to register.
- Do I need local ID or residency for Avtobys?
- No, Avtobys doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
- Where can I use Avtobys?
- iOS · Android · Web
- How much does Avtobys cost?
- Free app; you pay the regular bus fare from the in-app wallet