Currency & Payment

Uzbekistan uses the Uzbek som (UZS). It comes in relatively large denominations now, but because the som has a low value per unit, cash payments can still mean handling thick stacks of notes. Cash is widely used, especially outside big cities, so carry enough som for daily spending.

Change money at banks and official exchange offices. In recent years the exchange market has been unified around the official rate, so there is little reason to use unofficial changers. US dollars and euros are the easiest currencies to exchange, and clean, undamaged, recent notes are strongly preferred and get better acceptance.

Card acceptance is growing in cities: hotels, larger shops and many restaurants in Tashkent and other big centres take Visa and Mastercard. However, local card systems Uzcard and Humo dominate domestically, and outside the cities and at bazaars, cash is still the main way to pay. Carry som for smaller places and rely on cards mainly in city centres.

ATMs that accept foreign Visa and Mastercard have become more common in cities like Tashkent and Samarkand, though they can be scarce in smaller towns and rural areas. Some ATMs may dispense US dollars as well as som. Carry some US dollars in cash as a backup in case machines are out of service, and always decline home-currency conversion for a better rate.

Local mobile payment apps such as Click and Payme are very popular with residents, but they generally require a local bank account or card, so they are not practical for most short-term visitors. As a tourist, plan to pay with international cards where accepted and with cash elsewhere, rather than relying on local mobile wallets.

Tipping is not obligatory in Uzbekistan. In upmarket restaurants a tip of around 10% is appreciated, and some places may already add a service charge, so check the bill first. In simple eateries, teahouses and taxis, tipping is casual and rounding up is enough. Small tips for helpful service are welcome but never expected.

Uzbekistan is generally an affordable destination. Local meals such as plov, kebabs and bread are inexpensive, and public transport and domestic travel are good value, while international-standard hotels and guided tours cost more. Prices are higher in central Tashkent and popular Silk Road cities than in smaller towns. Carry small som notes for markets, taxis and teahouses.