Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
The main gateways are Tashkent (TAS), Samarkand (SKD) and Bukhara (BHK). From the airport you can reach the city by taxi, ride-hailing (Yandex Go) or bus. Ride-hailing is usually easiest as it shows a fair price upfront and avoids fare haggling.
- Airports
- Tashkent (TAS), Samarkand (SKD), Bukhara (BHK)
- To city
- Taxi, ride-hailing, bus
- Easiest
- Yandex Go
- Ride-hailing shows a fair price upfront
- Agree a price first if using a street taxi
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Tashkent has a metro, famous for its ornate stations and several lines, plus an extensive bus network. Provincial cities rely mainly on buses and taxis. In Tashkent, a transport card covers the metro and buses.
- Tashkent
- Metro (ornate stations) + buses
- Provinces
- Buses and taxis
- Card
- Tashkent transport card
- The Tashkent metro is known for its beautiful stations
- Provincial towns rely on buses and taxis
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
In Tashkent, a rechargeable transport card covers the metro and city buses, making trips smoother than paying each time. Top it up at metro stations. Outside Tashkent, most journeys are paid in cash or via ride-hailing apps.
- Card
- Tashkent metro & bus card
- Top-up
- At metro stations
- Outside Tashkent
- Cash or ride-hailing
- A card is handy for the metro and city buses
- Keep some cash for provincial travel
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Self-drive car rental is not common in Uzbekistan. A more realistic option is hiring a car with a driver for day trips or intercity routes. Uzbekistan drives on the right, and having a local driver avoids parking, language and navigation hassles.
- Self-drive
- Uncommon
- Practical
- Car with driver
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- A car with driver is the realistic choice
- Uzbekistan drives on the right
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Uzbekistan has a well-developed rail network. The high-speed Afrosiyob train links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara comfortably and is very popular; overnight trains also run. Shared taxis and buses are cheaper alternatives. The Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are the heart of a trip, best explored by train.
- High-speed
- Afrosiyob (Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara)
- Also
- Overnight trains
- Cheaper
- Shared taxis, buses
- Book Afrosiyob early as it is popular
- Silk Road cities are the highlight
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights, operated mainly by Uzbekistan Airways, save time on long distances such as Tashkent to Nukus in the far west. For the core Silk Road route between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, the Afrosiyob train is usually more convenient than flying.
- Carrier
- Uzbekistan Airways
- Worth flying
- Tashkent-Nukus (far west)
- Silk Road
- Train often better
- Flights save time over long distances
- Trains work well for the main Silk Road cities
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Book the Afrosiyob train early, as popular routes between Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva sell out. Use Yandex Go for a fair upfront price and agree fares before riding a street taxi. Carry your passport for SIM registration and hotel check-in, and keep some cash for provincial towns where card payment is limited.
- Trains
- Book Afrosiyob early
- Taxis
- Agree fare beforehand
- Cash
- Handy outside big cities
- Keep your passport for SIM and hotel check-in
- Card payment can be limited in provincial towns