Practical travel information on Money and costs in Ashgabat

Money & costs

Money

The best rates for black-market exchangecan be found outside the Turkmenistan Trade Centre (Turkmenistan Söwda Merkazi; Magtymguly şayoli). The preferred currency is US dollars in cash.

There are several banks in the city centre, but they’re not of much use to travellers as they don’t have ATMs or change travellers cheques.

If you have a Visa card, use the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (40 60 40; Garashyyzlyk şayoli 32; 9.15am-4pm Mon-Fri), which is 4.5km south of downtown and 1.5km north of the Berzengi Hwy (Archabil şayoli). The bank charges a 4% commission on withdrawals.

If you use a MasterCard, go to Senagat Bank (45 44 21; Turkmenbaşi şayoli 42; 9am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri) located next to the Yimpaş department store. It charges a 3% commission on withdrawals.