Uzbekistan
Trains in Uzbekistan: tickets, passes and routes
Yes — for Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva the train is the best way to travel: the Afrosiyob high-speed service links Tashkent–Samarkand in about 2 h 10 and Samarkand–Bukhara in about 1 h 40. Book the day seats open in spring and autumn, because those trains sell out days ahead. Skip the train only if your dates are fixed and seats are gone — then fly or take a shared taxi.
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GuideUzbekistan
Key facts
- Best for
- Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva; the spine of a first trip
- Fastest service
- Afrosiyob: Tashkent – Samarkand ~2 h 10; Samarkand – Bukhara ~1 h 40
- Cheaper, slower option
- Sharq and regular trains: Tashkent – Bukhara ~6 h; Bukhara – Khiva ~6–7 h
- Typical farecheck
- Afrosiyob UZS 200,000–450,000 by class; slower trains UZS 100,000–300,000 (2026 estimate)
- Where to book
- railway.uz or the official app; passport name must match the ticket
- When to book
- The day sales open for spring and autumn dates; night trains to Khiva and Nukus fill fast
- Rail passcheck
- No nationwide tourist rail pass is confirmed — buy point-to-point tickets
- Station trap
- Street taxis at stations quote tourist prices; use the Yandex Go app
Details
Uzbekistan's rail network is small and useful: one main line runs from Tashkent southwest through Samarkand and Bukhara, with a branch on to Khiva and Nukus. Almost every first trip uses the same three legs, and the fast Afrosiyob covers two of them in a morning.
The Afrosiyob is the comfortable, air-conditioned, punctual option. Tashkent – Samarkand takes about 2 h 10 and Samarkand – Bukhara about 1 h 40. Fares run roughly UZS 200,000–450,000 depending on class (2026 estimate). The slower Sharq and regular trains cost less — about UZS 100,000–300,000 — and take around 6 h from Tashkent to Bukhara and 6–7 h from Bukhara to Khiva. The Khiva line now arrives at the station in the old town, which removes the old taxi transfer.
Book at railway.uz or the official app. Tickets go on sale a set number of days before departure, and the passport name on the booking must match the passport you travel with. In spring and autumn the Afrosiyob sells out days ahead, so buy on the day sales open if your dates are fixed. Night trains to Khiva and Nukus also fill quickly; take a lower berth if you want to sit up.
If seats are gone, the fallback is a domestic flight — Tashkent – Urgench about 1 h 40 for Khiva, Tashkent – Termez about 1 h 20 — or a shared taxi for shorter legs such as Samarkand – Shahrisabz, about 1 h 30. Shared taxis leave from stands near bazaars and bus stations when full; agree the price per seat before getting in.
On the day, arrive at the station with time to spare for the security check, keep your passport and ticket ready, and use the ride-hailing app rather than a street taxi at the exit.
Summary table
| Leg | Service | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent – Samarkand | Afrosiyob | ~2 h 10 | UZS 200,000–450,000 | Sells out days ahead in spring and autumn |
| Samarkand – Bukhara | Afrosiyob | ~1 h 40 | UZS 200,000–450,000 | Book the same day as the Tashkent leg |
| Tashkent – Bukhara | Sharq / regular | ~6 h | UZS 100,000–300,000 | Cheaper, slower, more departures |
| Bukhara – Khiva | Sharq / regular | ~6–7 h | UZS 100,000–300,000 | Line now runs into the old town station |
| Tashkent – Urgench (for Khiva) | Domestic flight | ~1 h 40 | UZS 600,000–1,200,000 | Fallback when trains are full |
| Samarkand – Shahrisabz | Shared taxi | ~1 h 30 | UZS 50,000–200,000 per seat | Leaves when full; agree the price first |
Times and fares are planning figures; confirm on railway.uz before you book.
Tips
- Buy on the day sales open for spring and autumn travel; the Afrosiyob is the first thing to go.
- Enter every passenger's name exactly as it appears in the passport.
- Take a lower berth on night trains to Khiva or Nukus if you want to sit up.
- Keep the ticket and passport together for the station security check.
- Use Yandex Go at stations; street taxis quote tourist prices.
- A rail pass is not confirmed for tourists — price point-to-point tickets instead.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is the train a good way to get around Uzbekistan?
Yes. The Afrosiyob links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara quickly — about 2 h 10 and 1 h 40 — and is comfortable and punctual. Slower trains reach Khiva. For most first trips the train is the default between the Silk Road cities.
Do I need a rail pass for Uzbekistan?
No nationwide tourist rail pass is confirmed, so buy point-to-point tickets at railway.uz or the official app. Fares are low enough that a pass rarely saves money on the standard Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara–Khiva route.
How far in advance should I book trains in Uzbekistan?
Book the day sales open if you travel in spring or autumn, when the Afrosiyob sells out days ahead. Outside peak season a few days ahead is usually enough. Night trains to Khiva and Nukus also fill fast.
Deep dive
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