Uzbekistan Money Guide (2026) – How much does it cost to live and travel in Uzbekistan?

What are the travel costs in Uzbekistan? Is Uzbekistan expensive to travel to? How much money should you bring to Uzbekistan? What are the costs of living in Uzbekistan? Here’s a comprehensive Uzbekistan money guide with plenty of info about the costs of traveling in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a country that is attracting more and more people since it became visa-free for most travelers. It’s rapidly becoming famous as one of the best places to visit the remains of the Silk Road in Central Asia.

If you’re contemplating a visit to this country, you might be wondering how much money you’ll need to travel to Uzbekistan. While Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s most expensive countries, it’s still a very affordable destination.

Food in local markets doesn’t cost much, and although there’s been a recent increase in tourism, inexpensive hostels can still be found in almost every major Uzbekistan city such as Tashkent, Bukhara or even Khiva.

In this guide, I’ll tell you exactly how much traveling around Uzbekistan could cost.

Tip: See my Uzbekistan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Uzbekistan!

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan

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Plan your trip to Uzbekistan

• 18 important things to prepare your trip to Uzbekistan
• 26 beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan
• Uzbekistan Itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan
• How to travel around Uzbekistan by train
• What to pack for Uzbekistan
• Uzbekistan Safety Guide
• Uzbekistan Money Guide
• Tours & Experiences: Guided City Tours in Uzbekistan, Adventure Tours in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Money – What is the currency in Uzbekistan?

The Uzbekistani Som (UZS) is the official currency used in Uzbekistan:

• Banknotes circulating in Uzbekistan: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 som.
• Coins circulating in Uzbekistan: 50, 100, 200 and 500 som

I always use the Xe.com app to convert and stay up-to-date with the current exchange rates. At this time of writing, the current exchange rates are:

• $1 USD = 12,000 UZS
• €1 Euro = 14,000 UZS
• £1 British Pound = 16,000 UZS

Only a few years ago, the highest denomination available was a banknote of 5000 Uzbeki Som. I needed an extra bag to carry the 2400 banknotes after exchanging 150 US dollars for 1.200.000 Som…

The new banknotes of 10.000, 50.000, and 100.000 UZS make a huge difference in size and weight in your wallet (and the amount of time spent on counting your change…).

You probably won’t be able to find the Uzbekistan currency in your home country. The best place to exchange money in Uzbekistan is at one of the banks in Tashkent as they give the best exchange rate.

Just keep in mind that if you want to exchange money, your banknotes should be crisp and in good condition. It happened a few times that the exchange office gave me a lower rate as my banknotes were a little crumpled. 

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva nowadays all have ATMs where you can take out US dollars and/or Uzbek Som with a VISA card. There are also 2 ATMs at the international airport in Tashkent. 

Before you leave Uzbekistan, you can exchange your remaining Uzbek Som at the bank or in one of the exchange offices at either the airport or at the land borders.

Update: You can nowadays also pay with Euro and US dollar bills in shops, restaurants, at the hotel, to guides and drivers,…

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan Travel Guide: 18 useful things you need to know before you go

Are credit cards accepted in Uzbekistan?

Visa is probably the most widely accepted credit card in hotels and restaurants. However, Uzbekistan still has a cash economy which means you won’t always be able to pay with your credit card. It would be wise to carry some cash rather than depending on your card whilst traveling in Uzbekistan. 

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Is Uzbekistan expensive to travel to?

The costs of traveling to Uzbekistan depends on when and from where you’re flying. I usually fly from Belgium (Europe) and a return flight from Brussels to Tashkent costs me around €850/ US$920.

Although not as cheap as other Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, traveling in Uzbekistan is still affordable by Western standards. It’s just slightly more expensive than Kazakhstan.

Average prices are $10 for a basic meal, $15 for a hostel bed and $30 upwards for a double room in a decent hotel, and $10 for a train ticket. The entrance fees to mosques, madrasahs, and museums are generally between $5 and $12.

Reading Tip:

Top Things to do in Khiva – The Complete Guide to Uzbekistan’s Open-Air Museum

Average costs of hotels and accommodations in Uzbekistan

Most Uzbeks in the bigger cities of Uzbekistan are realizing that tourism in the country will only increase with time. A lot of new hotels and guesthouses are being build around the country and the average price for accommodation has increased a lot in the past couple of years.

