Getting Around Uzbekistan: Transportation Guide

There are domestic air services between many cities in Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Samarkand, Nukus, Karshi, Termez, Andijan and Namangan. Bukhara does not have an airport of its own but is served by the one at Navoi, a 45 minutes’ distance from it. Air travel is fraught with uncertainty as many a time fuel shortages cause delays and cancellations, and air safety standards are still below international levels. Also, you have to carry your own food.

The railway network links all the major cities and most towns too. Tashkent, Tibriz, Bukhara, Samarkand, Nurkus and the Ferghana Valley are connected by rail. First class train travel is quite comfortable but the lower classes, which are inexpensive, are usually very crowded. Don’t leave your luggage unattended and carry your own food.

Travelling by road is probably the best way to get around Uzbekistan. Long-haul limited-stop buses are roomy and comfortable. Short distance buses pick up passengers in the course of the trip and are usually smaller. Coaches may be state run or privately owned. Minibuses are fast and furious as they hurtle down the road from destination to destination. Taxis are slightly more expensive than buses and infinitely more comfortable. Negotiate the price before hitting the road. Not all taxis are registered; if possible hire one that is.

Few people choose to drive their cars into Uzbekistan – one’s likely to get tied up in knots weaving in and out of the rule booklet. Car-rental shops have still not come up in Uzbekistan.