Many people know Uzbekistan only vaguely, as a former Soviet country or as a place somewhere along the Silk Road. There is surprisingly little widely known about what traveling around the country is actually like.
When I started planning my trip, I quickly realized that practical information is still quite limited. It took some effort to piece things together from different English and Russian sources to understand how to get around and how to structure the itinerary.
This Uzbekistan travel guide is based on our experience and is designed to make things easier for you, covering transport, accommodation, and practical tips for traveling in Uzbekistan without the hassle.
- Best Time to Visit Uzbekistan
- How Long Do You Need to Visit Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan Visa Requirements
- How to Get to Uzbekistan
- Safety in Uzbekistan
- Transport in Uzbekistan
- Money Matters for Visiting Uzbekistan
- Cash and ATMs
- Cost of Travel in Uzbekistan
- SIM/E-SIM Cards in Uzbekistan
- Useful Apps for Visiting Uzbekistan
- Accommodation Guide for Uzbekistan
- Where to Stay in Tashkent
- Where to Stay in Samarkand
- Where to Stay in Bukhara
- Things to Book in Advance for Uzbekistan
- What to Eat in Uzbekistan
- 10-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
- Other Tips for Visiting Uzbekistan
- Language Barrier
- What to Wear in Uzbekistan
Best Time to Visit Uzbekistan
I would recommend visiting Uzbekistan in Spring or Autumn. The best months are April-May and mid-September through October. June and November can also work, but summers can get extremely hot and winters are usually quite harsh, making it difficult to travel.
We traveled in April. There were a couple of rainy days, but overall the weather was very comfortable for sightseeing – not too hot and not too cold. It was ideal for walking around and exploring.
How Long Do You Need to Visit Uzbekistan
In my opinion, around 10 days is a good amount of time to experience the main highlights of Uzbekistan without rushing too much. This allows you to visit the key cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva at a comfortable pace.
If you have less time, you will need to be more selective and choose which cities interest you the most. Samarkand and Bukhara are usually the top priorities, while Khiva requires more time due to its distance. See my itinerary below to decide which route works best for your trip.
Uzbekistan Visa Requirements
Lately, Uzbekistan changed its visa policy allowing a number of countries’ citizens to travel visa free, which put it on the tourists’ radar. 90 countries now enjoy the visa free regime – find the list on the official website. The list includes all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc. Depending on your country of nationality, you may be able to visit for up to 30 days or up to 60 days.
Citizens of other 56 countries can obtain a visa in a simplified way electronically. This includes the US, some of the central American countries, etc. The easiest is to check the map, if your country is in any shade of green, then you can visit for at least 30 days. If your country is in the shades of blue, you can get an electronic visa. Here is the official e-visa portal via the official website.
How to Get to Uzbekistan
Most tourists enter the country by flying into Tashkent. There are no international flights to other cities. Unlike some parts of the world, flight options to Uzbekistan are still relatively limited.
AirAstana is one of the major and relatively inexpensive airlines that flies to Tashkent via Almaty or Astana. They also offer Stopover packages, which provide one night accommodation in 3-4 star hotel with breakfast and transfer to and from the airport for only 1-2 USD. It was a really great way to see Almaty for a day on our way to Tashkent.
Another option is to cross the border from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan, if you are already in the region. We flew into Tashkent, then crossed the Panjakent land border to visit Tajikistan and entered back via the Oybek border to Uzbekistan.
In the past decade, the land border crossings between Central Asian countries have become far more straightforward, than I hear they used to be. I have read a lot of horror stories about luggage searches and very long waiting times. But nowadays, none of this happens. We easily crossed the borders on foot – we took transport to the border and then another from the border. We had to answer a couple of short questions about why we were visiting. Our luggage just passed through the usual security belt.
Safety in Uzbekistan
Originally, I even forgot to write this section and only remembered after fellow travelers asked about safety. Uzbekistan is quite safe to travel to, even for solo female travelers. As long as you avoid going out alone late at night or getting into unknown cars, you should be fine.
We traveled as a couple and used shared taxis, visited bus and taxi stations, and generally did not feel unsafe at any point. Generally, violent crime against tourists is very rare. We also didn’t notice any significant risk of robbery or pickpocketing, even in crowded tourist areas.
