Money & Payments in Tashkent (2026)

Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: backpackmoments.com, travelwithhello.com

Never rely solely on cards outside major cities. Always carry sufficient local som cash.
All ATMs charge 1–3% withdrawal fees; most common is 1.5%. Use ATMs inside reputable banks, hotels, or shopping centers rather than standalone machines to reduce fraud risk.
Largest banknote is 200,000 som; carry smaller denominations (5,000–10,000 som) for markets and small purchases.
Check restaurant bills for 10–15% service charge before tipping; many upscale establishments auto-add this, making additional tipping unnecessary.
ATMs occasionally malfunction or run out of cash on weekends and holidays; withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees and reduce dependence on unpredictable ATM availability.
Contactless payments via phone are emerging in modern Tashkent venues but are not widespread; do not rely on this.
Local digital payment apps (Click, Payme, UzCard, Humo) are popular but require a local bank account; not accessible to most tourists.
Mobile app taxis (Yandex, MyTaxi) accept card payment and are cheaper and safer than street hailing.

Taxis: Not standard practice. Rounding up the fare is common goodwill gesture.
Overview: Tipping is not a cultural obligation in Uzbekistan. Service charges of 10–15% are often automatically added to bills at mid-range and upscale restaurants; check your bill before tipping additionally.
Hotel Staff: Small tips appreciated for porters and housekeeping, though not required.
Tour Guides Drivers: Tips appreciated; small cash amounts for exceptional service.
Note Cash Preferred: Tipping in cash is standard; credit card tips less reliable for reaching staff directly.

Bazaar Stalls: Tipping optional; appreciated but nobody expects it.
Upscale Tashkent: Round up or leave 5–10% if service charge not already applied. Appreciated but not expected.
Mid Range Tashkent: Small tips of 5,000–10,000 UZS appreciated if no service charge added.
Local Cafes Choyxonas: Tipping uncommon and not expected.

Uzbekistani Som (UZS)

ATM Networks: Most ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard; some accept Maestro and UnionPay. American Express and JCB generally not accepted.
ATM Surcharge: 1.5 PERCENT
All ATMs in Uzbekistan charge withdrawal fees between 1–3%; most common is 1.5%.
Visa Mastercard: Accepted at mid-range and upscale hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping centers, and modern tourist-oriented shops in Tashkent. Visa more widely accepted than Mastercard. Acceptance decreases significantly outside major cities.
American Express: Rarely accepted; not recommended as primary payment method.
ATM Availability: Abundant in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva; present near hotels, metro stations, bank branches, and tourist areas. May run out of cash on weekends/holidays. Scarce in rural areas.

To Avoid: Street currency changers (illegal and risky). Avoid exchanging at airport unless necessary.
Recommended: Banks, official currency exchange offices, and ATMs in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Exchange bureaus in cities offer better rates than airports.
Regulations: All transactions must be in UZS by law. Retain exchange receipts. Large cash imports/exports above USD 10,000 equivalent must be declared to customs.
Foreign Currency Notes: Bring clean, unmarked USD bills (preferred for physical exchange at borders). EUR accepted at some exchange offices in cities.

Taxis: App-based taxis (Yandex, MyTaxi) accept card; street taxis are cash-only.
Bazaars: Chorsu Bazaar (Tashkent) and Siyob Bazaar (Samarkand) are cash-only; bargaining more effective with physical currency.
Restaurants: Upscale and international restaurants in Tashkent accept cards; local cafés and bazaar eateries cash-only.
Metro Transit: Tashkent metro accepts both card and cash payment at ticket gates.

Ease Of Process: Moderately challenging—requires language support and persistence
Language Support: English service is limited to central branches of major banks.
Account Opening For Foreigners: For individuals, there are no restrictions on opening a bank account as non-residents. While local banking has become more digitized, challenges remain for foreigners—especially without Russian or Uzbek language skills. Many procedures still require in-person visits, notarized translations, and significant paperwork.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Tashkent

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.