Money: soums, cards, ATMs and exchange

The soum

Uzbekistan's currency is the soum (UZS). Banknotes from 1,000 to 200,000 soums are in everyday use; coins are rarely seen. Prices and payments are in soums — even when a hotel quotes in dollars, the bill is usually settled in soums.

The Central Bank publishes the official rate at cbu.uz. The rate floats, so we don't quote figures here — check it just before your trip.

Changing money

Exchange dollars and euros at banks, their exchange counters (found at airports, railway stations and larger hotels) and currency-exchange machines. Street money-changers are illegal and risky.

Bring crisp, recent-series notes with no tears or writing: old or damaged bills may be refused.

Carry your passport — banks may ask for it.

Cards and ATMs

Local Uzcard and Humo cards dominate, but larger hotels and many restaurants and supermarkets in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva accept Visa and Mastercard.

ATMs of the major banks dispense soums on foreign cards, and some also give dollars. Check your bank's fees in advance and tell it you are travelling.

Local payment apps such as Payme and Click generally require an Uzbek bank card.

When you need cash

Bazaars, small shops and teahouses, shared intercity taxis, village guesthouses and some museum ticket desks prefer cash.

Withdraw enough soums before leaving Tashkent and carry small notes: ATMs are scarce in rural districts and do not always accept foreign cards.