Of course, it is best to know approximate prices and be careful, while haggling with the sellers or the taxi drivers. As with any other destination, take standard precautions, but there is nothing out of the ordinary to worry about.
Transport in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has a rail network running in several destinations from Tashkent. This sets it apart from its neighbors and makes your trip easier. You even have the fast train option to get to Samarkand and Bukhara from Tashkent.
However, where trains don’t reach, your main mode of transportation will be shared taxis or mini buses. Those transport options are certainly not very convenient, therefore, if you are venturing outside the city centers and to off the beaten path cities, you might consider hiring either a private driver, which we did on some of the days, or hiring a car and driving yourself.
Here is the detailed post concerning transport options in Uzbekistan.
Money Matters for Visiting Uzbekistan
Cash and ATMs
Card is accepted in many locations, however, you will still need cash for various purposes – such as markets, small shops, taxis and minibuses. Change only a small amount at the airport, as the rates are usually poor. Instead, withdraw or exchange money once you reach the city.
It can be difficult to find exchange offices, especially outside Tashkent. Your best bet is to go to a National Bank, as smaller banks often don’t offer exchange services. In Samarkand, we walked around for a while looking for one near Registan and ended up exchanging money at a hotel at a worse rate.
You can also exchange with a taxi driver. Yes, they can do it, but make sure you know the official exchange rate and don’t agree on less. We did this once when finding a bank turned out to be too complicated.
Overall, the easiest way to get cash is ATMs. They are available in major cities, usually at banks. Just check what fees they charge for withdrawals.
Cost of Travel in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan can be quite affordable, but the overall cost really depends on your travel style. I would say Uzbekistan sits somewhere between budget and mid-range travel, making it a good option for different types of travelers.
If you use shared taxis, stay in cheaper hotels and eat at less touristy restaurants, you can travel on a relatively low budget. On the other hand, if you hire private drivers, stay at higher-end hotels and book guided tours, costs will increase. Still, the country is a more reasonably priced destination, compared to other parts of the world.
I would consider our costs quite low. We stayed at reasonably priced hotels (see below), got around with trains and mini buses, where possible and hired private drivers, where needed, but we ate at the touristy restaurants at times. The costs were comparable to traveling in South East Asia, and generally on the lower end.
SIM/E-SIM Cards in Uzbekistan
Local SIM cards are widely available at the airport or in the city, although the process can take a bit of time as registration with the passport is required. One good option is Ucell, which offers data plans at cheap rates. Speeds are generally good in cities, but can be less reliable in more remote areas.
If you prefer something quicker and hassle-free, you can use an e-SIM. This way, you can set everything up before arriving and have internet as soon as you land. We often needed mobile data handy from the moment we arrived, especially for using ride-hailing apps to avoid haggling with taxi drivers. Plus, rates for Uzbekistan are very reasonable.
Useful Apps for Visiting Uzbekistan
Having a few apps downloaded in advance will make your trip much easier, especially when it comes to getting around and dealing with the language barrier.
- Taxi ride-hailing apps: Yandex Go or MyTaxi will help you avoid negotiating prices and are generally inexpensive. I highly recommend using them, particularly in larger cities like Tashkent and Samarkand.
- Google Maps works well in Uzbekistan, but it’s best to download offline maps in advance. This is especially helpful if your internet connection is slow or unreliable.
- Google Translate: Since English is not widely spoken, having a translate app with offline languages downloaded is extremely useful. It can help with menus, signs and basic communication.
- Train apps: For traveling by train, it’s also helpful to have access to the official railway app either on AppStore or PlayStore or 12Go app.
Overall, these few apps will cover most situations you will encounter while traveling around Uzbekistan.
For a more comprehensive list of apps you may need for planning your travels or on trip, see my toolkit.
Accommodation Guide for Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has been slowly becoming more open to tourists. Therefore, accommodation options are improving.
In Tashkent I would recommend finding a lodging nearby a metro station or on at least a bus route. Everywhere else, local public transport is far less developed. Otherwise, as you saw from my public transport guide, ordering taxi or haggling with drivers each time can get tiring.
Besides, if you opt for homestays or visit any Uzbek homes, note that they are used to taking shoes off, when entering. You can’t walk around with the shoes you wore outside. Even when you book an entire apartment, you may still have to take off your shoes inside. Have the slippers and/or socks handy if, like me, you don’t like walking barefoot.
