Australian Embassy, Moscow

Australia does not have government representation in Kyrgyzstan; all consular assistance is provided by the Australian Embassy in Russia.

Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2
Moscow, Russia
Tel: +7 495 956 6070
Fax: +7 495 956 6170
Email: info.moscow@dfat.gov.au
russia.embassy.gov.au

Smartraveller

The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade website has advice for travellers.
www.smartraveller.gov.au

Time Zones

There are two time zones in Tajikistan. Murgab district is on Kyrgyzstan time, this usually GMT + 5 hours.  The remaining regions are usually on GMT + 4 hours. However during a certain period of time in the year, the timezone is changed to GMT + 4 hours making them 3/4 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. To obtain the current local time and date in cities and countries in all time zones.
www.worldtimeserver.com  or  www.timeanddate.com

Voltages and Plugs

Tajikistan uses 220 volts. Plugs are generally of the two-round-pronged European type however can also be V-shaped flat prongs.
www.korjo.com/Adaptor-Guide

Currency

To obtain the most up-to-date exchange rate you may wish to visit
www.xe.com/currencyconverter

The currency of Tajikistan is the Tajikistani Somoni (TJS)
Tajikistan Som = 100 dirmas. Banknotes are in denominations of Dirmas  50, 20, 5, 2 and 1 and 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 Somoni.  Coins exist in denominations of  1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 diram and 1, 3, 5 Somoni

Credit Cards and ATM machines

Two of the main banks in Tajikistan went bankrupt again in 2016: Tajiksodirotbank and Agroinvestbank. Getting money out of a cash machine has become increasingly difficult since 2016.

ATMs are NOT readily available and not the easiest way to access your money.  They are only available in the largest of cities. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank cards.  Outside of the capital the acceptance of credit/debit cards is very limited, or in most places non existant.Credit cards are accepted in some of the major hotels, however they should not be relied on as your only/ main means of accessing money.

Please note that using a credit card in foreign countries usually requires a “chip-and-pin” credit card with an embedded microchip and an associated PIN number (the PIN is specific to each credit card). If you have questions about using your credit card in a foreign country, please contact your bank prior to departure from Australia. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Cash

This country is predominantly a cash society.  Both US dollar and Euro are widely accepted in Tajikistan. In smaller places without official currency exchange, people might be more willing to take dollar than than euro. TMoney can be changed at money changes in the bazaar or in the banks. Crisp clean notes with denominations no larger than US50.00 will be the easiest to change.    Travellers Cheques are NO LONGER accepted.

Telephone & Communication

Mobile telephones
Mobile internet coverage is reasonably widespread. Megafon and TCell are the best choices, though each has ‘holes’ in its coverage. Most hotels in cities and major towns offer free wi-fi. Once outside of major cities and in the high Pamirs you cannot be guaranteed of mobile coverage. Check with your local provider that your phone can switch on ‘Global Roaming’ and that your provider has coverage in the places you are visiting. Mobile phones can be very useful for SMSing  (especially if you get lost!). International calls are often expensive, as is checking your message bank as calls have to be routed through Australia.

Should you choose to purchase a local sim card please check with your local provider prior to departure to make sure your phone is unlocked and will accept another sim card.

Internet
Mobile internet is not so expensive and if you can get a good signal, it should be fast enough. 3G is available in the major towns. Outside, expect internet to be slow.

If you have Web access while travelling, you might consider a broadband-based telephone service (in technical terms, Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP) such as Skype or Vonage, which allows you to make free international calls between online computers and phones, and cheap international calls if you’re calling a normal phone number. Most cybercafes throughout the country will be using these programs already, complete with headset, microphone, and webcam.
www.skype.com    www.vonage.com

Business Hours in Kyrgyzstan

Offices  08.00 – 17.00 Monday to Saturday.
Banks   09.00 – 20.00 Monday to Sunday.
Shops   08.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Personal Safety

• We strongly recommend the use of a money belt to keep your cash, cards and travel documents safe. This should be kept under your clothes at all times. This is a precaution that should be taken anywhere due to the difficulties that can be experienced in trying to replace stolen items.
• Do not drink the water.
• Take photocopies of all important documents (passport, credit cards, airline tickets, insurance) and keep one copy securely in your luggage and leave another copy at home.
• It is generally helpful to take a business card from the hotel you are staying at. This can assist hugely if you get lost. If you also have a key card for your hotel, make sure you keep these two cards separate or you run the risk of allowing a thief access to your room.
• Take extra care in crowded places and try not to ‘advertise’ the fact that you may be carrying valuables by having something like an expensive camera over your shoulder. Put it in your bag or under your coat.  You should avoid keeping your wallet in your hip pocket. Petty theft and scams are becoming more common.
• Trafic is a hazard.  Please be vary careful of cars and bikes as they do not always obey the traffic lights.

What to Pack

Clothing (general)
The time of the year you visit this destination will dictate the type of clothing it is appropriate to bring. It would always be advisable to take a raincoat or a waterproof windbreaker. For daytime activities, we suggest a wardrobe that is versatile, casual and comfortable. It is recommended that “layered” clothing might offer the best comfort in a variety of conditions. Always expect the weather to be changeable.

Beyond the normal wardrobe we suggest

• comfortable, supportive walking shoes (very important)
• sunglasses, sunscreen, hat (for both hot and cold weather) and gloves
• waterproof warm coat and warm scarf
• ladies should have a scarf with them at all times in case it is required to cover shoulders or head when entering religious sites
• prescription medicines for the full duration of your time away and a written copy of your prescriptions including what they are for, provided by your doctor
• extra prescription eyeglasses (if required)
• toilet paper in your day packs is recommended
• torch/ wet wipes
• gel sanitiser

Etiquette

Shoes should be removed before entering all houses and museums.
Slippers are often provided even in hotels.
Public displays of affection and impinging on personal space should be avoided.

No attempt should be made to photograph anything remotely connected with the armed forces or in the vicinity of defence installations. Many people do not like being photographed. Always ask before photographing someone; they may try to obtain money from you.

Clothing (Churches, Mosques and Monasteries)
Although ‘foreigners’ do not have to adhere to a strict dress rules, women should wear a head covering (ie a scarf) in active churches. Men must remember to remove their hats in religious buildings. In churches it is polite to stand around the edges of the building, rather than in the centre. It is acceptable for foreigners to light candles.

Useful websites

About Tajikistan
traveltajikistan.tj

Climate

We suggest that prior to departure you check the weather forecast for the most up-to-date information.
www.worldweatheronline.com

Average minimum/maximum Temperatures (˚C)