Euros or US Dollars???

Personally I would have some dollars. But in Tash-Sam-Bukh-Khiv euros are changeable at guest houses. So some dollars in small notes, and most in euros seems best.

In Tashkent for best rates go to Chorsu market. Go to one of the indoor areas and ask at a stall "dollars?" If they don't they'll take you to someone who does.

In Fergana valley changing anything seemed difficult.

Thanks!!!

Which is the approximate exchange rate between Euros and UZ soms in the black market?

Avoid changing your money at Tashkent Airport if possible. You will get much better rates if you do it on the black market.
Black market money changers loiter around entrances to markets in all major town and cities frequented by foreigners. The first time you change money with a black market person can be daunting, especially when you get huge wads of cash out to count in public view. Just try to be discreet. I changed all my money on the black market whilst travelling around Uzbekistan - never had any problems with it and got good rates.

Dequincey is absolutely rights about Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent - that bazaar has lots of money changers offering good rates.

Dollar is king - I would leave the euros at home. We changed some euros at a bank and it took an absolute age, while the dollar was changed without any difficulty.

Black market rate for dollars was anything between 1700-2100 a couple of weeks ago, while the bank rate was 1600. There isn't really any need to use money changers in markets etc as we found cafes, hotels etc are all in on it.

Edited by: Geebsie

It's definitely worth getting a hold of dollars before going to Uzbekistan. Not only will you be able to change them more easily (and at better rates), but many guesthouses will actually prefer if you pay them in dollars (and quote all their prices in dollars, which makes it easier to pay in dollars than Uzbek sum). In my personal experience, guesthouses don't offer great rates: something a little better than the bank rates for USD (but not as good as on the proper black market) and the same as bank rates for EUR and other currencies.

Giora

make sure the dollars are new and uncreased, 100's 20's and 50's there is a woman in National departures in one of the kiosks, dark hair glasses and late 40's who will give you the going rate on the B Market of 2050 som per dollar. I kniow the B Market rate is now 2100som. Avoid the banks as their rate is around 1400 som per dollar, but keep as discreet as you can. Avoid Euro Dollar is king

There's actually no pressing need to be that discreet. The black market is so ubiquitous and out in the open that even if the cops do see you they won't care. In fact they will probably be willing to change money for you as well. Of course it's technically illegal, but my point is that it's so common and open these days that it might as well be legal. Also if you are using the market changers they are remarkably honest. Most people don't bother to count the huge stacks of bills and it's always accurate. Btw 2100 seems low - I was getting 2200 in February. Ask around and bargain.

I got just over 2k to the dollar in Andijon a couple of days ago (2010 to be precise) - but hey, it was 25% better than the official rate and gave me enough local cash to survive till I could find a better rate in Tashkent. :)

Hi,

We just have returned from our Uzbekistan trip.

We got 2200 sums for 1 $ at the black market in Bukhara, Samarkanda and Khiva, and this seems to be the "normal" price, but if the $ continues to climb compared to the sums, of course a better rate should be requested.

It's very easy to change money and almost everybody knows where to change, even in restaurants or hotels.

In Bukhara we were offered 2700 sums for 1 Euro and in general there didn't seem to be any problem changing euros, however at hotels and B&Bs it's better to pay with $.

At a Bukhara travel agency we bought flight tickets from Urgench to Tashkent and we paid with sums, because if paying with $ it would have been 38% more expensive!!!

Cheers