Getting around Uzbekistan: transport, money, safety and connectivity

The Afrosiyob is Uzbekistan's high-speed rail service, running between Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and (via a slower service) Khiva.^[2] Trains reach 250 km/h and connect Tashkent to Samarkand in about 2 hours 10 minutes, and Tashkent to Bukhara in about 3 hours 40. The rolling stock is Spanish-built Talgo 250; carriages are clean, air-conditioned, and comfortable, with two classes.

Book at least a week ahead in high season (April–May, September–October). Tickets can be bought at station kassas, via the Uzbekistan Railways app, or through most hotels.

The Sharq express and standard overnight services cover longer routes to Urgench (for Khiva), Nukus, and the Fergana Valley cities.

Uzbekistan Airways and low-cost carrier Qanot Sharq operate domestic services from Tashkent to Urgench (for Khiva), Nukus, Termez, and Namangan. Flights are 60–90 minutes and priced around USD 40–80 one way. Airports are small and efficient.

Tashkent has the region's oldest metro (opened 1977) and one of its most beautiful — several stations are decorated with tiled mosaics, chandeliers, and full-length murals.^[3] A ride costs 2,000 UZS (about 15 cents in 2026). Ride-hailing apps Yandex Go and MyTaxi cover the whole country and are the easiest way to move around cities. A short city ride is typically 10,000–25,000 UZS (under USD 2).

Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are all walkable. Samarkand's historic core is compact; Bukhara's old town is a 30-minute walk end to end; Khiva's Ichan Kala is a 15-minute walk across.

The Uzbek som (UZS) floats freely since 2017.^[1] As of 2026, USD 1 buys roughly 12,600 som. ATMs are common in cities, dispensing both som and (in newer machines) US dollars. Visa and Mastercard tap-to-pay work in most restaurants, hotels, and modern shops in Tashkent and Samarkand; bazaars and small operators are cash-only.

Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated. 10 per cent at restaurants is generous; rounding up on taxis is normal; USD 5–10 per day for a guide, similar for a driver, is standard.

Prices are still low by European or North American standards. A three-course meal at a good restaurant runs USD 12–25 per person; a boutique heritage hotel is USD 90–180 per night; a bottle of local wine at a restaurant is USD 8–15.

4G LTE coverage reaches almost every populated area. Ucell, Beeline, and Mobiuz are the three main networks; SIMs cost around USD 3–5 with 25 GB of data valid for a month. Uzbekistan does not restrict foreign social networks or messaging apps (Telegram is the country's dominant chat app). eSIMs work on major carriers if your phone supports them.

Wi-Fi in hotels is standard and generally usable for video calls; café Wi-Fi is variable but improving.

Uzbekistan has one of the lowest violent-crime rates in the region.^[4] Common-sense precautions apply — keep valuables out of sight in crowded bazaars, use registered taxis at night, and avoid changing money on the street. Solo female travellers report the country as one of the more comfortable in Central Asia.

Tap water is generally safe in Tashkent but travellers usually drink bottled water for consistency, and always outside the capital. Restaurants and hotels are safe; be a little more cautious with street food you can't see being cooked. Bring any prescription medications you regularly need — pharmacies are well-stocked with basics but specialty drugs may not be available.

Electricity is 220V, 50Hz, on European-style two-pin sockets (Type C and F). Dress modestly in mosques and mausoleums — shoulders and knees covered, and headscarves for women in active places of worship (loaners are usually offered at entrances). In restaurants and streets, Uzbekistan is not conservative by Central Asian standards; smart casual is fine everywhere.