Where to Exchange Foreign Currency in Uzbekistan: USD, Euro, CNY

The exchange offices at Tashkent airport stay open around the clock, in arrivals and in departures. So even if your flight lands at three in the morning, you can walk out with so'm in your pocket. The real question is how much cash you need at all.

We live in Tashkent and change money the way our guests do. Here is where to do it, what to bring and what to avoid.

First: how much cash do you need?

Less than you might think. Visa and Mastercard work at almost every card terminal in the country: hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, railway stations. Cash, in so'm only, is for the bazaar, street vendors and some taxis. How we split card and cash on our own trips is in cards, cash and tipping in Uzbekistan.

For a typical trip, change a modest sum on the first day and top up as you go.

Where to change money

Only official places exchange currency, and there are plenty of them:

• Bank branches. Every bank changes US dollars and euros. Branches generally work Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00.
• Bank exchange offices in hotels, shopping centres and at the airport. The rate is on a board by the window.
• Currency exchange machines run by banks. They work 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Take your passport: banks and exchange offices ask for it. Keep the receipt.

Dollars, euros or yuan?

US dollars and euros are changed everywhere, from the airport to Khiva. If you are deciding what to bring, bring one of the two.

Chinese yuan are a newer arrival. Since June 2025 all exchange offices of the National Bank of Uzbekistan in Tashkent buy and sell yuan, including those at the airport. Outside the capital do not count on it: change your yuan in Tashkent or use a card.

The rate

The Central Bank publishes an official rate every day, but it does not buy or sell at that rate. Each bank sets its own buying and selling rate close to it, so the difference between banks is small. If you change a large sum, compare two or three boards.

The ATM is the other route. Many ATMs in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara accept foreign cards and give out so'm. Your own bank may charge for withdrawals and conversion abroad, so ask about it before you leave.

Why not on the street

In Uzbekistan currency is exchanged only by banks and their official exchange offices, so skip the street money-changers. Their rate is no better than at the bank anyway, and you have no receipt and no guarantee the notes are genuine. With official exchange offices so easy to find, there is simply no reason.

Before you fly home

Spend your so'm or change them back: the exchange offices in the departure zone at Tashkent airport are open around the clock. Keep your customs declaration if you filled one in on arrival: you cannot take out more foreign currency than you brought in. Details are in our article on registration and customs.

Cash at the bazaar

The place where you will need so'm most is the bazaar. On our Tashkent highlights tour we visit Chorsu bazaar with a local guide at your side. Planning a longer trip? Tell us your dates, and we will help with the details, money included. On a trip with us the big payments are settled before you fly, so the cash you need is for the bazaar, tips and evenings; see tailor-made tours.

In short

• Visa or Mastercard almost everywhere; so'm for bazaars, street vendors and some taxis.
• Change money only at banks, exchange offices and bank exchange machines; take your passport.
• Bring dollars or euros; yuan are best changed in Tashkent.
• Change money officially: the street rate is no better.
• Airport exchange offices work 24/7, in arrivals and departures.