uzbekistan travel money

Money in Uzbekistan: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange

Let me guess: You are traveling to Uzbekistan and want to know if you can use your foreign debit card to pay or withdraw from an ATM.

Or maybe you’ve heard that you need crisp new US dollar bills and exchange them at the black market on the street for Uzbek Som? ( Nope, these days are gone! )

Or you’re just looking for those nice ATMs that don’t charge a commission for withdrawals? ( Very rare, but they exist! ) Asking yourself if you can use Revolut in Uzbekistan? ( Yes, you can! )

You’ve come to the right place to learn all about money in Uzbekistan as a tourist!

Currency in Uzbekistan

The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbek So’m with code UZS.

Persistent inflation in the country since its independence in 1991 has meant continuous devaluation of the currency. The largest denomination is 200.000 UZS (~17$) and nobody uses any coins. I didn’t see a single coin while in Uzbekistan.

The most common banknotes are the 2.000, 10.000, and 20.000. Due to the recent introduction of the 200.000 notes, most Uzbeks haven’t seen one.

I had more than a few suspicious stares when I paid with this banknote. Nonetheless, it never got rejected.

Can you use you use your card in Uzbekistan?

Yes, you can use your foreign card to pay while in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is opening up to the world. Ever since the death of the former president dictator Karimov in 2016, Uzbekistan has been looking to attract more tourists and make it easy for them to spend money in the country. Today, Uzbekistan is indeed a very safe country .

Bigger hotels, bigger supermarkets, some museums, and other establishments accept payment by foreign cards.

However, most still charge 1% to 3% commission even if you pay on a POS terminal.

Smaller supermarkets, traditional open-air markets, family-run guesthouses, etc. of course still only accept cash. Who’s to blame them?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted on most POS terminals. Maestro is accepted, but not as widely as Visa. AMEX cards are mostly NOT accepted though.

ATMs in Uzbekistan

ATMs were virtually non-existent in Uzbekistan 10 years ago. Today, they are popping up like mushrooms everywhere in Tashkent and Samarkand and tourist hotspots like Bukhara and Khiva.

Even in Nukus, your gateway to the Ship Graveyard in the Dead Aral Sea , there’s no shortage of ATMs from different banks.

There are plenty of ATMs in cities in the Fergana Valley too.

Most ATMs will accept Visa cards and Maestro cards. Some will accept Mastercard. Almost no ATMs accept American Express.

The maximum withdrawal amount on most ATMs is 2 million UZS, some up to 3 million.

Withdrawal Fees

Here comes the tricky part – avoiding those pesky ATM withdrawal fees. I’m not talking about the fees you get charged on your end from your bank – those you can avoid by using a FinTech solution like Revolut, Curve, or Monese .

Unfortunately, most ATMs in Uzbekistan charge a withdrawal fee between 1% and 3%. The most common fee is in the amount of 1.5%.

ATMs without withdrawal fees

The ATM you want to use to avoid withdrawal fees is Trastbank . This is the ONLY ATM without a withdrawal fee in Uzbekistan as of 2024.

And yes, I did try over 10 different banks, including O’zmilliybank , Xalq Banki , Agrobank , Turkiston Bank , Davr Bank , HamkorBank , and the Turkish Ziraat Bank which otherwise charges 0 withdrawal fees in Turkey .

What I found out is that Trastbank’s ATMs are kind of rare, so if you see one, withdraw as much as you think you’ll need for the next few days. You can find them on Google Maps.

ATMs that dispense USD

It used to be possible to withdraw USD from Uzbek ATMs and then exchange USD for UZS on the street to get the best deal.

Ever since 2017 when the Uzbek Som was unpegged from the Dollar and started floating freely, the need for a black market disappeared ( see below ) and ATMs that dispense USD quickly got removed.

Today, there are no more ATMs that dispense USD in Uzbekistan.

If you need to get a hold of USD ( say you will be traveling to other Central Asian countries and need some exchangeable cash ) you will have to withdraw UZS, then go to a bank and exchange to USD.

Exchanging Money in Uzbekistan

To be frank, you don’t need to exchange money in Uzbekistan because paying by card and withdrawing UZS from an ATM are both widespread and reliable enough.

But if you want to be safe, here’s what you need to know about exchanging money in Uzbekistan.

What currency to bring

As with almost any country in the world right now, the US dollar is king .

Other currencies that are traded and exchangeable in Uzbekistan (in order of ease of exchange) are:

• Russian Rouble ;
• Kazakh Tenge ;
• British Pounds ;
• Swiss Francs ;
• Japanese Yen ;
• Chinese Yuan .

For other currencies, you may be able to exchange to UZS in Tashkent and Samarkand. Still, I think it’s wise to carry USD when traveling, just to be prepared.

The black market is dead

Before 2017, the UZS was officially pegged to the dollar at 4210 UZS for 1$. However, the real rate was at least double that, which meant the black market was where you wanted to exchange money for good value.

You’d have had to go near the market and ask around to find a shady dude on the street, who’d whip open a massive box of Uzbek cash ( back then the biggest banknote was 10.000 UZS, equivalent to around 2.5 dollars officially and around 1$ unofficially ) and take your pristine USD bills.

It was very illegal and yet everyone did it. Also, everyone walked around with large piles of cash ( 100$ was at least 100 banknotes, sometimes more ) and the Uzbeks were known as the fastest cash counters in the world.

Those days are gone! After 2017 the Uzbek som was unpegged and allowed to float freely on the currency market, including the USD. That removed the need for a black market and today you won’t find dodgy guys exchanging money on the street.

Long story short – no black market exists anymore, exchange your money in a bank or an exchange bureau.

Exchanging at a bank

Exchanging money in a bank in Uzbekistan is pretty straightforward and not any different than anywhere else in the world. Mind these points:

• Bring your passport with you;
• Your foreign currency banknotes must be clean, crisp, and have no signs of wear or tear;
• Banks’ opening times are 09:00 to 17:00, shorter on Saturdays, closed on Sundays;
• You can exchange money at the airport, but will face a little lower exchange rate;
• Officially you cannot exchange money at the border. In reality, there will always be 1 or 2 guys that will offer you some rate to exchange Kazakh Tenge, Kyrgyz Som, Tajik Somoni, USD, or Euro;

Exchanging using a money exchange machine

Next to some proper ATMs, you will find automatic money exchange machines. They only take US dollars.

The way it works is straightforward.

• You will be shown an exchange rate that is a little lower than the one in the banks;
• Insert a US dollar note. The accepted notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100;
• Take your UZS notes from the machine.

These exchange machines are open 24/7 and are a good substitute for the bank if you urgently need cash on a Sunday.

Another benefit is that they are more likely to accept your worn-out notes or notes with small crumples or cuts. In a bank, these will either be refused or exchanged at a lower rate.

Pro Tips and Common Scams

I’ve made this list of tips from my journey to Uzbekistan so you don’t fall victim to some of the most common money scams.

• Mentally ignore the last 3 zeroes to make calculations easier. 50.000 is just 50k, 20.000 is 20k.
• Know the multiple of your currency. Say you use US dollars and 10.000 UZS is 0.8$. Your multiple is 8. If the price of something is 30.000 UZS, ignore the zeroes, multiply by 8 and you have 24, i.e. 2.4$; Quick maths: 160k UZS? -> 1.6*8 =12.8 USD.
• 5k and 100k are in a similar shade. Be careful!;
• Always ask taxis to switch on the meter OR use Yandex Go;
• Never let anyone help you with an ATM, no matter how friendly they are! They will scan your card with a skimmer!;
• Don’t let locals help you “clean up” something on your jacket – they might be trying to pickpocket you.
• Be very wary of locals giving you their camera and asking for pictures. When you give it back they may claim you broke it and demand money.

How much cash to bring to Uzbekistan?

This depends on your needs, of course. Since using your card in Uzbekistan nowadays is pretty easy to both pay and withdraw cash, you don’t need to bring as much foreign currency as cash inside the country.

My advice is to have at least 200$ just in case something goes wrong with your bank cards and you need emergency cash until you sort it out.

When I went to Uzbekistan I had exactly that much stashed away but since I exclusively used my Revolut and Curve cards , I didn’t have to exchange a single time.

On the other hand, if you’re wondering how much money you need to travel to Uzbekistan, you can check out my backpacker’s budget report for Uzbekistan .

Example prices

Here are price ranges for some popular purchases in Uzbekistan. Prices are from 2023 in Uzbek Som. You can expect these to increase by 5-10% in 2024.

• 2 meatballs in a piece of bread: 10 – 20k;
• Plov meal: 40 – 70k;
• Bottled water (0.5L): 3 – 5k;
• Can of beer (supermarket): 10 -15k;
• 100 g. black raisins: 8k;
• Museums: 30 – 100k;
• Metro ticket in Tashkent : 8k
• Budget hostel : 80 – 150k ( usually breakfast included );
• Mid-range hotels  – 200 – 500k;
• Train travel (Sharq, 2nd class): ~15k per hour of travel
• Train travel (Afrosiyob, 2nd class): ~35k per hour of travel

Bargaining is part of Uzbek culture.

You’re expected to bargain everywhere that prices are not listed.

At touristic places, even with listed places, you can bargain. Prices are inflated for tourists (2-3 times) and you can get a discount with some friendly haggle.

A good rule of thumb is to always counter the initial offer with 50% of it. You can then expect to meet the vendor somewhere in the middle at 65-80% of the original asking price.

Tipping is not customary in Uzbekistan.

Local Uzbeks don’t tip. If you feel the service was good and you tip, it will be appreciated but it’s not expected. If there’s a service fee, a tip is unnecessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s answer some of the internet’s ( and most certainly your ) most burning questions about money in Uzbekistan.

What is the ATM withdrawal limit in Uzbekistan?

The maximum withdrawal limit on most ATMs in Uzbekistan is 3,000,000 UZS (246$).

Not all ATMs have this limit, some have a limit lower than that.

Where to exchange money in Uzbekistan?

You can exchange money in various places:

• At the airport just after you arrive. All international airports have change bureaus, although their rates are bad compared to the city;
• At a land border. Look for exchange bureaus just before or just after land borders with neighboring countries;
• At a change bureau in the city (probably the best rates);
• At a dodgy-looking guy at the corner of a bazaar ( please don’t ).

Can you use US dollars in Uzbekistan?

You can use US dollars to pay for things in Uzbekistan but it’s extremely rare. Even in the tourist hotspot Samarkand, I never saw any prices advertised in USD.

However, the US dollar is easily exchanged for local Uzbek S’om.

Can you use Revolut in Uzbekistan?

Yes, Revolut cards work in Uzbekistan. Both VISA and Mastercard work. Similar fintech apps like Wise, Monese, and Curve also work there.

If you are going to the other Central Asian countries , you may want to read my money guides for them too:

• Tourist Guide to Money in Kyrgyzstan ;
• Tourist Guide to Money in Kazakhstan .

You will also like:

• Money in Kazakhstan: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Indonesia: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Vietnam: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Laos: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Turkey: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Georgia: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
• Money in Armenia: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange

Thank you, that was helpful!

As of April 2024, Trast Bank also charges 1.5% on foreign card withdrawals.

Eh, well, it was good while it lasted. If Trastbank charges now, then there are no longer any ATMs without withdrawal fees in Uzbekistan. 🙁

I tried to get some UZS before leaving for Uzbekistan but no bank or exchange business like Oanda or Xe has them. So I’ll have to get UZS when I get there. Thanks for your posting here. Very helpful.

UZS is a closed currency – you won’t be able to exchange it outside of Uzbekistan (except for border towns in the other -stans) and you won’t be able to buy it abroad either. Bottom line: never buy foreign currency in your own country – the rate is always lower than in the country of the currency!

This is VERY helpful, thank you!

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The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) – 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

This is the most complete and updated online guide to travel in Uzbekistan with all the information you need to know to plan your visit to Uzbekistan!

Located on the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that has recently opened its doors to the world. Since doing so, this off-the-beaten-path destination is gradually becoming more and more popular with tourists.

Nowadays, it’s far easier to travel independently around this spectacular place than during my first trip to Uzbekistan in 2017. I’ve seen many positive changes during my later trips since then.

That’s why I’m happy to share this complete and updated guide to travel in Uzbekistan that will help you in preparing for your trip.

This travel guide will provide you with useful and up-to-date Uzbekistan travel tips, and recommendations to visit Uzbekistan.

Come and find out more about this wondrous land, brimming with rich history, culture, and stunning Islamic architecture in this Uzbekistan travel guide!

Tip: See my Uzbekistan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Uzbekistan!

Discover the mystical Silk Road cities and travel along the ancient caravan trails in the mountains and desert of Uzbekistan during the 14-day H i g h l i g h t s o f Uzbekistan Adventure Tour !

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Plan your trip to Uzbekistan

• 18 important things to prepare your trip to Uzbekistan
• 26 beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan
• Uzbekistan Itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan
• How to travel aroun d Uzbekistan by train
• What to pack for Uzbekistan
• Uzbekistan Safety Guide
• Uzbekistan Money Guide
• Tours & Experiences: Guided City Tours in Uzbekistan, Adventure Tours in Uzbekistan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Visiting Uzbekistan in 2024 – Uzbekistan Entry Requirements

1.1 do i need a visa to travel to uzbekistan.

Starting from 1 February 2019, citizens of the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and many more countries can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for a period of 30 days .

Citizens of 76 countries including the United States, China, and India have been granted the right to receive an electronic entry visa for a period of 30 days.

If your country of citizenship isn’t on any list, you’ll need to apply for a visa at the Uzbek Embassy.

How to apply for an Uzbekistan e-visa?

Applying for an electronic visa for Uzbekistan is very easy but remember that you should apply at least 3 days before your arrival in the country .

Head online to the Official Electronic Visa Portal of Uzbekistan and fill in your information.

This visa is still date-specific so you need to enter the date of your arrival and departure. Remember that you can stay up to 30 days in the country.

Once you’ve filled in your personal details, you have to upload a passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport (look here for guidelines ).

After you’ve activated your application by entering your email address, you’ll need to pay the consular fee to receive your e-visa. The cost of obtaining an e-visa is 20 USD and has to be paid with a valid Visa card.

Once your application has been approved, the electronic visa will be sent to your email address in pdf format within 48 hours.

Print the e-visa so you can show it upon your arrival. Your passport should also be valid for three months from the date you arrive.

1.2 Can I extend my Uzbekistan visa?

If you travel to Uzbekistan on a free tourist visa, you can enter and exit as many times as you want.

I traveled for a couple of days to Tashkent and Samarkand , left the country by crossing the land border with Tajikistan and returned 8 days later to Uzbekistan. Upon my 2nd arrival in Tashkent, I received a new stamp that allowed me to stay another 30 days in the country. 

As there are no clear rules yet about how many days within a year you’re allowed to stay in Uzbekistan, you can currently do a couple of border runs in the nearby countries like  Kazakhstan ,  Kyrgyzstan , and  Tajikistan   and easily renew your tourist visa.

Before you get all excited, just keep in mind that this might change at some point in the near future. 

1.3 What happens if I overstay my Uzbekistan Visa?

Whilst traveling in Uzbekistan, it’s really important that you keep an eye on how many days you’ve spent in the country and that your outgoing flight is booked within your visa time allowance.

If you happen to overstay your visa for any extra time it may result in a 2,000 USD fine as well as the Uzbek authorities delaying your exit from the country by a week or more.

1.4 Uzbekistan Vaccination Requirements

There aren’t any compulsory vaccinations needed to travel in Uzbekistan.

However, it is recommended that you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A, and typhoid especially if you are planning on traveling to more remote villages.

The 26 most beautiful and best places to visit in Uzbekistan

2. When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in spring (mid-April –  beginning of June) or autumn (mid-September – beginning of November). The temperatures during these seasons are very pleasant and it shouldn’t be too hot to walk around during the day.

Soaring temperatures usually start from the beginning of June until mid-September. When planning your travels in Uzbekistan, it’s also good to know that most of the country’s major events take place in either spring or autumn. 

2.1 What is the hottest month in Uzbekistan?

July and August are the hottest months of the year in Uzbekistan. With temperatures ranging from 35 ° C to sometimes even up to 40 ° – 45 ° C, visiting Uzbekistan during the summer can be quite uncomfortable.

It’s good to have this in mind if you are planning any long overland journeys as the sun is very strong.

2.2 Should I visit Uzbekistan in Winter?

Winter is a great time to visit Uzbekistan for anyone who wants to avoid crowds. The temperatures are not that cold, it can be sunny and crowds of tourists are nonexistent.

The chance of rain increases from mid-March, but March and April are still quiet months to visit.

Winter in Uzbekistan is very special and if it snows, you’ll get to see a magical winter wonderland. That’s why I once traveled to Uzbekistan in December. Unfortunately, I arrived a bit too late (or was it too early?) to see the cities fully covered in snow. 

It had snowed several days before my arrival and I could only enjoy the last bits of it in the capital Tashkent. In other cities, the snow had already disappeared by the time I arrived there. 

Another advantage of traveling during winter is that in the low season, the hotels and hostels are cheaper. 

3. Travel Insurance for Uzbekistan

It isn’t mandatory to have travel insurance if you are traveling to Uzbekistan. However, I would suggest getting one for the period of your trip. You just never know when you might need it …

If you don’t have travel insurance yet, I highly recommend HeyMondo as it covers both medical costs and theft.

What are the 3 best budget-friendly travel insurance companies

Need Travel Insurance for Central Asia ? I use and highly recommend HeyMondo Travel Insurance . As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!

4. What is the best way to get to Uzbekistan?

4.1 where do you fly into uzbekistan.

Tashkent and Samarkand both have international airports. Tashkent International Airport is the most popular arrival destination into Uzbekistan and because the airport is fairly small, you would struggle to get lost.

There is a currency exchange office in the airport that offers a good exchange rate if you have US Dollars. There are nowadays also ATMs available in the airport of Tashkent where you can take out and exchange US Dollars and Uzbek som (see 7.5 How much money should I take to Uzbekistan ).

How to get from the airport to Tashkent city center by taxi and how much does it cost?

It’s a 30-minute drive to get from the airport to the city center of Tashkent by taxi.

As soon as you exit the airport, you’ll be greeted by many eager taxi drivers who are happy to bring you to the city center of Tashkent for 50.000 Uzbek som.

This is the same rate as the “official” taxi office in the airport, which doesn’t make sense as the standard price for a taxi from the airport to the city center of Tashkent is 25.000 som (around US$2 – US$3).  

This means you’ll have to negotiate the price with the driver and you might not feel like playing the bargaining game after a long flight. So here’s a good personal tip. 

When you exit the airport, ignore the taxi drivers who are standing at the gate. Walk to the left towards the parking lot across ‘Departures’. There you’ll find taxi drivers who just drove travelers from the city center to the airport. 

They’ll be happy to quickly return to the city center and therefore are a lot easier to negotiate with. Offer the driver max 25.000 som. Show him the money and tell him to take it or leave it. He’ll probably try to ask for more but as soon as you start walking towards another taxi, he’ll very likely take it…

Another tip: if you buy a SIM card at the airport, install the Yandex Go app on your phone. This app works like Uber and shows you the taxi rates.

How to get from the airport to Tashkent city center by bus and how much does it cost?

There are buses that run daily from 6 am until 11 pm between the airport and the city center.

When you exit the airport, walk past the parking lot and you’ll see them on your left.  A bus ticket costs 1200 som and can be bought on the bus itself. 

As there are different buses, it might be hard to figure out which bus to take. The apps Maps.me and wikiroutes can help you to see which bus and route to take to your hotel. Bus #67 goes straight to the city center. 

How to get from Tashkent City center to the airport and how much does it cost?

The easiest and most straightforward way is to ask the receptionist of your hostel or hotel to call a taxi for you. You can also install the app Yandex Go to order a taxi.

A taxi from the city of Tashkent to the airport will cost around 20.000 som, depending on where you are in the city.

Top Things to do in Tashkent – Tashkent City Guide

4.2 How to travel to Uzbekistan by road ?

Uzbekistan shares land borders with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Tajikistan .

The security at the overland border points used to be very strict . Not only did you have to fill in a lot of paperwork, but you were also asked many questions about your trip and your bag would be opened and the contents searched for any prohibited items.

Nowadays, border crossings tend not to take so long. Border guards will still scan your luggage, ask if you’re traveling with a drone (which is strictly prohibited!) but they are not as strict as they used to once be. It’s rare that you will be asked to open your bag to be searched and you’re not required to fill in any paperwork.

Overland border crossings are now faster and far easier than they were. You should check online for up-to-date information, as borders can close without notice. All travel to the Termez region and to within 5km of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border is not advised at the moment.

Caution should be exercised in some areas bordering Tajikistan . The border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is currently closed.

The most common and easiest routes to travel overland to Uzbekistan are:

• From Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent by bus and train
• From Shymkent (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent by bus and train
• From Osh (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus, train or shared taxi
• From Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus
• From Penjikent (Tajikistan) to Samarkand by shared taxi
• From Khudjand (Tajikistan) to Tashkent by bus

6 Best Places to visit in the Fergana Valley – The Complete Travel Guide

5. Where should you go in Uzbekistan?

5.1 top silk road cities to visit in uzbekistan.

If you’re going to travel in Uzbekistan to find treasures of the ancient Silk Road, you should visit the following 5 cities to see the most stunning and impressive Islamic architecture in the entire country:

The majority of these sites are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

5.2 More interesting places to visit in Uzbekistan

The country has, of course, more to offer than only beautiful Silk Road cities. If you want to go off-the-beaten path, you can visit the follow destinations in Uzbekistan:

• the Fergana Valley
• Karakalpakstan , an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan
• the Aral Sea and the ship graveyard in Moynoq
• hiking in the Nuratau and Chimgan Mountains

5.3 How many days do you need for Uzbekistan?

If you’re wondering how many days you need to visit Uzbekistan, then it’s kind of an open-ended question. It would be possible to visit the main tourist attractions in Uzbekistan within one week.

If you’re not time-restricted, I’d recommend at least 10 days to fully absorb everything this country has on offer.

Tourism in Uzbekistan is an economy that is growing larger and becoming more popular as time passes. I would urge you to plan a trip to soak up the sights before it perhaps becomes super touristy.

Uzbekistan itinerary suggestions: visit Uzbekistan in 1 to 4 weeks

6. Is Uzbekistan a safe country to visit?

Many people wonder if it’s safe to travel in Uzbekistan. It’s still a relatively unknown country in Central Asia and its neighboring country Afghanistan doesn’t have the best reputation. A country ending with -stan gets quickly associated with danger.

However, you absolutely have nothing to worry about! Uzbekistan is totally safe. You’ll see police officers on every street corner and at every public place. They even introduced a “Tourist Police” now. There Tourist Police officers have an office in every touristic city and are glad to be of any assistance when needed.

Tourism is a rich source of income and the Uzbeks genuinely want you to have a fantastic experience in their country. They are very hospitable and kind people and you’ll be received as a very welcome guest.

One of the most common scams in Uzbekistan is getting overcharged by taxi drivers. It starts as soon as you arrive at the airport or at any land border. The taxi drivers will usually charge you double or triple the standard rate.

You have to bargain hard and have a lot of patience to get the price down. If you’re not sure what the normal price is, try to get at least half the price of what the driver is offering you or install Yandex Go as this app will show you the rates upfront.

Another scam you have to be careful of is when you visit monuments or museums. When you pay the entrance fee, make sure that they don’t charge you automatically for a guide. In some places, especially in Samarkand , you have to pay extra if you want to take photos (with a camera, not with your phone).

Some ticket offices will automatically include a camera price or pretend there is one. If you’re in doubt, ask for the price list as every ticket office should have one, and check if you’re paying the correct fee.

Is Uzbekistan safe? 1 4 useful safety tips

Uzbekistan solo travel/ Is Uzbekistan safe to travel alone?

Yes, Uzbekistan is a very safe country to visit for solo (female) travelers! When I first traveled on my own to Uzbekistan in 2017, I was a bit anxious but I quickly experienced I had nothing to worry about.

The Uzbeks are very kind and hospitable, welcome you as a guest in their country and they want you to enjoy yourself.

How is it to travel alone as a woman in Uzbekistan?

7. Money and currency in Uzbekistan

7.1 what kind of money do they use in uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistani Som (UZS) is the official currency used in Uzbekistan.

• Banknotes circulating in Uzbekistan: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 som.
• Coins circulating in Uzbekistan: 50, 100, 200 and 500 som

I always use the  Xe.com app  to convert and stay up-to-date with the current exchange rates. At this time of writing, the current exchange rates are ( November 2023) :

• $1 USD = 12,300 UZS
• €1 Euro = 13,000 UZS
• £1 British Pound = 15,000 UZS

Only a few years ago, the highest denomination available was a banknote of 5000 Uzbeki Som. I needed an extra bag to carry the 2400 banknotes after exchanging 150 US dollars for 1.200.000 Som…

The new banknotes of 10.000, 50.000, and 100.000 UZS make a huge difference in size and weight in your wallet (and the amount of time spent on counting your change…).

7.2 Which credit cards are accepted in Uzbekistan?

Visa is probably the most widely accepted credit card in hotels and restaurants. However, Uzbekistan still has a cash economy which means you won’t always be able to pay with your credit card.

It is slowly becoming more common practice, but it would be wise to carry some cash rather than depending on your card whilst traveling in Uzbekistan. 

7.3 ATMs in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva nowadays all have ATMs where you can take out US dollars and/or Uzbek Som with a VISA card. There are also 2 ATMs at the international airport in Tashkent. 

7.4 Exchanging money in Uzbekistan

The best place to exchange money in Uzbekistan is at one of the banks in Tashkent as they give the best exchange rate.

Just keep in mind that if you want to exchange money, your banknotes should be crisp and in good condition . It happened a few times that the exchange office gave me a lower rate as my banknotes were a little crumpled. 

Before you leave Uzbekistan, you can exchange your remaining Som at the bank or in one of the exchange offices at either the airport or at the land borders.

Update: You can nowadays also pay with Euro and US dollar bills in shops, restaurants, at the hotel, to guides and drivers,…

7.5 How much money do you need in Uzbekistan?

You may be wondering whether it is cheap to visit Uzbekistan? The average monthly wage in Uzbekistan is $300 which is useful to keep in mind.

With most people traveling to Uzbekistan visa-free these days, it’s pretty inexpensive to get around Uzbekistan. Although basic accommodation is not dirt cheap due to a convoluted tax code.

For a 10-day trip, depending on the activities you want to do, I would recommend taking 600 USD or Euro per person in cash to Uzbekistan (if you’re not planning on using your credit card).

Average prices are $10 for a basic meal, $15 for a hostel bed and $30 upwards for a double room in a decent hotel, and $10 for a train ticket.

Uzbekistan Money Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Uzbekistan?

7.6 Should you tip in Uzbekistan?

You don’t have to leave a tip in the restaurant as the service is automatically included in the bill. However, this is not mentioned on the menu and a lot of foreigners get confused or think they’re being overcharged once they receive the bill.

If you take a look at the bottom of the bill, you will see the service fee of 10 -15% added to the total cost of your meal.

Tipping your guide or driver is not mandatory but is getting lately more and more expected… I usually give an additional 10% tip on top of the price.

8. How to get around in Uzbekistan/Is it easy to travel around Uzbekistan?

8.1 are there trains in uzbekistan.

Yes, there are trains in Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan railroad is the most convenient, interesting and fastest way to travel around the country!

The Uzbekistan railway connects now all the major touristic destinations: Tashkent , Samarkand , Bukhara , and – since December 2018 – Khiva . 

There are three types of trains (and I’ve tested them all!): the Afrosiyob , the Sharq  and the Night Train .

In my post Taking trains in Uzbekistan – The Uzbekistan railways guide , you’ll find a complete guide to the Uzbekistan train system, including information on taking the Uzbekistan high-speed rail, the Uzbekistan Sharq train and the Uzbekistan night train.

The Complete Guide to Train Travel in Uzbekistan

8.2 How to travel around Uzbekistan by bus

If you prefer to see the road instead of the railway, you can travel around Uzbekistan by bus. You can check the bus schedules and buy your ticket online or at the local bus stations. You’ll need your passport so bring it with you. You should also buy your ticket at least one day in advance.

Long distance buses are a slow and not very comfortable way to get around,  as well as not being much cheaper than a second class train or a ride with a shared taxi.

City buses are very cheap and you pay the fare directly to the driver on the bus. You can check the bus routes within cities on the apps maps.me and wikiroutes .

You’ll also see many minibuses racing around the cities. The most common ones are the ‘Damas’. These minibuses are great if you want to travel in a larger city or to travel to nearby towns or villages.

8.3 Getting around Uzbekistan by shared taxi

A shared taxi is a taxi that you share with usually 4 to 5 other passengers. It doesn’t have a fixed schedule but leaves once the taxi is full. They leave from a fixed location which is often near a bus station or just outside of a city.

Your hostel or hotel will know where to find them and you usually won’t have to search long for one. The drivers will probably find you first, they’ll ask where you’re going or they’ll be shouting out their destinations to you.

Be careful because they can be quite pushy and they like to double the rate if they think you’re an ignorant tourist. That’s why it’s a good plan to have an idea of how much you should pay for a ride beforehand and you can ask about this in your hotel or hostel.

Before you get into a shared taxi, confirm the price with the driver and tell him clearly that you want to share the taxi with other passengers. It can happen that the driver may think that you’d like to have the taxi to yourself and if you don’t want to share a taxi, you’ll have to pay for the other seats as well.

A trip of 2 to 3 hours to another city will cost you around 60.000 UZS, depending on how good you are at bargaining.

You can also take a private taxi to get around cities. Just flag them down on the side of the road. You should pay a maximum of 8.000 UZS for a ride within the city.

Taking a shared taxi used to be the only way to travel from Bukhara to Urgench and Khiva. This trip costs 80.000 UZS and isn’t very comfortable as it’s an 8-hour long drive, mainly through the desert. Since there is a train nowadays that connects Bukhara and Khiva, I’d go for this option.

You can also take a private taxi to get around cities . Just flag them down on the side of the road or, if you have a sim card, install the Yandex Go app   on your phone. The app functions like Uber.

Pay a maximum of 10.000 UZS for a ride within the city . 

If you’re visiting Tashkent, you can also get around the city by metro.  The Tashkent Metro Stations are very beautiful and taking the underground should be one of the things you definitely have to do while visiting Uzbekistan’s capital!

The 1 3 m o s t b e a u t i f u l m e t r o s t a t i o n s i n T a s h k e n t

8.4 Renting a car in Uzbekistan

It used to be impossible for foreigners to rent a car in Uzbekistan. This has changed and now you can find several car rental places in Tashkent . 

You can also travel to Uzbekistan with your own car, as long as you have all the required documents. More information can be found here .

It’s important to note that it’s very difficult to find diesel; propane is the main fuel in Uzbekistan, petrol comes in second. It’s also worth noting that some secondary roads can be difficult to drive on unless you have a 4×4. 

Check out the website of Caravanistan for more information on traveling by car in Uzbekistan.

8.5 Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan

Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan is possible and a fun way to connect with the locals. One thing you have to know is that most drivers will charge you money for the ride.

Be very clear from the start that you don’t have money if you don’t want to pay for the ride.

If you want to hitchhike, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to learn some Russian so you can explain your intentions to the driver and have a conversation with him. 

8.6 Domestic flights in Uzbekistan

If you don’t have much time and you want to cover the distance between Tashkent and Khiva quickly, you can take a domestic flight between Tashkent and Nukus or Tashkent and Urgench. Urgench is a 30-minute drive from Khiva.

