Is it better to pay taxis in Uzbekistan with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
In Bukhara, taxis are still mostly informal - like random guys with cars. Some do use apps, but I mostly paid cash. I tried asking about card payment in Russian but they just laughed. You can try Yandex Go if you have mobile data and a local number. Otherwise, negotiate price before the ride and pay in cash at the end. I kept change from shops just to avoid the awkward “no change” dance every time.
Cash only. Don’t expect QR codes or card readers in taxis unless you're in a mall zone in Tashkent. Even there, half the time they claim the machine is “not working.” Drivers on the street barely speak English and won’t understand card payment. Just keep 5,000 and 10,000 som notes handy. Anything above 20,000 som and they’ll pretend they have no change. Avoid airport taxis unless arranged through your hotel - total ripoff.
I was in Samarkand last month and got overcharged by a random taxi from the train station. Lesson learned: use Yandex Go - it’s super easy and transparent. Most drivers won’t even have a card machine, and asking for UZPAY or PayMe is hit or miss unless you're dealing with younger, urban drivers. Carry local som in small denominations for short rides, especially outside major cities. Also, they don’t like foreign currency for rides, so don’t try paying in dollars.
Living in Tashkent since February and I’ll say this - paying taxis in Uzbekistan is all about cash or Yandex Go. Most regular street taxis won't take cards, and drivers often round up. Yandex Go is a lifesaver; link your Uzbek card and rides are cheap, traceable, and avoid the tourist tax. Even then, sometimes the app fails and they’ll insist on cash. Keep small bills on you. In Andijan and Termez, don’t even bother with cards - cash only.