Destination guide
Uzbekistan
Silk Road cities of tiled domes and minarets. Uzbekistan guides with real train fares, shared-taxi prices and the logistics other guides skip.
Uzbekistan is the heart of the old Silk Road. Most first trips follow the same line west from the capital: Tashkent for Soviet-era boulevards and chandeliered metro stations, Samarkand for the Registan and Shah-i-Zinda, Bukhara for its living old town, and Khiva, a walled city that feels like an open-air museum. Ten days to two weeks covers all four without rushing.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train makes it easy: Tashkent to Samarkand takes just over two hours and Samarkand to Bukhara about ninety minutes, with slower Sharq trains and overnight sleepers covering the longer leg to Khiva. The catch is that tickets sell out fast in spring and autumn. Our guide to getting from Tashkent to Samarkand compares the train, shared taxis, buses and flights with current fares and booking tips.
April to May and September to October are the best months; summer afternoons regularly pass 40°C and winters are cold. Carry cash for taxis and bazaars, order city rides on Yandex Go, and keep your passport on you, as you'll need it for trains and hotels.
Places we cover
- Tashkent
- Samarkand
- Bukhara
- Khiva
- Fergana Valley
Uzbekistan guides