The duration of the flight between Tashkent and Urgench is only 1.5 hours, between Tashkent and Nukus 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can book easily your flight ticket(s) on the website of Uzbekistan Airways.

If you book well in advance, the average price for a flight between Tashkent and Urgench costs 60USD. You can pay online by Visa and Mastercard.  

Important: When arranging a taxi to drop you off at the domestic airport, make sure the driver brings you to terminal 3 (domestic flights) and not terminal 2 (international flights).

When using the Yandex Go app, it will only show you “Tashkent International Airport”. Make sure you type in “Tashkent International Airport Terminal 3” , or you’ll end up at the wrong terminal!

Top Things to do in Khiva – The Complete Guide to Uzbekistan’s Open-Air Museum

9. Uzbekistan Tours

Uzbekistan could be described as one of the most special yet overlooked countries in the world that is brimming with natural beauty and rich with culture. Going on an organized private/group tour is a wonderful and worthwhile way to see some of this country’s most beautiful spots.

I recommend checking out some of these guided city tours in the Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan as you don’t only get to see the highlights of the city but also learn more about the rich historical background.

10. Where to stay in Uzbekistan – Accommodation in Uzbekistan

It used to be illegal to stay with a host family in Uzbekistan. Travelers had to register every night in a hotel or hostel. These rules have since become more flexible. 

Nowadays you’re allowed to camp, stay with a host family or book a room or apartment on Airbnb for 3 nights in a row without having to register. If you stay longer than 3 nights, you will need to check again in order to register.

The registration happens automatically as soon as you check in and payment for this registration is in the form of a “city tax” which is usually $3 per night.

The receptionist will ask for your passport and register you online. Sometimes you’ll receive a registration slip upon check-out, which you should keep in case the border guards would ask for them when leaving the country (although, I haven’t noticed them doing this in the past 2 years). Nowadays, all your stays should be registered online and traceable via your passport.

If you take the overnight train, this ticket is also seen as registration, so don’t throw this one away. If you’re overlanding and/or planning to regularly camp in the wild or stay with a local family, you have to register online on Emehmon .

If you’re having trouble with your online registration, I’d recommend staying in a ho(s)tel every 3 to 4 nights, just to have some proof of registration.

10.1 Hostels, hotels and Airbnb in Uzbekistan

Because of the growing number of tourists traveling in Uzbekistan, there are many new hostels and hotels appearing in all of the larger cities. It’s important to remember the $3 city tax that is added (or sometimes already included) in the price of your accommodation per night.

Booking.com is a great website to use when looking for hostels and hotels whilst staying in Uzbekistan and Airbnb also has many great apartment options to choose from. It all is just dependent on what your budget is.

There are some lovely options for independent and solo travelers such as small-scale boutique hotels or B&B’s. There is a wide range of high-quality hotels in Uzbekistan but keep in mind that the tourist economy is still developing in Uzbekistan.

During the high season, many of the rooms can be booked up weeks in advance, so if you know your itinerary , book early to avoid disappointment.

Not all of the hotels available are online yet so there may be a chance of securing a room for the night upon spontaneous arrival at a hotel and booking on the spot.

If you plan on visiting Uzbekistan during Winter, keep in mind that electricity black-outs can be an issue and in the Summer the hot water can sometimes be turned off. You can ask at reception if this is likely to happen during your stay.

10.2 Homestays in Uzbekistan

If you’re drawn to spending a few days in the countryside soaking up the Uzbek culture then a homestay is for you.

There is a network of homestays in the Nuratau mountains as well as in the village of Katta Langar near Shahrisabz . Vegetarian meals, solar-powered showers, and clean toilets are all available.

6 Fantastic Hiking Trails in the Nuratau and Chimgan Mountains in Uzbekistan

10.3 Staying in a yurt in Uzbekistan

Some of the people in Karakalpakstan still live in yurts for part of the year as they are culturally much closer to Kazakhs and Turkmens than to Uzbeks.

There are some desert yurt camps in the Kyzyl Kum and Aral Kum deserts and also near Urgench. These have been specifically set up for tourists so if you have your heart set on staying in a yurt, you can experience it here.

However, budget for this before you set off on your trip as they can be quite expensive.

How to visit the ship graveyard in Moynaq and the Aral Sea Disaster in Uzbekistan

10.4 Camping in Uzbekistan

Wild camping is permitted in Uzbekistan so why not take the opportunity to sleep under the stars whilst on your Uzbekistan trip. Why not camp in the mountains near Samarkand and Tashkent or in the desert for epic and atmospheric starlit skies.

It’s important that you are aware of the registration rules and it’s a good idea to camp for only a couple of nights before then booking into a hostel or hotel in order to fill in your registration card.

11. Uzbekistan Food and drinks

Uzbek food is characterized by meals including noodles, mutton, rice, and vegetables.

Traditional bread (tandir non) is particularly sacred in Uzbek culture. Flat and round, this bread is torn by hand and never thrown out.

The summers bring fresh, delicious and vibrant fruits that you can buy at the local markets along with vegetables, spices and sweet Uzbek candy.

Green tea is often drunk regularly throughout the day and is a common drink offered to guests.

There are many international restaurants in the larger more touristic cities if you find that you are craving a change from traditional Uzbek cuisine. 

11.1 5 Uzbek Dishes you have to try

Trying local cuisine and traditional dishes is a great way to experience a country’s culture.

‘Plov’ is the national dish of Uzbekistan and it’s one that Uzbeks are extremely proud of. It is commonly made as a family meal or made in larger quantities to celebrate special occasions such as weddings.

It is traditionally prepared in a large cooking pot (a Kazan) and the most famous version is made with a base of onions, carrots, and meat that is sautéed in fat.

The rice is then added, topped up with water and simmered until everything is cooked. Sometimes additional ingredients are added such as chickpeas, other vegetables, raisins, and fruit.

2) Shashlik

If you’re a fan of meat dishes, then you should try ‘shashlik’. Not only is it one of the most popular dishes in Uzbek cuisine, but it’s also a dish that is enjoyed right across Central Asia.

The word ‘shashlik’ comes from the Russian word for ‘shish kabob’. Traditionally, the dish is made with lamb however beef, chicken, and venison can be used instead. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you could try the grilled skewers with horse meat.

3) Kazan Kabob

‘Kazan kabob’, as its name suggests, is a dish that is prepared in a kazan, a large cooking pot also commonly used to make plov.

Marinated meat such as mutton or beef is fried with potatoes and then covered and steamed in a kazan on a low heat. When the meat is fully cooked it is finally served with onions and some fresh vegetables.

‘Obi non’, also known as ‘lepyoshka’, is a type of round, flat Uzbek bread that has been baked in a traditional clay oven called a ‘tandyr’. Similar to Indian naan bread, it’s thicker and then decorated on top. Additional meat, nuts, seeds and raisins are sometimes added.

It is considered one of the most important foods in Uzbekistan and is eaten with just about anything. It can be made in a variety of ways and changes slightly from region to region.

5) Shivit oshi

‘Shivit oshi’, also known as ‘khorezm lagman’ is an eye-catching Uzbek dish. Hand-pulled Lagman noodles are infused with fresh dill which gives them their distinctive bright green color. The dish originates from Khiva .

Fresh herbs and vegetables feature more in cuisine in this region in comparison to other areas in Uzbekistan. It’s a summer dish that is served only in Khiva and is traditionally topped with a meat and vegetable stew and a side of sour cream or yogurt.

11.2 Is vegetarian food available in Uzbekistan?

If you happen to be a vegetarian, visiting Uzbekistan and finding a meat-free meal can sometimes be tricky but not impossible. When visiting the cities, it’s quite common to find vegetarian options available in many of the restaurants.

Some vegetarian dishes available are eggplant satay with egg, pumpkin-filled dumplings and vegetarian flatbread (lavash) filled with cheese and tomato.

However, the main issue with eating vegetarian food in Central Asia is the bacteria in the water that is used to wash and rinse them. If there is a choice between a raw salad or a cooked meal, it’s wise to choose the cooked option.

If you happen to be a vegan, you may struggle to find a wide variety of choices available to you without dairy or meat.

11.3 What is the national drink of Uzbekistan?

Uzbek people are really big tea drinkers. Green tea or ‘Kuk-choy’ is served in a bowl or a glass and all meals start and end with tea.

Tea is offered as a gesture when welcoming guests into a home. If you happen to be poured a half-full bowl of tea, see it as a gesture of respect from the pourer.

12. What to pack for Uzbekistan?

Let’s start with a few things that you are NOT allowed to bring into Uzbekistan

12.1 Prohibited items – what is forbidden to bring to Uzbekistan.

Some guards might check your phone or laptop for any pornographic content (photos or videos of naked people) which is forbidden and will have to be deleted before entering Uzbekistan (I’m sure you can travel without for a while).

It also used to be strictly forbidden to bring painkillers with codeine, sleeping pills, antidepressants or any other medication with narcotic substances in the country. Nowadays the border guards don’t check the medication you’re bringing with you.

However, if you are bringing medication with you, ensure you keep things in their original packaging if you bring them from overseas. If you have a prescription, make sure it has the same name as on your passport.

And – unfortunately – drones are still prohibited .

12.2 What should I wear in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan has a continental climate with four seasons. Pack appropriate clothes for the period in which you’re traveling.

If you’re traveling to Uzbekistan in winter (November – March), bring warm clothes as it can be very cold. Average Winter temperatures can be around -10°C/ 14°F and there can be a lot of snow.

Pack light clothing if you’re visiting Uzbekistan between the months of June and September as the temperatures in summer are around 38°C/ 97°F.

Uzbekistan is a secular state which means that in theory, people can wear whatever they want. However, the Uzbek people are rather conservative people who do not show much skin so it’s important to keep this in mind when packing.

Men can wear shorts and T-shirts but it’s better to leave any sleeveless shirts at home. It’s also not appropriate to walk around bare-chested.

You’ll see many Uzbek women wearing beautiful colored scarves tied around their heads. This is a cultural thing and it’s mainly older Uzbek women who wear these. Younger female travelers need not worry about covering their hair.

What is seen as appropriate will depend on where you’re going. Tashkent, the capital, is a modern city and many young girls and women walk around in short skirts, dresses, and shorts.

It’s okay if you wear shorts, dresses, skirts and tops or T-shirts with short sleeves in tourist places like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. But it would be viewed as disrespectful to parade around in revealing mini-skirts, dresses and tops. You’ll draw unwanted attention to yourself.

If you like to explore less-touristic places like small towns and villages, dress modestly. Wear a T-shirt or a tunic over long trousers or a long skirt. Three-quarter pants or skirts are also fine, just don’t walk around the village in a vest top and short shorts.

If you visit mosques and religious sites, even in touristic cities, cover your arms. If you’re an influencer who wants a nice photo for Instagram, please remain respectful of the culture in Uzbekistan.

12.3 Travel essentials for Uzbekistan

• Water Filter Bottl e : I wouldn’t advise you to drink tap water in Uzbekistan. Buy bottles of water in the local supermarkets or better, bring a water bottle with a filter . These are reusable bottles that filter water using a microfiltration device. When you drink tap water using a water bottle with a filter, any dirt, bacteria or parasites will be trapped in the fibers of the filter, while the clean water passes through. It’s not only good for your belly and wallet, but it’s also great for the environment because you don’t have to buy any plastic bottles of water. I use and highly recommend the  Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle . 
• Anti-diarrhea tablets: yes, I’m afraid that this is an essential as well… 50% of the travelers I’ve met struggle at some point with stomach issues, due to a certain bacteria in the food. I always have Furazolidone tablets (which you can buy over the counter at a local pharmacy) as it has proven its worth. These tablets tackle the bacteria causing bowel problems within a day.
• International travel adapt or : the power sockets in Uzbekistan are of type C and F (the same as in Europe). The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. In case you need an adaptor, I use and recommend this  all-in-one Universal Travel Adaptor  as you can use it worldwide.
• Power bank :  a power bank is always handy to have with you in case of a power outage (which sometimes happens, even in the major Uzbek cities), during long bus or train rides, or if you’re planning to go camping.I use and recommend  Anker Power Bank   as it has a 20,000mAh cell capacity providing at least 5 full charges for my phone. I can even charge my camera batteries with it!
• Anti-theft money belt : handy and safe when you travel with cash
• Photography equipment: you can’t visit Uzbekistan without capturing its beauty on camera! Below is an overview of the gear I used. You can also see my article on  photography essentials and cameras for travel photographers  for more information.
• Camera: Panasonic LUMIX DC-90
• Main lens: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6
• Wide-angle lens : Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0
• Prime lens: Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7
• Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod (Hybrid Head)

13. Are drones allowed in Uzbekistan?

Drones in Uzbekistan are strictly prohibited. Operating, selling, importing, or buying a drone in Uzbekistan could even result in a prison sentence.

7 Best Places to visit in Karakalpakstan – The Complete Travel Guide

14. How is the Internet in Uzbekistan?

The internet connection in Uzbekistan isn’t always the best so downloading city maps for offline usage and bringing an old-fashioned travel guidebook with you will be useful.

The wi-fi connection in big cities like Tashkent and Samarkand is usually reliable and relatively fast. There’s also internet connection in Bukhara and Khiva but it can be slow.

It’s difficult to find a good internet connection when you travel to more remote areas.

14.1 Which is the best sim card in Uzbekistan and how to get one?

There are 5 main mobile phone providers in Uzbekistan: Ucell, Uzmobile, UCell, UMS, and Beeline.

The coverage with Ucell is pretty good and $7 will get you 22GB of data. You have to bring your passport with you to buy a SIM card and you must provide a registration slip of your ho(s)tel to have a SIM card registered to your name.

Update: you can now easily buy a SIM card at the airport in Tashkent upon arrival.

14.2 Uzbekistan Wi-Fi rental services

If you need to stay connected at all times during your trip (work or personal reasons), you can also opt to rent a Wi-Fi pocket device in Uzbekistan .

This device works like a home wi-fi router and allows you to stay connected at all times. It also has unlimited date plans and you can use the connection on multiple devices and even share it with your fellow travelers. You can read more about this Wi-Fi service here .

14.3 Recommended apps for travel in Uzbekistan

Here are some useful apps to use while traveling in Uzbekistan:

• Maps.me : This is a very practical app to find your way in Uzbekistan. You can download the map of the country for offline usage. The app gives you accurate directions and shows you where you can find the nearest restaurants, bus stations, ATM, hotels, places with wi-fi, points of interest. It also tells you the number of the bus you need to take when you travel within a city.
• Wikiroutes : Wikiroutes is a handy app if you travel by public transportation. It shows you the bus and/or metro route and tells you where to hop on and off. 
• Google Translate :   Translates written and spoken Russian or Uzbek. Only Russian is available to download for offline usage.
• Xe currency:   a very handy currency conversion app that always uses the latest rates in effect. It’s useful to keep track of how much things cost in Uzbekistan This app also works offline.
• Booking.com : I made all my reservations for hostels and guesthouses in Uzbekistan through this hotel and hostel booking website, which is also available as a phone app. No other app comes close to it in terms of inventory and price.
• Yandex Go Taxi : Yandex is the Central Asian version of Uber. I used this app to get around the major cities in Uzbekistan by taxi without having to bargain for the price and/or getting ripped off by a taxi driver. You can also use Yoko Taxi for getting around Bukhara.

15. Culture and etiquette in Uzbekistan

The Uzbek people of today hail from Turkic and Persian people who lived along the country’s borders and Turkic-Mongol nomads. During the Soviet rule, many other nationalities living in Uzbekistan were labeled Uzbeks in an effort to create more easily governable subdivisions.

Today, under the Islamic faith, women are expected to cover their bodies when in public. Although full veils are not that common, there are areas where it still is expected.

Elders in Uzbek culture are very highly respected and it’s customary for men to greet one another with a handshake. And overall Uzbek people try to carry themselves with dignity and patience.

Here are some handy tips:

• Bread is sacred in Uzbekistan. Try not to leave chunks on your plate or drop it on the floor. Especially don’t put it under your lap and save for later and, even worse, throw it in the bin (this will deeply upset the people)!
• Remove your shoes before going inside a guesthouse, homestay or any home. Even if you don’t need to, it’s a sign of respect.
• Don’t blow your nose at the table. Apparently it’s incredibly disrespectful and it will not go down well. By all means, itch your nose or wipe away snot with a tissue, but don’t go gung-ho and start emptying the bats in the cave.
• Veggies/vegans! When traveling in the cities and eating at restaurants, you’ll be fine. But… if you’re staying at guesthouses or homestays in the mountains, it’s a huge sign of honour for the hosts to present the guest with meat at dinner. You could try not eating the meat but it would be pretty disrespectful. I don’t eat meat in Europe but appreciated where I was and how kind it was of the host to cook me it and dove in. Same goes for the other dishes with dairy etc really.

16. What is the Religion in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a secular state. When the country was under the control of the Soviet regime, religious practices were dramatically suppressed. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the country gained back religious freedom.

Around 90% of the population are Sunni Muslim and the rest are Russian Orthodox. And though many people actively practice their religion, they can be quite liberal in their views about it. 

You’ll see women wearing headscarves but this is more connected to the culture than to the religion.

As a foreign woman, you’re not expected to cover your hair. There’s also no strict dress code (as you could read in 12.2 What to wear in Uzbekistan) that is related to religion.

17. Do people in Uzbekistan speak English?

In general, the Uzbek people don’t speak a lot of English. People who work in the hospitality sector know a bit of English but most people in Uzbekistan don’t speak the language.

Young people in the larger cities will know some English but with older people, it’s less common. However, in touristy areas, English is spoken and understood so don’t fear!

17.1 What languages are spoken in Uzbekistan?

The official language is Uzbek and it belongs to the family of Turkic languages so if you speak some Turkish, it may help you understand Uzbek a little bit. Especially the numbers are similar. My knowledge of the Turkish language helped a lot when I had to bargain with vendors and taxi drivers!

Russian is the second most commonly spoken language in Uzbekistan. Many people know and understand Russian and for 14% of the population, it’s their first language. If you can read the Cyrillic alphabet or you happen to know some Russian phrases, both would come in handy whilst traveling in Uzbekistan.

I learn a new language using the audio classes of Pimsleur . This is a great learning method to study a new language. It helped me a lot to quickly reach a basic level of Russian.

11 Tips to learn Russian quickly and effectively

I also recommend bringing a small pocket phrasebook like the Lonely Planet Centra Asia Phrasebook & Dictionary  as it contains useful phrases that you might need on your trip around Uzbekistan.

I also suggest you install the Google Translate App  for Uzbek translations (only online) and download Russian into your app that you can use offline.

17.2 Useful expressions to know before visiting Uzbekistan

• ‘Assalomu alaykum’ translates as ‘hello’ .
• ‘Salom’ means ‘good afternoon’.
• ‘Ismingiz nima?’ translates ‘What is your name?’
• ‘Tanishganimdan hursandman’ translates ‘I am glad to meet you’.
• Xayr! means Good bye!

18. Recommended books in Uzbekistan  

When traveling in Uzbekistan, I would recommend bringing a small pocket phrasebook like the Lonely Planet Central Asia Phrasebook & Dictionary as it contains some useful phrases.

I would also recommend reading one or more of the following books:

• Uzbekistan Bradt Travel Guide : one of the most comprehensive travel guide books about Uzbekistan
• Lonely Planet Central Asia , is ideal if you’re also planning on visiting other destinations in Central Asia
• The Silk Roads: A New History of the World : a journey through time, a revelatory new history of the world, connecting all the vast webs of roads to gain a greater understanding of modern history
• Uzbekistan – Culture Smart! offers an insider’s view of Uzbekistan’s fascinating history, national traditions, various cuisines, and cultural scene
• Uzbekistan: the Road to Samarkand is a stunning coffee table book with unique and luxurious, vibrant pictures that really highlight the wonders and history of Uzbekistan

I hope this guide helps you to travel around Uzbekistan with ease. I’m wishing you a fantastic time in this special country and enjoy marveling at the exquisite architecture! 

Do you still have questions about your upcoming journey to Uzbekistan? Let me know in the comments below or send me an emai l!

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57 thoughts on “the complete guide to travel in uzbekistan (2024) – 18 very useful things you need to know to visit uzbekistan”.

Hi Cynthia! At first thank you for this wonderfull and usefull Uz guide! I want to ask you if with the nowdays situation with sanctions against Russia is possible to use the app Yandex Go (a russian one) on an european smartphone or it is lock. Thank you so much

Hi Chiara, I’m able to use the app but nowadays, I’ve heard from other travelers that they unfortunately can’t access Yandex Go. I don’t know of an alternative yet. Best wishes, Cynthia

Hi Cynthia. Thank you so much for your insightful website. Do you know if it is possible to hire a driver that speaks English or a combination driver and guide one of which speaks English who could travel with my wife and I for the week we will be there?

Hi Doug, yes, that’s possible. You can send me an email (hello (at)journalofnomads.com) and I’ll help you further.

Cynthia! Your blog is so so helpful! Loads of love to you!

Thank you Paridhi! 🙂

Thank you so much for your excellent description. I will visit in last week of October,23.I am a senior Banker from Bangladesh. I have gone through the top to bottom of your literature it would be very helpful for my visit .

Hi Zulfiquer, happy to hear! Thank you for reading!

This is a great resource, Cynthia. Thanks so much for all your recommendations. I’m going to Uzbekistan in October with a group of friends and your guide is exactly what I was looking for.

Hi Rebecca, thanks so much! Wishing you all a fantastic trip!

hI FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR INFOS I’m planning to go to Samarcand in october and got to know that once arrived I need to register within three days.. I am a free lance journalist writing travel reports for people on a budget so I will stay in a hostel. the hostel keeper asked me 5$ per day per registration and other rinfo say that surfing into the following site http://reg.emehmon.uz/ you can buy it on line BUT BUT BUT this site opens up but clicking on FILL IN THE FORM this is not hypertestual and doesn’t send to another proper page…. do you know or perhaps somebody who recently visited Uzbekisthan personally how to help me? thanks sauro

Hi Sauro, the website to register online often doesn’t work properly. The best way would be to do it via your hostel but they have to register you automatically and NOT charge extra for it. Guess you should check with another hostel…

Hello, Cynthia. What a comprehensive overview! I’m feeling a little wary to visit as a lone female traveler but after reading your article, I now feel excited to plan my trip. One question though, if tourists want to cross the border to Kyrgyztan and Kazakhstan, for example, are they simply allowed to do so, or must they secure a visa for those other countries (depending of course, on country of origin) beforehand? Thank you so much!

Hi Bernadette, I’m happy my article has helped you. Central Asia is fine for a solo female traveler! Whether or not you need a visa depends on the country of your passport. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan offer a free visa on arrival for a lot of countries, check if your country is on the list too. Best wishes, Cynthia

Hi Cynthia, This is an amazing resource you’ve created – even better than the Brandt guide (which is now sadly 4 years out of date)! It is a treasure trove of down-to- earth, practical information which is exactly what you need. I’ve been dreaming about (and had already done all the planning) for going to Uzbekistan in May 2020. But then a little virus stopped me in my tracks. My question is: has the war in Ukraine made any difference for visitors travelling in Uzbekistan? Given the country’s previously strong links to Russia (and with a large Russian speaking minority)? Especially if you are from Europe/England which is experiencing having a very hostile relation with Russia.

Hi Ben, thanks so much! And no, the war hasn’t made any difference. You don’t have to worry about it at all. I hope you can make your dream to visit Uzbekistan soon a reality!

Hi Cynthia, sorry to border you, have you heard of Advantour which is a website that helps visitors from abroad to buy train ticket with a commission? I was not able to pay for my night train ticket from Khiva to Tashkent on May 20 (Saturday) at 16h22 as the screen freeze & I tried many times. So happened I came across the above website not sure whether I should go ahead as I don’t mind to pay a bit more so I can plan the rest & in fact I save money for accomodation. Thank you very much for your attention and have a great day! Caterlina

Hi Caterlina, yes, Advantour offers train booking services but I don’t know what their commission is. It might be worth it to be certain that you have train tickets.

Wishing you already a fantastic trip to Uzbekistan! Warm wishes, Cynthia

Thank you soooo much, have a good day…! Can’t wait to go there in May. cc

Hi Cynthia,

Excellent resource on Uzbekistan – thank you so much for creating this.

Is there a resource that you used for homestays? How did you go about finding and selecting those?

Hi Joel, I found those homestays through my local guides. If you’d be interested in visiting f.eg. the Nuratau Mountains, you can always send me an email and I’ll bring you in touch with the right people.

Enjoyed reading your guide for Uzbekistan. It dies cover almost everything that is essential. I dont have immediate plans to go there but i will use the information provided by you whenever travel to Uzbekistan beckons in us.

Thanks for this wonderful post.

Hello Harshad, thank you so much!

I came across your website when I was searching infos about Uzbekistan. A country I wanted to visit since a long time and see all this beautiful architecture.

Thank you for the massive information you put out there. It’s probably the most comprehended and most detailed travel blog I’ve seen. You have no idea how helpful the infos are to me. Even-tough I traveled a lot in my life so far, Central Asia sounds more challenging. So after reading so much on your website I feel much more comfortable to fly there and explore it. So I booked for March 23 a trip there, TAS and SKD ! Can’t wait to see it all !

Thank you very much ! Best regards and stay safe

Hi Henri, thank you so so much for your kind words and I’m very happy that my blog inspired you and helped you with planning your trip to Uzbekistan!

Wishing you an unforgettable trip! Warm wishes, Cynthia

I had a wonderful time in Uzbekistan. Much better than I anticipated ! Came back with lots of memories of friendly people who sometimes didn’t spoke English and great pictures of all the sites. Thanks to you and all the information you put out and shared with us.

Oh, that’s wonderful to hear! Thank you so much for sharing!

Hi Cynthia, I have planned a trip Almaty to Tashkent to Samarkand to Bukhara for October 8 to October 20, booked the hotels (cancelable) but now trying to use your links to pay for train tickets I have hit problems. The Uzbek site will not let me register. (I click to register and get no response, with 3 different email addresses). Any ideas?

Hi Stuart, are you trying to buy your tickets via this link ? You should be able to easily register via your Google account.

Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for the article on UZBEKITSTAN, especially all useful tips on traveling around. My family will be entering Tashkent from the Tashkent Airport in September and we need to take private taxi to Samarkand due to tight scheduale. Do you think taxi on this destination is doable and do you have any experience/recommendations on this.

Hi Alenka, as Samarkand is a 4,5-hour drive from Tashkent, I don’t think you’ll find many taxi drivers at the airport who are keen to drive this distance. What I would recommend is contacting a local tour agency to arrange private transfer. It will be easier and a lot less hassle than negotiating with a taxi driver at the airport. Hope this helps?

Hi Cynthia, thx a lot for the info… Tour agencies are quite expensive, could you recommend someone ? Also my husband researched yandex app and he thinks, we have pretty good chance getting reasonable priced taxi from the airport … if of course we can buy a SIM card on the airport.

Hi Alenka, are you looking for city guides or a tour in Uzbekistan? The Yandex app works well in Tashkent and is so handy to get fair taxi rates. You should be able to buy a SIM card at the airport. Have a great trip! I’m currently in Uzbekistan 🙂

I’m visiting Uzbekistan soon on an organised trip. I have arranged to have 4 days on my own in Tashkent before the tour starts and I have found your article very useful and reassuring. Thank you. Well done travelling young. I left it until my sixties and now have less energy and bits of my body are wearing out!!

Hi Jane, I’m happy you found my posts useful! Wishing you a fantastic trip to Uzbekistan and kuddos for still traveling at a later age!!

Thanks for the wonderful background. I will be traveling to Uzbekistan with a few other hikers in September to hike the Marco Polo Trail.

You’re welcome Mary Lou! Wishing you a fantastic adventure ahead! Let me know if you’d have more any questions 🙂

Very nicely put through. good work

Thank you Ramneek! 🙂

Thanks so much – I am travelling solo to Uzbekistan tomorrow and this was very comprehensive.

Hello Hoey, I’m very happy to hear this guide will help you with your solo journey to Uzbekistan! I’m wishing you a fantastic trip!!

Excellent article. Thank you so much for all the information and your tips. I’ve been wanting to visit Uzbekistan for a whule now.

Hi Emma, thank you so much! Now is the best time to visit Uzbekistan. It’s not such a ‘hot’ destination yet and it’s so much easier now since they started issuing visas on arrival. When are you planning on going?

Hello Cynthia! I have read your vacation experience. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience.

Hi Sora, thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed reading this post!

Hi Cynthia! Great blog post! I’m researching the destinations for a 6 months trip around Asia next year and I found your blog really helpful on Central Asia. I got a bit of bad surprise when I saw that antidepressants are not allowed in Uzbekistan, do you know of any way I could legally take them with me anyway? I know you’ve probably no experience but it can’t hurt to ask, right? Have a nice day!

Hoi Annelies! Thank you 🙂 I think that you can bring antidepressants legally with you as long as you have the prescription with you. The rules in Uzbekistan are becoming less and less strict so I don’t think they’ll give you a hard time when you can show them the prescriptions of your medication. Hope that helps! Have a beautiful day and a great trip! Know that you can always email me if you have more questions or need help with planning your trip!

Super bedankt! This blogpost answered all my questions. I’m going backpacking with a friend (2 females) in april. Felt nervous but this post made me very excited!

Hoi Nanouk, ik ben heel blij om dit te horen! You really don’t have to be nervous about traveling as a woman in Uzbekistan. Honestly, I felt the same way before I traveled there as I had no idea what to expect. But the people were super friendly and they welcome travelers with open arms! Have a great time in April and enjoy the beauty of the country!

Thanks for providing such detailed information. Uzbekistan is on my bucket list, I fell in love with the architecture. One question I had was in regard to taking in medication. You mentioned antidepressants are strictly forbidden but the attached medications list from Caravanistan doesn’t have any SSRIs or SNRIs listed (as far as I can tell). Any place I can check this for sure?

You’re very welcome! I’m glad this post is useful to you! Regarding the medication, here’s another reliable source where you can check whether or not you can take any SSRIs or SNRIs with you: http://uzbekistan.travel/en/list-of-prohibited-drugs/

When are you planning on going to Uzbekistan?

Thanks! After looking this over, it doesn’t seem to contain any antidepressants, only short term anti anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. I was thinking of going in the fall of next year, which is a while away. It’s not the easiest to find travel information on the Central Asian countries, so I wanted to do some research well beforehand.

I don’t have much knowledge about medications and what is in there but it’s good to double-check with countries like Uzbekistan 🙂 If you would have a prescription that you can show at the border and what it’s used for, you should be fine! It’s good to think ahead and do some good research so you’re well-prepared, especially in countries that are still off-the-beaten-path. Central Asia is worth it, beautiful architecture (Uzbekistan), amazing nature and landscapes (Kyrgyzstan), hospitable people,… I’ll keep writing guides and posts about these destinations in the coming months but feel free to send me an email if you’d have any more questions!

Hi cynthia, thank you somuch for the article on UZBEKITSTAN. I will be entering Tashkent from the oybek border Tajikistan, sometime in September,I have read some daunting posts about crossing the border, Iam a little nervous,any recommendations.

Hi Magalie, the border crossing isn’t as bad as many might make it sound. I was pretty nervous about it as well but if you don’t take items with you that are on their ‘illegal’ list of things, you’ll be fine! They checked my first aid kit and the books that were on my e-reader but the officials were nice and friendly so you don’t have to worry. The rules are slowly on becoming less strict (f.eg. they never checked my hotel registration papers when I left the country) and if you’re traveling as a woman alone, they’re very respectful to you. I wish you happy and safe travels and let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with!

