How to get to Samarkand by train. How to get there in Samarkand. Fast but expensive air travel
In the section on the question How to get cheaply from Moscow to Uzbekistan (Samarkand?) asked by the author Choir the best answer is the easiest way is airplane
Answer from Sl[guru]
on a donkey! fast and cheap..
Answer from Southern Belle[guru]
By train via Tashkent
Answer from Caucasian[guru]
The most economical way is on foot or by bicycle. And if you're serious, take a train or plane.
Answer from Cross-Eyed[guru]
Migrant workers travel in their cars, packed to the rafters with people and things, in gazelles and employer buses, equally densely staffed. It’s more difficult not to get there, but to cross the border: they wait for days, stand in storage like cattle, including families with small children. Without any civilized toilet, without water, spending the night on the bare ground and warming themselves by fires, they meekly wait for their compatriots, the customs officers, to take a break from the computer game and let another 15-20 people through per hour. We saw it ourselves because we went to Uzbekistan by car last fall. We didn't stay there for long - only about 2 days (one way). We were told we were lucky. It happens until 6.
Answer from Valentina Skargovskaya[active]
Cheaper by plane
Answer from Olga[guru]
The price of the plane Moscow - Samarkand is about 9600 - 9800 per person.
Answer from _VesYol@ya_[guru]
Only Uzbek Airlines flies directly from Moscow (DMD). Price per person round trip 18,400 * 2 people = 36,800 rubles. I don’t know on what days, but on Tuesdays from Moscow, on Mondays from Samarkand for sure.
Check in
You won't find a cheaper plane!
Guys travel by train and other things to earn money. You won't stand at the border for 2 days - that's for sure.
But the train ride is long, and in the summer it’s also hot and disgusting.
If you are in Samarkand, keep all tickets and hotel registration forms!
Where to stay in Samarkand?
There are about 30 hotels in Samarkand, located both in the new and historical parts of the city. In the Samarkand Hotels section, you will find a description of the most interesting and colorful of them. To book a room, I recommend using the service " booking via website". The service is completely free and, moreover, will cost you less than if you contacted the hotel yourself.
What language is spoken in Samarkand?
Be calm - almost everyone speaks Russian. In general, most of the population of Samarkand speaks three languages: Tajik, Uzbek and Russian. Handicraft shop sellers, as a rule, also speak everyday expressions from the most common international languages.
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The word often used in Samarkand and Bukhara is " hi" means "okay" (Taj.). When we meet they say " Assalom Alaikum" which means " Hello, Peace to Your Home!", they answer "Aleikum Assalom", which means mutual greeting. If you do not know the name of the person you want to address, use a universal address: -
"Aka" (literally, "brother") - when addressing a person not much older than you (but not elderly), "Rakhmat" - Thank you. "Iltimos" - "please" (used for the purpose of request). "M arhamat" - "You're welcome" (in response to thank you). "Kechrasiz" ("and" is read as "s") - in Uzbek and " Mebah shaved" - in Tajik means “sorry.” The emphasis is always on the last syllable. |
I arrive in Tashkent. How to get to Samarkand?
Tashkent and Samarkand are connected by air, railway, and road transport daily routes.
Aircraft"Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent" flights, as a rule, are daily. When planning your route, check the current flight schedule and fares on the Uzbekistan Airways website. Flight time depends on the type of aircraft: from 30 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. The airport information telephone number in Tashkent is (+998-71) 140-28-01, in Samarkand - (+998-66) 230-86-41.
Trains and electric trains To Samarkand depart from Tashkent daily:
At 07:00 (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) - high-speed electric train "Registon" (two-class compartment). Travel time is 3.5 hours.
At 07:35 (except Saturdays and Sundays) - electric train "Nasaf" (two-class compartment), heading to Karshi with a stop in Samarkand. Travel time is 3.5 hours.
At 08:15 (daily) - electric train "Shark" (reserved seat of three classes), traveling to Bukhara with a stop in Samarkand. Travel time is 3.5 hours.
At 20:00 - train No. 662 "Tashkent-Bukhara", which passes through Samarkand at 00:30. The train has a reserved seat in two classes. Travel time is 4.5 hours.
Ticket prices range from $9 to $25, depending on the train and car class. The telephone number of the railway station (station) in Tashkent is (998-71) 299 72 15, short city number - 005. In Samarkand - (998-66) 229 15 32, 29 36 85.
Motor transport. Already at the airport you will be met by taxi drivers vying with each other to offer their services. Expensive. Just keep in mind that from the bus station you can get to Samarkand for an amount of 40-45 dollars (in this case, you rent the entire car). This parking lot is located at the final station of the Tashkent metro "Sobir Rakhimov", where a taxi from the airport will take you for no less than 3-5 dollars. By naming, of course, 8-10 to begin with.
Please note that you can order .
Where can I change money?