I always use Booking.com in Uzbekistan as you’ll find a wide variety of hotels, guesthouses and hostels on this platform. I wouldn’t look too much at the star-rating but at the review score (cleanliness etc).

How much does it cost to stay at an economy hotel or hostel in Uzbekistan?

In Uzbekistan, they offer mixed and gender-specific dorms at a very low cost, but many also offer private rooms for couples or families for less than a hotel. Expect to have a shared toilet and bath tho.

The cost of a bed in a hostel dorm starts at €8/ US$9 a night during the high season (May – June and September – October). In the low season, you can find even cheaper options.

A private room in a hostel or in an economy hotel (with shared bathroom and toilet) starts at €15/ US$16.

How much does it cost to stay at a homestay or a guesthouse in the rural areas in Uzbekistan?

If you find yourself in the rural areas, in the Fergana Valley or in the mountains of Uzbekistan, you’ll mostly find homestays and family-owned guesthouses as lodging options.

A homestay or guesthouse in the rural areas or mountains don’t have the typical luxury of a guesthouse or hotel in the city but you’ll have close contact with your hosts and learn a lot about their daily life.

The cost for spending a night at a homestay or guesthouse can vary from €20/US$21 to €35/US$37. These rooms usually have a shared bathroom and toilet.

Reading Tip:

6 Best Places to visit in the Fergana Valley – The Complete Travel Guide

How much does it cost to stay at a guesthouse or mid-range hotel in the cities in Uzbekistan?

A private room in a mid-range hotel or guesthouse in one of the Silk Road cities costs between €18/ US$19 and €40/ US$42 a night. These rooms have their own bathrooms and breakfast is usually also included in the price.

A room in a Boutique Hotel starts at €30/US$32 a night.

How much does it cost to stay at a luxury hotel in Uzbekistan?

If you like luxury or if you always wanted to stay at a luxurious hotel but you normally don’t have the budget for it, you can probably treat yourself to one in Uzbekistan! You can already find a luxury room in a wellness hotel for €80/ US$85 a night!

Hotels similar to Hyatt and Four Seasons cost around €150/US$160 a night.

How much does food cost in Uzbekistan?

You can eat and drink very well in Uzbekistan with only €30/ US$32 per day.

• Breakfast is usually included in the price of your lodging. If not, you can get a good breakfast (with coffee) for already €5/US$5.
• Lunch in a small local restaurant will cost around €10/US$11 per person.
• A 3-course dinner in a mid-range restaurant costs around €15/US$16 per person.
• A soft drink with your meal costs around €0.7/ US$0.7, a beer €1.5/US$1.6 and a bottle of wine €5/US$5.5.

Some cities, like Khiva, will be a bit more expensive to eat since they are geared for tourism.

Here’s an overview of you’ll pay if you want to buy snacks and drinks at a local grocery store:

• 1.5L of bottled water: €0.30/ US$0.30
• soft drink (0.33cl): €0.50/ US$0.50
• domestic beer (0.50cl): €1/ US$1
• bottle of wine (0.75cl): €4.50/ $US4.70
• regular coffee: €1.5/ US$1.6
• 1 kg of apples: €1.20 / US$1.20
• 1 kg of bananas: €1.8/ US$2

How much does transportation in Uzbekistan cost?

Transportation in Uzbekistan doesn’t cost a lot and it’s easy to travel around the country without spending a lot of money.

The best way to travel around Uzbekistan comfortably is by train. They are just slightly more expensive than buses but much more comfortable.

How much does it cost to buy a train ticket in Uzbekistan?

Trains in Uzbekistan are very affordable and a great way to travel around the country.

To give you an idea of how much a train ticket costs, I paid 90.000 UZS ($7) for a regular 2nd class seat from Tashkent to Bukhara on the Sharq train. I paid 180000 UZS ($16) for a regular 2nd class seat from Bukhara to Tashkent on the Afrosiyob (high-speed) train. This was during the high season.

For more information about train travel in Uzbekistan:

The Complete Guide to Train Travel in Uzbekistan

How much does it cost to take a bus in Uzbekistan?

Taking a bus is a bit cheaper than a regular seat ticket on the Sharq train. A ticket from Tashkent to Bukhara, for example, costs around 7 USD in the low season.

You can nowadays check the bus schedules and buy your tickets online or at the local bus stations. You’ll need your passport to book your seat and it’s better to buy your ticket(s) at least one day in advance.

Uzbekistan also has minibusses that transport people between small towns. The most common ones are called Damas and they cost around €0.10/US$0.10 for distances per km.