I’ve been wanting to visit Uzbekistan for a while, partly because of the amazing architecture! This was great to read and really interesting. It sounds pretty strict.Thanks for sharing your tips and advice!

Hey Mike! Thank you! 🙂 It sounds strict but once you’ve passed the border, it’s actually really fine. The people are very nice and yes, the architecture is stunning! Any idea yet when you will go?

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Tips and how to travel to Uzbekistan (2024)

By Joan Torres 39 Comments Last updated on May 3, 2024

Once a hermetic country with very strict visa policies for foreigners, Uzbekistan has opened its borders to show the world the majesty of what used to be the core and center of the ancient Silk Road, a country filled with impressive shrines, mosques and perfectly shaped old cities.

Uzbekistan is, by far, the most tourist-friendly country in Central Asia and an unmissable destination for sightseeing city lovers.

However, this ex-Soviet Republic has many bureaucratic and cultural peculiarities, which you are highly recommended to know well in advance.

In this Uzbekistan travel guide, we will go through all of them, so here is a list of useful tips for traveling to Uzbekistan .

In this Uzbekistan travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Travel Insurance
• Useful books
• A Silk Road country
• Money in Uzbekistan
• Border crossings
• Cultural facts
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• More resources

our recommended travel insurance for Uzbekistan

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Uzbekistan.

🪪 Visa for traveling to Uzbekistan

Free visa on arrival for uzbekistan.

In 2019, requirements for traveling to Uzbekistan were eased, when they finally offered a 30-day free visa on arrival for most nationalities.

This VOA is valid in both airports and land borders and it applies to all Western nationalities, EXCEPT for the USA. Here you can see the updated list .

e-visa for Uzbekistan

Those nationalities which can’t get a VOA – and that includes nationals from the USA and India – can apply for an e-visa.

It’s a very easy process which only costs 20USD, takes 2-3 working days and this is the official website .

By default, you will get a 30-day visa, but it is also possible to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Unlike some years ago, the entry date is not fixed but you can enter any day you like within a 90-day period.

How to apply for an Uzbek e-visa

Apparently, the system has issues with some email domains, the photo format and, basically, it has quite a few bugs. Nowadays, however, most travelers do apply successfully, and all common issues and tips are well-explained here .

Visa for Uzbekistan via embassy

In the unlikely case the e-visa doesn’t work for you, you will have to go to the embassy, so I recommend starting to apply well-in-advance.

Typically, it would be a 1-week process in which you would need a passport copy, 2 passport photos, your hotel reservation, and your visa application form (printed and filled out).

By the way, one relevant difference vs the e-visa is that, with an embassy visa, the entry and exit dates are fixed, so you need to state the specific days you will be traveling in Uzbekistan and you can’t modify them. This means that you can’t enter before the entry date or leave after the exit date you specified.

For more information and details, read this post:  Getting a visa for Uzbekistan

🚑 Travel Insurance Uzbekistan

For Uzbekistan, get IATI Travel Insurance :

• So many different plans for all budgets, including specific plans for backpackers
• Coverage for up to 1-year trips, perfect for overlanding around the Stans
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

📚 Books for traveling in Uzbekistan

Here you have the most typical options, but if you want to get deeper, I recommend you check this list, containing the 28 best books on the Silk Road and the Stans , with specific books on Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan travel guide by Bradt

The most complete guide to Uzbekistan. I am a heavy consumer of Bradt Guides, as they give more local insights and personal experience than any other book.

Central Asia travel guide by Lonely Planet

If you are traveling to other countries in Central Asia, you may want to buy the generic guide in order to save some money. It contains a full chapter dedicated to Uzbekistan.

Murder in Samarkand by Craig Murray

If you want to know about all the human rights abuse during the regime from the previous president, this is the best book.

Tourism in Uzbekistan, a Silk Road country

Uzbekistan is the core of the silk road.

Uzbekistan is synonymous with the Silk Road, a country which is home to the three most important Silk Road cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Timeless mosques and historical buildings define a characteristic skyline in every city, Uzbekistan has been the main stopover for countless civilizations traveling east and west, while exchanging goods, ideas, and knowledge. Traveling in Uzbekistan and strolling downs its bazaars and old cities is like going back to the past. 

The most majestic shrines and buildings I have ever seen

From the imposing Registan to the cute, old city of Khiva, Uzbekistan is the perfect destination for travelers interested in stunning Islamic architecture.

It’s surprisingly touristic

Who would guess that the streets of the ancient Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan were filled with plenty of touristic shops, selling things from typical souvenirs to traditional local handicrafts, something unseen in Central Asia.

Tourist profile

While the most common tourist in Kyrgyzstan is a young backpacker, the main tourist in Uzbekistan is a 50-80-year old person who travels in a tour group. Actually, during high season, there are tens of groups all over the cities.

However, outside of the three main cities, there is nobody

In places like Tashkent , Moynaq and the Aral Sea and the Fergana Valley , we barely saw any tourist and the local interactions were much more rewarding.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Uzbekistan

Esim for browsing, calling and traveling in uzbekistan.

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Uzbekistan . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

The Internet is just OK

Internet is not as good as in Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan but it’s definitely better than Tajikistan. Most hotels will have decent Wi-Fi and 3G works perfectly well throughout the country.

How to get a SIM Card

Get Beeline, with which, for a couple of USD, you will get plenty of data and calls. It is very easy to buy a SIM Card and all you need is your passport. 

Get a VPN for traveling in Uzbekistan

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Uzbekistan. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 About MONEY: What you need to know when traveling in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, they use the Uzbek SUM (UZS) . The currency value is extremely low and approximately:

1 USD = 11,314 UZS

Cash and ATMs in Uzbekistan

Some years ago, ATMs in Uzbekistan didn’t accept foreign cards but that has drastically changed now. There are loads of ATMs that you can use absolutely everywhere, even in markets.

Bear in mind, however, that with an international card, in some ATMs you can only withdraw USD, which you need to exchange at the bank. This way, they can charge you commission twice and by the way, when you withdraw, the commission is 1%. In practice nevertheless, this is not being the case anymore and today, more and more ATMs do give Uzbek SUM.

By the way, bring a spare backpack for the cash Sometimes, whatever quantity you change, they will give you all the money in 1,000UZS notes, meaning that you will be carrying 3 kilograms of cash. It’s very inconvenient.

Exchanging money in Uzbekistan

You can change money in most banks – Some years ago, the official bank rate was almost 100% lower than on the black market, so nobody wanted to exchange money in banks. This changed and, finally, the official rate has gone up to its actual value.

This means that you can now exchange money in banks, which can easily be found all over the cities. The best part is that some banks give you bigger notes, so there is no need to carry ten packs of cash.

You can still get money in the black market – However, I don’t recommend it, as they are the ones who always give you smaller notes and, when you count them, you always notice that there are one or two notes missing.

How much does it cost traveling to Uzbekistan?

Traveling in Uzbekistan is not as cheap as in Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan but, still, it’s very affordable. Typically:

• Budget accommodation: from 8 to 12USD
• Mid-range hotels: from 30 or 40USD.
• A meal in touristic restaurants: 5USD
• A meal in local eateries: 2-3USD 
• Taxis within cities:  a maximum of 2USD
• Several-hour train journeys: a maximum of 10 or 15USD

Most restaurants charge for service , which ranges from 10 to 20%, depending on the restaurant.

🛫 How to get to Uzbekistan

Traveling to uzbekistan by plane.

Uzbekistan has the most expensive flights in all Central Asia and the reason is that the airport taxes are extremely high. Apparently, along with a more liberal visa regime, the Government is planning to reverse it in order to encourage more tourism.

If you are on a budget and have enough time, you could fly to Almaty, Bishkek or Dushanbe and then enter Uzbekistan overland . From Europe, flights there are surprisingly cheap, especially to Bishkek.

If you are traveling in Iran , there are very cheap flights from Tehran to Aktau, a city in western Kazakhstan, very close to the Uzbek border.

If you are traveling in Azerbaijan , you can even take a ferry to Aktau or fly there, which is much quicker and even cheaper.

Personally, I started with a 2-month itinerary in Kyrgyzstan , traveled in Tajikistan through the Pamir Highway and the Wakhan Valley , and entered Uzbekistan through the  Fergana Valley .

Traveling to Uzbekistan via a land border

Uzbekistan shares a border with:

• Turkmenistan
• Afghanistan – It’s important, however, to check the latest security update. Read my Afghanistan safety guide

All borders are easy to cross, as long as you have a valid visa, especially for Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

Border crossing and other bureaucratic rules when traveling in Uzbekistan

Most borders are open to overland travelers – As long as you have the visa, you can enter or exit Uzbekistan from any country, but just bear in mind that some borders are only open to nationals, while others may close temporarily.

However, all countries will have, at least, one or two entry points always open. For the latest updated information on border policy, check the  Caravanistan website.

They will go through all your stuff – Especially laptops, phones, and cameras.

With the exponential tourism increase, the guards don’t really go through your stuff anymore. 

Don’t bring any sensitive material – By sensitive I mean porn or any politically sensitive photos, including Governmental buildings or military stuff. If you happen to have some, upload them to the cloud or hide them very well in your computer.

However, at some border crossings, it’s not as bad as people say – I heard horror stories about Uzbek customs but, when I crossed from Tajikistan to the Fergana Valley , they just checked the photos of my DSLR camera and it seemed they were more looking at my pictures for fun than looking for sensitive photos, as the official was smiling and calling some of his colleagues to check them out.

They are also looking for drugs – And especially anything containing codeine. They will definitely, go through all your meds and, apparently, even if you have prescription pills containing codeine, they won’t allow you to enter with them and you may get in real trouble.

You will have to declare all your money, both entering and exiting – When you enter, you need to fill in a form, stating how much are you traveling with. You are supposed to keep this form because, when you leave, they will compare it with how much money you have left.

If you happen to have the same amount of money or more, they will assume that you worked there, so you might get into some problems. However, this rule may not apply in some borders because I left through Kazakhstan.

Uzbekistan 10 facts: the country, its people and their culture

1 – Uzbekistan is an ex-Soviet Republic – Which got its independence in 1991, after the USSR dissolution.

2 – Most people are Uzbeks – But, as in the whole Central Asia, you also find plenty of people from their neighboring countries, including Russians, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Tajiks. People in Uzbekistan are so ethnically mixed but, whereas Kyrgyz and Kazakh people have stronger Mongolian features, and Tajiks and Turkmens more of a Persian look, I would say that Uzbeks are something in between.

3 – The official language is Uzbek – Which is a Turkic language, but most people also speak Russian as a second language.

4 – Learn some Russian – They use the Cyrillic alphabet and practically nobody speaks English, except in the touristic parts. Some basic words to get around will prove immensely useful.

5 – They are Sunni Muslims but not really – Officially, most people are Sunni Muslims, the Russian population (10%) being Christian Orthodox. However, like all ex-Soviet countries, religion is not a big deal and most people don’t really follow Islam. If I had to compare it to the rest of Central Asia, I would say that religion in Uzbekistan is practiced more than in Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan but less than in Tajikistan.

6 – No real dress code for women – Many Uzbek women are veiled but it’s mostly for cultural reasons, rather than religious. Except in some parts of the Fergana Valley, women can go as they please, within certain common-sense limitations, of course.

7 – Is Islam partially forbidden? – The Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan is home to the most radical Islamic group in Central Asia, an organization which even operated in Afghanistan under the Taliban. The Uzbek Government has tried hard to eradicate this group and, from what I heard, it has put some limitations on the way people practice Islam. For example, during prayer time, you will never hear the mosque’s speakers. I was told that this is one of several governmental measures.

8 – It’s a dictatorship – The first President of Uzbekistan ruled from its independence, in 1991, to 2016, when he died. He ruled under an authoritarian regime and didn’t forge many good international relationships. The new President is trying to change this though, the growth of tourism being one of the many new policies.

9 – But people don’t really care about politics – Uzbeks told me that the only thing they care about is inflation and nobody is interested in politics. There is no freedom of speech and you can’t say anything bad about the president or any governmental organization. They are OK with it so, according to them, a revolution will not happen any time soon. 

10 – The cotton crisis – Uzbekistan’s main economical pillar is the cotton industry and you will see plenty of cotton fields all over the country. Being so dependant on cotton has led to several crises and problems, the most dramatic one being the destruction of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan . In Nukus, I met the European Union delegate in Uzbekistan, who told me that, with the new President, they are strongly trying to diversify the economy. 

🍲 Food and alcohol when traveling in Uzbekistan

Plov, plov, plov – Welcome to the world capital of plov , a Central Asian dish consisting of fried rice in lamb fat, meat and different vegetables. There are many kinds of plov and it varies by region. Uzbek people find it a real delicacy and they love it so much that, in the capital Tashkent , they even have a Central Asian Plov Center, a massive building serving only plov . After more than 5 months in Central Asia, I really hated plov .

But typical Central Asian food is also available – Laghman (noodles soup), manti (dumplings), shashlik (kebab) are popular dishes which you can eat when traveling in Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan.

More good restaurant options than in neighboring countries – Since it’s more touristic, you also find a wider range of options, especially serving international cuisine. For me, that was really an edge, especially after traveling in Central Asia for such a long time.

Alcohol is widely available – Vodka, beer and everything you want!

And local wine, as well! – Uzbekistan is the largest wine producer in Central Asia and its wine is not that bad, actually!

If you are a vegetarian, you are fucked – Well, not fucked but local cuisine mostly consists of meat and sometimes it’s even hard to find chicken. However, like I said, in the touristic places there are several options and, on most menus there are vegetarian options made ad-hoc for tourists. Additionally, your best bet will be the local markets, where you can find all sorts of vegetables, as well as Korean salads.

Loads of fruit! – Most of the fruit is grown in the Fergana Valley , it’s absolutely delicious and there is a lot of variety. When I was there in October, it was grapes and melons season!

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Uzbekistan

Budget hostels and guest houses.

There is a wide range of budget hostels and guest houses in most cities in Uzbekistan. Most of them are very good value and the perfect place to meet other travelers alike.

Hotels in Uzbekistan

There are also endless mid-range and luxury options in all main cities in Uzbekistan.

You always pay a 2USD registration fee – At any hotel, you always pay an extra 2USD per night you stay. This is a bit annoying for budget backpackers, as 2USD can sometimes be almost 30% of a dorm-bed price.

Keep your registration payslips

All hotels will give you a registration payslip that proves that you stayed there. You are likely to be asked for all your payslips when leaving the country. Basically, they are extremely paranoid and need proof of your actual itinerary, which you will show once, when you are leaving the country. Typically, they just require a payslip for every other day or two days. This means that, if you are camping or stay at people’s places, you would need to stay in a hotel every two days, at least.

Couchsurfing is supposedly illegal

However, you can find many profiles with reviews, so locals don’t really care about it.

🛺 How to move around Uzbekistan: transportation

Traveling around uzbekistan by train.

Trains are the way to travel in Uzbekistan. Most cities are connected by train, they run very regularly and are very comfortable.

It’s recommended to book your train tickets in advance – Especially for long-distance trains. You can book them at the train station itself and always remember to bring your passport.

There are different kinds of train – There is a regular, modern train and the high-speed one. They are built by a Spanish company, so they have many similarities to the AVE and other Spanish trains. Furthermore, there is the Russian train, which is the classic old one from the Soviet Union times.

You must try the Soviet train at least once – Traveling long distance on a Russian train is an experience by itself. I took it from Samarkand, all the way west to Kazakhstan, on a 32-hour journey. You are most likely to be the only foreigner on board and everybody is super friendly with you.

Traveling around Uzbekistan by shared taxi

Also common and really cheap. Between cities, it’s common to travel in shared taxis, which cost even less than a train.

Only in Tashkent, there is metro and it was inspired by the one in Moscow or Saint Petersburg and it’s a delightful masterpiece. For more information, read: Places to visit in Tashkent .

❗ More information for traveling to Uzbekistan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Uzbekistan destination

• Travel Guide to Fergana Valley
• Travel Guide to Moynaq
• Tashkent Travel Guide
• Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border crossing
• Uzbekistan Itinerary

Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia

• Tajikistan Travel Guide
• Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Kazakhstan
• Pakistan Travel Guide
• Afghanistan Travel Guide

39 comments

Excelente información, gracias por compartirla.Aunque mi viaje no sea centrado en trekking la información me ha servido muchísimo, sobre todo en cuanto a cruce de fronteras, distancias y donde vale la pena quedarse. Muchos saludos y buenos viajes!

Un saludo Álvaro, disfruta Uzbekistán!

An excellent, detailed post. Thanks. I’d just like to contrast your vegetarianism comment with my own experience, though, and put others at ease: I was there in 2016 and ate some of the best food I’ve had internationally (the carrot and beetroot side dishes in Bukhara were to die for!) never once needing to resort to markets or special requests from a chef for a meal. We mostly ate in budget restaurants.

Kyrgyzstan, however, was a different beast altogether in that regard.

Thanks for the clarification! Good to know that, as a vegetarian, Uzbekistan is an easier choice. And yes, Kyrgyzstan is for sure more difficult. I remember meeting other travelers who, in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, they were forced to eat meat (or food cooked with meat) because that was the only available choice besides bread & jam!

Very well written and very informative! For sure I’ll read more of your various articles on Uzbekistan. I’ll travel to Uzbekistan in 3 days and am already quite excited. You asked for feedback on the e-visa application: It took me HOURS to apply! You have to upload your photo and a photo of the data page in your passport. It took me hours to upload these 2 photos. I managed to get my photo uploaded after numerous tries but didn’t know why. The passport photo was rejected again and again and…. What finally did the trick: I changed the ending of the file from …PNG to …png. After that I got the email with the confirmation and payment link within minutes. You have to pay with a credit card and they only accept a Visa Card which I don’t have. I asked around and found a friend with a Visa Card. It is no problem to pay with the Card of someone else. Nevertheless payment didn’t work, as I found out probably because it was after working hours in Uzbekistan. I tried again the next morning, was able to complete payment at first try and got the confirmation via email within minutes. I recieved the Visa the next day, quite speedy.

Hey, thank you so much for the visa feedback! Sounds like a nightmare 😀 !

It was! Thanks to advice I found on different websites I managed, without internet research it would have been impossible for me. I entered the country yesterday. Apparently it is no longer required to declare foreign currency (as long as you travel with less than 2000$, I think, or the equivalent).

Superb, excellent, detailed and tempted post. Really felt like to travel. Regards

Hi, thanks for the wealth of tips here. I’d like to know what is involved when “they go through all your stuff” especially things like digital equipment. Do they take out batteries, turn it on, dismantle?

They just may check your photos, nothing more.

Hey, where are the better rates in black market or banks? And is it not good for solo back packers? I don’t want this trip to end up being alone all the time or surrounded by people from group tours! And when is the high season in Uzbekistan? Is August a good time to visit?

Hey, your answers: – The rate is pretty much the same but it will all depend on which bank / person. You will see when you are there – I saw some backpackers – You can go in August, but it will be very hot. Other seasons are better

Great guide inspiring me in every travel manners to Uzbekistan.

Hey Joan, thanks for putting this guide and the update regarding ATMs. I am planning to visit Uzbekistan in September, but I am afraid that the country is becoming very touristic nowadays, so not sure if I would choose Uzbekistan over other Central Asian destinations. I don’t really like crowded places filled with souvenirs shops and with the tourism booming, it seems that Uzbekistan is moving in this same direction. Thank you and keep up the great work 🙂

Hey man, whereas it is true that some parts of Uzbekistan are literally becoming mass tourism destinations, the fact is that 99% of tourists will only visit Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, which are just 3 cities in a massive country. The rest of Uzbekistan is pretty unspoiled, especially Karakalpakstan and Fergana regions, as well as other areas which I didn’t visit. Even Tashkent seems pretty local, so I recommend you spend a few days in each of those 3 cities and then go discover the rest of the country.

I am a native citizen of Uzbekistan. Was just curious to read about my own country from perpectives of foreign tourist. Marcus, If you happen to visit in Tashkent, you may let me know, I can show some interesting places over here and give you more detailed guide for your further travel. And I will do it with no other intention than as a friendly host. +99899 3686220 you can find me by whatsApp and Telegram.

Bobur, am visiting your country soon, this very 2021…. And indeed, I wish we could link up…. my email is: [email protected] my number: 00233 209096062

Hi, I am planning to travel in May. Is it a good time to come to Uzbekistan? Can you please confirm your number as I could not find it in Telegram. Hope to speak. Thanks, Sona

Hi there, thanks for info, We are traveling tomorrow to Tashkent, me and my husband Kazakhstan citizens, but our two daughters has American citizens, so in website says children under 16 yrs old don’t need a visa, so I hope it’s still works and there is no required visa!

I am just curious where you got your statistic about Uzbekistan being one of the top 20 safest countries in the world because I can’t seem to find that specific information. I am trying to convince somebody to go, so a resource and reference on that number would be helpful to me. Thank you.

Hey Danielle, I think I saw it in the Bradt Guide of Uzbekistan 🙂

Your tips are all so helpful and I love your blog!

I’m going to Uzbekistan in September. As much as I am excited about it, I’m also concerned about diseases and stuff. Did you get vaccination before you went?

Hi Jade, basically, I am vaccinated of absolutely everything, so I didn’t get any particular vaccine for Uzbekistan but in any case, I don’t really recall anyone getting a special vaccine for Central Asia

Gracias por tus consejos generales pero creo que te equivocas sobre los temas de visado. Según información recopilada en 5 Páginas web, la lista de países a los que tú dices que dan visa on arrival Son las lista de países que no necesitan ningún visado, Son países “visa exemption” en los cuales está Argentina, Brasil y Chile y luego tú dices que los viajeros de paises latinoamericanos “deben” sacar Su visado en una embajada. Es bastante confuso y contradictorio. Te sugiero que reveas la información publicada.

Hola Alberto, Brasil no es un país hispano-hablante y por ésto jamás lo incluyo en mis artículos en español. Los países de habla hispana que tienen visado gratis son Chile, Argentina y España, tal y como dice en el artículo.

Por otro lado, yo no sé dónde has leído donde digo que los latinoamericanos tengan que sacarlo en la embajada. Lo que digo es: ”lo más seguro es que NO tengas que ir por este proceso, pero si el sistema de visado electrónico no te funciona, tendrás que ir a la embajada” – El resto de países hispano-hablantes tienen que conseguir el visado vía internet, pero el sistema alguna vez de cada muchas suele fallar, por lo que en este caso, pues deberían de hacerlo vía embajada.

Bien. Lo entendi muy bien al leerlo en primera instante. Gracias hermano. Creo q’ Alberto de leerlo todo de nuevo. Un abrazo desde Ghana. Africa.

Hello. An interesting article you wrote. As a person who was born and raised in Uzbekistan, I really recommend you to visit as well more not-touristic places. For example, there are streets on Darkhan (Hamid Olimjon subway station) where you can find beautiful spots that were not touched by modern architecture and are still in the old style. So, try to find places that are not so popular among tourists. Because you will see the real country/city if, of course, that’s what you want. Because I personally am more into naturalness. September is the perfect time period to visit it here because the weather’s nice, not so hot and not so cold yet as well as Spring is a perfect time. Also, you’ll get into a season of fruits, vegetables that are so delicious. Welcome!

Hi everyone, I would like to share a piece of information which would be, I guess, interesting and beneficial for travellers wishing and planning to visit Uzbekistan. The issue I want to bring up is the problem with buying train tickets online. Because when foreigners want to buy tickets at a place they, more often than not, are sold out. Foreigners usually have trouble buying tickets online if they attempt to do this with their Visa cards due to some technical imperfections on the website . Therefore, I want to give a solution by offering the assistance of local people who will make a purchase instead of travellers. Unlike travel agencies, they do not charge much. The fee varies from 5 to 10 dollars per person, no matter how many tickets the one is going to buy. Isn’t it a solution? The only thing needed is a copy of the passport. The same can be done with airplane tickets. There is no place for hesitation about their reliability as such kind of services can be found on respectable travelling and guiding platforms. I dont know whether I can refer to any of them here. But if you need I can write more.. Any questions are welcome.

Great suggestions herein. Please put your email so that, one can reach you via inbox with some more questions

Hi! I was wondering how airtight the comments about Uzbekistan officials not being stringent on enforcing quarantine is. I have some big travel plans that require my transit through the country next month from the UK, and I just want to check to see how solid the idea that the quarantine rule isn’t enforced before I actually book my flights, as if I’m forced to quarantine I will be wasting thousands of £s.

Hi Owen, So far, there are no travel reports from travelers who were forced into quarantine. Nevertheless, you should know that in these countries, anything can happen

Great postings. However I have been trying to get e visa fo Uzbekistan for past one week, without success, even after getting the validation link the payment gateway did not accept my Visa debit card, it is really frustrating. Has anyone faced this problem?

Pandu India

HI, This a great blog. I am also going to visit Uzbekistan in june. I just wanted to ask that will it be okay if i dont stay in hotel and stay at friend’s apartment. I am pretty nervous about it. i am planning to go for nine days. if you could help me with the answer that would be great.

Uzbekistan is getting more and more touristic every day, so you should be fine 🙂

We (me and my wife and small child) are landing in Bukhara and ending in Tashkent. We have 11 days (including travel to and from UK).

We really want to visit Khiva, but we arrive in Bukhara at 12pm midday after a long overnight flight, so it would be very difficult to jump straight on a train to Khiva from Bukhara after landing.

Alteratively, we could spend two days in Bukhara on landing, then go to Khiva for a couple of days, but it would then be a very long train back to Samarkand, which would be our next stop.

Do you have any advice for us? Thanks!

Hello, it seems you don’t have any other alternative… Trains are pretty good in Uzbekistan so taking a longer one won’t be much of an issue.

I take prescribed drugs as to will be 70 and take Tramadol regularly. Alright it’s not codeine but close enough. I would not travel without it, and I noticed how Muslim countries are obsessed with drugs, even though it’s a packaged med made by drug companies. If bringing in Tramadol is an issue, even with a letter from a doctor, should I skip any plans to go there? Thanks! I don’t want issues with the immigration police or have it confiscated!

Hi Michel, this is a very hard question to answer, and I am afraid I can’t give you an accurate answer…

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TRAVEL to UZBEKISTAN – Ultimate Destination Guide [2024]

Everything you need to know before you travel to Uzbekistan in our comprehensive 2023 Uzbekistan travel guide.

In years gone by, Central Asia was an expanse of land that few people knew or even cared about. At the heart of Central Asia lies Uzbekistan an intoxicating mix of Soviet brutalism and Islamic wonder.

With travel to Uzbekistan getting both easier and more accessible in recent years, now is the perfect time to go!

Travelling in Uzbekistan: At a Glance

Here are the basics of travel to Uzbekistan.

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN UZBEKISTAN

With so much to see and do in Uzbekistan, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Uzbekistan you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Visit the Aral Sea 

Once the world’s fourth-largest lake, the Aral Sea has now shrunk to 20% of its original size but it still a must-see in Uzbekistan.

Explore the ship graveyard at Moynaq, climb onto Ustyurt Plateau, and watch the sunset over what’s left of the Aral Sea!

View Spectacular Islamic Architecture 

Samarkand is home to what many believe is the most stunning Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan. The Registan is the largest and most well known. However, the Gur-E-Amir Mausoleum and the Shah-i-Zinda are equally spectacular. 

Explore the Backstreets of Bukhara

Bukhara’s narrow backstreets offer a break from the searing heat and wonderful opportunity to take in the city’s gorgeous Islamic architecture. 

The photogenic Chor-Minor is an absolute must as well as the Kalon Mosque and Minaret. Head to Chasmai Mirob for some stunning sunset views over Bukhara. 

Get Lost In Old Tashkent

The area around the Chorsu Bazaar, Khast Iman and the Kolkuz Canal offer a view of old Tashkent at it’s finest. 

Head to the Amir Timur Square or the Navoi Theatre for a view of Soviet Tashkent in all it’s communist glory. 

Chow down on Plov 

This quintessential Central Asian dish can be found all over Uzbekistan, so make sure you get your fill!  

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN UZBEKISTAN

If you’re planning on travelling to Uzbekistan, don’t miss these other attractions.

Stand in awe as you wander around the Palace of Khudayar Khan – Home to the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate, this palace was known as the “Pearl of Kokand,” and for good reason!

Admire the ruins of the Aksaray Palace in Shakhrisabz – These stunning ruins are just a short drive from Samarkand and are well worth the day trip.

Visit the ship graveyard in Moynaq – Once home to the thriving fishing industry, Moynaq is now home to a collection of ships rusting away on what was the bed of the Aral Sea.

Walk around Khiva’s city walls – Get up early and take a wander around Khiva’s city walls for some spectacular views of this ancient wonder.

Visit Elliq-Qala – This translates as 50 fortresses, although the majority of that number are not in great condition. However, the ones that are, are nothing short of spectacular.

Marvel at Tashkent’s metro stations – Tashkent’s metro stations have had a reputation for great art for a while. In 2018 you were legally allowed to take photos so enjoy!

Visit the bug pit aka Zindon Prison – A gruesome part of Bukhara’s tumultuous and often violent history. This was the pit where William Stoddart and Arthur Connolly were held.

Explore the country through Train Travel – Riding the rails across Uzbekistan’s desert landscape veers between brutally hot, and truly spectacular.

Be sure to look into all of these great things to do in Uzbekistan during your visit.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN UZBEKISTAN

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Uzbekistan. Depending on your interests, trip duration, and time of year you will find lots of things to do during any length of stay. 

Make sure you read our complete guide to the best places to visit in Uzbekistan in addition to the highlights below.

A city brimming with gorgeous Islamic architecture and oodles of history.

Check out our Samarkand city guide here .

Get lost in the backstreets after chowing down on some spectacular Bukharan plov.

Check out our Bukhara city guide here .

The largest city in Central Asia has plenty to do and has a healthy tip of the hat to Tashkent’s Soviet past.

Check out our Tashkent city guide here .

This tiny little town close to the border of Turkmenistan features some wonderful views from the city walls. Head out of Khiva to check out a number of ancient fortresses with Ayaz Kala being particularly spectacular.

Check out our Khiva city guide here .

BEST UZBEKISTAN TRAVEL ITINERARY

Depending on whether you are starting from scratch or have a general idea of what kind of things you would like to see and do, we’ve put together a few itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Uzbekistan that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

Most travellers will want to budget at least 2-3 weeks to give you plenty of time to explore all of Uzbekistan’s most well-known sights and a few off the beaten track ones in the Fergana Valley.

However, be sure to check all travel advice before visiting this region.

For more details on planning the best Uzbekistan itinerary be sure to check out this post .

UZBEKISTAN TRIP PLANNING

Now that you have a good overview of what you want to do and how long you want to visit Uzbekistan, let’s fill you in on all the other details of your trip!

BEST TIME TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan bakes during the summer and gets pretty nippy in the winter. Spring and autumn bring a nice balance of the two.

However, this time is naturally the most popular with visitors. But even in the busiest times, most places in Uzbekistan are not heaving with tourists, unlike some parts of Europe. 

March to May and September to October brings the most pleasant climate. From June to August the mercury is usually hovering in the high 30’s C. 

UZBEKISTAN TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDELINE

When it comes to budgeting, Uzbekistan is slap bang in the middle of the five Central Asian countries. You’ll find that it is cheaper than Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, but more expensive than Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

However, in comparison to Europe, North America and even parts of South East Asia, Uzbekistan is noticeably cheaper. 

