Major city · Uzbekistan
ShakhrisabzШаҳрисабз
Go as a day trip from Samarkand: 2–3 hours on foot covers Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat and Kok Gumbaz; sleep in Samarkand, not here.
Shakhrisabz is Timur's hometown and his second capital, 60 km south of Samarkand over a 1,780 m pass. The historic centre is UNESCO-listed and small: the Ak Saray gate ruins, the Dorus Saodat burial complex and the Kok Gumbaz mosque sit within a 15-minute walk. Most travellers see it in half a day and return to Samarkand.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- UZS
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (40 °C (104 °F)+), Jan–Mar (Takhzakaracha Pass may close)avoid Jul–Aug (104 °F (40 °C)+), Jan–Mar (Takhzakaracha Pass may close)
- Airport
- SKD
- Nights
- Day trip (0–1)
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Uzbekistan ↗Check entry rules on the official e-visa portal only; many nationalities enter without a visa for a limited stay, others need an e-visa. Lookalike sites charge extra.
- Uzbekistan ↗Foreign visitors are registered by hotels; keep any registration slip you are given and ask for one if you stay in a private home.
- Uzbekistan ↗Carry Uzbek soʻm in small notes; bazaars, taxis and small cafés are cash-first, and cards are accepted mainly in hotels and larger shops.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Shakhrisabz101 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shakhrisabz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Soʻm in small notes for bazaars, taxis and tea houses; the largest note is worth little abroad.Uzbekistan-wide
- SIM or eSIMBeeline, Ucell, Mobiuz and Uzmobile sell SIMs with a passport at the airport and city shops; registration takes a few minutes.Uzbekistan-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled water UZS 3,000–6,000 in shops.Uzbekistan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: A 10–15% service charge is often added; if not, 5–10%.Uzbekistan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Uzbekistan-wide
- SafetyShakhrisabz is a small, calm town and violent crime against visitors is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsSquat toilets at bazaars and bus stations, sometimes a small fee; carry tissue.Uzbekistan-wide
- Emergency numbers101 fire · 102 police · 103 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSome museums close on Monday or Tuesday; madrasas and mausoleums usually open daily with ticket offices closing about 1 h before dusk.Uzbekistan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSKD Samarkand International (Nearest useful airport; about 1.5–2 h by road from Shakhrisabz (check)).
- Getting aroundThe historic centre is compact and flat: Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat, Dorut Tilavat and Kok Gumbaz are all within about 1 km (0.6 mi) of each other.The historic centre is compact and flat: Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat, Dorut Tilavat and Kok Gumbaz are all within about 0.6 mi (1 km) of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a chaikhana10,000–25,000 UZS
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week50,000–120,000 UZS
- Museum or sight ticketSight entry20,000–50,000 UZS (check)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personUZS 100,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomUZS 450,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomUZS 900,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget UZS 150,000 · Mid UZS 300,000 · High UZS 600,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SKD Samarkand International (Nearest useful airport; about 1.5–2 h by road from Shakhrisabz (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Mar (10 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shakhrisabz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The historic centre is compact and flat: Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat, Dorut Tilavat and Kok Gumbaz are all within about 1 km of each other. Walk it. Shared taxis and marshrutkas cover the wider town; agree the fare before you get in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h each way
Shared taxi from So'zangaron ko'chasi, south of the Registan; or your own car over the Takhzakaracha Pass
The standard pairing: Shakhrisabz is the day trip, Samarkand is the base.
Qarshi
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Shared taxi or marshrutka south, about 120 km (75 mi)Shared taxi or marshrutka south, about 75 mi (120 km)
Useful only if you are continuing to Bukhara or Termez; little to see for its own sake.
Termez
overnightDoor to door: 6 h+
Road via Qarshi, or train from Qarshi
Too far for a return day; break the trip in Qarshi.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ipak Yoli axis (centre)
Guesthouses and small hotels along the main street between Ak Saray and Kok Gumbaz; walkable to every sight.
Samarkand (as a base)
Most travellers sleep in Samarkand and day-trip; more beds, more food, better transport.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 150,000–250,000 UZS excl. bed
- Mid
- 250,000–450,000 UZS excl. bed
- High
- 450,000+ UZS excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × UZS 450,000 | UZS 450,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × UZS 300,000 | UZS 600,000 |
| Shared taxi Samarkand → Shakhrisabz, one way2 × UZS 60,000 · check | UZS 120,000 |
| Sight entries (Ak Saray, Kok Gumbaz, museum)2 × UZS 80,000 · check | UZS 160,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × UZS 80,000 | UZS 160,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | UZS 149,000 |
| Trip total≈ UZS 820,000 per person per day, bed included | UZS 1,639,000 |
2026 estimate in soʻm; long-distance transport and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a chaikhana | 10,000–25,000 UZS |
| Plov or lagman | 30,000–60,000 UZS |
| Bread (non) | 5,000–10,000 UZS |
| Shared taxi seat, Samarkand → Shakhrisabz | about 60,000 UZS (check) |
| Sight entry | 20,000–50,000 UZS (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | 50,000–120,000 UZS |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Takhzakaracha Pass between Samarkand and Shakhrisabz can close from January to March; the detour adds about 3 hours.
- Shared taxis from Samarkand may only go as far as Kitab, 10 km (6.2 mi) short: confirm the destination before paying.Shared taxis from Samarkand may only go as far as Kitab, 6.2 mi (10 km) short: confirm the destination before paying.
- Summer heat is serious: carry water and start early.
- Some sights charge separately and hours vary; check locally on arrival.
Emergency numbers
- Fire
- 101
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
- Unified number
- 112
Pocket card
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ShakhrisabzШаҳрисабз
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Мана шу манзилгаTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire101
- Police102
- Ambulance103
- Unified number112
Embassy
No embassies in Shakhrisabz; most are in Tashkent. Consular help for the region is usually handled from Tashkent (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi Samarkand → Shakhrisabz: about 60,000 UZS, about 1.5–2 h (check)
- Taxi across town: 15,000–30,000 UZS (check)
- Ak Saray entry: about 40,000 UZS (check)
Say or show
- Ассалому алайкум — Hello (assalomu alaykum)
- Раҳмат — Thank you (rahmat)
- Қанча? — How much is it? (qancha)
- Мана шуни — This one, please (mana shuni)
- Ҳожатхона қаерда? — Where is the toilet? (hojatxona qayerda)
- Тушунмадим — I don't understand (tushunmadim)
Carry the address of your Samarkand hotel in Uzbek or Russian for the return taxi.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shakhrisabz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (40 °C+), Jan–Mar (Takhzakaracha Pass may close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Samarkand (SKD): last shared-taxi departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for the historic centre with rescue anchors: Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat, Dorut Tilavat, Kok Gumbaz, Chorsu.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Ak Saray, Dorus Saodat, Kok Gumbaz, Amir Temur Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Pass-closure and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.