Kvazar · Atlas · Money

Money in Uzbekistan: The Som, the Exchange Rate and How to Pay in 2026

In Uzbekistan cash is still king, and the national currency — the som — is counted in thousands and tens of thousands. Money here isn't hard to figure out, but there are a few rules that save time, nerves and percentages: what to bring, where to exchange, which cards work and which no longer do.

A Kvazar guide · Updated June 2026 · ~8 min read

Home → Atlas → Money

Money is the second practical question after the visa, and in Uzbekistan it has its own quirks. The country lived in a cash economy for decades, prices are measured in thousands of som, and although the card infrastructure has grown, it still doesn't work the way a tourist from Europe is used to. The main fork for a traveler: what to bring — cash dollars to exchange, or a card — and the answer in 2026 isn't as clear-cut as it once was. This guide breaks down the rate, exchange, cards and the real "mechanics" of paying on the spot.

In short: the national currency of Uzbekistan is the som (UZS). As of June 2026 the approximate rate is: ~12,000 som to 1 US dollar, ~13,900 to 1 euro, ~150 to 1 Russian ruble (Central Bank of Uzbekistan data; exchange offices give a rate about 2–3% worse). The most cost-effective thing to bring is cash US dollars — new, undamaged bills — and exchange them at banks and official offices with your passport. Exchange with private individuals is illegal. Mir cards don't work in the country; ATMs dispense only som. The largest banknote is 100,000 som. Cash is still important, especially at bazaars, in taxis and in small towns.
In this guide What currency Uzbekistan uses The som rate in 2026 Bring dollars or a card Where to exchange currency Which cards work How much cash to carry Everyday tips FAQ

What is the currency of Uzbekistan?

The national currency is the Uzbek som (international code UZS). It's the only legal tender inside the country: you can't pay directly with dollars or euros in shops — foreign currency is only for exchanging. The som is counted in large numbers — prices in thousands and tens of thousands — and the largest banknote is 100,000 som.

You get used to the scale of the figures quickly: lunch might cost "fifty thousand" rather than "five." Banknotes of various denominations are in circulation, and you often end up with a whole wad of them — that's normal. Coins are practically unused in tourist life. The main thing to remember on arrival: inside the country you pay only in som, and dollars and rubles are what you brought to exchange.

What is the som exchange rate in 2026?

As of June 2026 the official Central Bank of Uzbekistan rate is roughly 12,000 som to 1 US dollar, about 13,900 to 1 euro and about 150 to 1 Russian ruble. This is a reference point: at exchange offices and banks the rate is usually about 2–3% worse than the official one, and the central bank rate itself updates daily.
Currency≈ Rate to the som (June 2026)
1 US dollar (USD)~12,000 som
1 euro (EUR)~13,900 som
1 Russian ruble (RUB)~150 som

The central bank rate matters mainly for money transfers; for cash exchange, go by the rate of the specific bank or office. Before the trip and before a large exchange, it's sensible to check the fresh rate — for example on the Central Bank website or bank-rate aggregators. The figures above will inevitably be slightly out of date: treat them as an order of magnitude, not an exact value for the day of your trip.

Should you bring dollars or a card?

The optimal strategy is a combination. Cash US dollars (new, undamaged bills) remain the most universal option: they're easy and quick to exchange for som at any bank. A card or virtual account is convenient for hotels, cafes and shops in the major cities. A sensible ratio for an active trip is around 60–70% of the budget in cash and 30–40% on cards.

Why cash is still the priority: it's handy for bargaining, tipping, paying for street taxis and paying in small towns and at bazaars, where cards aren't accepted everywhere. Cards help out at hotels, restaurants and chain stores. For travelers from Russia there's a separate nuance — virtual cards that automatically convert rubles and let you pay in som without hunting for an exchange office; when using them, watch the conversion fees.

Bills must be "fresh." When bringing dollars, take new banknotes (as a rule, issued no earlier than 2003), without writing, marks or wear. Worn or written-on bills may not be accepted at exchange offices, or may get a worse rate. This is a typical rule for the whole region.