This table does not factor in trips to the Aral Sea which often costs around $240 per person.

Budgeting Tips:

Uzbekistan is generally quite affordable, so it’s already quite easy on the wallet. However, there are a few tips that will help you to save a little bit of money.

1) Utilise trains and marshrutka (van/bus)where possible when traveling between Tashkent, Nukus, Samarkand and Bukhara.

2)  Use Metered Taxies in Tashkent. 

3)  Know your Som. Occasionally people may slip 500 Som notes into replacing larger denominations. 

4) The local markets offer unbeatable value and make a great lunch option, even compared to reasonably-priced restaurants. 

5) Learn a little bit of Russian as English is very rarely spoken. This will go a long way to helping you buying tickets, arranging marshrutka’s, and negotiating.

6) Exchange money at banks not the black-market. Banks now offer the correct exchange rate between Uzbek Soms and foreign currency.

Here are a few other things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Budget Traveller ($30 Single / $55 Couples)

Uzbekistan is an extremely budget-friendly destination. Even at this end of the scale, you can expect a private room in guesthouses, although you can take advantage of hostels in Tashkent.

You will be eating at Uzbek restaurants and getting around on public transport. Being at the budget end of the scale you a trip to the Aral Sea is out of the question. However, a day trip or two is certainly possible.

Mid-Range Traveller ($60 Single / $120 Couple)

With a little more cash to spend, you can expect to stay in hotels with plenty of mod-cons and amenities.

Additionally, a trip out to the Aral Sea will be affordable so you’re probably going to want to take advantage of that.

Although you will be primarily travelling by train between cities you may be able to splurge on a private taxi from say Nukus to Khiva.

Luxury Traveller ($120+ Single / $200+ Couple)

At the upper-end scale, it’s 4 and 5-star hotels with private taxis to get you around. You can expect to eat at the best restaurants and arrange private tours everywhere you go.

Another option is to book onto a private organised tour that takes care of everything but at a more significant cost.

GETTING TO AND AROUND UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is quite an easy country to get around and transport is certainly in the adorable bracket. Border crossings are an exception to this rule, with the costs of marshrutkas and private taxi’s being noticeably more expensive, as you would expect. 

Roads are generally in good condition, with the exception of some stretches of road in Karakalpakstan in the northeast of the country.

Guesthouses and hotels can assist you in booking private taxis, marshrutkas, and trains to wherever you need to go. 

Entry Requirements

In recent years Uzbekistan has relaxed it’s visa policy significantly with the majority of western and developed nations being able to enter visa-free or with an e-visa.

The days of jumping through hoops at an Uzbek embassy seem to have gone for now.  

For more information on Uzbekistan’s visa policy please read more on the official Uzbekistan government’s website .

Getting Around Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is blessed with a reasonably efficient transport network. That being said public transport is limited in Karakalpakstan and the Fergana Valley meaning a private taxi is your best bet here. 

Travelling by Air

You’re most likely to be travelling by air when entering the country. However, you might opt to fly between Tashkent and Nukus rather than take the 18 hour night train.

Uzbekistan Airlines , which operates the vast majority of the country’s internal flights, is a safe, modern airline.

Travelling by Private Taxi

This is a very common way to travel in Uzbekistan. Naturally, private taxi is a popular option from the airport, train and bus stations and border crossings.

However, it is also a great option when travelling between cities. 

When travelling in a private taxi between you will be paying per seat. Therefore the taxi doesn’t leave until it’s full. So you have choices to wait for that to happen or pay for the empty seats.

Very often your guesthouse will be able to arrange one. However, there is not much chance of negotiating. Whereas if you find someone on the street then you will be able to negotiate the price.

Generally, if you book a private taxi through a guesthouse it’s more expensive, but the service is more reliable. 

If you are travelling within a city, especially Tashkent, then any car is a potential private taxi. Simply stand at the side of the road with your thumb out and someone, in a taxi or regular car will pull over.

Prices can occasionally be negotiated. But very often they are small sums of money and it’s not worth negotiating.

Note that this is not perceived to be hitchhiking. Drivers who pick you up have the expectation that you will pay. 

Travelling by Marshrutky/Bus

Marshrutky is a converted transit van that can be found all of the former Soviet Union. They operate like buses in any other country and are generally cheap and reliable. 

However, there is often a certain level of flexibility to be expected with leaving times, as very often drivers want to fill up the seats. And if you have large bags that cannot fit under seats then be prepared to have to pay for an additional seat for your luggage. 

Negotiating bus stations can be a particularly challenging experience even if you know some Russian. This is a similar story across Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Also don’t expect a formal cue, very often it’s first come first served. 

This method of transport is particularly common in the Fergana Valley. 

Travelling by Train

Uzbekistan has a reliable train network that runs from Nukus in the west to the Fergana Valley in the east, stopping at most of Uzbekistan’s big hitters in between (with the exception of Khiva). 

Train journeys are generally quicker and more comfortable than private taxies and marshrutkas . This is not always the case, so make sure you do your research. 

Train tickets can be brought from travel agencies or from dedicated train ticket offices which are fairly easy to find.

However as mentioned earlier, it is likely that you will need to know some Russian to make the process more bearable for yourself and poor sod behind the desk. 

Trains are not particularly crowded and are very reliable, especially the high-speed trains. 

APPS AND TECHNOLOGY

Here are a few apps that we think you should acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

• XE Currency – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 
• Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in Uzbekistan. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 
• iTranslate – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Uzbekistan words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Uzbekistan.
• maps.me – This awesome offline map service is a great way to help you navigate your way around Uzbekistan.

BEST THINGS TO EAT IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan serves up plenty of Central Asian classics. They claim that the plov in Uzbekistan is the best in the region.

You will be able to find manti, lagman and shashlik everywhere. However, make sure you check out the country’s markets as Uzbekistan is one of the world’s most prominent producer of apricots and cherries.

They are also major producers of various types of nuts. 

PLOV – Uzbekistan’s national dish can be found all over the country at almost every restaurant. It is believed that the oil at the bottom of the pan can act as an aphrodisiac. 

SHASHLIK – As the sun begins to go down the smell of Shashlik will fill the air. Usually consisting of chunks of lamb and occasionally beef, it’s the perfect way to end a hard day of exploring. 

MANTI – Manti are boiled or steamed dumplings that are filled with spiced meat usually being lamb or ground beef. In Uzbekistan, they are often served with a healthy dollop of sour cream. 

LAGMAN – These spicy tomato noodles are very similar to noodle dishes found slightly further east in China’s Xinjiang province. The base of the dish is pulled noodles, with tomatoes, onions, garlic and peppers being the key ingredients. It’s then topped off with meat and a variety of other vegetables. 

SAMSA – This is probably the most common street food in Uzbekistan. The filling is often made from minced lamb or beef, with cheese, pumpkin and potato also being available. In Uzbekistan’s markets, these are often cheap as chips, being baked in huge batches. 

KOREAN FOOD IN TASHKENT – Uzbekistan has a surprisingly large Korean population mainly clustered in Tashkent. The prices are more expensive in comparison to a restaurant serving traditional Uzbek fare, but the food is great. 

PLACES TO STAY IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is full of great accommodation options. Hostels are mainly found in Tashkent, with guesthouses and hotels common outside of the capital. 

The majority of large hotel chains can be found in Tashkent with more and more springing up in Samarkand and Bukhara. Interestingly Tashkent had the lions share of Soviet-style hotels if that’s your thing.

Generally, accommodation is much cheaper than other travel destinations, which is why dormitory-style rooms are not so common here. 

Types of Accommodations

The majority of hostels are found in Tashkent and are a mixture of dorms and private rooms. Hostels in Tashkent book out quickly so you’ll have to book in advance. Topchan and Art Hostel are the two most well known.

Hotels in Uzbekistan come in the form of small intimate guesthouses or a gigantic Soviet monstrosity. 

As tourism to Uzbekistan has increased more and more people have been extending their homes or building on plots of land creating some incredible guesthouses. 

Rooms are generally very spacious with private bathrooms being the norm. Additionally, the vast majority of hotels and guesthouses include a typical Uzbek breakfast of eggs, bread, jam and meat. 

Another good option for accommodation in Uzbekistan in recent years is AirBnB. And there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay for very affordable prices every day.

As Uzbekistan has opened up Airbnb has become more of an option for travellers. That being said you will need to check if your visa allows you to stay in private accommodation.

In some cases, individuals who are entering with an in-passport visa will need to stay at hotels or guesthouses where foreigners can be appropriately registered. 

UZBEKISTAN TRAVEL TIPS 

While there are many basic travel tips , we suggest you use when travelling to Uzbekistan, there are also plenty of Uzbekistan-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Uzbekistan: 

1. Learn Some Russian

A little bit of Russian is an absolute lifesaver. From buying train tickets to negotiating a private taxi to the border, a little bit of the lingo will make your life a whole lot easier. 

2. Get out early 

From May the temperature is consistently in the 30’s C. Avoid the sometimes brutal midday heat by getting out early and exploring before breakfast. It will be much cooler, and best of all there will be hardly any people about. 

3. Know where your local market is 

Central Asian fare tends to be heavy on the meat but rather light on the fruit and veg. And with the fact that that the vast majority of travellers will be dining out, there’s a good chance you won’t be eating a balanced diet. 

As a major fruit producer in the region, Uzbekistan’s markets are chock full of awesome produce. So get your fix there. 

4. Organise your cash

Getting your hands on some Uzbek Som outside of Uzbekistan is an absolute nightmare. So you will need to plan ahead. 

Cash points are not common in Uzbekistan, and some will not take foreign cards.

You will be fine in Tashkent, however outside of the capital, it can be a little more hit and miss.

Therefore the vast majority of travellers bring a healthy amount of US dollars with them to exchange into Uzbek Som at banks or currency exchanges, which you can find in any destination that may have foreign visitors. 

US dollars are the easiest currency to exchange. However, Euros, British pounds, Japanese yen and Chinese renminbi can also be exchanged, albeit at fewer locations.

The notes you exchange need to be in good condition – so no rips, major creases or folds.  

5. Always have a bag

Due to the amount of currency you will possess, you will not be able to carry Uzbek Soms in your wallet or purse. So be prepared to be carrying around a bag loaded with cash. 

6. Bring a scarf (women only) 

As Uzbekistan is an Islamic nation women will often needing to cover their heads when entering religious buildings. However this not regularly enforced. Please be mindful and respectful.

UZBEKISTAN PACKING LIST

We always travel with a core packing list wherever we go. And when it comes to Uzbekistan, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our travel essentials and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

STAYING SAFE IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is generally a safe country. That being said you should take the same precautions you would in your home country. 

Pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur at markets and other crowded areas. Due to the fact you will have to carry your Uzbek som in a bag make sure you keep an eye on it. 

There are the standard scams involving taxi drivers, such as massive surcharges at the airport. Check your bills in restaurants as occasionally items will be added that you didn’t order. However, this is rare. 

The peculiarity of almost every vehicle being a taxi is a strange thing to overcome. We never felt unsafe doing this and it is standard practice in Uzbekistan. However, make sure you have your wits about you. 

If you are visiting any sites dedicated to the country’s former president/dictator Islam Karimov, avoid photographing anything controversial and act in a respectful manner.

In spite of the positive changes made by the Uzbek government, this is still one of the most repressive political systems on the planet. 

STAYING CONNECTED IN UZBEKISTAN

The Internet in Uzbekistan is surprisingly quick and reliable. Picking up a SIM card in Tashkent is pretty quick and easy, with the main mobile provider being Ucell.

Incidentally, some of their outlets accept payment in dollars at a fixed rate, rather than the market rate so make sure you have already been to the bank or currency exchange. 

The vast majority of accommodation options have reliable wifi. However, in some cases, they will not support streaming or downloading. 

If you find yourself up in Nukus heading out towards the Aral Sea internet connections are noticeably slower.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER IN UZBEKISTAN

The best way to be a responsible traveller in Uzbekistan is to follow the rules and behave in a respectful manner.

This is a country that is just opening up to travel and tourism, so many locals are curious and will often be interested to learn about foreign cultures and practice their English. 

Additionally, you MUST always behave in a respectful manner around religious sites. 

KEY RUSSIAN TRAVEL PHRASES

Although Uzbek is the national language, Russian is widely spoken and understood by the majority of the population.

Less Russian is spoken in the countries north western region of Karakalpakstan where Uzbek and their own local dialect reign supreme. 

Very often signs are written in both Uzbek and Russian. 

You don’t have to be fluent in Russian to have a great time when you travel to Uzbekistan. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Uzbek people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

BOOKS TO READ ABOUT UZBEKISTAN

Maybe you already know everything about Uzbekistan. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Uzbekistan.

• Stans by Me – An travel writer’s account of his time on an organised tour in Central Asia.
• A Carpet Ride to Khiva – A fascinating account of a gentleman who spent 7 years living on the silk road spending a substantial amount of his time in the city of Khiva.
• The Great Game – The Struggle for Empire in High Asia – Certainly a heavier read, but this is an excellent book on the great game between the British and Russian Empires that shaped Central Asia.
• The Silks Roads – An New History of the World – As a central hub of the silk road Uzbekistan has long been at the crossroad of culture and history. This book is a long, but phenomenal account of the history of the silk road.

Check Out Our Uzbekistan Travel Blog Posts

The perfect uzbekistan itinerary (2024 guide), the 25 best things to do in uzbekistan [2024 edition], the 14 best places to visit in uzbekistan [2024 guide], 19 awesome things to do in bukhara, uzbekistan [2024], 14 best things to do in khiva, uzbekistan [2024], 16 epic things to do in tashkent, uzbekistan (2024 guide), 15 best things to do in samarkand, uzbekistan [2024], 40 incredible photos of uzbekistan that will blow your mind.

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The Uzbek Monetary System

Uzbekistan’s unit of currency is the Soums – UZS. Uzbekistan's money is based on the decimal system – there are one hundred tiyin to each soum . Coins are not widely used. Notes have the values of 100, 200, 500, 1000 Soum.

Hotels, guides, and other businesses catering tourists often list prices in U.S. Dollar, but it is illegal to pay in cash for goods and services in anything besides the Uzbek Soum.

Bringing Money to Uzbekistan

Local legislation states: "Foreign currency that is being brought in and taken out by residents and non-residents through customs border check point of the Republic of Uzbekistan regardless of its amount shall be declared in written in the customs declaration form T-6".

U.S. Dollar, Euro, UK Pound Sterling and Japanese Yen are exchanged into Sum at the Exchange Offices. So, if you want to make some cash with you, best of all take $$$! It is better to bring U.S. Dollar to Uzbekistan, for easy exchange.

• Money...and how much? Read our post about how much money you can bring or carry out, how to declare your cash on customs and more tips about money and customs related questions on your arrival and departure.
• Dollars or Euros… Which currency is widely used in Uzbekistan?
• Can I use credit cards in Uzbekistan? Find answer on frequently asked questions, such as: What cards are accepted in Uzbekistan?, Are ATM’s easily found in Uzbekistan?, Where can I use my card to withdraw cash in Uzbekistan? and much more.
• Cost of Living in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Living in Uzbekistan – particularly Tashkent – is NOT expensive compared to many places in the World. Click on the link above to find out more...

Changing Money & Exchange Rates

By far the most popular foreign currency in Uzbekistan is US dollar. Most hotels have currency exchange desks. Exchange offices at main hotels are open 24/7 except for small breaks. You can also exchange in most banks as well as in exchange kiosks in major supermarkets and bazaars.Use our Exchange Office Locator map for more information on where to exchange money.

Don’t exchange too much money at once, as you will have to carry rolls of sums. To be able to exchange the left sums into foreign currency, you will have to ask for regulations at the Exchange Office when you exchange your currency into Uzbek sum. Do not forget to ask for the official receipt when you change your money at a counter, and be sure that clerks count money in front of you.

Note: Please be advised that you can only exchange money at the exchange offices or banks, as it is illegal at any other location such as the markets. Notes issued before 1996 or worn notes are often rejected.

Bank opening hours.

Banks are generally open from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Monday through Friday, however, opening hours can differ considerably from branch to branch. All banks are closed on  public holidays  and some banks close for an hour at lunchtime.

ATMs (cash machines)

You will find Automated Teller Machines (ATM), or Bankomat , as we often call them, at most banks, hotels and shopping centers. You can use international credit cards at ATM’s as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. There are many ATM’s in Tashkent, although not all can serve you. You can find Visa or MasterCard ATM’s almost in all the large hotels. View our ATM Locator for more information.

Credit Cards in Uzbekistan

Credit cards (Visa, Master Card and American Express) are accepted in most Tashkent hotels and in limited number of shops, therefore make sure to bring with you a sufficient amount of cash in dollar notes of different denominations.

Last Updated: 08/02/2011 6:17 PM

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What's the Currency in Uzbekistan?

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The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani som . As the official legal tender in Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistani som is officially recognized by the Uzbek government, meaning you can use it to settle all financial obligations in the country, including paying for goods, services, taxes, and debts.

Besides the sum, no other currency is officially accepted in Uzbekistan.

There are a couple of reasons why you might be interested to find out the currency in Uzbekistan. Click on the reason that best applies to you below to find out more:

• I'm travelling to Uzbekistan
• I'm sending money to Uzbekistan
• I want to follow the Uzbekistani som exchange rate
• I'm just curious

Travelling to Uzbekistan

With its different currency, banking system, and money customs, figuring out the best way to pay in Uzbekistan if you travel there can be tricky. Fortunately, many forms of payments have become ubiquitous around the globe, including:

• Credit cards: Cards from VISA and Mastercard are accepted in Uzbekistan, especially in touristy establishments.
• Debit cards: Debit cards linked to your bank account let you make purchases at point-of-sale terminals and withdraw cash.
• Cash: Having some Uzbekistani som banknotes could help for small purchases, tipping, and emergencies. You can typically exchange currency at a bank or exchange bureau before or upon arrival.
• Mobile payments: Mobile payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Alipay are an increasingly popular way to pay, but you'll need to check beforehand how available these methods are in Uzbekistan.
• Prepaid travel cards: A reloadable debit card with a Uzbekistani som balance can give you good value, security, and convenience.

Of these methods, using a prepaid travel card is almost always the best way to pay in Uzbekistan because they generally incur lower fees on Uzbekistani som currency exchange than credit cards or bank debit cards do. Moreover, many prepaid travel cards let you hold multi-currency balances, allowing you to dodge DCCs and other sneaky fees while travelling — all while providing the same level of security and convenience as you're used to from your credit or debit card!

Depending on where you're from, you may be able to find a prepaid travel card from your bank. Still, we recommend using a global provider like Revolut because it offers excellent exchange rates, multi-currency balances, and a travel debit card that allows you to spend on your holiday like a local and enjoy peace of mind after each tap, swipe, or cash withdrawal.

Revolut is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU/EEA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Chile. If you live in Canada or New Zealand, the Wise Account is another excellent option to consider. If you're from any other country, we recommend checking out what multi-currency cards are available in your country or whether your bank offers any similar products.

Sending Money to Uzbekistan

Every year, many people send money to Uzbekistan for all kinds of reasons. These include supporting friends or family, paying for someone's tuition, settling business transactions, purchasing or upgrading property, and many others. If you want to send an international money transfer to a Uzbekistani som bank account in Uzbekistan, then you should be aware of the high fees and exchange rates that go along with global money transfers with your international bank (these fees often constitute more than 10% of your transfer amount — you can read all about this in our dedicated explainer here ).

Fortunately, international money transfers are a competitive market with many trustworthy alternative providers jostling to offer you the best exchange rates (rates which almost always far outdo those you'll find at the bank!). However, because the cheapest provider to send money abroad differs depending on factors such as where you're sending from, the amount you're sending, the payment method and others, we recommend skipping the hassle and finding the cheapest provider in real time with Monito's live comparison tool below 👇

Find the best deal when sending money to Uzbekistan:

Uzbekistani som exchange rates.

The Uzbekistani som is one of around 180 currencies worldwide. This means that the Uzbekistani som trades against all other official currencies around the globe, giving us exchange rates: a measure of how much of one currency we can exchange for another.

Exchange rates can fluctuate over time due to various economic, political, and market factors. A higher exchange rate means that the value of one currency has increased compared to another, while a lower exchange rate means the opposite. Exchange rates are essential when travelling to, buying goods and services from, or sending money to Uzbekistan.

With Monito's currency pages, you can follow the live exchange rate to the Uzbekistani som, see which providers offer the best deals, and set up smart email alerts to follow fluctuations:

You can also use the above tool to enter your currency to see its exchange rate with the Uzbekistani som or set up email alerts to be notified when the exchange rate passes a certain value.

Key Facts About the Uzbekistani Som

Currencies and foreign money can be interesting, unique, fun to learn about because they offer a glimpse into a country's culture, history, and economics. If you're just curious the Uzbekistani som and how it's used as the currency of Uzbekistan, here are a few key facts:

FAQ About the Currency in Uzbekistan

The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani som.

The best way to get Uzbekistani som in Uzbekistan varies depending on your needs and preferences. In general, you can use your debit or credit card to spend money in Uzbekistan or ask your bank whether they offer a specific multi-currency card that supports Uzbekistani som balances. However, this method can rack up higher-than-expected charges, and if you're looking for the best fees and exchange rates, we recommend exploring online travel card leaders like the Wise Account and Revolut , which offer incredibly low-cost spending in dozens of currencies globally to see if they're available in your country.

The best way to send Uzbekistani som to Uzbekistan depends on many things such as the country you're sending from, the amount of money you're sending, your payment method, and your recipient's receiving method. You can find the best deal to send Uzbekistani som to Uzbekistan by comparing providers on Monito !

The Uzbekistani som was first adopted as the currency in Uzbekistan on November 15, 1993.

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Ultimate Travel Guide to Uzbekistan

Are you ready for an adventure like no other? Get ready to step back in time and explore the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan, a land steeped in rich history and culture. From Bukhara’s bustling bazaars to Samarkand’s majestic architecture, Uzbekistan will transport you to a world straight out of “Arabian Nights”.

Indulge in delicious traditional dishes, shop for unique handicrafts, and immerse yourself in the local customs. This Uzbekistan travel guide will provide you with everything you need to know from flights, visas, accommodation, food, and places to visit when you are there. So pack your bags, put on your walking shoes, and let’s hit the Silk Road!

Prefer to watch a video instead? I’ve got you covered!

Where to Stay in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets.

Average price per night for stay:

• Hostels: USD 10 (& above)
• Guest Houses: USD 20 (&above)
• Hotels: USD 30 (& above)

Please find below the recommendations for stays in Uzbekistan divided by location and sorted by price (lowest first).

Budget (20 USD & below)

Art Hostel – I spent the first few days in Tashkent at Art Hostel . It’s a nice social hostel – I met some really helpful people here who guided me on my future travels. There’s a swimming pool which is a plus. Breakfast is decent. Great location – close to a lot of shops and eateries. Nothing to brag about – but absolutely worth it for the price.

➜ Check prices of Art Hostel

Mid-range (30 USD & above)

Hotel Uzbekistan – Built in the 1970s, this is perhaps the most iconic hotel in Uzbekistan . With an imposing brutalist Soviet architecture, comprising 17 floors, this is one of the largest hotels in Uzbekistan. It was the residence of choice for all the visiting international dignitaries visiting during the 70s. Even though this is no more a grand hotel like it was during its heyday, it’s centrally located and relatively budget-friendly. And something to experience in Tashkent.

➜ Check price of Hotel Uzbekistan

Luxury (100 USD & above)

Hyatt Regency Tashkent – The Hyatt Regency Tashkent is a luxurious five-star hotel situated in the heart of Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Boasting a modern and elegant architectural design, this upscale hotel offers a blend of contemporary sophistication and traditional Uzbek charm. Great location, excellent breakfast, and friendly staff.

➜ Check price of Hyatt Regency Tashkent

Registan Hostel – I’ve stayed in the Registan hostel many times as I traversed through Uzbekistan. It’s clean, the rooms are spacious and quite convenient. Registan Hostel is perhaps the best hostel in Samarkand. All-in-all great service and friendly English-speaking staff. The only problem that I have is that it doesn’t offer breakfast. But then there’s a sandwich place right opposite the hostel for 1.5 USD which is great!

➜ Check prices of Registan Hostel

Jahongir Hotel – One of the best-rated hotels in Samarkand. 9.1 rating on booking.com with around 700 reviews. Friendly staff, comfortable rooms, excellent location, and tasty breakfast. Jahongir Hotel came highly recommended by a few friends that I met in Samarkand.

➜ Check prices of Jahongir Hotel

Samarkand Regency Amir Temur – This is a brand new 5-star hotel in Samarkand with lots of facilities and excellent breakfast. There’s also a spa in the hotel. Extremely clean rooms and attentive staff. Everything you expect from a 5-star hotel.

➜ Check prices of Samarkand Regency Amir Temur

Hotel ALISHER – Located in the heart of old town Bukhara, Hotel Alisher has spacious rooms at a budget-friendly price. A beautiful guest house that features some very old paintings. Overall, great value for money.

➜ Check prices of Hotel ALISHER

Samani Bukhara – I had the best breakfast spread in Uzbekistan in  Samani Bukhara  – Samsa in Tandoor with pumpkin pie, potato pie, bread with homemade jam, biscuits with cream, juicy melons, and the ubiquitous Uzbek tea. The host and his family are very friendly and the host can converse in English which is a bonus. It’s located in the Old Town, so location-wise it’s quite convenient too.

➜ Check prices at Samani Bukhara

Mercure Bukhara Hotel – Situated in Bukhara’s Old Town, Mercure Bukhara hotel is designed with inspiration from its surroundings, employing natural materials like wood and ceramics. The hotel features a 16th-century-style hammam with a pool, a modern gym, a rooftop restaurant and terrace.

➜ Check price at Mercure Bukhara hotel

Budget (30 USD & below)

Khiva Muhammadali – Located inside the walled city, Khiva Muhammadali guest house gets 10/10 on location. Very friendly hosts and excellent home made breakfast. Overall, a great value for money.

➜ Check price at Khiva Muhammadali

Mid-Range (30 USD & above)

Khiva Tosh Darvoza – One of the highest-rated properties in Khiva (9.8/10 for over 280 reviews on booking.com). Great location and at the same time, it’s in a quieter neighborhood away from tourists. It’s run by a local family who gives great care and attention to their guests.

➜ Check prices at Khiva Tosh Darvoza

Farovon Khiva Hotel – This is a glamorous hotel that’s tastefully designed while paying homage to the old-style Madrassa arches. Farovon Khiva Hotel is perhaps the most luxurious stay in Khiva. The lobbies and rooms are impressively spacious, and each room here comes with a balcony. From the balcony, we enjoyed the serene view of the central courtyard, a perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks. It features a gorgeous pool and the breakfast spread is delicious.

➜ Check prices of Farovon Khiva Hotel

Visa Requirements to Uzbekistan

According to trade.gov , as of May 2022, Uzbekistan has implemented a visa-free regime for citizens of 86 countries, and e-visas for citizens of 57 countries, making it easier for travelers to visit the country.

If you are an Indian citizen, you need to apply for an e-visa which is a simple and straightforward process from the embassy website .

Do you need to book flight tickets or stay before applying for Uzbekistan e-visa?

No, it’s not necessary to book flight tickets or all your stays in Uzbekistan before applying for an e-visa.

Here are the documents that you would need while applying for e-visa :

• Preliminary place of residence in Uzbekistan – You could book the stay with free cancellation on booking.com, so there isn’t much of an overhead cost in case you don’t receive the e-visa (The chances of this happening are quite low anyway).
• Photo: The photo must have a size of 35×45 mm with a resolution of 300 dpi. Image dimensions should not exceed 1 Mb.
• Passport: Photo of the main page of the passport.

Costs for Uzbekistan E-Visa

Single Entry: USD 20 (Rs. 1600) Double Entry: USD 35 (Rs. 2800) Multiple Entry: USD 50 (Rs. 4000)

Flights to Uzbekistan are quite affordable from India, with return flights between Delhi and Tashkent starting at around USD 250 (Rs. 20,000).

These are the 3 major Airlines that ferry passengers between Delhi and Tashkent:

• Uzbekistan Airways – Official Airlines of Uzbekistan. (Direct flight: Less Than 3 Hours)
• Air Astana – Official Airlines of Kazakhstan. (Layover in Almaty or Astana)
• Indigo – This is a newer addition to the list. You might be able to find return flight tickets for as cheap as Rs. 20,000 between Delhi and Tashkent.

If you are flying from other parts of the world, then there are good connections from Dubai and Istanbul that are worth checking.

Tashkent would most likely be your first point of contact with Uzbekistan.

Do you need to buy a suitcase for your trip to Uzbekistan? Check out the best trolley bags of 2023 here.

Transportation

High-speed trains.

Uzbekistan has an excellent transportation infrastructure, including high-speed trains called Afrosiyob that connect Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. These trains are comfortable, mostly on time, and are a great way to explore the country. Trains are the primary mode of transportation between cities in Uzbekistan.

To book railway tickets, you can use the UZ railway app. Download and install from Google Playstore or Apple Store .

Make sure you book train tickets at least a month in advance, especially during season time as the seats get filled quickly. The cost of a train ticket is around $10.

Also, reach the railway station at least 30 minutes in advance as there are security procedures that might take some time.

Recommended Trains for Tourists

• Afrosiyob trains (Tashkent <-> Samarkand <-> Bukhara): These are the fastest trains available (seats get filled very quickly) and they are also very clean even the economy seats. The trains run daily at a speed of 210km/h. Afrosiyob train has 2 VIP class carriages, 2 business class carriages, 4 economy class carriages, and 1 bistro carriage.
• Sharq Express (Tashkent <-> Samarkand <-> Bukhara): These trains are slower than Afrosiyob but still better than the slower trains. The train runs daily at a speed of up to 140 km/h.
• Regional Fast Trains (Khiva <-> Urgench <-> Bukhara): There are no Afrosiyob trains between Bukhara and Khiva, so this is the next best option.
• Night Trains (Khiva <-> Urgench <-> Bukhara) : It takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes to reach Khiva from Bukhara and vice versa. So, it would be ideal to use night trains in order to save time and money on your visit to Uzbekistan.

Within cities, you can use taxis, marshrutkas, or metros (if it’s available).

Yandex is a cab-hailing app similar to Uber which is widely used in Uzbekistan. I’ve used Yandex in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. This is really useful as you don’t have to haggle with the taxi drivers regarding the fares and generally less confusion regarding the destination.

The Roving Heart Insider Tip: In Tashkent, you can add your card details on the app and pay through a credit card which is really useful when you don’t have change with you. Also, I found taxis in Tashkent to be cheaper than other cities – generally around $1-$2 for 5kms.

Local Taxis

I have used the local taxi option quite often in Samarkand. Especially when I was staying outside the town, and wanted to visit the most popular tourist places like Registan or Shah-i-Zinda. This is a shared-taxi option and I was charged 5000 som (50 cents) per seat for about 4-5kms. The only problem is that it might be hard to figure out if there’s a local taxi passing by. Just keep waving your hand by the side of the road and taxis will stop. Also, not a good idea to hail local taxis during the night.

Marshrutkas

This is the most budget-friendly option to go around the city. You’ll see mostly locals using this option. Make sure to check with your local host on where the stops are and which marshrutka to board as language could be a problem.