Where to Stay in Tashkent
We stayed at the City Centre Hotel, This was a clean and reasonably priced hotel near Kosmonavtlar metro station, which made getting around the city easy
If you want an interesting experience in the city, consider the Hotel Uzbekistan located at Amir Timur Square. This hotel was very popular during the Soviet times and was considered as the main luxury option in the country. Operating since 1974, it has brutalist architecture. Nowadays, it’s quite old and not as comfortable as the modern hotels, so keep this in mind, if booking. Alternatively, choose more modern options near Alisher Navoi and Amir Timur Square, such as Wyndham Tashkent or Holiday Inn.
Where to Stay in Samarkand
We stayed at Muzaffar Hotel Samarkand, which is a great value for money. It is located very near Registan. It is very clean. Staff is nice and helpful. There is tea and coffee in the kitchen any time you need it. They also ordered us a taxi and negotiated a price for us, when we asked, which was a substantial help. Overall, I highly recommend this hotel.
If you prefer to splurge a bit more, here are great options in the central locations:
- Hotel Samaria Terrace: A hotel with great amenities.
- East Star Hotel: A modern hotel with interesting design.
Where to Stay in Bukhara
We stayed at Qamar Hotel – this hotel has a good location about 15 minutes walk from Bukhara old town. You won’t be needing transport to explore the city center. The hotel is clean and reasonably priced.
If you prefer to stay in a very central location, here are great options at reasonable prices:
- Duston Boutique: The hotel is very centrally located and has gorgeous rooms.
- Marhaba Boutique Madrasa: This hotel has a wonderful design. The rooms, as well as courtyard are beautiful.
Things to Book in Advance for Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is slowly being put on the tourists’ radar. However, none of the attractions you will be visiting are so crowded that they would require advance booking. Still, there are a few things you need to pre-book before arriving. The major things are the high speed trains and the domestic flights.
Train tickets: First and foremost, book your high-speed train tickets. That’s the major thing that sells out very fast. Therefore, I recommend booking them as soon as they become available 60 days in advance at 10 am Uzbekistan time. If you don’t manage this, there are certain tickets added afterwards as well but this is not guaranteed. Alternatively there are slower trains running, but they take almost double the time. You can book tickets on the official website – I did this and while I managed, it took a few tries. The website is very glitchy, it kept signing me out and not accepting my card. Lately 12Go also became another option for purchasing train tickets. In my experience, you will need to pre-order high-speed train tickets before they open for sale 60 days earlier.
My guide on Uzbekistan transport explains the train travel and tickets in more detail.
Flights: If you are visiting Khiva and would like to fly from Tashkent to Khiva or vice versa (the itinerary I suggest below includes Khiva to Tashkent flight), you should book this in advance. You will have limited options, as the Urgench airport is served by only a few airlines. Check the Uzbekistan Airways official website, but also compare the rates with the other airlines using Skyscanner.
Accommodation: I advise to book accommodation before arriving to avoid losing time on finding one upon arrival. However, even if you leave it to the last minute, you will still find plenty of options.
What to Eat in Uzbekistan
Uzbek cuisine is quite heavy and meat focused. Most of the dishes are shared by Central Asian countries and some are similar to Turkish and Chinese food. The portions are generally quite large, so order accordingly. While vegetarian options exist, it will be generally more difficult to find non meat dishes.
Here are a few favorites in the country you have to try:
- Plov is the national dish made with rice, meat, carrots and spices. It’s rather simple and oily. Uzbeks normally eat it during morning to lunchtime.
- Samsa – baked pastries filled with meat or pumpkin. Another quite heavy oily food option.
- Lagman – noodle soup with vegetables and meat. I never tried this, as I am not a fan of soups.
- Manty – steamed dumplings. These dumplings are very similar to the ones you find all around Asia and Europe. I do like them, so they were a simple easy option for me to eat, whenever I couldn’t choose.
- Non – traditional round bread.
You may also come across more unusual options, such as camel meat, which is considered a local specialty in some regions.
10-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary
Here is my practical 10-day Uzbekistan itinerary covering the main cities and highlights. This is ideal if you are traveling in Uzbekistan for the first time and want to cover the main highlights efficiently.
