Uzbek mobile networks are cheap and generally reliable in cities. Coverage in remote desert (Kyzylkum, Ustyurt) is patchy.
Main operators: - Ucell — largest network, best rural coverage. Recommended for most travellers. - Beeline — good in cities, weaker in mountains. - Uzmobile — state operator. OK but no advantage over private. - UMS (Perfectum) — smaller, cheaper local plans.
Buying at Tashkent Airport (recommended): - Booths just past customs in the arrivals hall. - Open 24/7 to cover overnight flights. - Present passport + Uzbek visa/entry stamp. - ~$5 for a starter package with SIM + 30 GB data. - Staff activate the SIM and test it before you leave the booth.
Buying in city: - Any Ucell or Beeline shop. In Tashkent there are dozens. - Same passport requirement. - Slightly cheaper than airport prices (~$3).
Plans (2026 rough figures): - 30 GB data + 500 min calls / 30 days: ~$5. - 60 GB / 30 days: ~$8. - Unlimited data / 30 days: ~$15.
Data speeds: - 4G/LTE in all cities and along Afrosiyob train route. - 3G in most large towns. - 2G or nothing in the Kyzylkum, Nurata mountains, Aral coast, Ustyurt plateau.
eSIM: - Ucell offers eSIM as of late 2025. Ask specifically at the airport booth. - International eSIM services (Airalo, Holafly) work but cost 3–5× the local price for less data.
Wifi: - All hotels and most cafés have wifi. - Speeds vary — 5–50 Mbps is typical. - Public wifi (metro, malls) exists but unreliable.
VPN: - Uzbekistan blocks some services — TikTok is blocked as of 2026, and various VoIP calling occasionally throttled. - A commercial VPN (Nord, Mullvad, etc.) works fine and is legal for foreigners.
Uzbekistan in photos
A short visual companion to this entry — photographs from our Uzbekistan travel archive.
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Getting around Tashkent
Metro for most routes (cheap, fast, air-conditioned). Yandex Go app for direct taxis. Walking works for tight clusters of sights. Buses functional but slow.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Health and vaccinations for Uzbekistan
No vaccinations required. Recommended: hepatitis A + B, typhoid, tetanus/diphtheria, and routine boosters. Malaria risk is negligible. Good private clinics exist in Tashkent.
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Migration registration: the 3-day rule
Every foreign visitor must be registered at their accommodation within 3 working days of arrival. Hotels do it automatically at check-in; if you stay privately, register yourself via the e-mehmon portal.