Daily budgets by travel style
- Budget backpacker (USD 40–60/day)
- Guesthouses (USD 20–30 dorm/private), plov houses and street food (USD 3–5 a meal), shared taxis and buses. Realistic in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara. Add USD 20 per travel day for trains.
- Mid-range independent (USD 100–160/day)
- Boutique or 3-star heritage hotels (USD 60–100 double), restaurant meals with wine (USD 20–30), Afrosiyob 2nd class, ride-hail taxis, entrance fees. The most common budget for European independent travellers.
- Boutique guided (USD 250–400/day)
- Best courtyard hotels (USD 150–250 double), private guide, private driver, private-access at monuments, all lunches and dinners. What our Silk Road Classic actually costs at the day-rate level.
- Luxury private (USD 500+/day)
- Silk Road Samarkand or Hilton flagships, chartered aircraft where useful, single-vehicle private driving, high-end dining, wine cellar tastings, in-room massages. Available but a small slice of the market.
How Uzbekistan compares to its neighbours
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Boutique guided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan | 40–60 | 100–160 | 250–400 |
| Kyrgyzstan | Kyrgyzstan | 35–55 | 80–130 | 220–380 |
| Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | 50–80 | 130–200 | 300–500 |
| Georgia | Georgia | 45–70 | 120–190 | 280–450 |
| Turkey | Turkey | 50–80 | 150–230 | 320–520 |
Money mechanics on the ground
The Uzbek som (UZS) has floated freely since September 2017; the exchange rate is stable enough for planning purposes.[2] ATMs are common in all cities and dispense both som and, in newer machines, US dollars. Visa and Mastercard tap-to-pay works in most restaurants, hotels and modern shops in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara; bazaars and small operators are cash-only.
Bring some US dollars in cash as a fallback — clean, unmarked bills, ideally in USD 50 and USD 100 denominations, are exchanged easily at any bank or licensed exchange. Euros work almost as well. British pounds and other currencies are exchangeable but at less favourable rates.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory in Uzbekistan but is appreciated. 10 per cent at restaurants is generous; some higher-end restaurants add a service charge automatically. Rounding up is universal on taxis. For a private guide, USD 5–10 per day per traveller is standard; the same for a driver. Hotel porters and housekeepers do not expect tips but USD 1–2 for helpful service is welcome.
Tips and tricks
Take out cash in small batches
12,600 UZS to the dollar means a USD 200 withdrawal is a 25-note stack. Take out USD 100 at a time to keep the wallet manageable.
Keep small notes for street food and bazaars
A 100,000 UZS note buys nothing in a bazaar because nobody has change. Keep a stash of 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 notes for anything under USD 10.
Photograph your currency exchange receipt
Some banks issue a paper receipt with the exchange rate and date. Photograph it in case you need to re-exchange leftover som on departure.
Use Wise or Revolut for card spending
Wise and Revolut both give competitive interbank rates on card transactions and cash withdrawals in Uzbekistan. Traditional bank cards can add 2–3 per cent.
Leave 100,000 UZS for airport departure
Tashkent airport departure requires small purchases (bottled water, coffee) and the change machines don't accept every currency. Keep some som.
Uzbekistan is 20–30 per cent cheaper than Kazakhstan
If you're travelling both, plan Uzbek days as the value days and Kazakh days as your splurge on Almaty steakhouses.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a trip to Uzbekistan cost?
A 10-day mid-range independent trip typically costs USD 1,200–1,800 per person on the ground (excluding international flights). A guided small-group tour is USD 2,500–3,500 per person for the same duration. A backpacker trip can be done for USD 500–800.
Is Uzbekistan cheap for tourists?
Yes, comparatively. Uzbekistan is one of the best-value destinations in Asia for the quality of heritage, food and hospitality on offer. Boutique heritage hotels, restaurants and monument entry fees are 30–50 per cent cheaper than equivalents in Turkey or Georgia.
Do I need cash in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Cards are widely accepted in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara for hotels, restaurants and modern shops, but bazaars, plov houses, small shops and rural transport are cash-only. Carry som equivalent to USD 30–50 per day.
Are ATMs common in Uzbekistan?
Yes, in every city. Look for TBC Bank, Kapital Bank, Ipoteka Bank and Ipak Yuli branches. Newer ATMs dispense both som and US dollars. Rural ATMs are less reliable — withdraw cash before leaving major cities.
How much should I tip in Uzbekistan?
About 10 per cent at restaurants; round up on taxis; USD 5–10 per day per traveller for a private guide, and the same for a driver. Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated.
See also
References
Every article on this site cites primary and secondary sources. Inline superscripts [n] link to the numbered entries below. All external links open in a new window.
- Uzbekistan cost of living overview— Numbeo (2026)
- Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan — exchange rates— CBU
- The Promise of Services-led Growth in Uzbekistan— World Bank (2025)
External links
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