Money
Money, cards and currency in Central Asia
Five currencies, how far cards will get you, ATMs and exchanging money.
Currencies
- Uzbekistan: Uzbek som (UZS)
- Kazakhstan: tenge (KZT)
- Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz som (KGS)
- Tajikistan: somoni (TJS)
- Turkmenistan: manat (TMT)
Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants and shops in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Almaty, Astana and Bishkek. Bazaars, taxis, small cafés, guesthouses and anything rural expect cash. In Tajikistan’s mountains and in Turkmenistan, plan to rely on cash.
ATMs
ATMs are common in big cities and rarer in small towns. In Uzbekistan, withdraw before heading to Khiva or the desert; in Tajikistan, before leaving Dushanbe or Khorog. Some ATMs in Uzbekistan also dispense US dollars.
Exchanging money
Exchange at banks or official exchange offices, and keep receipts. Bring US dollars or euros in clean, undamaged, recent notes; worn or old notes may be refused, especially in Turkmenistan.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Restaurants sometimes add a service charge. For guides and drivers, a tip at the end of a trip is customary if you are happy with their work.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