Travel Insurance for Uzbekistan

I always buy travel insurance just as a way of safeguarding my trips. You never know when you need it until you do, and then by then, it’s already too late if you don’t have one.

For Indian audiences, I recommend HDFC Ergo Travel insurance or ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance . The plans are affordable and they have higher claim settlement ratio than most of the travel insurances out there (over 98.4%).

For long term travels, I recommend Safety Wing insurance as their prices are quite competitive and they offer excellent customer support. With its affordable and flexible plans, SafetyWing ensures that you have access to quality healthcare, giving you peace of mind to fully enjoy your travels. If you are looking for a policy with global coverage at affordable prices, then Safety Wing is a great choice well suited for frequent and long term travelers.

Places to Visit in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is home to many beautiful and historic places that are worth visiting. Some of the must-see places include Tashkent , Samarkand , Bukhara , Khiva, Aral Sea, and Fergana Valley.

I’d suggest saving at least 7-10 days for a trip to Uzbekistan. 10 days would be ideal as it would give you some leisure time while visiting places. This would make your trip more enjoyable, in my opinion.

Uzbekistan Travel Guide: 10-day Itinerary

Day 1 in tashkent.

Day 1: Arrive in Tashkent and take a rest from the flight journey. Stay for 1 night in Tashkent before proceeding to Samarkand. If you have a few hours to spare, visit the metro stations in Tashkent. Trust me, it’s an attraction in itself. and explore the city. Explore the bustling markets of Chorsu Bazaar, and go to the Central Asian Plov Center and sample the local Plov. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 2 – 4 in Samarkand (3 Days)

Day 2: Travel to Samarkand by train (preferably Afrosiyob). Spend 3 nights in Samarkand to take in the sights and sounds of this historic and well-preserved city. Upon arrival, visit Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and the Ulugh Beg Observatory. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 3: Continue exploring Samarkand. Visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the Afrosiab Museum, and the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum. In the evening, attend a traditional music and dance performance. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 4: Visit the local workshops like Samarkand-Bukhara Silk Carpet Factory, Paper Making Factory, and Pottery Making Workshops and learn more about the craft-making culture in Samarkand.

Day 5-6 in Bukhara (2 Days)

Day 5: Visit the city of Bukhara by train from Samarkand (preferably Afrosiyob). Spend 2 nights in Bukhara and preferably stay close to the city center so that you can walk around this open-air museum of a town. Upon arrival, visit the Poi-Kalyan Complex, the Kalyan Minaret, and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 6: Continue exploring Bukhara. Visit the Ark Fortress, the Bolo-Khauz Complex, and the Chor-Minor Madrasah. Take a stroll through the city’s bazaars. And then pack your bags and take the overnight train from Bukhara to Khiva which takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Day 7-9 in Khiva (3 Days)

Stay for 3 nights in Khiva so that you can rest from your long journey and explore this ancient Silk Road city at a slower pace.

Day 7: Spend an entire day in Khiva. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Itchan Kala, including the Kalta-Minor Minaret and the Tash Khouvli Palace. Overnight in Khiva.

Day 8: Day Trip to the Aral Sea. It is one of the biggest manmade disasters in the world and it can be a sobering and haunting experience to visit here. One can see the remnants of the once-thriving fishing industry, including rusting ships stranded in the desert, and abandoned fishing villages. Return to Khiva and spend the night there.

Day 9: Continue exploring Khiva. Visit the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, the Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, and the Juma Mosque. Take a stroll through the city’s bazaars. Overnight in Khiva. Take a flight from Khiva to Tashkent.

Day 10 in Tashkent (1 Day)

Day 10: Flight back from Tashkent.

Note: This is a suggested itinerary and you can customize it according to your preferences and interests. It’s also better to check for the operational hours of the places you are visiting before you go.

Uzbekistan Checklist

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Find the best accommodations on booking.com ➜

Reserve a reliable airport transfer for a smooth start to your trip ➜

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Book tours, excursions, and skip-the-line tickets in advance ➜

Uzbekistan Food Guide

When it comes to food in Uzbekistan, it’s a culinary adventure that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Uzbek cuisine has a rich history, blending elements of Central Asian, Russian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Uzbekistan is a highly-meat-eating country and most of the traditional dishes here are made with meat. However, it’s possible to try the vegetarian versions of popular dishes in Uzbekistan, especially in tourist areas.

One of the most popular dishes in Uzbekistan is Plov, a traditional dish made of long-grain rice, onions, carrots, and chunks of lamb. Served with bread and salad, it’s similar to Pulao in India.

Staple of Uzbek cuisine, Plov is a hearty rice dish that is cooked with meat, usually lamb or beef, and a variety of vegetables such as carrots, onions, and sometimes raisins. The ingredients are cooked together in a large, deep pan called a “kazan” and are flavored with a combination of spices such as cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Plov is considered the national dish of Uzbekistan, and it is often served at special occasions such as weddings, celebrations, and festivals.

Samsa is a traditional Uzbek dish that is a type of savory pastry. It is typically made with thin, flaky dough and filled with a variety of savory fillings such as meat, onions, and potatoes. Samsa has often shaped a triangular or oval shape and can be either baked or fried. It is a popular street food in Uzbekistan and can be found at most local markets and street vendors. The meat filling is usually made of lamb or beef, but sometimes it can be made of chicken or even pumpkin.

Another traditional Uzbek dish consisting of small, steamed dumplings filled with meat (usually lamb or beef) and onions. The dumplings are often served with a yogurt-based sauce, and may also be garnished with herbs such as dill or cilantro. Manti can also be made in a large, round shape, called “Laghman Manti”, it is more similar to Chinese Jiaozi and Italian ravioli.

Shashlik is a popular street food in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries and is also commonly served in restaurants and at home.

This dish is made of skewered and grilled meat, typically lamb or beef. The meat is marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs before being skewered and cooked over an open flame. Take a stroll around the a city in Uzbekistan, you will chance upon someone grilling shashlik by the roadside.

Samarkand Bread

Samarkand bread, also known as noni or patyr, is a traditional type of bread from the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan. It is made from wheat flour, water, and yeast, and is typically round in shape with a diameter of about 40 centimeters. The dough is rolled out thin and then placed on the walls of a tandoor oven, where it is baked to a crispy crust. Samarkand bread is often served with traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov and shurpa.

Ayran is a traditional fermented dairy drink from Uzbekistan, as well as other Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It is made by mixing yogurt with water and salt and is often served as a refreshing beverage during meals or as an accompaniment to traditional dishes. Ayran is also considered a healthy drink as it is rich in probiotics, calcium, and other essential nutrients.

Uzbekistan is home to a diverse array of fruits that are both delicious and nutritious. Some of the most popular fruits grown in the country include apricots, peaches, pears, apples, and melons. Many of the fruits in Uzbekistan are also used in traditional dishes and in making jams, jellies, and other preserves.

Must Try: The melons here are so juicy, so don’t miss it when you are here!

Every meal in Uzbekistan starts and ends with tea. Uzbek tea, also known as Chay, is a traditional drink that is deeply ingrained in the culture of Uzbekistan. It is typically made from black tea leaves, which are grown in the mountains of the country. The tea leaves are hand-picked and then processed using traditional methods passed down through generations. The resulting tea is rich in flavor and aroma, and is often served with sugar or honey. It is considered a symbol of hospitality and is often served to guests as a sign of welcome.

Tourism Infrastructure in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s tourism infrastructure has undergone significant improvements in recent years. The country has invested in building new hotels, resorts, and guesthouses to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Additionally, the government has also focused on developing the country’s transportation infrastructure, which includes the construction of new airports, train stations, and highways to make it easier for tourists to travel within the country.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan has put a lot of effort into preserving its rich cultural heritage by restoring historical sites such as the Registan in Samarkand, the Khiva Old City, and the Bukhara Old Town which are now turned into popular tourist destinations.

Many of these sites have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and are now well-maintained and easily accessible to visitors. The country also has a vast network of tour guides who speak multiple languages and can provide detailed information about the country’s history and culture. All these initiatives have greatly improved the overall tourism experience in Uzbekistan, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Central Asia.

What to Pack for Uzbekistan?

When planning a trip to Uzbekistan, it’s important to consider the cultural customs and climate of the country. As it is a relatively conservative country, it is best to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites such as mosques or mausoleums .

Usually, when you are visiting religious sites, you need to cover your arms and legs (not required to cover your head). I usually carry a shawl with me so that I can cover myself up if needed. Outside of the religious sites, sleeveless tops or knee-length dresses are mostly fine. I have seen only a handful of people wearing shorts here — it’s not too common outside of Tashkent.

In terms of climate, summers can be quite hot, so it’s essential to pack sunscreen , a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun . Pack light and airy clothing that can help you to stay cool during the daytime. And, pack a light sweater or a jacket to keep yourself warm during windy evenings. It is also a good idea to pack a reusable water bottle preferably with a water filter to keep yourself hydrated as you might end up paying for water otherwise.

Other items to consider packing include a universal adapter as the electrical outlets in Uzbekistan are different from India, and a small first aid kit . It is also a good idea to bring a guidebook or a translation app like Google Translate to help you navigate and communicate with locals.

Uzbekistan is a multilingual country, with the official language being Uzbek, which belongs to the Turkic language family. It is spoken by the majority of the population and is used in official government and educational settings. However, Russian is also widely spoken and understood, particularly in urban areas. It is considered the language of business and is often used as a second language in schools. Therefore, if you plan to visit Uzbekistan, it would be beneficial to learn a few key phrases in both Uzbek and Russian to navigate through the country more easily.

Key Phrases in Uzbekistan

• Salom (sa-lom) – Hello
• Rahmat (rah-mat) – Thank you
• Mening ismim (me-ning is-mim) – My name is
• Men yerga borishni istayman (men yer-ga bo-rish-ni is-tay-man) – I want to go there
• Qancha? (kancha) – How much?
• Yaxshi (yah-shi) – Good
• Men sizga kuting (men siz-ga ku-ting) – I love you
• Men sizga xush kelibsiz (men siz-ga kush kel-ib-siz) – Nice to meet you.
• “Xayr” (hayr) – Goodbye

Key Phrases in Russian

• Privyet (pree-vyet) – Hello
• Spasibo (spa-see-ba) – Thank you
• Menya zovut (men-ya zovut) – My name is
• Ya khachu tuda (ya khachu too-da) – I want to go there
• Skol’ko stoit? (skol-ko sto-it) – How much?
• Xorosho (kharasho) – Good
• Ya vas lyublyu (ya vas lyub-lyu) – I love you
• Ochen’ priyatno poznakomit’sya (o-chen’ pri-ya-tna poz-na-ko-mitsya) – Nice to meet you.
• Do svidaniya (das-vee-da-ni-ya) – Goodbye

If you are a vegetarian, use the phrase “bes myasa” which means “without meat” in Russian. This would help you find vegetarian food in Uzbekistan and in general, Central Asia.

Download These Apps Before Traveling to Uzbekistan

• UZ Railway App – Book train tickets within Uzbekistan. Google Play Store | Apple App Store
• Google Translate – Translation app to communicate with the locals and read menus. Google Play Store
• Yandex – Book taxis in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Google Play Store | Apple App Store
• Happy Cow – Find restaurants serving vegetarian or vegan food. Google Play Store | Apple App Store
• Google Maps – Download offline maps for Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Google Play Store

Travel Budget in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a budget-friendly destination for travelers, with a daily average travel budget of around $50 per day. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. However, this budget can vary depending on your style of travel and the type of accommodation you choose.

For example, if you opt for budget-friendly accommodations such as homestays or guesthouses, you can expect to spend less than $30 per day. On the other hand, if you prefer more luxurious accommodations, you can expect to spend more, around $70 per day.

Additionally, food costs in Uzbekistan are relatively low, with a meal at a local restaurant costing around $3-$10. Transportation costs are also reasonable, with public transportation and local taxis being affordable options. To budget for a 10-day trip to Uzbekistan, on average, you would need around $500, excluding flights and e-visa costs.

Border Crossings

If you plan to do an overland trip through the stans, it is quite possible. Most of the border crossings involving Uzbekistan are simple and straightforward. Make sure to carry a copy of the visa wherever required. And check the Caravanistan forum for the latest updates .

Due to the unique geography of Uzbekistan, there are 17 border crossing options between Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. (Note that this is exclusive of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan).

Samarkand – Panjakent

I ended up crossing the border both ways. First when I went from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan. And then my plan was to cross to Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan. But due to border tensions, this route was closed in 2022. So, I had to take a longer route from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan (through Panjakent – Samarkand border crossing), and then cross over to Kyrgyzstan from Uzbekistan. Some border crossings might be more difficult or impossible to cross than others. So, it’s best to do research beforehand if you are planning to do an overland border crossing.

First, take a shared taxi to go to the Uzbekistan border from Samarkand. It takes about 1 hour to reach the border. The border crossing is straightforward and hassle-free. Expect to take anywhere between 20 minutes to 1 hour at the border. In another 30 minutes, you’d be at Panjakent – the closest town to the border. If you are planning to go all the way to Dushanbe, then start the day early from Samarkand.

Tashkent – Bishkek

I booked an overnight bus from Tashkent to Bishkek. It’s about a 12-hour journey along with the border crossings. My only concern with this crossing is that this route also passes through Kazakhstan, so it’s double the security procedures. And crossing the borders here isn’t as easy or simple as crossing borders in Europe.

Here’s how it works:

• Exit Uzbekistan
• Enter Kazakhstan
• Exit Kazakhstan
• Enter Kyrgyzstan

You need to de-board the bus, take off your luggage, pass it through security, submit the documents at immigration, put the luggage back on the bus, and board the bus at every checkpoint. Doing this four times isn’t easy. Also, navigating questions from border officials in the middle of the night can be rough.

Shymkent – Tashkent

I stayed in Taraz for a few days to break the long journey from Almaty to Shymkent. I booked a ride from Taraz to Shymkent through InDriver , a ride-sharing app. From Shymkent, I found local taxis to go to the border.

At the checkpoint, it took about 30 minutes to finish the security and immigration procedures.

Once on the Uzbekistan side, I took a taxi from the border to Tashkent.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Uzbekistan is an excellent destination for travelers who are looking for a unique blend of culture, history, and adventure. Also, the country is budget-friendly and easy to navigate, with well-developed transportation infrastructure, making it easy to get around between cities. Best of all, Uzbekistan is considered a safe destination and has implemented measures to ensure the safety of tourists.

Anything else you’d like to know about traveling to Uzbekistan? Anything you’d like to add to this ultimate Uzbekistan travel guide? Let me know in the comments below. If this blog post helped you in planning a trip to this wonderful country, then feel free to tag me on Instagram @therovingheart. I’d be happy to hear from you!

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ASIA , CENTRAL ASIA , UZBEKISTAN · September 10, 2018 Last Updated on March 10, 2024

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRAVELING IN UZBEKISTAN (AND WHY YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY DO IT)

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When I told people that I was going to Uzbekistan for 10 days, the reactions I got all shared a similar sentiment. “Why Uzbekistan?” “Where is that?” “I literally know nothing about that place.”

Truth is, I barely knew anything about traveling to Uzbekistan either. But having been to many “popular” destinations in the past, I was thirsty to explore somewhere less-known; somewhere relatively untouched.

As it turns out, Uzbekistan is actually not as hidden as I had thought — there were quite a lot of tourists — but it’s still one of the most underrated and breathtaking places I’ve ever visited. So here’s a guide on what to do and what to expect in Uzbekistan. I hope it will convince you to pay a visit too!

BACK STORY: UZBEKISTAN AND THE SILK ROAD

If you don’t have time to travel the entire length of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is the perfect week-long glimpse into it. Located in the center of Eurasia, it played a key role back in the days not only in the trade of gold, silk, and spices but also of culture and religion.

Missionaries, scholars, and musicians who passed by the Silk Road hubs of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva brought Islamic art and teachings along with them. Today, you’ll see these three key cities bustling with beautifully ornate madrasas, mosques, and minarets — scenes you’d only expect to see inside a chapter of One Thousand And One Nights .

GETTING TO UZBEKISTAN — BY AIR OR BY CAR

Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world (the other one being Liechtenstein. This means that not only is it landlocked, but it’s also surrounded by other landlocked countries. So the most common ways of getting to Uzbekistan are by air or by car.

Flying is the easiest way to reach Uzbekistan. The main international airport is in Tashkent (TAS), but there’s also one in Samarkand (SKD), which is where my partner and I flew into.

Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines are the two main airlines that operate flights to Uzbekistan. You would therefore either have a layover in Moscow or in Istanbul somewhere on your journey. My partner and I took the Aeroflot route from London. The flight was around four hours to Moscow and another four hours from Moscow to Samarkand.

It is definitely possible to do a roadtrip around Central Asia, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan as well. Taxis and buses are also available to help you cross the borders into Uzbekistan.

There are three main border crossings between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the cities of Gisht Kuprik, Chinaz, and Kungrad. From Kyrgyzstan, the main border crossings are at Gisht Kuprik, Khanabad, and Andijan. In Tajikistan, Dushanbe (its capital) is about 55 km from the border of Uzbekistan in Denau.

Some borders do have opening hours. For example, if you’re planning to enter through Gisht Kuprik, be sure to do so between 7am–9pm (Tashkent time).

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ABOUT THE UZBEKISTAN VISA

If you’re a citizen of the European Union or other select countries such as the USA, Canada, India, and Australia (there are many more too), you’re eligible for an e-visa. This means you simply have to fill out a standard online application (without needing a letter of invitation), and you’ll receive your visa to visit Uzbekistan via e-mail within two working days. You can find more information about the e-visas here , including whether you’re eligible for it.

If you’re not eligible for e-visas, you will need a letter of invitation, which isn’t as hard to obtain as it may sound. There are many travel agencies that can do that for you, online. The one my partner used is Global Connect and it cost around $65. He then applied for his visa in person through the embassy and received it within one week. We found the visa procedure to be fairly simple overall and did not encounter any issues at all.

WHAT TO SEE IN UZBEKISTAN — A SAMPLE ITINERARY

While it’s feasible to cover the main attractions of Uzbekistan in one week, my partner and I found that spending 10 days in this country was ideal. This gave us the perfect amount of time to really absorb everything and relax while sightseeing. Below are the main cities to visit, along with their must-see spots.

How long you should stay : 2-3 days

Founded in the 7th century B.C., Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Its geographic location in the center of major trade routes attracted a lot of travelers and invaders. It has been captured by both Alexander the Great in 329 BC and Genghis Khan in 1220. In the 14th century, it became the capital of the Timurid Empire.

Through the course of its history, it has been ruled by Persians, Greeks, Turks, Mongols, Chinese, and Russians. Half a dozen religions have found a home here. Today, it is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and part of the UNESCO World Heritage, listed as ‘Samarkand — Crossroads of Cultures.’

Must-see places in Samarkand

• Registan – the pearl of the city; a square with three of the world’s oldest madrasas, worth visiting both at day and at night.
• Gur-e-Amir – this stunning piece of architecture was the model for the Taj Mahal.
• Shah-i-Zinda – an avenue of mausoleums that showcase some of the richest tile work in the Muslim world.
• Bibi-Khanym Mosque – the jewel of the Timurid Empire, this was once one of the biggest mosques in the Islamic world.
• The Siob Bazaar – the city’s vibrant main market is a great place to get a taste of local food and treats – be sure to try halva (a sweet that resembles fudge).

Ulugh Beg Observatory – it showcases some of the world’s most advanced astronomical studies led by a Timurid ruler.

Note : The above places are all within walking distance of each other, aside from Ulugh Beg Observatory, which may require a taxi. In addition, if you have an extra day in Samarkand, a day trip to Shakhrisabz ,  one of Central Asia’s most ancient cities, is very much recommended.

Tip: When you visit Registan, make sure to watch a traditional Uzbek concert inside the Sher-Dor Madrasah. Against the backdrop of the gorgeous madrasah walls, you’ll see locals perform in their traditional clothing, showcasing not only their music but also their culture, such as scenes from a Uzbek wedding. The concert starts at 7pm daily, and it’s $5 per person. You can buy tickets right inside the square even right before the concert starts.

The city of Bukhara is more than 2,000 years old. Its historic center has been preserved very well for the last two centuries. It therefore gives a great glimpse into a medieval Central Asian Muslim city filled with ancient religious architecture.

Must-see places in Bukhara:

• Kalon Minaret – Genghis Khan was so impressed by this tower that back in the 13th century, that he ordered it to be spared while his troops destroyed the rest of the city.
• Kalon Mosque – this mosque, with a spectacular courtyard, is right next to Kalon Minaret.
• Ark Fortress – Bukhara’s oldest structure was the residence of its emirs for centuries .
• Chor Minor – the gatehouse of a long-gone madrasah built in 1807, it has four minarets that each represent a different religion.

Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah – built in 1652, its intricate, colorful tiles are truly impressive.

Bolo Hauz Mosque – known as the 40 Pillar Mosque, its ceiling is held by 20 wooden pillars that reflect elegantly in the pond in front of it.

Lyabi-Hauz Complex – a peaceful yet lively 17th century trading square with music playing in the evenings, and a pond with restaurants around it.

Taki-Telpak Furushon – a colorful domed bazaar with lots of interesting souvenir shops.

Tip: To get a taste of the “real Bukhara,” make sure to book a slot at a Hammam, a traditional steam bath. The Bozori Kord Hammam is one of the oldest in the world (built in the 14th century) and a great way to experience this exotic ancient ritual. Not only would you be discovering the secrets of the Oriental Massage, but you’ll also get a sense of the real way of life in Bukhara.

How long you should stay : 1-2 days

Out of all the Silk Road gems in Central Asia, the city of Khiva is perhaps the most intact, remote, and preserved of them all. This medieval town is essentially an open air museum. It has a fortress surrounding its inner city, which is home to dozens of ancient madrasas, mosques, minarets, and clay-colored houses.

Must-see places in Khiva :

• Itchan Kala – the inner town of Khiva, in which most of the city’s attractions reside. It gets crowded with tourists during the day, but walking around at dawn or dusk makes for a very peaceful and unique experience.
• Tash Hauli – a palace inside the Itchan Kala with extravagant interior decorations, blue ceramic tiles, more than 150 rooms, and 9 courtyards.
• Juma Mosque – this unique mosque has 218 wooden columns supporting its roof.
• Kuhna Ark – a fortress that used to be the residence of Khiva’s rulers.
• Watchtower – accessible through the Kuhna Ark, this is a really good spot to watch sunset with a gorgeous view of the city.
• Isfandiyar Palace – a 10-minute walk outside the west gate, it’s home to gold-embroidered ceilings and lavish chandeliers.
• Kalta Minor Minaret – a turquoise-tiled minaret begun in 1851 by Mohammed Amin Khan, who aspired for it to be 80m tall. Unfortunately, he dropped dead in 1855, leaving the structure unfinished at 29m, but still looking mesmerizing.
• Islom Hoja Minaret – standing 57m tall, it has the resemblance of a lighthouse, and you can climb it for fine views over the city.

Tip #1: Do not miss out on Khiva. Due to its remoteness and small size, Khiva is often overlooked and people tend to skip it if their schedule is tight. If your time in Uzbekistan is limited, cut your visit in Bukhara or Tashkent shorter by a day so that you’d have time to see Khiva. Because of how well it’s been preserved, this city truly stands out with its ancient and authentic vibe. Being there felt like walking inside a film set. The clay-colored architecture makes this town resemble a real life sand castle city — something truly unique and hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Tip #2: Get a personal guide inside Itchan Kala. There are many places in Khiva that are quite hard to find on your own. Lavish, colorful courtyards tend to be hidden behind small doors you’d never think to walk through because, from the outside, they don’t appear to lead to anywhere special. Getting a guide costs around $30 for a 3 hour tour (you pay a total of $30 even if you’re traveling in pairs), and you can request this service inside the ticket office right at the entrance of Itchan Kala.

Being the capital of Uzbekistan with the largest international airport in the country, you are most likely to fly into and out of Tashkent. Wandering around the city, you’ll find part of it cluttered with modern buildings; another part adorned with Soviet-style architecture, and yet another part that’s more traditionally Uzbek with mud-walled houses, crowded bazaars, and traditionally clad farmers hard at work.

Must-see places in Tashkent :

• The metro stations – if you’ve seen or heard about the very artistic and well-decorated metro stations in Moscow, you’ll find something very similar in Tashkent. The metro stations there were built in the former USSR and are among the most ornate in the world.
• Minor Mosque – built in 2013, it’s one of the newer monuments of the city and is covered in white marbles.
• Chorsu Bazaar – being the biggest farmers market in town, it’s the perfect place to find colorful mountains of spices, sweets, souvenirs, and the freshest fruits around.
• Hazrat Imam Complex – a religious center with a madrasah, mausoleum, and Islamic Institute, where future preachers are taught.
• Amir Timur Museum & Square – a museum about the Timurid empire sitting inside a square that also houses the very interesting architecture of Uzbekistan Hotel.

GETTING AROUND UZBEKISTAN

It’s very easy to navigate Uzbekistan on your own, and you can do so via trains, flights, or taxis. My partner and I used a mixture of them all.

There are multiple daily trains connecting Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent. Many of them are high-speed, meaning a journey between Samarkand and Tashkent or Samarkand and Bukhara would only take 1-2 hours.

My partner and I took the Afrosiyob high-speed rail and it was a very comfortable experience. The trains were punctual, clean, and equipped with AC — a lifesaver during the summer months. Tickets cost $7 if you buy them at the train stations and around $25 if you reserve online in advance.

Note : There are no websites from which you can directly buy these train tickets. If you’d like to reserve them in advance, the only way is to go through Uzbek travel agencies, which will buy and email them to you.

We used Global Connect to reserve ours as it was the most affordable option we found, and it was a smooth and pleasant experience. As I mentioned before though, it is much cheaper and less of a hassle to buy the tickets in person at the station.

There are airports in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Urgench (which is about a 30-minute drive from Khiva). Flights between these cities typically range from $25 – $50 one way. Because trains are much more affordable and not that different in their length of the journey, it’s almost illogical to fly between Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand.

Flying does become a convenient option, however, when going to Khiva. This ancient town is quite remote and a bit harder to reach. A flight from Tashkent to Urgench is the fastest way to get there and it takes about 1.5 hours, costing $50 one way.

Taking a taxi between the main cities is not recommended unless you’re going to Khiva. Aside from flying into Urgench, a very common way of reaching this remote town is via a private or shared taxi from Bukhara.

The journey is around 7 hours (with breaks in between) and costs $50 for a private ride and $20 for a shared ride. An advantage of choosing to go to Khiva by car (rather than by air) is that you can take a little detour along the road trip to visit some ancient fortresses, such as the one in Tuprakkala. It will prolong your trip by two hours and cost an extra $10, but getting to explore exotic ruins in the middle of a desert is not an experience you get every day.

Within Uzbekistan cities, taxis are very cheap. They usually cost $1.25 for a 10-15 minute ride. With that said, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are walkable cities for the most part. So you’d only need taxis when going to the train station/airport, or when visiting a few remote attractions away from the historic centers.

ACCOMMODATION IN UZBEKISTAN

We were completely stunned by how gorgeously decorated, cozy, and homey Uzbekistan hotels were. They were also very affordable. You can find a variety of high quality boutique hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses for $20 – $30 a night on sites like Booking.com .

The hotels we stayed at were clean, well-situated, and well-renovated. The staff were also very friendly. Just don’t expect good WiFi connection — that’s a rare luxury in Uzbekistan no matter where you stay.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAMARKAND

Registan is the pearl of the city and close to many other attractions. I highly recommend staying within walking distance of it. A few suggestions:

• Antica B&B – We stayed in this family-run B&B and felt very welcomed. They also have a very stylish courtyard and garden.
• Jahongir B&B – A family-run B&B with stylishly adorned rooms.

Other Accommodation Options in Samarkand

• Platan Hotel
• L’Argamak Hotel
• DiliMah Hotel
• Hotel GalaOsiyo

WHERE TO STAY IN BUKHARA

The historic center, where you can find most of the city’s attractions, has a variety of hotels from which to choose, and it’s the best area in which to stay. Two places I’d recommend are:

• K. Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel – We’ve long heard of how gorgeous and stylish this hotel is, but were unable to stay there due to it being booked out. We did manage to tour this place despite not being guests there, as the hotel staff were super welcoming and happy to show us around. Every room is uniquely adorned with traditional art and it truly looks like a unique place to stay in — just remember to book well in advance as it’s quite popular!
• Samani Bukhara – We stayed in this cozy hotel with a stylish courtyard, where you can enjoy breakfast on a table bed.

Other Accommodation Options in Bukhara

• Amulet Hotel
• Hotel Fatima Boutique
• Emir Bed and Breakfast
• Hotel Khurjin

WHERE TO STAY IN KHIVA

I’d recommend staying inside or as close to Itchan Kala (the inner town) as possible. It’s where almost everything worth seeing is concentrated. Two hotels you might enjoy are:

• Euro-Asia – We stayed in this clean, elegant, and newly renovated hotel and the staff were amazing. The first night we arrived, a reception staff personally took us to a restaurant a little out of the way because everything around us was closed (it was very late).
• Orient Star Khiva Hotel – If you want to get the unique experience of staying inside a majestic ancient madrasah inside the historic inner town, then this hotel is the one for you. The rooms are all refurbished and said to be comfortable.

Other Accommodation Options in Khiva

• Bek Khiva Hotel
• Arkanchi Hotel
• Zukhro Boutique Hotel
• Qosha Darvoza Hotel

WHERE TO STAY IN TASHKENT

Tashkent is a big city, so staying close to a metro station makes things a lot more convenient. I’d recommend finding a hotel near the Central Square (close to Amir Temur metro station) as you can meet lots of locals there and enjoy the shopping centers and cafes nearby.

Accommodation Options in Tashkent

• Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel
• Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel
• Aster Hotel
• Navruz Hotel

FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN

The Uzbek cuisine is one of the most exquisite and flavorful ones I’ve tried, and it’ll leave you longing for more even after leaving the country. Some must-try national dishes are: plov, shurpa, lagman, manti, somsa, naan bread, shashlik, kazan kabob, and shivit oshi.

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you unfortunately might have a hard time finding adequate options. This country loves meat to the n th degree, and most if not all of their signature dishes either include or are prepared with it. With that said, there definitely are restaurants that offer vegetarian options, and salads are available almost everywhere.

In the list of restaurants further down, I have added an asterisk next to places that offer vegetarian dishes.

A tip for vegetarians : say “bez myasa” when ordering salads. It means “without meat”. This can come in handy as some salad plates may also occasionally contain sliced meat (you can see how much Uzbeks love their meat!).

WHERE TO EAT IN SAMARKAND

• Oasis Garden * – An elegant place with friendly staff, great food and fancy decor.
• Bibikhanum Teahouse – An excellent place to experience the colourful, cozy, and traditional bed tables, and the decor here is incredible.
• Samarkand Restaurant – Gorgeous interior, amazing decor and delicious authentic food.
• Platan * – A nice place to eat outside and the food is delicious.

* Has good vegetarian options

WHERE TO EAT IN BUKHARA

• Lyabi House Bukhara – A restaurant by the water with a great atmosphere.
• Temir’s Restaurant – They have some interesting things on their menu — do try out their “mimoza” dish.
• Doston House * – Amazingly decorated restaurant with friendly service; try out their pumpkin manti.
• Restaurant Mavrigi – Another stunningly adorned place; definitely try their Uzbek spice tea!
• Chor Bakhr Restaurant – Very popular amongst locals, this is a must-go! Best tandoor & shashlik we had in Uzbekistan.
• Minzifa * – Great food paired with an awesome rooftop view.