Day 1: Tashkent
Visit Hazrati Imam Complex – Barakhan Madrasa, Tillya Sheikh Mosque, Hazrati Imam Mosque. You can also add Chorsu Bazaar and Kukaldosh Madrasa. Then take metro and marvel at the magnificent stations, like Kosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi, Mustakillik Maydoni.
Finally visit Amir Timur Square, walk around the Sailgokh Street, where outdoor events are often happening.
Please, find the detailed itinerary for one day in Tashkent.
Day 2: Train to Samarkand.
After arriving in Samarkand, start with the Gur-e-Amir Complex and Rukhobod Mausoleum, then continue to Registan and explore all three madrasas. There are night light shows at the square on some days, so don’t forget to check with the ticket office, when is the next one planned.
Check out my guide to visiting Registan.
Day 3: Samarkand
Start at the Observatory of Ulug Beg, walk to St Daniel’s Mausoleum, then to Afrasiyab settlement and museum. Walk down to Hazrat Khizr and take in the wonderful views. Continue to Shah-i-Zinda. From here, walk to Siab Bazaar and visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Mausoleum.
Day 4: Samarkand
Take a taxi to the mausoleum of Imam al-Bukhari. Take a train to Bukhara.
If you have additional time, you can visit Shahrisabz and even travel south all the way to Termez.
Find my detailed 1-day itinerary of Samarkand here.
Here is the detailed 2-day itinerary for Samarkand.
For practical tips for visiting Samarkand, see my travel guide.
Day 5: Bukhara
Start with a visit to Chor Minor, walk to Lyab-i Hauz. Visit Kukaldosh Madrasa, Magoki Attor Mosque. Check out Mausoleum Turki Jandi and maybe walk to Fayzulla Khodjaev House Museum. Walk towards the bazaars and visit the Abdulaziz Khan and Ulug Beg Madrasas standing in front of each other.
Then walk to Kalon square with the Minaret. Visit the Kalon Mosque here and the Mir-iArab Madrasa, as well as shops inside Amir Alim Khan Madrasa.
Day 6: Bukhara
Start by visiting the fortress, visit the Bolo Hauz Mosque, then head to the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and Samanid Mausoleum. Walk around the park here, then visit the Qosh Madrasa.
Take a taxi to Chor Bakr Memorial Complex, then to Sitori-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace and also visit the Naqshband Bokhari Memorial Complex. You can also visit the Emir Palace, which is next to the train station, but that’s certainly not too interesting.
Day 7: Travel to Khiva
This trip by train will take about 6 hours. You will hardly manage to do any sightseeing.
Day 8: Khiva
Visit the Nurullaboy Saroyi, then head to the fortress. Walk around and marvel at Kalta-minor Minaret, Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa and Sayid Allauddin Mausoleum.
Day 9: Khiva
Visit the Juma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmoud Mausoleum, Medrese Kutlug-Murad Inaka, Allakuli Khan Madrasa and Caravanserai, Toshhovli and other numerous mosques and madrasas around.
Day 10: Fly from Urgench airport near Khiva to Tashkent
If you still have any time today before flying home, you can go to the Besh Qozon for plov and then visit the Minor Mosque.
Additional days
It would be great to allocate Fergana valley several days. Train is the best way to travel here too. You can visit Kokand for the palace, Fergana city, Andijan, etc. From Kokand you can continue your trip to Khujand in Tajikistan or to Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
Other Tips for Visiting Uzbekistan
Language Barrier
Communicating with locals can be quite difficult for anyone, who doesn’t speak Uzbek or Russian. In this part of the world, most people know Russian and very little English. The best thing would be to have offline Google translate handy. People are generally very nice and will try to help you out whatever way they can.
What to Wear in Uzbekistan
Due to its Soviet past, Uzbekistan has less strict customs about the clothes for women, than most other Muslim majority countries. Particularly, in Tashkent, you won’t have problems with wearing whatever you like. However, as you go to other cities, you will find women dressed relatively more conservatively. As a tourist, you will be fine with whatever, but to be more comfortable, you may want to wear trousers or non-miniskirts and t-shirts, instead of sleeveless tops. Carry a scarf with you, preferably even two, to cover up when you visit the mosques. I also always carry thick socks for those places, where I have to take off my shoes.
Overall, Uzbekistan is a relatively easy country to travel around once you understand how things work. With a bit of planning, you will be able to enjoy it immensely.
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