Local currency: Uzbek som (UZS). Exchange rate as of 2026 is roughly 12,000–13,000 UZS to 1 USD; check current rates before you travel.
Bring cash. Even in 2026 Uzbekistan is still a cash-first country. Bring: - US dollars — the most useful. New, clean, undamaged notes only. Any tear, ink mark, or fold at the corner and exchange booths reject the note. - Euros — accepted at banks and better exchange booths, slightly worse rates than USD. - Larger notes preferred ($100 bills get better rates than $20s at exchange booths, though $50 and $100 are functionally equivalent).
Exchanging: - Best rates: licensed exchange booths inside larger hotels or the central Bukhara/Samarkand tourist zones. - Banks: fair rates, requires passport, opens at 9:00. - Airport: OK rates, useful for a first tranche. - Never use black-market street changers. It was common pre-2017 currency liberalisation; today it's slower and illegal.
ATMs: - Most work with Visa and Mastercard. Amex rarely. - Withdrawal limits are low (usually 4–6 million UZS per transaction, ~$300). - Frequently out of cash — try 2–3 machines before giving up. - Best chances: bank branches on weekday mornings.
Card payments: - Accepted at 4- and 5-star hotels, larger restaurants, and modern supermarkets. - Not accepted at chaikhanas, bazaars, taxis, small shops. - Some cafés advertise "card accepted" but the terminal is broken half the time.
Rough daily budget (2026, mid-range): - Meals: $15–30 - Local transport: $5–15 - Sightseeing entries: $5–15 - Hotel double: $50–120 - Total: $80–180 per person per day.
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Tipping in Uzbekistan
Not obligatory but appreciated. 10% at mid-range restaurants (if service charge not included), round-up in taxis, $10–20/day for a private tour guide.
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Alcohol in Uzbekistan
Yes — Uzbekistan is officially secular and alcohol is freely available. Local vodka, cognac and wine are cheap; imported spirits and beer sold everywhere. Public drunkenness is uncommon and looked down upon.
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Cultural etiquette and respect
Right hand for eating and passing objects, break bread with hands (not knife), remove shoes indoors and in mosques, dress modestly at religious sites, greet elders first.
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Drinking water and food safety
Not recommended. Buy bottled water (200 UZS/0.5L) or filter yours. Restaurant food is generally safe; be cautious with raw salads at street stalls in high summer.
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Getting around Tashkent
Metro for most routes (cheap, fast, air-conditioned). Yandex Go app for direct taxis. Walking works for tight clusters of sights. Buses functional but slow.
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Health and vaccinations for Uzbekistan
No vaccinations required. Recommended: hepatitis A + B, typhoid, tetanus/diphtheria, and routine boosters. Malaria risk is negligible. Good private clinics exist in Tashkent.