Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Turkmenistan easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
American Express doesn’t work well in Turkmenistan. Even Visa and Mastercard have limited acceptance, mostly in Ashgabat. I had to carry a lot of manat cash for local markets since cards aren’t widely usable. ATMs often have withdrawal limits and sometimes don’t accept foreign cards at all.
During my recent visit to Ashgabat, I mostly used my Mastercard for paying at hotels and shops. American Express wasn’t accepted anywhere I tried. ATMs in the city dispensed manat only for Visa or Mastercard cards. Cash backups are essential since card acceptance outside big cities is limited.
When traveling to Turkmenistan, I recommend prioritizing Visa or Mastercard over American Express. Many local businesses and ATMs don’t process Amex, but Visa and Mastercard work relatively well in Ashgabat’s main areas. Outside the capital, cash is king, so withdraw manat from banks like Turkmenistan Bank before heading out to smaller towns.
In Turkmenistan, Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted in bigger cities like Ashgabat, especially at hotels, upscale restaurants, and major stores. American Express, however, is rarely accepted. ATMs mostly support Visa and Mastercard, but not Amex. If you plan to use cards a lot, bringing a Visa or Mastercard is safer, plus carrying some local manat cash is always useful.