Many travelers visiting Uzbekistan plan their trip so as to have time to visit several cities, because it is simply impossible to get acquainted with the history of the country without getting to know the monuments of vibrant Samarkand and ancient Bukhara.
Why trains?
Why exactly trains? Traveling around Uzbekistan by railway is quite convenient: trains depart to different cities of the country much more often than airplanes. Railway transport passengers have the opportunity to choose comfortable carriages or night trains with sleeping places. Perhaps the main disadvantage of traveling by railway is that it is better to buy tickets for high-speed trains in advance, and often there are none at all.
Travelers around the country have several travel options available: there are classic trains with compartment, second-class sleeper (platskart) and first-class (SV) carriages, high-speed trains, ultra-high-speed trains "Afrosiyob" (Afrosiab) and "Jaloliddin Manguberdi" (Jalal al-Din Mangburni).
Ultra-high-speed trains are the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the cities of Uzbekistan. The trains reach speeds of over 200 kilometers per hour. High-speed trains Sharq and Nasaf are not as comfortable, but you can almost always buy tickets for them. Classic night compartments, first-class (SV) and second-class (platskart) carriages are ideal for long distances (for example, Tashkent — Khiva) to save on a hotel and not lose a day on the road.
As for ultra-high-speed trains, they write on the Internet that ticket sales for them begin 60 days in advance. During the season, it is better to buy tickets in advance; later they simply might not be available.
Popular routes and travel times
| Route | Ultra-high-speed trains | High-speed and regular trains |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent — Samarkand | ~2 hours 20 minutes | ~3 hours 10 minutes |
| Tashkent — Bukhara | ~4 hours | ~6 hours |
| Samarkand — Bukhara | ~1 hour 45 minutes | ~2 hours 30 minutes |
| Tashkent — Khiva | ~7 hours 30 minutes | ~14–15 hours (night) |
Buying tickets
Train tickets around Uzbekistan can be bought:
- on the official website or in the O'zbekiston Temir Yo'llari app. Tickets are sold without extra charges, you can pay for them only with international bank cards or local Uzcard and Humo cards
- from third-party aggregators (Tutu, Yandex Travel). In this case, the ticket will cost more, but if you live in Russia, you will be able to pay for the trip with a local bank card
- at the ticket offices of railway stations
Important details
During the trip, you can take your luggage with you — its allowance is 36 kilograms.
To issue a ticket, passengers will need an identity document — an Uzbekistan passport or an international passport for residents of other countries. Children under 16 will need a birth certificate. By the way, tickets for children under ten years old will cost less.
Depending on the fare, passengers may be provided with snacks on the way. But you can buy some food before departure: at the stations, there are small points with coffee, pastries, and other products.
There are power outlets in the carriages of many trains, although they do not always work.
Another nuance is the temperature in the cabins of the trains. During the hot season, it can be quite hot in the Sharq train at stops. In Afrosiyob trains, on the contrary, it can be cool. It is worth considering this when planning your trip.
Have a great trip!