Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Tajikistan or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Spent three weeks between Dushanbe and smaller towns - not once did I see a cab that accepted card. There’s no Grab, no Yandex, nothing. Even when I pre-booked a ride through my guesthouse, the driver asked for exact cash. If you plan on using taxis in Tajikistan, assume 100% cash usage.
Tried asking a taxi driver if he took card in Khujand - he just laughed. I ended up walking to an ATM. Even taxis arranged through hotels are cash-based. Fare from the airport was 60 TJS, all paid in cash. Keep bills ready and negotiate in advance.
There’s no app-based taxi network like Uber in Tajikistan. Locals just flag cars off the street or use private numbers. It’s always paid in cash, and you usually agree on the price beforehand. I never found a driver who accepted cards. Taxis here = cash only, no exceptions.
Every taxi I took - from Dushanbe airport to guesthouses - was cash only. Most drivers don’t even have smartphones, let alone payment terminals. You’ll need to negotiate the fare in Somoni and pay cash. There’s no Uber or Bolt, so keep change ready.