Tashkent is Central Asia's largest city (population ~3 million) but efficient to get around thanks to its Soviet-era metro and modern ride-hailing apps.
Metro: - 4 lines, 43 stations. Trains every 3–5 minutes 05:00–24:00. - Single flat fare, ~2,000 UZS ($0.15) per journey with unlimited changes. - Buy at kiosks with cash. Small metal tokens. - Excellent for tourist routes — Chorsu Bazaar, Khast Imam, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square, Alisher Navoi park all near stations. - Photography now allowed (was banned pre-2018).
Yandex Go and other taxi apps: - Yandex Go is the standard. Interface in English, prices displayed upfront. - Uber-style: driver arrives 3–8 min after booking. - Typical fare across central Tashkent: 15,000–40,000 UZS ($1–3). - Airport to city centre: 60,000–100,000 UZS ($5–8). - Payment: cash to driver (or in-app card at some point in 2025+). - Fake taxi hasslers at airport ignore — use the app instead.
Street taxis: - Any car with the yellow "taxi" sign (or without — locals flag down private cars too). - Negotiate fare before starting the ride. - Cheaper than Yandex Go by 20–30% but requires basic Russian or Uzbek.
City buses and marshrutkas (minibuses): - Extensive network but signage only in Uzbek. Local knowledge required. - ~1,700 UZS fare. - Slow at rush hour. - Not recommended for short-term tourists.
Walking: - Central Tashkent between Amir Timur Square and Independence Square is walkable. - Chorsu and Khast Imam are 20 min apart on foot through the old town — a good walk if it's not too hot. - Distances in the modern city are large — metro or taxi for most transitions.
Cycling: - Not yet common. Some rental services near Amir Timur park. - Traffic is heavy; not recommended for first-time visitors.
Tashkent in photos
A short visual companion to this entry — photographs of Tashkent from our travel archive.
Related entries
- Places
Tashkent Metro: Soviet mosaic art underground
Yes — the photography ban lifted in 2018. Tashkent's metro has 43 stations across four lines, each themed with mosaics, chandeliers, and marble in the Soviet grand-station tradition.
- Plan
How to get around Uzbekistan
Afrosiyob bullet trains (Tashkent–Samarkand 2h10, Samarkand–Bukhara 1h30), domestic flights (30 min Tashkent–Bukhara), shared taxis (cheap, flexible), private drivers ($60–100/day).
- Do
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.
- Tips
Alcohol in Uzbekistan
Yes — Uzbekistan is officially secular and alcohol is freely available. Local vodka, cognac and wine are cheap; imported spirits and beer sold everywhere. Public drunkenness is uncommon and looked down upon.
- Tips
Cultural etiquette and respect
Right hand for eating and passing objects, break bread with hands (not knife), remove shoes indoors and in mosques, dress modestly at religious sites, greet elders first.
- Tips
Drinking water and food safety
Not recommended. Buy bottled water (200 UZS/0.5L) or filter yours. Restaurant food is generally safe; be cautious with raw salads at street stalls in high summer.