Restaurant Bedruddin – Really good service, food, and live music.

CAFES/TEAHOUSES NOT TO MISS IN BUKHARA

• Terrace Cafe near Kalyan Square – This spot offers a magnificent view of the Kalon Minaret and Kalon Mosque. It’s a must-go if you want to stop somewhere for a tea or a drink. It’s located on top of Old Bukhara Restaurant .
• Silk Road Tea House – The owners of this place have been making tea and trading spices for 600 years; make sure to try their delicious Spices and Herbs tea as well as their Silk Road Confection sweets!

WHERE TO EAT IN KHIVA

• Xojiakbar – About a 10 min walk from Itchan Kala, this local restaurant offers delicious kazan kabob.
• Terrassa Cafe * – Delicious food paired with an epic view over part of the city; this place is a must-go. Some highlights of their menu include pumpkin manti, shivit oshi, and lamb shashlik.
• Cafe Mirza Borsh – They have exquisite plov, mastava, tuhum barak, and shivit oshi.
• Yasavul Boshi * – Some dishes to try here are mix dumplings, shivit oshi, and pakhlava.

WHERE TO EAT IN TASHKENT

• Plov Center – Hands down the best plov we had in Uzbekistan. The portions are big, the prices are affordable, and it’s very popular amongst locals so it’s a great place to meet people!
• Caravan * – You can find traditional home decor here with great food and good live music.
• The revolving restaurant inside Tashkent TV tower – If you want to enjoy a fancy meal overlooking the entire city, pay this place a visit!
• Afsona Restaurant * – A high-end restaurant with an excellent variety of local food.

WHEN TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during spring or autumn: end of April to mid-May, or end of September to mid-October tend to offer the most pleasant temperatures (around 14 ° – 26 ° C). It doesn’t rain much during those periods either. During these times you can enjoy the heat without it being uncomfortably hot like it is in the summer, when temperatures can go up to 40 ° C. In the winter, temperatures can go as low as -10 ° C.

RELIGION & HOW TO DRESS IN UZBEKISTAN

Contrary to popular belief, Uzbekistan is actually quite liberal. Although most of its population is Muslim, this country isn’t officially a Muslim country and many cultures and religions coexist and are welcome here. Uzbek people consider their homeland to be secular and modern, and there are no strict rules here about how women should dress.

We saw schoolgirls wearing short skirts especially in large and modern cities like Tashkent. Headscarves are not required at all, even when entering many mosques. There are some mosques that require you to wear them though, such as Minor Mosque in Tashkent. That is however the only one we personally encountered that has the requirement.

You may get certain looks from the older generation if you’re seen in short dresses and tank tops, but just like in many other secular countries, that is only because of cultural and generational differences rather than religious ones. Like many other places in the world, the older generation in Uzbekistan dresses more conservatively while the younger generation is far more liberal.

My suggestion is therefore: do what’s most comfortable for you. But do keep in mind that Uzbek people don’t think of their country as Muslim and don’t expect you to dress like you’re in one. All that being said, definitely still bring some clothes that cover your knees and shoulders for mosques and mausoleums. No one will scream at you for not doing so, but it’s the respectful thing to do.

SAFETY & SOLO TRAVELING IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries you can visit. It boasts a very low crime rate and doesn’t have the safety concerns (such as pickpocketing) that you may find in many European cities. Never once did we feel threatened when we were there, even when walking around at night.

We also met a woman who was traveling solo in Uzbekistan, and she shared some of her experiences with us. She said that during her time there, she’s been met with nothing but kindness from the locals, who were there to help her out whenever she needed it. She said that when she first landed at the airport, she couldn’t find taxis anywhere. A local who needed a taxi too saw her struggling and hailed one for both of them. He asked the driver to drop her off at her hotel but insistently refused to let her pay her share, essentially giving her a free ride.

She also shared that one of the locals she met in Uzbekistan spent an entire day giving her a free tour of Samarkand, showing her all the hidden and local spots that she would have never discovered by herself. This was not surprising to hear, as our own encounters with Uzbek people had been nothing short of heartwarming. They are, in general, extremely friendly and welcoming, and often go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience in their country.

So if you’re thinking about traveling solo as a woman in Uzbekistan, just apply common sense like you would anywhere else, and you will have a great time.

For more information, be sure to read our Guide To Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan !

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

• LANGUAGE – While Uzbek and Russian are the main languages spoken in Uzbekistan, basic English is understood at most tourist attractions. You may have to rely on hand gestures (or Google Translate) in other parts of the city, but we never found the language barrier to be big enough to cause any real issues.
• Good hotels & guest houses cost around $20 – $30 a night.
• A full-course meal with several mains, appetizers, and drinks usually totals up to $6 per person (the amount of food would be enough to feed four people though).
• As I mentioned before, taxis within cities are around $1.25 for a 10-15 minute ride, and fast-speed trains connecting Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent cost $7 if you buy them at the station.
• Your flight is the only thing that may be costly. A flight from Europe to Tashkent or Samarkand is usually around $600, and that number will probably be a lot higher if you’re flying from somewhere further away. If that is the case, it may be a good idea to visit Uzbekistan as part of a bigger European or Central Asian trip.
• CASH – ATMs are everywhere, unlike a few years ago when you had to travel around the country with bags full of cash. Nowadays, you can find ATMs in many hotels and restaurants, and scattered all over the city.
• WIFI (OR LACK THEREOF) – As I mentioned briefly before, be prepared for very poor WiFi connection in hotels and guest houses. Uploading and downloading small files can take up to an hour, if it works at all. Often times, the connection would fail altogether. Expect some quality time away from technology.
• TOUR GROUP OR ON YOUR OWN? – As you can see from all the information above, Uzbekistan is incredibly easy to navigate on your own. Going with a tour agency would be a lot more expensive and in my opinion, unnecessary and not worth it. Unless you prioritize having a tour guide who can explain every attraction in each city, I’d highly recommend booking everything yourself as it’s cheap and a piece of cake to do.

If you’re still debating about whether or not you should visit Uzbekistan, I’ll end this guide by saying that out of the 50+ countries I’ve been to, Uzbekistan is one of the most breathtaking, remarkable, and underrated places I’ve ever experienced. Never in my life have I come across architecture so mesmerizing that it left me speechless every corner I turned; people so friendly that I felt genuinely welcomed into a country so foreign to me; food so delicious that I still dream about it everyday; and beauty so staggering that I still refuse to believe what I saw in this country was real at all.

Uzbekistan is an utter dream. An architecture fiend’s fantasy, a photographer’s heaven, and an intrepid traveler’s ultimate gem to uncover. If you don’t stop by, you’re truly missing out.

We hope this guide has inspired you to travel to Uzbekistan! If you have any additional tips for our readers or questions please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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Read More About Central Asia

• A Guide To Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan
• A Girl’s Guide To Solo Travel In Tajikistan
• Solo Travel In Pakistan
• Conquering Stigmas: Travelling Solo Through The Silk Road
• Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary for Uzbekistan

We Are Travel Girls Contributor Jiayi Wang   of TheDiaryOfANomad.com Connect With Jiayi  Instagram

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September 11, 2018 at 3:14 am

What a comprehensive and beautifully written piece!

Ankur Priyadarshan says

April 18, 2023 at 10:54 pm

This is one of the best articles on Uzbekistan. Not dying without seeing this place

September 14, 2018 at 11:11 am

I’m right now in Uzbekistan and it is wonderfull!! I would recommend it to everyone! Since august this year it is possible to buy traintickets in advance at http://www.railway.uz . You need a visa card to buy the tickets. For some trains you get an e-ticket and for others a form to pick up the tickets at the trainstation. We used both of the options and it worked perfect.

Joe Keane says

August 16, 2019 at 9:33 am

Trouble is the form is in part english and part Uzbek. They need names like e.g. Tashkent in their language – which I do no know. Why do they not accept MasterCard – only Visa

shokha says

September 14, 2018 at 11:36 am

Wow, such an amazing description, thank you so much for sharing it with us, everyone should definitely visit Uzbekistan

Marielena says

October 17, 2018 at 10:15 am

Thanks for such a comprehensive guide, Jiayi. Your gorgeous imagery on Instagram has inspired me to visit next year. Since I always prefer independent travel, it’s great to know how easy it is to get around as well a the affordable pricing. Given that I’m a photographer, I plan to maximize my time in each place so that I can capture images at sunrise and sunset and will definitely plan to visit Khiva as a result of your description.

November 5, 2018 at 5:32 am

I live in Uzbekistan, although I am not Uzbek. It is a wonderful country. Your guide is pretty accurate.

I do need to say that Uzbeks do think of themselves as Muslim and are quite proud of it. However, thanks to the years of Soviet official atheism, it is more of a cultural identity for many. People believe, but not everyone practices fully. Uzbeks are moderate, not liberal. The culture is generally very conservative, even in the cities.

I would recommend conservative dress, especially when visiting mosques, madrasahs, bazaars, etc. It should be the same as if you visit churches or cathedrals in Europe. The Uzbeks are too polite to say anything negative to a guest, but they will appreciate the respect. Although your blog is geared to women, it should be noted that shorts are rarely worn by men in public. Young men are starting to wear shorts, but you won’t see anyone out of their 20s wearing them. Young women rarely wear shorts (older, never). Again, no one will say anything, but you will be very conspicuous.

Uzbekistan is being discovered. Come!

March 28, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Thanks for your insight and great comment. As a tourist, I think it’s very important to respect the local culture wherever we go.

May 30, 2019 at 5:04 am

Hi, do you know if the meat/chicken is halal in Uzbekistan?

TezWiFi says

July 25, 2019 at 12:27 am

I believe any meat (except pork :)) is halal in Uzbekistan.

January 18, 2019 at 7:22 am

I have been thinking to visit my best friend in Bukhara and this article really helped alot. It contains all the remarkable things one need to mention in a travel guide. It is just perfect.

January 18, 2019 at 1:28 pm

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story of my home country . I’m so glad to see more and more people discovering this wonderful country which I call home. All your comments, thoughts, images about Uzbekistan is making me miss the motherland .

Lacaysse says

January 20, 2019 at 12:18 am

What should be the average budget of a single traveler when visiting Uzbekistan?

Ojas Mangaonkar says

March 7, 2019 at 8:30 am

Hi, your information is very good especially for new travellers like us…bt can you pls tell me how much did it cost you per day in Uzbekistan (total cost- food per day + rent per day(we looking for reasonable)+ traveling mentioned in your information)

Patrick Keane says

August 15, 2019 at 12:34 pm

Hello, I read your guide to Uzbekistan with great interest. By the way I am 78 and my wife and I are traveling from Ireland via Istanbul. The account of your travels is clear and concise. Because of the way that you highlight the different attractions in the main cities, I feel confident that we may get a good taste of the country, despite our limited itinerary. We are going in late September. One of your contributors gave a link, which may allow us to book trains in advance. By the way we are in the 50+ category ourselves as regards going to places less traveled. Keep up the good work.

March 28, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Wow!!! What a wonderful and comprehensive piece of writing. Thank you so much!! I came here from your amazing Instagram photos, and now Uzbekistan is definitely on top of my bucket list!! Great work!!

March 31, 2019 at 7:06 am

Such an informative article on Uzbekistan, I’m definitely going to be planning to go there soon. I love the architecture and the relaxed vibe.

Katherine says

May 17, 2019 at 11:27 am

We just got back from Uzbekistan and loved it! Had a terrible guide in Samarkand when we booked through hotel, and then found a great female private guide in Bukhara. Her knowledge of history was unstumpable. Was about $60 for a full day with great historical background. Wanted to post her info in case anyone is looking for a great experience supporting local women: Larisa Whatsapp +998 907181015 Email: [email protected]

Hussain says

May 26, 2019 at 11:27 pm

Thanks for sharing the tour guide contact!! I am planning to visit it Uzbekistan in two weeks and definitely to visit bukhara and Samarkand as well!! I saved her number in order to call her once I am there!! I seriously seek the right historical information!!

Eric Wilson says

May 21, 2019 at 4:41 am

The best thing is accommodation is very affordable here than other countries.

DSwito says

June 8, 2019 at 3:24 am

What a comprehensive blog… I Would like to visit these beautiful places. What i like the most is all your photos always like you are alone there. Im curious what time all those photos are taken…

ZOHER DAGINAWALA says

June 8, 2019 at 6:13 am

HI IAM STAYING INDIAN STAYING IN DUBAI -I AM A SOLO TRAVELER AM PLANNING TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN IN SEPTEMBER 2019 —-BUT AFTER READING YOUR ARTICLE -I AM VERY EXCITED ,IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL IN AUGUST END OR SEPTEMBER –YOU EXPLAINED EVERY THING IN A QUIET SIMPLE WAY TO THE POINT-WILL FOLLOW YOUR INTERNIARY

August 4, 2019 at 2:10 pm

I wish I’d discovered this amazing site before today. I leave for a 9 night trip to Uzbekistan in one week’s time. I am dreadfully disorganised and am now in that last minute panic stage. Thanks to your fantastically detailed account I can at least rest assured that I shall find somewhere good to eat! I look forward to a little tech free time but hope that I can locate your suggested restaurants.

August 20, 2019 at 10:06 pm

Hi! I came back from Uzbekistan yesterday. Just wanted to add a little about internet there. If you want to continue using your sim card from your home country and try to go online, it won’t work. I purchased roaming option from my provider and it gave me internet for about 10 m, and then it was gone. I purchased UzMobile sim card for 10,000 soums, and had internet non stop. Just needed to change numbers in Whatsapp, Telegram and etc apps, so, my friends knew where to contact me. It’s very cheap comparing to using your own sim card. You just need to put money in your acct from time to time, and the ATM machines are everywhere.

October 18, 2019 at 7:23 am

I AM A SOLO TRAVELLER FROM U.A.E DUBAI I JUST RETURNED FROM A WONDERFUL TRIP OF THE HEARTH OF SILK ROAD COUNTRY UZBEKISTAN -YOUR TIPS AND ARTICLE MADE BY TRIP VERY EASY AND IT HELPED ME A LOT THANKS

Keith Johnson says

January 19, 2020 at 8:40 pm

Wow! This was so well written and with so much detail! Thank you! Can I ask you, where is the restaurant (dining room) in the picture that is above ‘Where to stay in khiva’. I think it is somewhere in Bukhara but I would love to know where exactly. Thank you!

May 18, 2020 at 9:23 pm

I’m planning a trip to Uzbekistan for after travel restrictions are lifted and LOVE this post. Every time I see pictures of Uzbekistan I get excited again, but all of my friends and family are in that boat of “but why uzbekistan??”. I think I might just let them keep that illusion alive and enjoy it’s splendor myself! Thank you for all of the tips!

mehvash Khan says

February 11, 2022 at 3:53 am

Great blog. Please add the names of the places under the pictures, especially the restaurants and the cafes. They are too gorgeous to be missed out !

Wendy Light says

August 20, 2022 at 12:24 pm

We traveled to UZB in March 2022 from the USA. The food is inexpensive and so good. $8 for the best filet mignon. The patisseries are just like being in Paris. Leave room for dessert. Hotels have amazing service. Everywhere is clean and everyone is very friendly and polite. I don’t recommend renting a car. Driving would be difficult for a foreigner not used to chaotic roads. Horn honking is a national pastime. Use Yandex for taxis, it is very inexpensive. I would go back in a second.

Rebecca Carter says

October 30, 2022 at 7:25 pm

Thank you, do you need to pre-book accommodation and train travel?

Thank you in advance

August 28, 2022 at 5:49 am

Thank you for this very detailed traveling guide! It helps me a lot to organise my trip :)

Fnagdi @ Hotmail says

October 1, 2022 at 7:19 am

Thank you so much it is so well written and made it easy. Going on the 8th October. I’m well excited

carmin says

December 16, 2022 at 7:10 am

Hi, has anyone traveled in january? we’d like to go around jan 1-10th, just not sure how much will be open and available for sightseeing and eating out. Cold is not an issue, we actually want a change from the middle east.

Maryanah says

December 26, 2022 at 9:53 am

Hi Thank you for the comprehensive and informative blog on Uzbekistan. It really helps with my planning for this June trip and I hope the weather is not too hot.. I think 14 days for this trip is barely scratching the surface. We visited Iran in 2018 and I am looking forward to similar architectural wonders and amazing history from Uzbekistan. Praying that the historical sites are open for visits after pandemic.

February 12, 2023 at 1:19 pm

what a trip! this country must be truly amazing! superrandom question -where is the dress from that you are wearing in the last pis (the blue one)?

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Uzbekistan Travel Guide – How to Plan the Perfect Trip

Last Updated on: Feb 26, 2024  

About the Blog: Traveling to Uzbekistan has been a long cherished wish. Finally we made it to the beautiful country so rich in history and culture. Read this blog to know the details about traveling to Uzbekistan. This comprehensive Uzbekistan Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to this Central Asian country.

Traveling to Uzbekistan feels like living history on the Silk Road. The country is undoubtedly a treasure trove for Islamic architecture. In fact, one of the first things that attracted me towards traveling to Uzbekistan are the pictures of the blue tiled domes and minarets. So, it was quite obvious that we started our Central Asian sojourn with Uzbekistan. That India and Uzbekistan have a long historical connection, also helped us to decide on visiting here first.

Uzbekistan was once a difficult country to travel to. Getting a visa was tough and we had heard of several other quirks of the country. However, of late, Uzbekistan has opened up to tourists to show the world its majestic culture, grand architecture and impressive shrines, mosques and old cities.

Also, Uzbekistan is one of the most tourist-friendly countries we have visited so far.

Planning a trip to Uzbekistan had been in our minds for a long time. Finally, the timing was right and Uzbekistan travel happened. And it happened in a grand way. And now we are happy to share our experiences and practical tips for traveling to Uzbekistan in this Uzbekistan travel guide.

This travel guide will provide you with helpful information and useful Uzbekistan travel tips that will help you plan your Uzbekistan trip. Read on.

Uzbekistan Tourism

Uzbekistan is the quintessential Silk Road country and is the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are the jewels of Uzbekistan and were the icons of the Silk Road. There are beautiful mosques, timeless minarets and mausoleums and impressive madrassah to discover in every city of Uzbekistan. This is the place where you can understand the power and enormity of the Timurid empire.

There are bustling and colorful bazaars where you can meet the friendly people of Uzbekistan. Walking down the old city will take you on a trip to the past. And then there are the local craftsmen creating wonderful and gorgeous works of art. Uzbekistan travel is a sensory overload of colors and smells.

Apart from the main tourist sites, you can also venture into the quaint villages and the charming mountains. Or you can meet the warm, friendly and welcoming locals and spend time with them. 

India and Uzbekistan

India and Uzbekistan have a deeply connected history. In Sanskrit and Pali texts, there are frequent references of Kamboja, which is a part of modern-day Uzbekistan. Ancient trade route known as Uttarpath passed through the country. Much later, Fergana, Samarkand and Bukhara were major towns of the Silk Road that connected India with Europe and China.

Babur , the founder of the Mughal Empire in India was born in Andijan in Fergana Valley. Mirza Ghalib and Amir Khusro , who were renowned poets, were of Uzbek parentage.

Well, these are facts of the past. At present, Uzbeks love Bollywood. This is what I realized fully on visiting Uzbekistan. The taxi in which we traveled from Tashkent airport to our hostel played a Bollywood song.

Several people asked us about Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Mithun Chakraborty. They are quite popular in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Railways play Bollywood songs on their display television.

Some Facts to know about Uzbekistan about the people and culture – Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Uzbekistan is an ex-Soviet Republic country who got their independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR.

Majority of the population is Uzbeks. But like most of the Central Asian countries, you will also find people from the neighboring countries like Russians, Kazaks, Kyrgyz and Tajiks.

The people are Sunni Muslims and the Russian population is Christian orthodox. But religion is not a big deal here.

Is Uzbekistan Safe?

This is the first question I get whenever we travel to relatively unknown places. Even during our Uzbekistan trip we were asked whether Uzbekistan is safe, mostly because it shares a border with Afghanistan and its close proximity to Iran. There is always a skepticism about places about which people don’t know much about. In fact, after coming back from the country, a few of our friends kept asking whether Uzbekistan was safe and how were the people there.

To answer the question of safety in Uzbekistan – the country is quite safe for tourists. The people are friendly and helpful. You will find tourist police at all the tourist attractions. The people are hospitable. The locals hardly care about religion and politics, which is usually a cause of trouble in local areas.

During our Uzbekistan travel, we never felt unsafe, even when we traveled to Fergana Valley (which is said to be the most radical area in Uzbekistan) as well as in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The people were friendly and welcoming. And they are quite fond of Bollywood songs and dances.

Just usual words of caution – do not venture to places you know nothing about. And keep abreast of the local situations.

Traveling to Uzbekistan in 2024 : Entry Requirements – Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Once upon a time, getting a visa for Uzbekistan was difficult. However, since 2018, things have been much easier.

Uzbekistan Visa

Since mid-2018, Uzbekistan has introduced e-Visa for 51 countries. Starting from 2019, citizens of the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UAE and many other countries can travel to Uzbekistan visa free for a period of 30 days.

Citizens of 76 countries like the USA, China and India can get an e-Visa for Uzbekistan for a period of 30 days.

If your country of citizenship is not on any list, then you have to apply for a visa at the Uzbekistan embassy.

How to Apply for an Uzbek e-Visa?

Applying for an electronic visa for Uzbekistan is fairly easy and it takes about 2 to 3 working days to get it.

Head on to the Official Electronic Visa Portal of Uzbekistan and fill in your details. We found the form to be pretty simple and self-explanatory. You have to upload your photograph and scanned copy of your passport, the specifications and guidelines are found here.

A single-entry visa costs USD 20, but you can also get a multi-entry visa as well.

You get a visa for 30 days by default. The entry to the country is not date-specific. You can enter the country any day you want within a 90-day period.

We applied for e-visa online and received our electronic Visa within 3 days of application. Keep a printout of the visa so that you can show it on arrival.

Also, your passport has to be valid for 3 months from the date you arrive at Uzbekistan.

Once we arrived at Tashkent airport and showed our passports and e-visas to the immigration officer. The officer took a look at my passport and smiled at me while asking “India”? And then he gave back my documents while saying “Welcome to Uzbekistan”. It was the first miniscule hint that I got that the Uzbeks are fond of Indians.

Uzbekistan Visa via Embassy

In the unlikely case that none of the above methods work for you, then you will have to visit the Embassy. In this case, apply well in advance.

Can I extend my Uzbekistan Visa?

If you are travelling to Uzbekistan on a free tourist visa, you can enter and exit the country as many times as you want.

For those requiring an e-visa, you can apply for a multiple-entry visa.

I did not find any clear rules about how many days you can stay in Uzbekistan on a tourist visa. You can probably head towards the neighboring countries and easily renew your visa.

However, rules can change any time. So, keep a look out before you decide your travel plans.

What happens if I overstay my Uzbekistan Visa?

I had heard that if you overstay your visa for any extra time, it might lead to a hefty fine of USD 2000. The Uzbek authorities might also delay your exit from the country by another few days. This is something that I would not like to try and recommend you not to do so as well. But if by any chance, it happens to you, please let us know how you managed.

Are there any specific health precautions or vaccinations recommended?

There are no specific vaccinations required to travel to Uzbekistan. However, you can get vaccinated against DTI, Hepatitis A and typhoid if you are traveling to remote villages.

Travel Insurance for Uzbekistan

It is not mandatory to get travel insurance to visit Uzbekistan. However, we suggest you take one for the entirety of your trip. You never know when you might need one. Here are our recommendations.

Uzbekistan Travel Guide – How to Get to Uzbekistan?

Flying into uzbekistan.

Well, Uzbekistan has two international airports – Tashkent and Samarkand. You can easily fly into Tashkent, which is the capital city. Uzbekistan Airways is the national airline and has flights to several major cities. There are flights from Turkish Airlines as well.

Recently, Indigo also started their flights from New Delhi in India to Tashkent.

We had taken an Uzbekistan Airways flight from New Delhi to Tashkent. It took only 1.5 hours to reach Tashkent from New Delhi.

Fun fact is that, we had taken another flight from Kolkata in India to New Delhi in India and that flight took us more than 2 hours.

Tashkent International Airport is fairly small and easy to navigate. There is a currency exchange counter there from where you can exchange your US Dollars to the local Uzbek Soms.

We also found a couple of stalls selling domestic Sim cards. You can get a domestic SIM card from the airport itself. However, I think getting a SIM card from the local market might be cheaper.

How to get from Tashkent Airport to Tashkent City Centre (Or to your Hotel/ Hostel)?

Tashkent City center is about 30 minutes drive from Tashkent Airport. Once you come out of the airport, you will be flocked by taxi drivers willing to take you to your accommodation in Tashkent. And they will ask for an insane amount.

So, what do you do in this situation?

You have to bargain with the taxi drivers. Tell them half the price they quoted.

A taxi driver quoted us 1,00,000 Som for dropping us to our hostel. On negotiation, he decreased his price to 70,000 Som. But even that amount is quite high.

You can also arrange airport pick-up from your hotel, of course, with a charge.

Or you can download the Yandex Go App on your mobile and book a cab. Yandex is like the Uber app in Uzbekistan. However, you need to have a local number to use the Yandex app. Also, the drivers speak only the local Uzbek language and Russian. We had a hard time explaining our exact location to our driver in English.

We had downloaded the Yandex Go app and booked a cab to our hostel. It cost us 35,000 Som, which is half the negotiated price with the taxi driver.

Getting from Tashkent Airport to the City Centre on Bus

There are local buses running from 6 AM to 11 pm daily between the airport and the city center. As you exit the airport, you have to walk past the parking lot towards the left. You will see the buses there. Bus tickets will cost around 1200 to 1500 Som.

However, please note that there are different buses to different routes and it will be hard to figure out what bus to take if you are visiting for the first time. Also, if you are not conversant with the local language or Russian, it also poses a bit of a problem. So we suggest taking a cab for the first time you arrive at Tashkent. Maybe, you can try the buses later during your Uzbekistan trip.

How to Travel to Uzbekistan by Road?

Uzbekistan shares its borders with

• Turkmenistan
• Afghanistan

The security at the overland borders used to be quite strict. In fact, before heading towards Uzbekistan, we had heard of some horror stories of border crossing. You had to fill a lot of paperwork and that your bag would be opened and searched. If by any chance any prohibited item was found, a heavy fine would be levied.

But those are stories of the past. Things are easier now. Nowadays, border crossing does not take so much time. The border guards will check your visa and passports. They will still scan your luggage and check your camera and ask if you are carrying a drone or not.

Carrying a drone is strictly not allowed in Uzbekistan unless you have the proper permits. And the proper permit takes ages to obtain. So, it is better not to carry your drone there. I have heard that a drone was confiscated at the border and was not returned. I have no desire to confirm that with my own drone. So we did not carry our beloved drone on this Uzbekistan trip.

Overland border crossing is easier and faster these days. However, you should check online for correct information, as borders can close anytime without notice. Please adhere to all the rules and regulations while crossing the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border.

The most common and easiest routes for overland crossing to Uzbekistan are the following:

• From Shymkent and Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent by train or bus
• From Osh (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by shared taxi
• From Bishkek ((Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus
• From Khujand (Tajikistan) to Tashkent by bus
• From Penjikent (Tajikistan) to Samarkand by shared taxi

Getting Around Uzbekistan

For traveling across the cities, you have the option to take flights, trains, buses, shared and private taxis. Let me share a little about all of these.

Traveling around Uzbekistan by flight

Almost all the towns in Uzbekistan have a domestic airport. You will get flights from Tashkent to other Uzbek towns like Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench (Khiva) and Nukus.

Please note, there are two terminals in Tashkent. The international and domestic terminals are almost 15 minutes from each other. So if you have a flight to catch, please make sure of where you have to reach.

Traveling around Uzbekistan by Train

Trains are the best way to travel across Uzbekistan. They are the most convenient, comfortable and one of the cheapest ways to travel across the country.

We had traveled across Uzbekistan on trains and they were super comfortable.

Uzbekistan railways now connect most of the touristic destinations by trains. You will find trains to and from Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. There are trains to Nukus, Kokand (Fergana Valley) and Termez as well.

There are 3 types of trains run by Uzbekistan Railways – the Afrosiyob (the high-speed train), the Sharq and the night train . We had traveled by all the three and you can read about them in our post on taking trains in Uzbekistan.

It is recommended to book your tickets in advance. The best way to book tickets is through their mobile app. and now you can book tickets using your VISA credit cards. The ticket window opens 45 days prior to the date of journey and the tickets get sold quite fast.

However, there is a nifty little fact I would like to share. Just a day or two before the date of journey, you might find tickets to your destination once more.

For example, when we wanted to book our tickets from Khiva to Bukhara weeks ahead, the train was fully booked. We were fully prepared to make the journey by car. However, just a day before the journey, I found tickets for the same on the Uzbek rail app. I booked it as soon as possible and had a lovely train journey. It saved money as well as time and was comfortable too. The same happened when I tried to book tickets for Kokand in Fergana Valley). So chances are there that you might get your train tickets just before the journey. But keep this as the last resort. Try getting the train tickets well in advance.

Nowadays, you do not need a printout of the tickets. You can just show the ticket on the mobile app. Luggages are scanned as you enter the railway station. The process is quite easy and there are no chances of confusion. 

Traveling around Uzbekistan by Shared Taxis

Traveling by shared taxis is another cheap and common method to travel around Uzbekistan. They are even cheaper than trains.

As you have already gathered, you have to share the ride with other passengers. These taxis do not usually have a fixed time and only leave when the taxi is full. They also leave from a fixed location in the city. You can probably ask your hostel or hotel about where to find them.

Traveling around Uzbekistan by Bus

You can also travel around Uzbekistan by buses. You can get bus tickets online here.

You can also get tickets at the local bus stations. Carry your passport with you to get the tickets. Also, try to book the buses at least one day in advance.

Private Taxis

You can always hire a private taxi to get around locations. But they are pretty expensive, as expected. 

Traveling within the city – Local Transport

By booking a cab.

We found the best way to travel within the city is by booking a cab from the Yandex Go app. the rates of the cab are reasonable and the drivers arrive at the given location and will also drop you at the location you have mentioned. The only problem we faced is that of language. They only speak Uzbek and Russian and very broken English. But they all seem to love Bollywood songs!

You can book a taxi from the Yandex Go app only if you have a local Uzbekistan number.

You can also get a private taxi from your hotel or the road. If you are getting a cab from the roadside, be prepared to bargain a lot.

We had seen local buses at Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Once again, we did not try traveling by buses. A knowledge of basic Uzbek or Russian is needed as all the signs are in the local language and Russian.

What is the Best Time to visit? Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Uzbekistan has an extreme continental weather. It can be witnessed in its difference in day and night temperature, as well as the summer and winter temperatures. The region is usually arid with less rainfall.

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in the spring (April to June) and autumn (September – October). The temperature during this time remains pleasant and walking during the day is not much of a problem.

Also note that most of the festivals and events in Uzbekistan take place during the spring.

Here is a breakdown of the weather in Uzbekistan

April to June

This is the spring season with clear skies, mild weather and sunshine. This is one of the best times to visit Uzbekistan.

July and August

These two are the hottest months in Uzbekistan. Temperatures usually remain 35 o C and can often go up to 40-45 degrees as well. Walking around the attractions can be quite uncomfortable during this time.

You might get concessions in price at hotels, but keep in mind the hot weather at this time.

