Money and costs in kyrgyzstan

💵 currency. the official currency of kyrgyzstan is the som (KGS) banknotes come in values like 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 5000 soms you can exchange dollars, euros, or rubles at banks or exchange offices, which are easy to find in cities

💳 cards and cash
in big cities like bishkek and osh, you can pay with bank cards (visa or mastercard) in many places like supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels but in small towns or villages, it’s best to carry cash ATMs are available in most urban areas, and they usually give cash in soms

💰 cost of living
kyrgyzstan is generally affordable for travelers and locals here are some average prices (in usd): meal at a local café: $2–$5 bus or marshrutka ride: $0.20 taxi within the city: $1–$3 budget hotel: $10–$20 per night sim card with internet: $2–$5

🛍️ shopping
markets and bazaars are popular for buying food, clothes, and souvenirs always feel free to negotiate prices in markets – it’s part of the culture supermarkets and malls have fixed prices

📌 tips
keep small bills for public transport and street food if you're traveling outside of the cities, exchange enough money in advance use apps like namba taxi or yandex go to avoid overpaying for taxis