# Afrosiyob high-speed train

> Uzbekistan's Spanish-built Talgo bullet trains link Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva at up to 250 km/h. Tashkent-Samarkand takes 2h10, tickets $10–35 depending on class.

**Afrosiyob** (named after Samarkand's pre-Islamic royal citadel) is the Uzbek rail brand for the Talgo 250 bullet trains, in service since 2011. The Talgos are made by the Spanish manufacturer Patentes Talgo and reach a top speed of 250 km/h on the Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara main line.

**Routes and times**:

| Route | Duration | Frequency (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent ↔ Samarkand | 2 h 10 | 6–8/day |
| Tashkent ↔ Bukhara | 4 h 00 | 2–3/day |
| Samarkand ↔ Bukhara | 1 h 30 | 4–5/day |
| Tashkent ↔ Khiva (through Samarkand + Bukhara) | ~13 h overnight | 1/day |

**Classes**:
- **Economy** — 2+2 seating. Modern, air-conditioned. ~$10–15 Tashkent-Samarkand.
- **Business** — 2+1 seating with more legroom. ~$20–25.
- **VIP** — private compartments, complimentary tea and snacks. ~$35.

**Booking**:
- Online at **railway.uz** (Uzbek Railways). Interface has an English toggle.
- Foreign card payments sometimes reject at checkout; try a different card or use a local booking agent.
- Passport details are printed on the ticket; carry the physical ticket + passport when boarding.
- **Book in advance**: high-season weekend seats sell out 2–3 weeks ahead. Off-season, next-day tickets are available.

**Onboard**:
- Complimentary bottle of water and small snack in Business and VIP.
- No luggage weight limit in practice, but carry-on space is limited above seats.
- Photography allowed. The Chirchik river bridge crossing about 40 min out of Tashkent is scenic.

The Afrosiyob is the single best way to move between the main tourist cities. It's faster, more comfortable and often cheaper than flying (given check-in and transfer times).

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Keywords: Afrosiyob, train, Uzbek Railways, Talgo, transport, Samarkand
Updated: 2026-08-15
Category: experiences
URL: https://uzbguidedtours.com/kb/kb-experience-afrosiyob-train