September and October

This is the autumn or fall season and another good time to visit Uzbekistan. The peak summer has passed and the weather remains cool. There is sunshine and clear skies as well. However, after mid-October, there can be mild rain in different parts of Uzbekistan.

We visited during October. While there was mild rain on the first two days of our visit, the weather changed completely after that with a clear bright blue sky and a cool temperature. The mornings were pleasant and it was not hard to explore the place on foot. However, the evenings were quite cold and heavy jackets were needed.

November to February

These are the winter months with January being the coldest month in Uzbekistan. This is a lean season from a tourist point of view. So this is a great time to visit Uzbekistan if you want to avoid crowds. But be prepared for the cold.

March is neither very cold nor quite pleasant. Uzbekistan also starts getting rain from mid-March. This is also a low tourist season. Flights and hotels will be cheaper.

Best Places to visit in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is one of the core of the historical Silk Roads, a home to the three most important cities of the Silk Road – Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara. There are lots to see in Uzbekistan. Most of the tourists are concentrated in the 4 major towns of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. However, outside these major destinations, the tourist footfall is considerably less.

So here’s the list.

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan. It is sleek and modern and looks quite beautiful. There are quite a few attractions in Tashkent – Amir Timur Square, Minor Mosque, Chorsu Bazaar, Hazrat Imam Complex and so on. The Tashkent Metro in itself is an attraction. You must have at least one metro ride at Tashkent.

Samarkand is one of the most famous attractions of Central Asia. It was a major city on the ancient Silk Road and is an UNESCO  World Heritage center. The most famous attraction here is the Registan Square along with so many other eye-catching monuments.

Another major city on the Silk Road, Bukhara is quaint and lovely. The Ark of Bukhara, the mosques and madrassas in Bukhara are quite eye-catching.

Khiva is often overlooked by tourists who have fewer days in hand. But Khiva is a real gem. It is also our favorite place in Uzbekistan. The best part of Khiva is that all the major attractions are concentrated in a small area and you can simply walk around. Itchan Kala is the place to be.

Off-the beaten Trails in Uzbekistan

Aral Sea was once one of the largest saline water lakes in the world and a thriving ecosystem. Due to the callousness of man, the area is now a desert! Today we have only 10% of the entire Aral Sea left as compared to in the 1960s.

Visiting the Aral Sea shore and Moynaq Ship Graveyard is a humbling experience. However, if you are planning to visit here, set aside a chunk  of your budget, because Aral Sea trip costs a bomb.

Fergana Valley

Fergana Valley is the agricultural hub of Uzbekistan. Earlier this valley was part of the Silk Route between Samarkand and Kashgar (China). Fergana Valley has been producing silk for almost 1000 years. Fergana Valley has several towns, each having its own attractions. The main places of interest are Kokand, Rishtan (for ceramics), Margilan (for Silk), Fergana City and Andijan.

Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan

This is the desert region of Uzbekistan, dry and arid and steeped in history. There are several interesting ancient fortresses in this region. Culturally, this place is quite interesting as well.

Chimgan and Nuratau Mountains

Who said Uzbekistan is all about history and mosques and minarets? There are beautiful landscapes, rolling hills and mountain tops, lakes and quaint mountain villages. There’s a lot of greenery too. The region of Nuratau and Chimgan has a few hiking trails as well.

Shakhrisabz

This ancient city is quite a significant part of the Silk Road. Shakhrisabz is also important as it is the birthplace of Amir Temur. The main attraction is the main historic center. If you are a major history buff and have time, you can visit this town near Samarkand. Otherwise, you can skip it. However, the journey to Shakhrisabz is a beautiful one through mountains and valleys.

Termez is another off the beaten track located in the southern part of Uzbekistan where Greek, Buddhist and islamic history has merged with each other. Located on the right bank of Amu Darya, Termez is one of the most ancient cities of the region. 

What is interesting about this place is that Termez was once an important center for Buddhist culture before the place was destroyed by Genghiz Khan in 1220. Several Buddhist sites have been unearthed in the area. 

Termez is definitely for the history buffs. To get an idea, here are the must visit attractions in Termez:

• Alexandrian site: Kampyr Tepe
• Buddhist sites: Fayaz Tepe & Zurmala Stupa
• Early Islamic era: Old Termez, Mausoleum of Al Hakkim Termizi , Jarkurgan minaret, Kyrk Kyz Fortress
• Post-Mongol: Sultan Saodat & Kokildor Khanaka

Where to Stay in Uzbekistan?

There is a wide range of hotels, hostels and guest houses available in all the major touristic spots of Uzbekistan. And these days, there are Airbnbs as well.

We recommend booking your stay in advance if you are visiting in the peak season.

And there is another very important thing to consider when you are traveling to Uzbekistan.

Registration

This is a funny thing that we came across in Uzbekistan. Foreigners staying in Uzbekistan as tourists are required to register their stays. If you are staying at a hotel, hostel or guest house, they will do this registration automatically for you and will give you a registration slip at the end of your stay.

This registration slip is usually checked while you are going out of the country. If you are traveling by train during any night, you have to keep the train ticket, which serves as a proof of your travel during the night.

We were advised to keep all the registration slips properly, which we did. But when we left Uzbekistan, the immigration officer did not ask for them. However, the registration slips were checked for a fellow traveler whom we had met at Khiva. So, it perhaps depends on the mood of the official who is checking your departure from Uzbekistan.

Registration Charge

A couple of hotels charged us extra over the booking amount for registration. We had booked all our hotels online for our Uzbekistan trips. While the hostels at Tashkent, Khiva and our guest house at Samarkand did not charge us any extra over the booking amount; our stay at Bukhara and Kokand charged an extra of $3 for registration.

While checking the hotel booking website, we did find a small disclaimer displayed under the room booking rate – “there may be additional charges such as taxes and fees.” So, if you are charged a few dollars extra for the stay, then that is for the registration fees.

Yurt Camps – unique lodging options

There are homestays in the village areas. Airbnb is found in the towns and cities. The desert areas of Karakalpakstan have Yurt camps for night stay. Yurt camps are the nomadic camps used by the shepherds as their temporary homes.

You will probably not get an authentic yurt experience in these yurt camps compared to neighboring Kyrgyzstan, but then it is an unique experience to stay at these camps.

There are some desert camps at Kyzyl Kum (near Nurata) and Aral Kum deserts (near the Aral Sea) and one near Ayaz Kala (near Urgench).

However, if you want to experience a night stay at yurt camp, keep a separate budget for it as they can be a bit expensive.

Food in Uzbekistan

Like in most of Central Asia, food in Uzbekistan is centered around meat as the main dish. Beef, chicken and mutton are the staples around Uzbekistan. You will also find rice dishes and salads.

Traditional bread or Non is an integral part of Uzbek culture. You will be served bread with every meal you take. The bread is flat and round and is torn from the side and eaten. Uzbek bread is never thrown out.

Just like India, tea is also an integral part of Uzbek culture. However, they prefer green tea. The locals have green tea all through the day and is a common drink offered to the guests. The restaurants also offer green tea without any charge.

They also have a variety of green and black tea infused with various flavors. You can try them out.

During the summer months, you will get a variety of seasonal and succulent fruits in the market. If you are a fruit lover like me, you will definitely have a good time.

Food in Uzbekistan is just amazing and as much as we loved traveling in Uzbekistan seeing its architectural brilliance, we also loved its food.

A few Uzbek dishes that you must try are Plov , Shashlik, Kabob (kebabs), manti (dumplings filled with meat and potatoes), Somsa , laghman (a variety of noodle soup) and the traditional Non bread.

Do you get vegetarian food in Uzbekistan?

If you are a vegetarian visiting Uzbekistan, finding a meat-free meal can be a bit tricky, but not impossible. Most of the touristy places have various vegetarian options. The dishes with meat fillings are also available in vegetable fillings. I tried a somsa with pumpkin filling at Bukhara.

And if you do not find the vegetarian version of the famous dishes, you can always go for the salads. Most of the restaurants provide a variety of salads.

You will love the fruits here. Apples, melons, grapes, pear – they are found in abundance. Do not miss the Samarkand melon.

Alcohol is widely available – beer, vodka and all that you want.

You can also try out the local wine. Uzbekistan is the largest producer of wine in Central Asia. And the taste is good.

Is it safe to drink tap water?

I found several different opinions on drinking tap water on the internet before traveling to Uzbekistan. This is what we found.

Packaged drinking water is available throughout. But we found it costlier than that in India. A 1.5 litre bottle of water cost 7,000 UZS ($0.50 or ₹47 approx).

On asking the hotels and hostels, they told us to get water from the tap in the kitchen. AT Khiva, they asked us to get water from the bathroom tap. The tap water at Tashkent and Kokand (Fergana Valley) was good. But I would recommend you to avoid tap water at Khiva and Samarkand.

You can however buy a Lifestraw

What languages are spoken in Uzbekistan?

The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, belonging to the Turkic languages. It is spoken by almost 85% of the population. If you know the Turkish language it might help you understand the basic phrases.

The next widely spoken language is Russian. After Uzbek, most people understand and know Russian.

Outside of the tourism and hospitality sector, English is not widely spoken in Uzbekistan. So if you travel to Uzbekistan independently, you might have some problems while conversing with the locals.

Most of the hotel managers had basic understanding and speaking knowledge of English and we had no problems. We did have some trouble conversing with the local taxi drivers. However, we used Google translate wherever we had some problems and it is an amazing tool to use there.

Nowadays, a lot of youngsters are learning English. At Samarkand, a few young boys and girls approached us and told us that they wanted to talk to us in English. They also asked me to correct them if they were wrong in grammar and diction!

What should I do if I encounter a language barrier?

Use the Google Translator. It works well there and solved a few of our problems.

Water Filter bottles that filter out the contaminants and improves the taste of water.

Money Matters : What currencies can be used in Uzbekistan?

The local currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS).  Majority of the establishments in Uzbekistan accept both Som and US Dollars as payment.

At the time of traveling to Uzbekistan, the exchange rate was:

1 USD = 12,300 UZS

1 INR = 147 UZS

You will get banknotes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 som in circulation. There are also coins of 50, 100, 200 and 500 Soms.

So be prepared to get a wad of notes when you exchange your dollars and euros.

Where can I exchange money in Uzbekistan?

Right after you arrive at Tashkent Airport, you will see a counter to exchange money. They usually give a good rate and you can exchange your money from there.

You can also exchange USD, Euros and Russian Rubles to the local currency by walking into most of the banks, which are found all over the cities. Once upon a time, the bank exchange rate was much lower than the black-market rate. But now, the banks give a good rate and also, they would give you bigger notes so that you do not have to have a separate backpack for the cash.

Some of the hotels will also exchange currency for you.

Which Credit Card is accepted in Uzbekistan?

Visa cards are the most widely accepted credit cards. Maestro and Master Cards are also accepted at many places. However, Uzbekistan is still a cash economy and many places might not accept cards.

Also, Rupay Cards do not work in Uzbekistan.

ATMs in Uzbekistan

We found loads of ATMs in all the tourist cities in Uzbekistan and most of them accepted international cards. Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva and Kokand all had a number of ATMs from where you can withdraw Uzbek Soms. However, bear in mind that each bank has its own charge for usage of international cards.  Both VISA and Mastercard work fine in Uzbekistan.

When to use Dollar and when to use Som

Typically, dollars are used to pay your accommodation in Uzbekistan and transport like flights. Some high-end restaurants also accept dollars.

For retail buying, smaller eateries, local cabs, buses and buying train tickets from the railway station, Som is needed.

Many hotels, hostels and restaurants accept cards nowadays.

We had exchanged $100 on arrival at Tashkent airport and later another $100 at a local bank in Tashkent. We had also used the local ATMs for cash withdrawal (we got the money in SOM). For the rest we paid online by using our World Travel Card.

Cost of Traveling in Uzbekistan: Travel Budget

This is one of the most important questions while planning a trip – the budget. Well, the cost of traveling in Uzbekistan is fairly inexpensive. Uzbekistan is quite a budget friendly destination. Let me share with you a rough estimate of the cost of traveling in Uzbekistan, along with how much we spent.

Accommodation

As with most places, the cost of accommodation varies with the option you choose. Basic accommodation in Uzbekistan is not dirt cheap because of a very confusing tourist tax (remember, registration slips!). Here’s a basic cost:

Hostels: $10 to $20

Hotels and Guest Houses: $30 to $250

It would cost around $5 to $30 per meal, depending on what you eat.

We booked all our stays that provided breakfast. Some days, we would splurge on our meals while on other days, we would go frugal.

Transportation

Transportation is quite cheap in Uzbekistan. A train ticket would cost around $10 to $20 depending on the distance. Yandex Cabs for moving within the city are also quite cheap. Buses and shared vans are also quite inexpensive.

Metro tickets in Tashkent were just UZS 2000 per person for a single journey.

Admissions and Entry Tickets

Most of the historical sites required an entry ticket. The average cost was around $2 to $5. At some places cameras were also charged. But that was also quite nominal.

A Sim card with data will cost around $3 to $4.

For a single-entry e-Visa, the cost is $20.

Tipping in Uzbekistan

Tipping to guides and drivers is not mandatory, but expected. If you like what you got, a 10% additional tip on top of the price is usually expected.

As for restaurants, most of them have a service fee added automatically to the bill. This is about 10-15% of the total bill. This amount is usually not seen in the menu and when you get the bill, it might seem to be more than what is mentioned in the menu. In this case, they have added a service charge and you are not expected to pay any tip.

Some Practical Information

Sim cards in uzbekistan.

There are a few mobile phone providers in Uzbekistan. We came across 3 of them. We got one SIM card for our time in Uzbekistan from UzMobile.

There is a counter to buy Sim cards on arrival at the Tashkent International Airport. We got our Sim card from there. It cost us 75,000 Som ($6) for 22 GB data for a month.

You can get Sim cards from markets as well. You will need to provide your passport and visa to get a sim card.

Internet in Uzbekistan

The Internet is decent in the cities. Once you are out of the city precincts, there is hardly any network. We did not get any network during the train journeys. Also, Aral Sea was a network free zone, which was quite great in my opinion.

The wi-fi provided in the hotels and hostels were decent as well. Most of them were slow in the rooms and you had to come to the common area to access the network.

Are there public Wi-Fi hotspots available?

We did not find any public Wi-Fi hotspots in Uzbekistan. So probably it isn’t there.

Taking Photos in Uzbekistan

It is strictly forbidden to take any pictures of government buildings and military areas in Uzbekistan. So, it is better to avoid those. We had earlier heard that laptops and cameras are checked while leaving the country. But we did not encounter any such incident during the trip. It might be a different case while crossing the border.

Otherwise, you can take photographs and videos of the monuments and the other attractions. The people are also very friendly and are very receptive if you want to take their picture.

In fact, they themselves come forward to take pictures with you, once they realize you are from India. A lot of people approached us wanting to take photographs with us. They have a special fondness for Indians and especially Bollywood.

Can I use drones for photography and videography?

Drones are strictly not allowed in Uzbekistan. You will be asked if you are carrying a drone and it will most probably be confiscated.

Are there any restrictions on taking photos at cultural sites?

There are as such no restrictions on taking photos at the cultural sites. We clicked quite a number of pictures wherever we went. There might be a photography fee for a few sites.

If you are taking photographs of the locals, ask for permission first. In our experience, the locals were quite happy to click pictures with us!

Electrical Outlets and Voltage

In Uzbekistan the power plugs and sockets are of Type C and Type F. The standard voltage is 220V. Carry a Universal Travel adaptor to solve your charging problems.

What to Wear in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan has four seasons. Pack appropriate clothes for the time you are visiting. If you are visiting during the summer months, pack light clothes as temperatures can get around 38°C/ 97°F.

During the winter months, carry proper winter wear as it gets very cold. Average Winter temperatures can be around -10°C/ 14°F and there can be a lot of snow.

Spring and Autumn are good times to visit without the harsh heat and cold. Even during this time, we recommend carrying a jacket. Some places get cold in the evening.

As for your sartorial choices, Uzbekistan is a modern country and they usually do not have any restrictions regarding clothing. However, the Uzbek people are conservative and do not usually show much skin. So keep this in mind while packing.

While visiting the religious sites and mosques, you might have to keep your shoulders and knees covered. Ladies might have to cover their heads while entering a few mosques.

Uzbekistan Travel Guide – Shopping

Uzbekistan is a shoppers’ paradise. There are so many things to get from here, starting from knick knacks to clothes, handicrafts, dry fruits and so many other things.

In all the major cities, there is a major market and several smaller markets. You will also find many shops selling souvenirs near the major tourist attractions.

You can buy ceramics, dolls, handicraft items, fridge magnets and other trinkets. Dresses, silk scarves and stoles are also sold in these markets. After all, Uzbekistan is the land of silks.

If you want to buy dry fruits, visit the main market of the town, like Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, Siyob Bazaar in Samarkand etc.

Even if you are not buying anything, just roam around these markets. The colors and flavors are sure to incense your senses.

As for us, we bought fridge magnets (because I love them), a local Uzbeki dress (I felt like a queen wearing it), a ceramic glass from Rustom Usmanov’s Ceramic Workshop in Fergana Valley (a souvenir from Uzbekistan) and dry fruits!

And now some cultural etiquettes to keep in mind

• Bread is a part of the culture. Try not to leave chunks on the plate or drop it on the floor. Also, try not to throw the bread in dustbins.
• Remove your shoes before entering inside a home, homestay or guest house. It is a sign of respect.
• Don’t blow your nose at the table. It is considered disrespectful.
• While visiting the religious sites, mosques and mausoleums, dress appropriately. Your shoulders and knees should be covered. Ladies might have to cover their heads while entering a few mosques.

Some Quick facts

Capital: Tashkent

Language: Uzbek, Russian

Time Zone: GMT + 5

Electrical Outlets : Type C & F

U seful Expressions to know before Uzbekistan Travel

• Hello: ‘Assalomu alaykum:
• Good afternoon: ‘Salom’
• What is your name? : ‘Ismingiz nima?’
• I am glad to meet you  : ‘Tanishganimdan hursandman’
• Good bye! : Xayr!
• How much it is?: Qancha turadi?
• Toilet : hojatxona
• Bill : hisob
• Menu : Menyu

Recommended Read

• Uzbekistan Bradt Travel Guide
• Lonely Planet Central Asia
• The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
• Uzbekistan: the Road to Samarkand

In Conclusion

Do you plan to travel to Uzbekistan sometime soon? What things to do in Uzbekistan are you most excited about?

Uzbekistan is a vibrant country with so much to offer. History, culture, food and friendly people. I hope this Uzbekistan travel guide will help you plan your Uzbekistan trip with ease. Wishing you a wonderful time in this colorful Central Asian country while marveling at its exquisite architecture.

Do you still have questions about your upcoming travel to Uzbekistan? Let me know in the comments below or send me an email!

If you liked this blog, please share it with your family, friends and neighbours!

Pin it for a later read!

Agni Amrita

Related posts.

15 Amazing Things to Do In Khiva & Itchan Kala

Visiting Moynaq Ship Graveyard & Aral Sea Disaster – A Comprehensive Guide

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Home » Asia » Uzbekistan » Backpacking Uzbekistan Travel Guide (2024)

Backpacking Uzbekistan Travel Guide (2024)

Uzbekistan is not exactly known as a haven for backpackers but this little known Silk Road destination should be on the radar of every adventurer looking for an alternative country to explore in 2024.

With cheap food, transport and alcohol; a growing number of good quality budget and boutique hotels and hostels; and cities with history as old and complex as Rome and Athens, Uzbekistan has plenty to offer to budget travellers.

Paths once traversed by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and the lesser-known but equally brilliant (and nefarious) Amir Timur all wind through its ancient and mediaeval metropolises. I’ve been living here full time for years, and have been lucky enough to explore most of the country, and Central Asia as a whole. 

So if you’re looking for a more relaxing alternative to the hordes of drunken 20 year olds in Thailand, then this backpacking Uzbekistan travel guide will answer all of your questions.

Let’s get into it.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Why Go Backpacking in Uzbekistan?

The main attractions of Uzbekistan are without a doubt its historical monuments. The country is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four of which are cultural sites with the one natural site being the Tien-Shan mountains to the east of the country.

The land upon which present-day Uzbekistan lies has passed through the hands of all kinds of empires and dynasties including the ancient Persians and Greeks; the Arabs and Mongols; the Timurids and the Soviets.

Some of these periods resulted in the growth of civilisations with Silk Road trade and impressive architecture yet at other times conflict resulted in mass murder and the complete destruction of cities.

That which survived the destruction is a path of mosques, mausoleums, minarets, palaces, madrasas (Islamic schools), fortresses, and ancient ruins spanning thousands of years.

The best thing about these monuments is that they’re all either free or cost a couple of dollars at most to visit. The majority of them are located in only three cities, easily accessible by train as you travel across a range of landscapes including desert, rivers, valleys and farmland.

Add to this $0.20 metro tickets, hearty meals that you can find for $3-5, hostels starting from $7 per night, and more cheap vodka than you could ever stomach and you’ll understand exactly why Uzbekistan is so underrated as a budget backpacking destination .

Best Places to Visit in Uzbekistan

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The main cities to visit in Uzbekistan are Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which are home to the majority of the country’s landmarks.

Capital Tashkent lacks the historical monuments of the other spots but as the most modern and populated city in the country it’s definitely worth visiting if only for its restaurants and nightlife! Plus if you’re flying into Uzbekistan from abroad, then chances are you’ll be passing through anyway.

Backpacking Tashkent

Tashkent is a confusing mix of Soviet-style apartment blocks, modern cafes, green parks, and long, wide streets lined with as many police officers as trees.

If you’re short on time, travelling in Tashkent can be completed in half a day with a quick tour around the city’s main attractions. Places of interest to tourists include the Tashkent metro, famous for its uniquely designed metro stations; the Hazrati Imam complex , home of what is claimed to be the oldest copy of the Quran in the world; as well as Amir Temur Square and Tashkent TV Tower .

There’s also the hectic Chorsu Bazaar where you can buy anything from traditional silk scarves and Uzbek-style dresses to spices and fresh seasonal fruit.

If you do have extra time on your hands, it’s definitely worth exploring the city a little more. There are also a lot of museums although they can be hit or miss. The State Museum of the Timurids is one of the best, especially if you want to learn a little about the history of Uzbekistan before moving on to Samarkand or Bukhara.

For Uzbek restaurants in Tashkent, try the Plov Centre close to Tashkent Tower (now called Besh Qozon), buy samosas from Alay Bazaar , or test your stomach with the meat skewers (shashlik) at Chorsu Bazaar.

Restaurants in Tashkent offer diverse cuisines including Korean, Russian, Chinese, European, Japanese, Turkish, Indian and much more. If you’re at the end of your trip and can stomach no more Uzbek food (it’s pretty heavy with meat and carbs!) then Tashkent will be an oasis.

Then there’s the nightlife! Nightlife in Uzbekistan tends to be on the quiet side, especially in the smaller cities, but Tashkent is the place to be for bars and clubs. Places to party are scattered across the city with no obvious centre, but some of the highlights for backpackers are Steampunk-themed Steam Bar and the expat-run Tashkent Tavern .

Backpacking Samarkand

Samarkand is the first stop for most cultural tourists to Uzbekistan, being only a 2 hour train from Tashkent. Home to the most polished and extravagant landmarks in the whole country, it’s a must-visit for any backpacker.

The most famous attraction here is the Registan , an open square upon which three madrasas face one another. Originally built between the 14th and 17th centuries, these three buildings alone inspire thousands of tourists to visit Uzbekistan with their giant, endlessly decorated portals.

The Tilya Kori is perhaps the most iconic of these structures with the golden walls and ceiling of its interior creating a dazzling atmosphere. See if you can spot the optical illusion here…

The Shah-i-Zinda is the second most iconic spot in Samarkand and a magnet for Instagrammers! It’s a narrow mediaeval passage lined with small domed tombs, constructed from sand-coloured brick and adorned with a myriad of blue tiles and mosaics.

Elsewhere, there’s the turquoise-domed Gur-i Amir Complex , the final resting place of the conqueror Amir Temur after his unexpected death. Initially intended to be buried in Shakhrisabz, it is said that due to the weather, his body could not be moved, leading to his burial under this building instead.

Other things to do in Samarkand include a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory and the Mausoleum of St. Daniel. The Mausoleum of St. Daniel is particularly noteworthy as it is one of the rare places of worship that is significant to all three major Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Eating out in Samarkand often means giant dining halls, live music, big trays of roasted meat, beer or vodka, and a few token salads thrown in to balance out the indulgence. Samarkand Restaurant and Karimbek Restaurant are both good options for this.

If you’re planning on enjoying a few drinks at the end of the day then Samarkand Blues Bar or Green Bear Bar at the bottom of Samarkand Beer Street are both very foreigner-friendly fun spots.

Backpacking Bukhara

Often described as the “ most complete example of a mediaeval city in Central Asia ”, Bukhara is probably the most underrated place to visit in Uzbekistan. Home to dozens of protected cultural landmarks, the city has architecture dating back to the 5th century such as the Ark of Bukhara , a huge fortress protected by walls up to 20 m in height.

The infamous Genghis Khan completely decimated Bukhara in 1220, destroying its buildings, butchering its population and turning the survivors into slaves. Very little of the city survived but the Kalon Minaret next to the Kalon Mosque are some of the few remaining monuments from that period.

Bukhara is one of the cheaper places to visit with hotels and restaurants both being providing good value for your money here due to the competition. Book in advance and you can find dorm rooms and even single rooms for $10 per night. Some of the best budget options are Koonjak Hostel , Payraviy , and Bobo Haydar Guest House but there are literally dozens of cheap, decent places to stay.

One of the best spots to eat in Bukhara is beside the pond at Lyabi Hauz – a central area surrounded by madrassas, a mosque, a trading dome, cafes and restaurants. For some local entertainment with cheap beer, head to Aladdin Lounge Cafe or for something fancier try the rooftop bar on top of Andara Restaurant .

Backpacking Khiva

Located close to the border with Turkmenistan, Khiva is home to the Itchan Kala , a fortress packed with mausoleums, palaces, mosques, and madrassas with over 2,000 years of history.

Two of these structures – the Tosh Hovli Palace and Kunya Ark Fortress – are themselves mini fortresses within a fortress. The whole area inside Itchan Kala is a labyrinth of elaborately decorated portals, mosques, towers, and connecting narrow alleyways.

Due to the relatively small size of Khiva, this place will feel like one of the most touristy places to visit in the country, but even at the height of peak season, it doesn’t get too overcrowded.

A two-day ticket for Itchan Kala costs 150,000 Som (around $12) and for this you get access to most of the fortress. It’s an extra couple of dollars to visit the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum , which is well worth it for the Instagram points alone!

Hotels in Khiva are mainly small family-run guest houses with some of the best ratings in the country. Carousel Hotel , Alibek B&B , and Deshon Qala Guest House all have dorm rooms for around $13-15 per night.

Eating and drinking in Khiva is surprisingly uninspiring, especially compared to the options in Bukhara and Tashkent. Terrassa Cafe has a fantastic view of the city but is relatively expensive for Uzbekistan. Alternatively Khiva Moon , just outside of the Itchan Kala walls has a cheaper menu and a great courtyard when the weather is warm.

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Uzbekistan

Aside from the four destinations listed above, the whole Fergana Valley and the cities of Shakhrisabz and Termez will be of interest to those who really want to get off the beaten path .

The Fergana valley is the most fertile part of Uzbekistan and produces food, silk and cotton. The valley also extends into Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This part of the country is for serious backpackers as few tourists make it out here.

It’s one of the most conservative parts of Uzbekistan and is generally safe to visit although border disputes have turned into conflict in the past.

The main cities here are Fergana, Kokand, Andijan and Namangan all of which can be navigated using a mix of old style trains, buses and shared taxis. 

Shakhrisabz is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Amir Temur. Although there aren’t a ton of places to see there, you can easily visit it on a day trip from Samarkand.

Termez is one of the more interesting religious sites to visit since its history includes Buddhism and Zoroastrianism and it is still home to Buddhist ruins such as the Kara Tepe . Caution should be taken if visiting Termez however as it’s located by the border of Afghanistan and the governments of many countries warn against all travel there.

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Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Here are six things you just have to do while travelling in Uzbekistan…

1. Eat Plov, the National Dish

Whichever city you visit, you will always find plenty of plov, Uzbekistan’s national dish, made of rice fried with red meat, vegetables and spices. Each region has its own variation of plov with Tashkent’s being one of the most popular. It’s meaty, greasy and heavy but if you’re on a budget it will quite literally fuel you for the whole day.

Most cities have their own ‘plov centre’ so search on Google Maps or ask a local where to go to find it. A plate of plov will cost you around 30,000 Som ($2.50) depending on the city and in Tashkent’s plov centre you can even walk in the back and watch it being prepared in bulk.

2. Stay in a Yurt

For most of its history, Uzbekistan has been much less nomadic than neighbouring country Kyrgyzstan yet it still offers the opportunity to stay overnight in a yurt. Safari Yurt Camp on the shores of the Aydarkul Lake will give you the chance to ride a camel, swim in the lake, sit by a campfire at night, and of course, spend a night in one of their 20 yurts.

3. Try Kurt

Kurt is a hardened ball of fermented milk with added salt to make it last longer. Popular with nomadic people for centuries, it’s difficult to describe to the uninitiated. It’s often served as a beer snack along with nuts and garlic bread. Wash it down with cheap vodka for extra credit! 

4. Go Skiing

Uzbekistan is better known for its hot weather, camels and deserts than its ski resorts but the mountains to the East of Tashkent are home to Amirsoy Ski Resort where a half day ski pass starts from only 120,000 Som ($10)!

Accommodation in the area is expensive so plan to return to Tashkent on the same day – it’s less than a 2-hour drive each way.

5. Watch a Game of Ulak-kupkari

Ulak-kupkari is a controversial sport played on horseback in which players compete to secure the carcass of a goat and bring it to their side – imagine something like capture-the-flag played with a dead animal!

As a foreigner in Uzbekistan, these games can be hard to seek out without being invited by somebody in the know. However, the equestrian centre just outside of the Itchan Kala in Khiva hosts matches which passersby can watch (played with a fake carcass).

6. Enjoy Uzbek Alcohol

Despite being a majority Muslim country, alcohol is not only legal, it’s possible to buy in many restaurants and alcohol shops.

As a former Soviet country, vodka is incredibly popular here but Uzbekistan also produces its own wine AND the craft beer scene in Tashkent is gaining traction. Craft beer chain Pelican Beer has plenty of options to choose from!

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Although Uzbekistan doesn’t have an abundance of super cheap accommodation , each main city has at least a couple of cheap places to stay for around $10 per night. Tashkent is the most expensive city for hostels and hotels but you can still find some dorm beds for $7 a night.

Bukhara and Khiva have plenty of cheap hotels for around $20 per night for a private room which includes breakfast although cheaper options are harder to find in Samarkand. Make sure to book way in advance as last-minute hotels are not always available.

A night in a yurt can be relatively costly starting from $50 per night but is worth it for the experience if you have the budget.

Going Couchsurfing is possible in Uzbekistan although not that popular. One thing to note is that every foreigner must be registered at an address during their stay here. Hotels will do this automatically but if staying with a Couchsurfing host make sure that they have the ability to do this.

Airbnb is also possible in Uzbekistan but the quality is relatively low, especially compared to the high price so unless you’re planning a long stay, hostels and cheap hotels are more cost-effective.

