Uzbekistan is a treasure trove of Silk Road history, featuring stunning Islamic architecture in UNESCO-listed cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. With its azure-domed madrassas, bustling bazaars, and warm hospitality, this Central Asian gem offers an authentic cultural experience at remarkably affordable prices.
- Public
- Tashkent has an efficient metro (3 lines, $0.15/ride) and bus network; other cities rely on buses and marshrutkas (shared minibuses); public transport between cities is good via high-speed Afrosiyob trains
- Taxi
- Ride-sharing via Yandex.Taxi app is safe, reliable, and affordable in all major cities; meters used or fares agreed via app; much better than hailing unofficial taxis
- Rental
- Car rental available but not recommended for tourists due to aggressive local driving, Cyrillic-only road signs, and frequent police checkpoints requiring document inspection
- Walking
- Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara old town areas are very walkable; Registan, Lyab-i-Hauz, and Itchan Kala best explored on foot; distances between Tashkent sights require transport
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official taxi $5-7 (20-30 mins)
- Shuttle
- Ride-sharing apps (Yandex) $3-5
- Bus
- Bus #67 to Chorsu $0.15 (45 mins)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM typically
- Availability
- All major cities have bus networks
- Cost
- $0.15-0.30 per ride
- Notes
- Crowded during rush hours. Routes in Cyrillic. Useful for budget travelers but challenging without Russian/Uzbek language skills.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, marshrutka
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Official taxi
- Base fare $0.50 + $0.15 per km in Tashkent
- Ride share
- Yandex.Taxi widely available in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara - 30-50% cheaper than official taxis
- Shared taxi
- Common for intercity travel - negotiate price before departure
- Notes
- Always use meter or agree price beforehand. Ride-sharing apps recommended for fair pricing and safety.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Cost: $3-10 for major routes (Tashkent-Samarkand $7, Samarkand-Bukhara $5)
Duration: Tashkent-Samarkand 4-5 hours, Samarkand-Bukhara 3.5 hours, Bukhara-Khiva 6-7 hours
- Availability
- Extensive network connecting all cities and towns
- Comfort
- Varies from basic to modern air-conditioned coaches
- Notes
- Cheaper than trains but slower. Depart from designated bus stations. Buy tickets at station on day of travel or day before.
Flights
Routes: Uzbekistan Airways connects Tashkent with Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Fergana, Termez
Cost: $30-80 one-way depending on route
- Notes
- Useful for reaching remote areas or saving time. Book via uzairways.com. Luggage limits apply.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Tashkent International Airport (Islam Karimov)
From centre: 12 km
Options: Official taxi $5-7 (20-30 mins); Ride-sharing apps (Yandex) $3-5; Bus #67 to Chorsu $0.15 (45 mins); Hotel shuttle $10-15 (arranged in advance); Airport express bus $1 (30 mins)
Samarkand International Airport
From centre: 6 km
Options: Taxi $3-5 (15 mins); Hotel pickup $5-8 (arranged in advance); Ride-sharing limited availability
Bukhara International Airport
From centre: 5 km
Options: Taxi $3-4 (10-15 mins); Hotel shuttle $5-7 (arranged in advance)
Urgench International Airport
From centre: 35 km to Khiva
Options: Shared taxi to Khiva $3-4 per person (40 mins); Private taxi to Khiva $10-12; Hotel transfer $15-20 (arranged in advance)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yandex.Taxi
The dominant ride-hailing app covering all major Uzbek cities; safe, metered, and typically 30-50% cheaper than unofficial taxis; driver details and fare shown in advance
uzrailways.uz
Official Uzbekistan Railways booking platform for Afrosiyob high-speed trains and overnight trains; passport number required; e-tickets on mobile
2GIS
Best offline map for Uzbekistan cities with detailed street-level data, business listings, and routing; works without internet and more accurate than Google Maps for Tashkent
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Yandex.Taxi app before arrival—it's the safest and most reliable way to get around cities and much cheaper than hotel-arranged taxis
Book high-speed train (Afrosiyob) tickets on uzrailways.uz at least 10 days ahead; they sell out during peak season (April-May, September-October)
Tashkent metro runs 5am-midnight and costs $0.15/ride—beautiful Soviet stations and very efficient for crossing the city
Between Urgench airport and Khiva (35km), take a shared taxi from the airport ($3-4 per person) rather than a private taxi
For Chimgan Mountains day trip, take shared taxi from Yunusabad bus station in Tashkent ($3-4); organized tours add convenience for $25-40
Bukhara and Samarkand old town monuments are all walkable once you're in the center—taxis only needed to reach hotels outside old town