It’s the cheapest and most popular means of transport for the locals to travel in Uzbekistan. It’s very easy to take a Dama to get around Uzbek cities or to travel between two different towns. However, it’s not the fastest way as they stop everywhere to pick up passengers.

How much does it cost to take a taxi in Uzbekistan?

You can take a private taxi to get around cities. Just flag them down on the side of the road or, if you have a sim card, install the Yandex Go or Yoko Taxi on your phone. Both apps work in all major cities.

The standard rate is about 4000 UZS per km (€0.30). Don’t pay more than 20.000 UZS for a ride within the city.

Reading Tip:

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How much does it cost to rent a car in Uzbekistan?

Renting a car in Uzbekistan is finally legal. Most car rental companies are based in Tashkent but it’s possible to rent a car in Tashkent and drop it off in other Uzbek cities for an extra fee. The costs for renting a car in Uzbekistan start at $40/day.

How much does it cost to take the metro in Tashkent?

On top of being a great way to get around the city, the metro of Tashkent is almost like a small museum. Visiting it is actually one of the best things to do in Tashkent.

There’s a ticket office at the entrance of every metro station which is indicated on a yellow panel saying “Kassa”.

You pay for the metro in the form of a QR ticket. The price of one ticket is 1400 Uzbeki Som, which is €0.13 or $0.15. You can only use the QR code once and it remains valid up to one hour after purchase.

As long as you don’t exit the station, you can keep riding the metro with only one token. This means that you can visit all the metro stations in Tashkent for only €0.13/ $0.15.

Reading Tip:

The 13 most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent

How much do tourist attractions in Uzbekistan cost?

With tourist attractions in Uzbekistan, I mean the entrance fees for the sites of interest, like the famous Registan in Samarkand, mosques, madrassahs, mausolea, musea, etc.

Most tourist sites have entrance fees between 40.000 and 60.000 UZS ((€3-€5 /US$3-$5). To visit the old city center of Khiva, you have to pay 150.000 UZS (€11.50 /US$12) for a one-day entrance ticket.

A 3-hour guided city tour in one of the Silk road cities costs around €50/ US$50.

Reading Tip:

The 26 most beautiful and best places to visit in Uzbekistan

How much do I need to tip in Uzbekistan?

It’s not expected to leave tips at a restaurant as the service is automatically included in the bill. However, this is not mentioned on the menu and a lot of foreigners get confused or think they’re scammed once they receive the bill.

They think they’re being overcharged but if you look at the bottom of the bill, you see that a service fee of 10 to 15% has been added to the total costs.

You also don’t have to tip the staff at hotels and guesthouses.

The only circumstances where tips are expected – although it isn’t mandatory – is when you’re going on a guided tour. I usually give a 10% tip to the driver/guide/assistant guide.

How much money should I take to Uzbekistan?

Here’s how much money you need for a trip to Uzbekistan (flights not included!) when you’d travel around the country by train, eat at local mid-range restaurants, stay at mid-range guesthouses or hotels and entrance fees to sites of interests in the Silk Road cities – extra activities, private transport and guides not included:

• 7 days in Uzbekistan: €500 – US$550
• 10 days in Uzbekistan: €700 – US$750
• 14 days in Uzbekistan: €1000 -US$1100

Reading Tip:

Uzbekistan itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan

Costs of living in Uzbekistan

This is a small extra section for digital nomads or expats interested in living in Uzbekistan for a while. I’ve covered the costs of food and transport above, and here’s how much it would cost to rent a place long-term in Uzbekistan.

An easy option for accommodation in Uzbekistan is renting an apartment on Airbnb if you’re staying in a big city. You’ll find very affordable deals and it can sometimes be even cheaper than staying in a hostel for a short stay.

If you’re wondering what the prices are for renting an apartment on a monthly basis in Uzbekistan, here is an average of what it costs according to Numbeo:

• 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €470/ US$500
• 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €300/ $315
• 3- bedroom apartment in the city center: €815/ $870
• 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €515/ $550

For monthly utilities (electricity, heating, water, etc.), you’ll pay around €50/ US$55. Cable internet with unlimited data will cost you around €15/ USD$16 per month and a mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB data around €5/ US$5 per month.

I hope this guide gave you some good insights about how much your trip to Uzbekistan will cost. I’m wishing you a great journey and if you have any questions or updates, please let me and other travelers know in the comments below!

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