Paying in Uzbekistan: cash, card and som, 2026 guide

Last updated: July 2026

In Uzbekistan, plan on carrying cash. Visa and Mastercard work at hotels and restaurants in the big cities, but markets, taxis and the countryside all run on cash. The currency is the som. It is best to exchange crisp, new US dollars.

The country opened up fast, and its payment methods followed. You can now withdraw money from ATMs in Tashkent or Samarkand. But the moment you leave the tourist hubs, cash is king. Here is how to pay everywhere without any nasty surprises.

The essentials at a glance

• The only legal currency is the som (UZS). Indicative rate as of July 2026: ~12,000 UZS to 1 USD, ~13,700-14,000 UZS to 1 EUR (Central Bank of Uzbekistan, check the current rate).
• Visa/Mastercard are accepted mainly at mid- to high-end venues in the big cities; refused at markets and in the countryside.
• Keep at least ~200 USD in cash, more if your itinerary is rural.
• Since April 2026, fuel, alcohol and tobacco can only be paid for electronically.
• Bring crisp, undamaged US dollars; the black market has been gone since 2017.

What is the currency in Uzbekistan?

The only legal currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). As a rough guide, in July 2026 expect around 12,000 UZS to 1 US dollar and 13,700 to 14,000 UZS to 1 euro, according to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Rates move, so check the current rate before you leave.

The som comes in thick wads of banknotes. The largest note, 200,000 UZS, is worth about 15 EUR. So you walk away from the exchange counter with a hefty stack. Split it across several places and keep small notes handy for minor purchases.

Inflation is still notable, running around 7% in recent years. Prices shift from one season to the next, especially for accommodation and transport. Treat any amounts in som as a ballpark figure, not a fixed value.

Can you pay by card in Uzbekistan?

Yes, but card use remains limited. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work at mid- to high-end hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and shopping malls in the big cities, according to France Diplomatie. Everywhere else, a card is almost useless.

In practice, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva take cards at tourist-facing businesses. Small vendors, bazaars and the countryside, on the other hand, refuse plastic. Some terminals tack on a fee of around 3%.

Where can you withdraw money from an ATM?

ATMs are around in the tourist cities but absent from rural areas. Reliable banks such as Agrobank, Kapitalbank and Ipak Yuli Bank accept international cards. The cap per withdrawal is roughly 2 to 3 million UZS, or ~150 to 240 USD. Some ATMs even dispense US dollars.

One simple tip: withdraw cash while you are still in Tashkent or Samarkand, while the ATMs are working. Out in the desert, in the mountains or in small villages, do not count on finding an ATM. Stock up generously before you leave the main routes.

Watch out for fuel, alcohol and tobacco

Since April 2026, fuel, alcohol and tobacco can only be bought by electronic payment. Cash is refused for these, notes France Diplomatie. If you rent a car, keep a card that works at the pump, or you will end up stranded.

Do you need to bring cash to Uzbekistan?

Yes, cash is still essential. Bring at least ~200 USD in cash, more if your itinerary passes through the countryside or the desert. Taxis, markets and small restaurants take only som. Without cash, you will quickly get stuck.

Always keep small som notes on hand. Drivers and vendors will not necessarily have change for a large note. Paying the exact amount, or close to it, saves a lot of back-and-forth and gets you on your way faster.

To plan your budget stop by stop, see our Uzbekistan travel guide. There you will find which cities call for more cash depending on the season and the type of trip.

Which currency should you exchange, dollars or euros?

Go with the US dollar. Other currencies are exchanged at a discount, the euro included. US banknotes must be crisp, clean and undamaged: a creased or torn bill is often refused. It is a strict rule, and it is worth knowing before you go.

Where can you exchange money without getting fleeced? At a bank, with no cap on the amount, at official exchange offices, at your hotel or at Tashkent airport. Avoid souvenir shops, which offer rates about 5% worse. Compare before you hand over your bills.

The black market disappeared on 5 September 2017, when the official rate was brought into line with the real rate. So exchange at a bank, at the official rate. Never follow a street money changer: there is nothing to gain, and the risk is very real.

Can you use the local payment apps?

No, not as a tourist. The Uzbek apps Payme, Click, Uzcard and Humo require a local phone number and a local card. They are therefore for residents only. Apple Pay and Google Pay work only in a handful of places, and you cannot rely on them.

On the international-card side, options like Wise or Curve help keep withdrawal and exchange fees down. They do not replace cash, but they pair well with a standard Visa or Mastercard for in-city payments.

What do you have to declare at customs?

You must declare any sum over 100,000,000 UZS, in all currencies combined, on both entry and exit. For an ordinary trip, that threshold is very high and you will almost certainly never reach it. Still, keep your exchange receipts just in case.

Tipping is not mandatory. A voluntary gratuity is appreciated at a restaurant or for a guide, if you enjoyed the service. Nothing obliges you to leave a set amount: it is a gesture, not a tax.

FAQ: paying in Uzbekistan

Can you pay by card everywhere in Uzbekistan?

No. Visa and Mastercard mostly work at mid- to high-end hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in the big cities such as Tashkent or Samarkand. Markets, taxis and the countryside run on cash. Always keep som in small notes.

How much cash should you plan for?

Count on at least ~200 USD in cash, and more for a rural or desert itinerary. ATMs often cap withdrawals at around 2 to 3 million UZS, or ~150 to 240 USD. Withdraw while you are still in the big cities.

Is it better to bring dollars or euros?

The US dollar is the most advantageous. The euro and other currencies are exchanged at a discount. Your bills must be crisp, clean and undamaged, or they may be refused. Exchange at a bank or official office, at the official rate.

Does the black market for currency still exist?

No. The black market was abolished on 5 September 2017, when the official rate caught up with the real rate. Exchange at a bank at the official rate. A street money changer offers no advantage and exposes you to needless trouble.

Exchange rates change constantly. Always check the current rate with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan before you leave.