Travelling in Uzbekistan is generally very cheap although it’s not quite the bargain it was a few years ago. Most tourism-related costs such as hotels, food and travelling between cities are very reasonable. 

Getting between cities is not only cheap but very affordable. A one-way bullet train ticket between Tashkent and Samarkand costs 200,000 Som or 125,000 Som for a slower train. 

Although it’s not the norm, if you book at the right time you can find promotional flights from Uzbekistan Airways from $10!

As for food, cheap meals can be found in plenty of places for $3-5 per dish. Budget more for Tashkent, especially when ordering foreign food.

Public transport is incredibly cheap with a metro ticket between any station in Tashkent costing around $0.20. Buses are a similar price to the metro although much more difficult to navigate. Otherwise, private taxis across town will cost between $1.50 and $4 depending on the distance.

Luckily, Samarkand and Bukhara are fairly easy to navigate and are very walkable if you’re staying in the centres. Khiva is a 30-minute taxi from the airport but requires no public transport upon arrival in the old town.

Uzbekistan can become expensive when booking tourist activities. As the tourism industry isn’t huge, there are relatively few English speaking tour guides (another reason to brush up on your language skills ) and day trips and tours can be much higher than you might expect considering the relatively low cost of living.

Keep in mind that admission to many of Uzbekistan’s historical buildings is either free or very affordable, allowing you to explore cities on your own. However, there are often few signs providing historical context, so it’s a personal choice whether to invest in a guide to gain deeper insight into the history.

A private guide can be booked for around $80 online but it’s possible to haggle for lower rates.

Uzbekistan Daily Budget

This is a rough guide to prices in 2024, bearing in mind that Tashkent is a little more expensive than the other cities.

Money in Uzbekistan

Local currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbek Som and at the time of writing the exchange rate is $1 USD = 12,500 Som.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to exchange money before arriving in the country but ATMs are available across all main cities.

Money can also be exchanged upon arrival at the airports but it’s wise to have some US dollars with you just in case the ATMs aren’t working. These days ATMs are more reliable but it’s not that uncommon for them to be out of order just when you need them.

There is a substantial black market for currency exchange in Uzbekistan, and at major bazaars, you may be offered dollars or rubles. However, it’s not recommended to exchange money here. As a foreigner, you’ll likely receive a poor exchange rate, and it’s also highly illegal, despite often being overlooked by the police!

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends  Wise  – formerly known as Transferwise!

Our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods, Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks.

Travel Tips – Uzbekistan on a Budget

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst travelling in Uzbekistan I recommend sticking to these basic rules of budget adventuring….

• Camp:  With plenty of gorgeous natural, untouched places to camp, Uzbekistan is an excellent place to take a tent and a  good sleeping bag .
• Cook your own food:  I took a small gas cooker with me and cooked a lot of my own meals and made my own coffee whilst hitching and camping, I saved a fortune – check out this post for info on  the best backpacking stoves .
• Haggle:   Learn how to haggle  – and then do it as much as you can. You can always get a better price for things especially while in local markets.
• Tipping : is not expected but if you encounter amazing service or want to tip a guide then go for it – just keep the amount reasonable so other backpackers are not hit by guides expecting heavy tips. Five to ten percent is plenty.
• Use Couchsurfing :  Not only does Couchsurfing mean free accommodation, but more importantly it allows you to connect with Uzbeks you may not encountered otherwise. Just be prepared for some pretty wild experiences! In the best way possible, that is.

The best times of year to visit Uzbekistan are spring and autumn when the sun shines and the temperature is warm but not overbearing. April, May, September and October are the optimal times to visit. During these months, Uzbekistan experiences its peak tourist season, yet it seldom feels overrun with visitors.

July is a particularly hot month as the temperature regularly exceeds 40°C/104°F, making sightseeing impossible for all but the toughest.

Don’t tell everybody but if you can handle the cold then winter can also be a great time to visit. Winter temperatures in Uzbekistan often drop below freezing but as it’s a dry climate, it’s bearable. Late November and early December is the sweet spot, striking a balance between comfortable temperatures and minimal crowds.

There are barely any tourists around in the winter giving you the chance to explore medieval architecture often completely alone. Hotels are also at their cheapest at this time of year.

What to Pack for Uzbekistan

On every adventure, there are just some  must-have travel essentials  you should never leave home without.

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Many travellers have safety concerns about visiting Uzbekistan but in general the country is very safe to visit.

Street crime is very rare and there is a heavy police presence across the country. All of the common tourist areas also have tourist police units and you’re very unlikely to be a victim of a crime.

Walk around the cities in the evening and the most surprising thing you’ll notice is the number of young children out past their bedtime!

That being said, it’s advisable to take normal precautions such as not wandering alone late at night and being cautious of your belongings in busy areas. Bazaars and border crossings can be very hectic so it’s wise to secure your valuables carefully in these locations.

Driving in Uzbekistan can be quite hazardous, so it’s advisable to book reputable transportation services. If using taxi apps, I recommend you avoid opting for the cheapest taxis, as they often employ younger and less experienced drivers.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll in Uzbekistan

Being a Muslim-majority country you’d be forgiven for thinking that alcohol is either banned or limited here. Uzbekistan is not exactly a place to go party but you can always find restaurants and shops serving alcohol.

Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara all have bars, the majority being in Tashkent where you’ll find somewhere to go party around the clock if you ask the right people!

Nightlife prices in Uzbekistan will depend on the type of place. Drinking beer in a regular-style bar will be surprisingly cheap at around $2 a drink but sipping cocktails in one of the popular clubs will almost cost as much as in Europe.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Uzbekistan

Good travel insurance should definitely be on your Uzbekistan packing list.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Uzbekistan has been opening up to more and more countries, removing its visa requirements for over 70 nationalities now. Citizens of most of Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and many more can travel in Uzbekistan for 30 days without a visa.

The USA, India, China and several other countries can apply online for a 30-day single-entry e-visa for only $20.

Extending a tourist visa within Uzbekistan is difficult if not impossible but it’s possible to do a border run into neighbouring Kazakhstan at Zhibek Zholy crossing which is only a 45-minute drive from Tashkent.

By far the most enjoyable way to travel around Uzbekistan is by train as they’re comfortable and very reasonably priced. The Afrosiyob trains are the most modern and convenient but prices were raised considerably at the end of 2023. Other trains such as Sharq trains are slower but considerably cheaper.

The Afrosiyob from Tashkent to Bukhara is currently around $27 and takes 4 hours but the Sharq train is around half that price, taking 6 hours.

If your budget is tight, it’s possible to travel by bus between cities but be prepared for some seriously long journeys!

As a backpacker, saving money by hitchhiking around can be a great experience but it’s not typically done this way in Uzbekistan and a fee will usually be expected.

During the days of the Soviet Union, it was legal for any car to pick up passengers on the street for a fee. These days, this is still practised and you can flag down cars in the street and negotiate a price. This is typically done for inner city journeys but there’s nothing to stop you from trying anywhere else. You’ll probably need to know a bit of Russian or Uzbek to do this, however.

Onwards Travel From Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is perhaps the easiest country of the Stans to arrive in but the surrounding countries are equally worthy of a visit. 

Kazakhstan is a huge country with modern cities and plenty of places of natural beauty to visit for backpackers. Capital city Astana has huge shopping malls to rival Dubai but is not particularly exciting. Go backpacking in Almaty for the best nightlife in all of Central Asia!

Kyrgyzstan has plenty of unique things to do for backpackers such as watching nomadic games, eagle hunting, and going white-water rafting. It’s also popular for trekking in the mountains or swimming in the Issyk Kul lake.

Lesser visited Tajikistan has a much less developed tourism industry but also has some beautiful trekking in the Fann and Pamir Mountains.

Uzbek food is very heavy on red meat and most meals will have some form of lamb or beef. The national dish plov is great to try but will be heavy on the stomach eventually. Here are some more Uzbek dishes.

Must Try Dishes in Uzbekistan

• Somsa , more commonly known elsewhere as samosa, are cooked in a big outdoor oven known as a tandir . They’re filled with beef, lamb, potato or pumpkin and you can buy them as a cheap, hot snack in most bazaars.
• Uzbek Lagman: Lagman is an Uighur noodle soup dish originating from Xinjiang in China. You can find the original version of this in Uzbekistan but the Uzbek take on this recipe is more of a fried noodle dish, typically served with fried egg or chopped omelette.

Uzbekistan is far from being a mainstream tourist destination and due to its fairly remote location, perhaps never will be. This is a shame as there are plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained here.

From ancient, mediaeval and Soviet architecture to the huge plates of cheap food and alcohol, a trip to Uzbekistan offers a nice balance between culture, adventure and a touch of indulgence.

Whilst it might not have the nightlife of Thailand, backpacking in Uzbekistan offers a lot more on a personal level. Haggle with a smiling gold-toothed lady in a bazaar, wake up early to be the only tourist in a world heritage site, and find yourself giving speeches to locals after shots of vodka.

Ryan Ettenfield

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Uzbekistan Currency: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Uzbekistan is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture, and it is essential to have a basic understanding of the local currency before traveling there. In this article, we will explore the Uzbekistan currency, including the exchange rate, where to exchange money, and tips for managing your money during your trip.

Uzbekistan Currency Exchange Rate

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani so’m (UZS), which has been the official currency since 1994. The exchange rate is subject to change, but as of February 2023, one US dollar is equivalent to approximately 10,000 Uzbekistani so’m. It is important to note that cash is king in Uzbekistan, and credit cards are not widely accepted.

Where to Exchange Money in Uzbekistan

Exchanging money in Uzbekistan is relatively easy, with exchange bureaus located throughout the country, especially in major cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. It is also possible to exchange money at banks, but the process can be more time-consuming. It is important to exchange money only at official exchange bureaus or banks to avoid scams and counterfeit bills.

Tips for Managing Money in Uzbekistan

To make the most of your money during your trip to Uzbekistan , consider the following tips:

• Carry cash in small denominations, as it can be challenging to find change for larger bills.
• Consider withdrawing cash from ATMs, but be aware that fees can be high.
• Keep an eye on the exchange rate to ensure you are getting a fair rate when exchanging money.
• Be cautious when exchanging money on the street, as there is a risk of scams and counterfeit bills.
• Consider bringing a money belt or other secure way to carry your cash and valuables.

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Uzbekistan travel guide : what you should know

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“ What!!!??? You’re in your thirties and you still don’t have kids!? In Uzbekistan we’re all randy devils! At your age, we all have three or four kids! ” This is one of the very first sentences I heard when I arrived in Uzbekistan. Pronounced by the military man I was communicating with, the one who made me cross the border from Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan, on the Uzbek side. I was taking my first steps in the country, I was communicating with him to kill the time, waiting for a taxi, and yes that’s what he said. Notice I’m not talking with him, I’m “communicating”. Indeed, he was only speaking Russian and I don’t… But still, we managed to exchange some ideas! Anyway, here’s a Uzbekistan travel guide if you plan to travel to Uzbekistan!

Uzbekistan, a beautiful country, full of history, but unfortunately it doesn’t attract many people. Not just Uzbekistan by the way, Central Asia in general. What a pity, the country is wonderful (Central Asia as a whole is wonderful!), and there are many cities full of historic sites to visit. We are on the silk road, a 2000 years old network of trade routes. For the curious ones who still want to visit Uzbekistan, here are some useful tips for travelling to Uzbekistan! After reading this, you’ll have all the information needed to have a good time during your travel to Uzbekistan.

Table of Contents

Visa policy of Uzbekistan

It’s a lot easier to go to Uzbekistan now. When I went there in 2017, all the Western countries needed a visa to get there. It’s not the case anymore, and believe me, it wasn’t easy! You had to prepare yourself for a lot of red tape. Anyway, if you’re from the European Union, you don’t need a visa anymore. You can stay up to 30 days there. If you’re from the US, you need to apply for a eVisa here . It’s 20 dollars. Otherwise, check the visa policy of Uzbekistan .

A lot more people go to Uzbekistan now, since more and more countries don’t need a visa anymore to get there! So you can get in the country peacefully. I think they’re used to see tourists at the Tashkent airport. If you come overland like me, it’s different. Total we were three people to cross the border, and I could clearly see the customs officers were bored as fuck. They were watching videos on their phones, laughing… They take your passport, search through your bag, like Turkmenistan they take your temperature to check if you’re not sick…

Like Turkmenistan, in general they’re also gonna ask you if you have medicine, inspect them… Didn’t happen to me (I guess I was lucky). Painkillers and codeine are forbidden in the country, don’t bring any! Oh and you can’t bring your drone either. You’ll have to fill a form and declare how much money you have with you, all your currencies (example : I have 50 US dollars, 20 manats from Turkmenistan, and 500000 Uzbek soms).

They take one copy of the form and they give you the other one. Keep it until you leave the country. When you’ll leave, in theory you’ll fill the same form again, and they’re gonna compare how much you have this time. If you leave the country with more money than you came in with, they’re gonna think it’s suspicious (you worked there, you came for business purpose…). In my case, I did fill the form when I came in the country. When I left to go to Kazakhstan, they gave me the same form and I started filling it, but then they said “ Whatever, you don’t need to do this, it’s ok! “

One last thing. If, by any chance, you come overland like I did from Konye Urgench in Turkmenistan, after the customs, on the Uzbek side, there’s nothing. We’re in the middle of nowhere. Everytime I crossed a border or came in a new country, there was always a bus/subway/train/taxi to take and go where I wanted to. This time, absolutely nothing. I went to see the military man who made me cross the border, and I explained my little problem. He took the phone number of the hostel I was staying at for one night in Nukus, he called them, then he said “ A taxi is coming for you in 20 minutes. It will be 10 US dollars “. And as I was waiting for that taxi, we started to “talk” and this is when he told me that people in their thirties all have three or four kids in Uzbekistan.

Money in Uzbekistan

Until September 5th 2017, there were two exchange rates in Uzbekistan, the official one and the black market one. With the official one, you could get 5000 soms with one euro, and 4000 soms with one US dollar. Twice more with the black market rate. When I came in the country, I exchanged my money with the black market rate (like everyone!), never at the bank or the foreign exchange counter. I exchanged my money in the back of an internet café, at the Siyob bazaar in Samarkand , at a pizzeria, even at the butcher’s!

Since September 5th 2017, there’s only one exchange rate. The official rate is now the black market rate. Thus you can exchange your money peacefully at the bank or the foreign exchange counter. I was in Uzbekistan when the new law passed, and it created mayhem in the whole country! Now it’s illegal for Uzbeks to exchange money outside like they used to. Otherwise they can get in big trouble, and you as well! Therefore don’t exchange money if someone comes to you outside. They turn their two index fingers around each other to say “ Wanna exchange cash? “. Just go to the bank, it’s better!

I remember asking the manager at my hostel “ Where can I exchange money around here? “, expecting a response like “ At the grocery, at the laundromat, the restaurant around the corner also exchanges money… “. He just said “ Go to the bank, or the foreign exchange counter ” “ Huh? No seriously, I’m a tourist with money, admittedly, but I’m not stupid! “. That’s when he explained me for that new law, I checked on the internet, and he was telling the truth! So I exchanged my money at the foreign exchange counter, with the advantageous black market rate… But honestly, Uzbekistan is a cheap country to visit .

Accommodation in Uzbekistan

You’ll find very easily a place to stay in Uzbekistan, especially in Bukhara where you can find hotels and hostels literally everywhere! Check Booking.com , you have plenty of options! Everytime you leave a hotel, they give you a registration paper, testifying you stayed at that hotel, with your dates of stay of course. Do not lose those little papers! When you’ll exit the country, they’re gonna ask you those proofs! Once again, I was lucky. When I left Uzbekistan, a military man in the train did ask me for those registration papers, but he barely looked at them. Anyway, my papers were in order 🙂

Until September 5th 2017, hotels asked to be paid in US dollars only. Now, you must pay in Uzbek soms (lot of changes when I was there!). Oh and avoid couchsurfing , it’s illegal, although some locals host tourists. But you need to know that if you get caught, you’ll be in big trouble, and you’ll get your host in trouble as well.

Internet in Uzbekistan

Like Iran or Turkmenistan , there are several blocked websites. Don’t forget to use a VPN. I use ExpressVPN , fast and efficient. Here’s why use a VPN when traveling . However, the internet there is veeery slow in general in Uzbekistan. They may say “Free Wi-Fi” when you read the description on Booking.com , but you still need to wait a good minute just to load the Google homepage… In some cases it’s working during the day, but in the evening when everybody’s there, it’s hard to have fast and reliable internet.

Safety in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a country where you’ll have absolultely no problems. I heard before “ Don’t go there, it’s dangerous! “, but coming from people who don’t travel much. Truth is, it’s a country where people are very happy to see tourists visiting their land, and they’re really pleased. They’re also very welcoming, I was invited several times to have tea at their places. People stare at me here, especially when I take my camera out of my bag. They think I’m from the US… Still, think about getting a  travel insurance before going there, you never know. Here are more tips about why you should buy travel insurance .

A girl can travel by herself in this country with no problems at all , actually I met several solo female travelers and they all told me the same thing “ No I didn’t have any problems, it’s safe here “. Just like me, the locals ask them if they are married, if they have kids… They’re shocked when they find out you’re over 25 and you still don’t have kids. I met an Uzbek girl, 25, no kids, and she didn’t feel bad about it. But she told me she was having a hard time at every family reunion… Wanna know more? Read this complete guide about solo female travel in Uzbekistan .

Transportation in Uzbekistan

To go to one city to another one, you can either take a bus, a train or a shared taxi (you’re with the driver and two or three people). Sometimes, taking a shared taxi is the cheapest option, so don’t hesitate to check the prices of all different means of transport.

If you take the bus for a long ride, (for instance Nukus-Tashkent, 22-hours ride), you need to know buses stop often if you need to go to the toilets, but not to eat something! So bring some food and snacks! For your information, buses are forbidden to ride during the night (from what I remember from midnight to 5am), too many accidents in the past. You’ll stop at a service area with a small dorm for the drivers, a bar, some snacks… Waiting for 5am to set off again.

If you take the train, bring your passport with you to buy train tickets, they need it to give you your ticket. At Vokzal, the Tashkent train station, it’s always crowded. And Uzbeks lose all their civic spirit. They jostle one another, they nudge each other… Be prepared!

Food in Uzbekistan

Vegetarians, vegans… I think you can skip this country. They eat a lot of meat. I met a vegan girl and she told me “ Everytime I tell ’em I don’t eat meat, they stare at me with bewilderment and ask ‘Why? What’s the purpose of not eating meat? ‘”

The national dish, the most popular, is the plov, this rice with vegetables, meat, sometimes eggs. They also eat a lot of manty (dumplings), and shashlik (kebab). Lagman (noodle soup) is also popular there. You’re going to drink a lot of tea in Uzbekistan, even under 35°C/95°F. I got used to it. They tap the back of their cheek with their index. That means “ You want to drink (alcohol)? “. And before and after meals, they hold their hands out, pray, then pat their hands on their face. I saw this in Tajikistan , too.

Culture in Uzbekistan

The official language is Uzbek, which sounds similar to Turkish. If you speak Turkish, you’ll be able to understand them a bit. Otherwise it’s Russian. Almost of all them speak Russian. Very handy, really. However, if you only speak English, it’s gonna be complicated… They don’t speak English well, even the young generation (we’re in ex-USSR…). Oh, if you speak German, then you’ll be able to talk with the elderly. They learned that language at school, during the USSR era.

Almost all the population is Muslim. But truthfully speaking, I tended to forget it, and it happened more than once. All those guys I saw downing vodka shots, drinking beers and wine (it reminded of Shiraz in Iran ). But also women who don’t dress like women from other Muslim countries : no headscarf to cover their head, sometimes skirts and dresses…

The country is dependent on cotton. You’ll see many fields of cotton in the countryside, if you take a bus or a shared taxi. Around September, students have to harvest the cotton during three months. Unpaid job, they work every day except on Fridays, 12 hours a day from 6am to 6pm. Maybe it’s gonna stop with the new president coming…

Uzbekistan itinerary

All right, it was my Uzbekistan travel guide! I gathered all the information I have about this country. Do not hesitate to comment if the article has been useful for you.

• Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
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Reader Interactions

04/12/2017 at 04:17

Quite a useful post on a less visited country! Thank you for this, I’m hoping to get there someday.

04/12/2017 at 06:36

Thank you! Yeah, beautiful country!

04/12/2017 at 11:56

Hi Robbens! We are planning on travelling to Central Asia next year so we found this post helpful! Thanks.

05/12/2017 at 04:37

You’re welcome 🙂

16/12/2017 at 00:53

Great Tips and Very Useful for us. Thanks!

16/12/2017 at 10:04

09/01/2018 at 18:43

Waoh like this courage haven’t even touched Middle East yet fear of the unknown ?.. love it bumped into your article looking for Azerbaijan travel infor

10/01/2018 at 13:28

Haha thanks!

12/02/2018 at 07:38

The ancient country one must visit when in Central Asia. Thanks for sharing the tips it will help a lot to the travelers.

12/02/2018 at 10:26

You’re welcome!

05/05/2018 at 06:52

Greaat article and veery informative..planning a trip to uzbekistan next year then iran after..another dream destinations to me. Thanks for sharing ❤

05/05/2018 at 12:47

You’re welcome! 🙂

18/05/2020 at 08:00

Great… Nice Article. Thanks for sharning

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Caravanistan

The Silk Road Travel Guide

• Uzbekistan travel budget

How much money do you need to travel in Uzbekistan? Not much these days. In the past, just getting a visa would already set you back 150$, but these days, it’s either visa-free, or a cheap e-visa can be had for 20$ for most travelers.

Prices for food are still very low, and transport doesn’t cost a whole lot more either. Budget accommodation has grown up in the past few years, and Couchsurfing is legal as well. Even for the top boutique hotels prices are very reasonable (outside Tashkent).

The upshot is that you are left with more pocket money to spend on silk scarfs and ceramic dishes. The souvenir industry produces such oversupply that, with a bit of bargaining, excellent deals can be done here as well.

The magic word has dropped: bargain. You can (try to) bargain everywhere. No one gets offended, it’s the local style – much more so than in the surrounding Stans.

For info on money exchange, withdrawing money, what currency to bring etc., see money in Uzbekistan .

Table of Contents

• Accommodation

There are a few hostels in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, but elsewhere, budget accommodation is still difficult to find. High taxes mean high starting prices, but if you are traveling as a couple you can get beautiful rooms at affordable prices in Bukhara and Khiva. Other cities will have you pay a bit extra for a nice room.

• Dorm bed/homestay: 8-15$
• Double in a good hotel: 20-30$
• Double in a boutique bnb: 50-120$
• Double in a 5-star hotel: 120-300$/€

More tips and info on your sleeping options at accommodation in Uzbekistan .

2 plates of plov and tea in a simple local restaurant will cost around 2-3$/€. Fast food sells for 1-2$/€. At the market you can expect prices to be around 25-50% of Western prices for basic foodstuff. Don’t be afraid to try a slightly fancier restaurant, prices for a meal will rarely go above 10$. Upmarket restaurants charge 10 to 25$/€ for a meal.

• Train Tashkent – Bukhara: 20$
• Flight Tashkent – Khiva: 80$
• Bus or metro in Tashkent: 20 cents
• Taxi from the airport to the center of Tashkent: 4$

Renting a car in Uzbekistan is very affordable: prices start at 25$/day.

More details about transport in Uzbekistan  on the overview page.

Tours and activities

Unlike Iran or Turkey, many religious buildings in Uzbekistan can be entered free of charge, but this does not count for famous monuments like eg. the Registan. 2-3$ is generally the price for an entrance ticket. Museums have a similar price tag. You could be charged several times in places like Khiva: once for entering the old town, again for photo permission, a third time for a special mosque. It adds up in the end.

Tours are not all that expensive: for instance, a 10-day highlights of Uzbekistan trip with transport, guides and accommodation pre-booked comes out at less than 100$/day.

Find out more about our selection of tours in Uzbekistan , or our custom tours .

Visas and flights

Uzbekistan is now visa-free for 50 countries. If you are not visa-free, you can get a cheap e-visa – just costs 20$, or an additional 20$ if you let an agent handle it for you . If you have a less desirable passport (most likely Pakistani), count on 120$ for visa + invitation letter . Find out more at the Uzbekistan visa page .

If you are flying in and out of the country, expect to pay around (this is a very rough estimate) 300-500$/€ for a return flight from Europe or Asia.

Budget and expense questions for your trip are welcome in the Silk Road travel budget forum thread .

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Currency in Uzbekistan UZS - Things to know

Foreign exchange guide to Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan som

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What currency is used in Uzbekistan?

The official currency of Uzbekistan (country code: UZ) is the Uzbekistan som , with symbol лв and currency code UZS.

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Things to know about the Uzbekistan som

• The Uzbekistani som is the official currency of Uzbekistan. It is represented by the symbol "so'm" and is abbreviated as UZS.
• The som was introduced in 1993, replacing the Soviet ruble. It is divided into 100 tiyin.
• The physical currency consists of coins and banknotes. The coins come in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, and 50 tiyin, and 1, 3, 5, and 10 som. The banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 som.
• The banknotes feature images of famous Uzbekistani historical figures, such as Amir Timur and Al-Khwarizmi. The design of the currency is constantly being updated, so the physical appearance of the coins and banknotes may vary slightly over time.
• The value of the som has been relatively stable in recent years, although it has depreciated against the US dollar due to the country's high rate of inflation.

Travel money for Uzbekistan

As mentioned above, the Uzbekistan som is a closed currency . Which means that you may find it difficult (or be permitted) to purchase the currency (UZS) before departure and will need to buy it upon arrival in .

For these types of destinations, using a pre-paid travel card is a good solution. As no travel cards support loading closed currencies like the UZS you will incur currency conversion or foreign transaction fees if you use a travel money card in .

However, using a pre-paid travel card is still a good idea as you can avoid ATM fees and also you can avoid using (and losing!) your main bank or debit/credit card.

Travel Ideas and Money Tips for Uzbekistan

The region’s cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and most impressive showstopper.

Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva never fail to impress visitors with their fabulous mosques, medressas and mausoleums, while its more eccentric attractions, such as the fast disappearing Aral Sea, the fortresses of desperately remote Karakalpakstan, its boom town capital Tashkent and the ecotourism opportunities of the Nuratau Mountains, mean that even the most diverse tastes can be catered for.

Despite being a harshly governed police state, Uzbekistan remains an extremely friendly country where hospitality remains an essential element of daily life and you'll be made to feel genuinely welcome by the people you meet.

What currency to use in Uzbekistan?

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Cym (pronounced "soom" - with "oo" as in "book"), though dollars are generally much more useful for purchases in hotels or shops. It is almost impossible to obtain Uzbek money outside of Uzbekistan.

There are ATM’s, but they don’t always work and it might take some time to find one. If you are ok with traveling with cash in your pocket, it will save you some time running around the city trying to find a working ATM. Since you can now easily exchange money at a fair and official rate, you can also bring Euros, British pounds and Japanese Yen. These are the 4 currencies we have so far seen advertised in banks. There is the possibility to withdraw dollars in the ATMs of luxury hotels. For instance in Tashkent the Grand Mir hotel, Uzbekistan hotel, Radisson Blu and other 5-star hotels all offer this option.

There are exchange offices in Bukhara and Khiva, as well as in the Tashkent airport. Elsewhere, you need to go to the bank. Souvenir shops with good turnover readily exchange small dollar notes at a c.5% penalty compared to the typical bank.

Paying with credit cards is possible in a few high-end hotels and restaurants in Tashkent, where you can also get cash advances on your card. It varies if Mastercard or Visa is more widely accepted, it depends who you talk to. 3% commission is normal.

How to get around in Uzbekistan?

Travelling by air is good value in Uzbekistan and it's a great way to cover the large distances between big cities. Flights do fill up though, so try to book at least several days in advance during high season. Uzbekistan Airways has convenient booking offices in Tashkent, but elsewhere it's easier to buy tickets online or in one of the many aviakassa (travel agencies). At the time of writing, Uzbekistan Airways had just changed its pricing system for foreigners from fares quoted in US dollars to fares paid in Uzbek som converted at the old exchange rate. This means that domestic airfares were halved. The airline will probably adjust these fares over time, but if you are lucky you might still get a bargain-priced domestic flight.

Clapped-out state buses have almost disappeared from Uzbek roads and long-distance buses of any kind are increasingly hard to find. For shorter distance between towns you will find 11- to 14-seat Russian-made ‘Gazelle’ vans. For shorter suburban trips you'll find cramped seven-seat Daewoo Damas minivans. In general you are almost always better off with a shared taxi, if there is one.

Driving your own vehicle across Uzbekistan is possible, provided you have insurance from your home country and a valid international driving licence. Be prepared for the same kind of hassles you’ll experience anywhere in the former Soviet Union: lots of random stops and traffic cops fishing for bribes. Driving is on the right. There are no car-rental agencies, so you'll need to hire a taxi and driver, either from the bazaar or through a B&B or a tour agency.

Shared taxis are easily the best way to get around Uzbekistan, and most of Central Asia in general. They ply all the main intercity routes and also congregate at most border points. They leave when full from set locations – usually from near bus stations – and run all day until late afternoon. Prices fluctuate somewhat and there is always room for negotiation. One advantage to shared taxis over buses is that they will often drop you off at your hotel rather than a suburban bus station (though this depends on the destination and the driver). You can always buy extra seats (or even all four seats) if you're in a hurry or prefer to travel in comfort. This is the standard way most travellers with a midrange budget get around in Uzbekistan and it's much cheaper than hiring a car and driver through a travel agency.

Travel tips for Uzbekistan.

If you’re intrigued by the ancient Silk Road but don’t have the time to travel its length from China to Turkey, you’ll find three of the route’s most important cities in Uzbekistan. Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand were key stop-offs for traders, and have all been painstakingly restored to their former glory – think glittering minarets, voluptuous domes and hypnotic mosaics. With a little planning you can squeeze them all into a week, making this the perfect bite of Silk Road splendour.

Tashkent – Uzbekistan’s capital – was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1966, while the country was under Soviet rule. Some 300,000 people were left homeless, but with matchless Soviet muscle the entire city was rebuilt and restored – indeed, it is said that construction work started the day after the quake. As a result, you’ll find a charming mish-mash of restored 12th-century mosques and classical Russian architecture alongside blocky Brutalist buildings and statues of workers with bulging biceps.

The walled city of Khiva is a living museum, protected by Unesco but still populated by Uzbek families and businesses. It was founded in the 6th century, and thrived as a Silk Road trading city – with increasingly ornate mosques, mausoleums and madrassas (religious schools) added to its labyrinth of streets, all of which have been artfully restored.

The below interactive chart displays the USD/UZS change and UP 📈 DOWN 📉 trends over the past 1 Year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What currency should i use in uzbekistan.

The domestic currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistan som .

What is the Uzbekistan som currency code and symbol?

Which countries use the uzbekistan som.

It is the domestic currency in    Uzbekistan.

Is the Uzbekistan som a closed currency?

Yes the Uzbekistan som is a closed currency. Which means that you may find it difficult to purchase the currency (UZS) before departure and will probably need to buy it upon arrival. If you do manage to buy some of the currency or have some left over from a previous trip, make sure you are aware if you are allowed to bring this closed currency into the country.

For more information and a full list of closed currencies please refer to our guide: What is a closed currency?

What are equivalent amounts of USD and UZS?

Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to UZS (US dollar to Uzbekistan som)*.

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