Uzbekistan, a Silk Road treasure filled with ancient mosques, vibrant bazaars, and desert landscapes, invites travelers into a world of history and hospitality. Whether you’re exploring the blue domes of Samarkand, wandering through Bukhara’s old town, or enjoying Tashkent’s modern flair, managing your money wisely is crucial. Card acceptance is improving in urban areas, but cash remains the dominant form of payment, especially in local shops and rural regions. This guide offers key insights into cash and ATMs in Uzbekistan, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card usage, helping you stay financially prepared throughout your trip.
Where to find ATMs in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent, along with cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, has steadily improving ATM access. Machines are typically located near hotels, metro stations, bank branches, and tourist markets. ATMs operated by banks such as Agrobank, Kapitalbank, and Ipak Yuli Bank are the most reliable. Most ATMs dispense Uzbekistani som (UZS) and accept Visa; Mastercard acceptance is increasing but not yet universal.
Tourist Spots:
ATMs can be found near major attractions like Registan Square (Samarkand), Ark Fortress (Bukhara), and Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar. Some modern hotels and international chains offer ATM facilities inside their lobbies. That said, ATMs may occasionally run out of cash or reject foreign cards – so it’s best to use bank-attached machines during working hours for better support.
Rural Areas / Smaller Towns:
In rural villages, desert towns, or mountainous areas (e.g., Nurata or the Fergana Valley), ATM access is very limited or unavailable. Many local businesses, guesthouses, and taxis operate on a cash-only basis. Be sure to withdraw sufficient cash before traveling outside urban centers or embarking on multi-day road trips.
Best ATMs to use in Uzbekistan for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Uzbekistan are those owned by popular banks such as:
- UNB,
- Agrobank,
- Hamkorbank,
- Kapitalbank,
- Infinbank, and
- Ipak Yoli.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Uzbekistan.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Uzbekistan, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in UZS).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in UZS’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Uzbekistan?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Uzbekistan. ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. However, note that some ATMs accept only Visa and some only Mastercard or UnionPay cards. Others like JCB, Maestro, American Express, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs in cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara are generally available 24/7, though they may frequently run out of cash. In rural areas, ATM coverage is much more limited.
What are ATMs called in Uzbekistan?
They are referred to as “Bankomat” in Uzbek and Russian. Signage may also show “ATM”, especially near hotels, airports, and major banks.
Language options at ATMs
ATM interfaces usually support Uzbek, Russian, and English, with English widely available in tourist zones.
If you don’t understand these languages, try scanning the ATM screen on your phone camera with Google Translate and get an indicative translation (please note – such translations can have errors).
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Uzbekistan?
Standard ATMs in Uzbekistan dispense only Uzbekistani som (UZS).
ATM withdrawal limits in Uzbekistan?
ATMs in Uzbekistan have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of UZS 3 million (UZS 3,000,000) per transaction. Some banks have daily withdrawal limits of 60 bank notes.
ATM Fees in Uzbekistan
There are no fee-free ATMs in Uzbekistan. Majority of the bank ATMs in Uzbekistan charge anywhere between 1% to 2% of the transaction amount as ATM Access Fee for foreign card holders. So you can use the ones that charge a lower percentage fee.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Uzbekistan. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Uzbekistan
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Uzbekistan?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Uzbekistan. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Uzbekistan. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
Uzbekistan is considered relatively safe for tourists, with low rates of violent crime, especially in popular cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. However, ATM-related fraud such as skimming or card cloning has been reported in some areas. Stick to ATMs inside reputable bank branches, upscale hotels, or major shopping centers. Avoid standalone or dimly lit machines, especially at night. Shield your PIN during transactions, ignore offers of assistance from strangers, and check your account regularly to spot any unauthorized activity.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Uzbekistan takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Uzbekistan?
No, its usually not possible.There are no fee-free ATMs in Uzbekistan. Majority of the bank ATMs in Uzbekistan charge anywhere between 1% to 2% of the transaction amount as ATM Access Fee for foreign card holders. So you can use the ones that charge a lower percentage fee.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Uzbekistan?
Yes. ATMs in major cities in Uzbekistan and international hotel chains accept many types of international cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
As of now, there are no verified Bitcoin ATMs operating in Uzbekistan. While crypto regulations have loosened and exchanges operate online, directories and apps show no physical kiosks available to the public.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Uzbekistan
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate ATMs in Uzbekistan.
- Barclays: No, Barclays has no ATM presence here.
- HSBC: No, HSBC does not maintain consumer ATMs in Uzbekistan.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not operate ATMs here.
