Uzbekistan

Practical Info — Uzbekistan

The specific, practical answers every first-time visitor ends up needing — SIM cards, cash, and staying connected.

SIM & Connectivity

Local SIM cards are available at Tashkent airport and at phone shops in every city — the main operators are Beeline, Ucell, and Uzmobile. Foreign phones need their IMEI registered within 30–60 days of arrival, or the connection gets blocked (see the Visa Reality Log on the main Uzbekistan page for the full detail). Hotel WiFi is generally reliable in cities; outside hotels, coverage is patchy, so a local SIM or an eSIM app is worth setting up before you need it, not after.

Currency & ATMs

The Uzbek som (UZS) is the only currency accepted for everyday cash purchases — bazaars, local transport, and small vendors are cash-only. Cards are increasingly accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, but don't rely on them outside those cities. ATMs are widely available in the major tourist cities but noticeably sparser once you're in Karakalpakstan — withdraw what you'll need before heading toward Nukus or Moynaq.

Photos From the Road

Photos of SIM counters, currency exchange points, and everyday signage from this trip are being added here.

Getting a SIM Card

Uzbekistan's mobile coverage is solid in every city on this route, including Nukus and Moynaq. Buy a SIM as soon as you land — it takes 5–10 minutes and needs only your passport.

Where Tashkent Airport arrivals hall (all major operators have booths, open long hours), or any city-center operator store (Beeline, Ucell, Uzmobile/Uztelecom, Mobiuz). What you need Your passport — the seller registers the SIM to your ID. Takes 5–10 minutes; activates immediately. Best pick Ucell or Uzmobile for the widest coverage if you're heading toward Nukus/Moynaq/the Aral Sea; Beeline is strongest in the main cities. Typical cost A 30-day tourist package with 15–30GB data runs roughly $3–8 depending on operator and data tier.

Currency & ATMs

The currency is the Uzbek Som (UZS). Cash is still essential outside the biggest hotels — bazaars, small guesthouses, and Khiva in particular are cash-heavy — so plan to carry som for daily spending even if your card works at hotels and bigger restaurants.

ATMs Widely available in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and even Nukus. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; daily withdrawal limits are typically 2–5 million UZS. Exchanging cash Banks give the best rates; exchange offices in bazaars are more convenient but slightly worse. Avoid street exchange — it's unnecessary now that the black market has been gone since 2017 reforms. Cards Accepted at hotels, supermarkets (Korzinka, Makro), and tourist-facing restaurants — but expect a 1–3% markup on card payments versus cash, so budget accordingly. Bring clean notes If carrying USD/EUR as backup, bring crisp, undamaged bills — worn or marked notes are sometimes refused at exchange counters.

Photos of SIM shops, ATMs, and exchange counters from the trip will be added to the gallery below.

Money Guides From My Receipts

For the detailed money side of this trip, use these companion pages:

Need a second pair of eyes?

Travel Plan Review

If you are planning a trip and already have a rough route, I can review your itinerary, transport choices, budget assumptions, and practical risks before you book everything. Uzbekistan is where I can currently help most, because I travelled across the country and documented the details closely.

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