Turkmen manat black market exchange rates

[wanderlust2]

Heard from travelers who came through Turkmenistan week of July 15, 2019.
Current rate in black market is 1 USD = 17 TMT
Rate in hotel desk is 1 USD = 14-15 TMT

[nabeelfarid]

Just wondering if it is easy to exchange Manat to Uzbek SOM at Farab border before or after crossing into uzbekistan ? What is the rate ?

[steenaa54]

I have read somewhere that USD 100 note have to be the 2009 serie (looks blue) and not earlier series to be accepted in Turkmenistan. Can anyone confirm that this is the case (also when you change in black market). I have "brand" new USD, but 2006 serie

[Bethany]

We were able to get rate of 17.6 last week in Dashoguz, though we had been told by a guide we had met that the prevailing rate has dipped slightly from 18 to 17. In Ashgabat we only changed small amountd at 17 but could have got 17.5 if were changing a higher value.

[wouterjdv]

We got 16 in the town Dashoguz, were dependent of one trader though, our taxi driver gave us the feeling we had no other choice. In hindsight we should have asked around at the bazar more.

In Ashgabad we got 17 manat per usd. Helped out by friendly locals. It depends on the amount that you change what the rate will be. In the best case scenario you'll get 18, but 17 isn't bad (according to the local who helped us).

Be aware that some money exchangers near the Russian bazar in Ashgabad work together with the police, avoid them. Better go together with a local if possible.

Bottomline get 18, be happy with 17 and don't go lower than 16.

[Bakhtiyark]

During "normal days" you might get a rate as good as 19.
However, If you're coming with an official delegation during some events or expos the hotel workers, taxi drivers and etc. will be extremely cautious and most likely will not offer you "exchange operation" right away.

[friederike0509]

We got 18 at Turkmenabat Bazar beginning of October.

[ET_]

Rate seems to be 17 at the moment (10 Oct)

There is some big CIS head of government meeting in town so our hotel (swarming with secret service types and dignitaries) would only offer us the offical rate.
The aforementioned ‘iPhone’ shop in the Russian Bazaar was easy to find and efficient, offering me 17 for my $100 bill.
Other managed to get a rate of 15 with our tour bus driver

[elsacados]

I went to the Russian bazar in Ashgabat and they offered 18 without negotiations for 10$ exchange. (06.10)

[Bodhi.w]

We recently got 18.2 in the Russian bazaar while changing 50 usd. In Mary a shady guy near a bus stop accross the road from Mary Hotel first offered 15, then 16 per usd when changing 10 usd. Was happy enough with this as we just needed manat for food on our way to Uzbekistan