Getting around: planes, trains, buses and taxis

Trains: the default choice

Uzbekistan Railways links almost every regional capital. High-speed Afrosiyob trains run from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Karshi: Tashkent to Samarkand takes about two hours, Tashkent to Bukhara about four.

Khiva and Urgench, Nukus and Termez are served mainly by overnight trains — board a sleeper in the evening and wake up at your destination. Trains to the Fergana Valley run through the tunnel under the Kamchik Pass.

In spring and autumn tickets sell quickly; buy them in advance on the official portal or at a station ticket office with your passport.

Domestic flights

Over long distances, flying saves time: there are regular flights from Tashkent to Urgench (the nearest airport to Khiva), Nukus, Termez, Bukhara, Samarkand, the Fergana Valley cities and Karshi.

Alongside Uzbekistan Airways, several private airlines fly domestic routes. Schedules vary with the season.

Buses and shared taxis

Intercity buses are cheap but slower. The locals' favourite is the shared taxi: it leaves when full and you pay per seat. You can also buy all four seats and have the car to yourself.

Car hire is possible, but road quality varies and there are police checkpoints at regional borders — keep your passport and documents handy.

In the cities

The Tashkent metro opened in 1977, and many of its stations are known for their decoration. Pay with a transport card or QR ticket; the city also has a dense bus network.

In Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva the historic centres are best explored on foot, with Yandex Go or a city taxi for longer hops. If you hail a cab without an app, agree the fare first.