Where do you exchange currency in Uzbekistan?

You should exchange currency at banks and official exchange offices. The process is fast: you hand over dollars, show your passport if needed, and receive som. Exchange with private individuals and on the "black market" is illegal — it's a risk of counterfeit bills, fraud and a fine. The official bank rate is transparent, and there's no longer any point in hunting for "advantageous money-changers" as in the past.

A few years ago there was a noticeable gap in Uzbekistan between the official and "street" rates, and exchange with private individuals made sense. Today that gap is practically gone, and legal exchange at a bank is simple and safe. For small sums a passport is sometimes not even required. Tip: exchange amounts for specific needs rather than your whole budget at once — you'll have a large wad of bills anyway.

Which bank cards work in Uzbekistan?

International Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and large shops of the big cities, but far from everywhere. Cards of the Russian Mir system currently don't work for payment in Uzbekistan. ATMs dispense cash only in som — you can't withdraw dollars, euros or rubles. So even with a card, you'll still need cash som.

The practical takeaway: don't rely on a card alone. In Tashkent and the tourist centers cashless payment is fairly well developed, but in small towns, on transport and at bazaars cash rules. For Russians, who have a limited choice among international systems, it's especially important to bring cash and/or have a working virtual card. The payment-system situation in the region changes — check the current status of cards before the trip.

However far technology has come, in Uzbekistan cash is still king.

How much cash should you carry?

It depends on your travel style, but the general guide is to keep in cash the part of the budget that will go on everyday spending: food, taxis, bazaars, tips, small towns. For an active route that's around 60–70% of the budget. The rest you can keep on cards and virtual accounts for hotels and large purchases. You can also withdraw som from an ATM, but having a starter supply of cash on entry is convenient.

On arrival it's useful to exchange a small amount into som — for the airport taxi, water and first expenses — and do the larger exchange in the city. The specific amounts for a daily budget (how much to allow for food, transport and accommodation) are covered in a separate prices guide. The key rule here: without cash som, Uzbekistan is uncomfortable, no matter how many cards you have.

Everyday money tips

A few small things that make life easier: keep your bills sorted by denomination (a wad of som is bulky); at bazaars and in street taxis, bargain and pay in cash; it's better to keep the exchange receipt; for taxis, aggregator apps with a fixed price are convenient. Tashkent public transport has its own payment methods, which are worth checking on the spot.

Another point is psychological: because of the large numbers, it's easy to momentarily get lost at the till. A simple trick is to keep a rough benchmark in your head — "a dollar ≈ twelve thousand" — and then you can quickly estimate any price. After a day or two, counting in thousands of som becomes habitual, and money stops being a problem of the trip.

Frequently asked questions about money in Uzbekistan

What is the currency of Uzbekistan?

The Uzbek som (UZS). It's the only legal tender inside the country; dollars and euros are used only for exchange. The largest banknote is 100,000 som.

What is the dollar-to-som rate in 2026?

As of June 2026 the official Central Bank rate is about 12,000 som to 1 dollar, ~13,900 to the euro and ~150 to the ruble. At exchange offices the rate is usually about 2–3% worse. Check the current rate before exchanging.

What money should you bring?

The most cost-effective is cash US dollars — new, undamaged bills — to exchange for som. Keep part of the budget on cards or virtual accounts. A sensible ratio is 60–70% cash, 30–40% cards.

Do Mir, Visa and Mastercard cards work in Uzbekistan?

Mir cards currently don't work for payment. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, restaurants and large shops of the big cities, but not everywhere. ATMs dispense only som.

Where do you exchange currency?

Only at banks and official exchange offices, with your passport. Exchange with private individuals is illegal and risky (counterfeits, fines). The legal rate is transparent; there's no longer any point in hunting for money-changers.

Can you pay directly in dollars?

No. Inside the country you pay only in som. Dollars and other currency must first be exchanged at a bank or exchange office.

Keep preparing

Want to see Uzbekistan the way the people who live here see it?

Become a Kvazar Explorer →