Uzbekistan travel guide

Overview

Most first trips fly into Tashkent, then take trains west along the old Silk Road: Samarkand is about 2 hours 25 min from Tashkent on the daily 8:00 AM train, and Bukhara is about 4 hours from Tashkent by direct train. Plan 2 days in Tashkent, 2 in Samarkand and 2 in Bukhara. Khiva lies far to the west and is not covered here.

Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons. April runs about 20 to 25 C, while summer is long, dry and hot at about 35 to 45 C. Winter averages range from about 10 C down to minus 8 C, and the tourism board says winters in Tashkent and Bukhara are mostly mild.

When to go

BestGo with a plan

janColdfebColdmarMildaprBestmayBestjunHotjulHotaugHotsepBestoctBestnovMilddecCold

Summer is long, dry and hot at about 35 to 45 C, so from Jun to Aug plan open-air sights for the early morning or the evening.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Samarkand]

Samarkand in 2 daysRegistan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-Emir, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Imam al-Bukhari Mausoleum, Eternal CityBalanced pace

[Photo: Tashkent]

Tashkent in 2 daysHazrati Imam, Kukeldash Madrasah, Chorsu Bazaar, State Museum of History, Amir Temur Square, Tashkent Metro, Applied Arts Museum, Tashkent TV TowerBalanced pace

[Photo: Uzbekistan]

Uzbekistan in 7 daysChorsu Bazaar, Hazrati Imam, Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-Emir, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Poi Kalon, Lyabi-Hauz, Samanid MausoleumBalanced pace

Where to stay

BukharaAround Lyabi-Hauz for cafes and evening walks; near Poi Kalon and the Ark for the main monuments; near the Samanid Mausoleum for a quieter base in the west.Best areas to stay in Bukhara Hotels in Bukhara

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SamarkandNear Registan and Bibi-Khanym for walking to the main sights and the bazaar; near Gur-Emir for a quieter old-town base; in the Silk Road Samarkand resort for hotels beside the Eternal City.Best areas to stay in Samarkand Hotels in Samarkand

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TashkentThe old city near Chorsu for the bazaar and old ensembles; around Amir Temur Square for the metro and central museums; the north near the TV Tower for a quieter, modern base.Best areas to stay in Tashkent Hotels in Tashkent

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Getting around

Trains: Daily trains run from Tashkent to Samarkand in about 2 hours 25 min and to Bukhara in about 4 hours, on the Uzbekistan Railways timetable.
In Tashkent: The metro has decorated stations on several lines, and Chorsu Bazaar and the Museum of Nature have a metro station nearby.
In Samarkand: Registan, Bibi-Khanym, Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda are within about 2 km of each other; the observatory and Imam al-Bukhari need a taxi.
In Bukhara: Most old-town sights, including Poi Kalon, Lyabi-Hauz and the trading dome, are within about 1 km of each other on foot.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates.

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Phone dataMobile data keeps train timetables, maps and your hotel registration details at hand between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.How a travel eSIM works

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