At the airport as soon as you arrive (the exchange office is located in the arrivals lounge near the information desk). In banks. At exchange offices in markets (not available everywhere) and at large hotels.
When is it hottest in Uzbekistan?
It is hottest from June 25 to August 5. This period is called "Saraton" or "Chilla" because it lasts about forty days. At this time, the air temperature rises to 50-60 degrees in the sun. In a dry climate, it is possible to survive at this temperature :), but it is very hot.
It sounds paradoxical, but this is a fact - hot (!) green tea easily quenches thirst in such heat, which is consumed in large quantities by local watchmen who have not fallen victim to advertising of colored carbonated drinks.
Attention: carbonated drinks (and especially sweet ones) most often cause a new surge of thirst! A special feature of green tea is its high content of quinine, which neutralizes the action of bacteria activated at hot temperatures, increases the tone and resistance of the body. In addition, in Samarkand, and in Uzbekistan in general, you will find tea tastier than at home. This is mainly due to the taste of the local water.
Take on the road:
Antibacterial gel (sold in supermarkets and pharmacies) and sanitary napkins; There is no need to take medications, there are many pharmacies and they have everything,
- from currency: dollars in good condition (without any marks, seals or abrasions). Euros are not always accepted at exchange offices, and Russian rubles are exchanged only on the “black” market.
- from clothes: comfortable shoes for visiting the Afrosiab settlement in Samarkand (sandy hills).
In summer and early autumn, you definitely need to take clothes made of cotton fabric with you. A light hat is required. T-shirts and loose long shorts will be appropriate for both men and women. People with skin sensitive to bright sun rays are advised to take sunscreen with them.
Autumn is soft, warm, beautiful. At the end of autumn (late October-November), depending on the weather, people begin to wear windbreakers, jackets or thin sweaters.
In winter in Samarkand, the temperature rarely drops below minus 10 degrees, so in winter they usually wear raincoats and jackets.
Upon arrival
:
Be patient when going through border and customs control in Samarkand - you will have to wait for your luggage and a slow-moving queue. No one will be outraged if you politely ask local passengers to give you a turn because you have women and children with you,
- you need to fill out the declaration in 2 copies (for each adult), one of which (with a note from the customs officer) will remain with you until departure. The declaration must include the imported currency, equipment and valuables listed in the declaration, if any (do not include jewelry on the body),
Upon departure:
Present the exit declaration at customs (you need to fill out the declaration again for each adult). If you are asked about this, then present the declaration with which you entered the country,
- show the border guards (if asked) your registration slips at the local OVVIR (they will give you them at hotels). According to local regulations, staying in the country without registration for more than 3 working days is not allowed
- the export of antiques older than 50 years is prohibited (easily determined).
Kitchen. What to try in Uzbekistan?
The most common national dishes in Uzbekistan are:
Pilaf (it is prepared differently in each city),
- kebab (there are many types - lump, ground, in the form of a roll from layers of meat and fat, liver, fish, chicken, etc.),
- samsa (small meat pies baked in a special oven called tandoor) with meat, potatoes or pumpkin,
- shurpa (soup made from a large amount of coarsely chopped fresh meat and vegetables),
- lagman (thick spaghetti with meat and vegetable sauce),
- nakhud (Central Asian large peas stewed with lamb),
- manti (large dumplings steamed in a steamer).
The food is mostly fatty, but look closely - there are very few fat people in Uzbekistan, this is the effect of the sun, the abundance of tea, fruits and vegetables consumed.
Attention: Be careful when eating melon. Melon is eaten separately from everything else. About an hour and a half after drinking it, it is recommended to drink only tea.
Security issue. Is it calm in Uzbekistan?
We can say with confidence that in Uzbekistan, and in Samarkand, in particular, you can feel calmer than, say, in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Berlin and New York. Terrorist attacks are exceptional events, not typical of the local people and their culture.
It’s curious, but by midnight, life on the streets of the city, with the exception of some nightclubs, comes to a standstill. There are a lot of police on the streets. The population, for the most part, is friendly and traditionally treats guests with respect. The magical “I am from...” will instantly change the attitude towards you to a more respectful one and open many doors, although it is possible that it will cost you more. For example, when visiting museums and monuments, where the entrance ticket price for foreigners is up to 10 times higher than for a resident of Uzbekistan.
Of course, as elsewhere, you should not go unaccompanied late at night for a walk in areas and streets that are not central. Also check out the small but important section of the site Security
What souvenirs and handicrafts can I take out from Uzbekistan?
The basic rule here is that the item to be exported should not be more than 50 years old. An ordinary souvenir from a trade shop will not cause you much trouble at customs or when crossing the border, but books, paintings, graphics and sculptures, carpets, tapestries, rugs, suzanis, objects of decorative and applied art, silverware, stamps, badges, collectibles, audio, video products, archaeological, geological and other samples may require artistic examination. Carrying out such an examination and issuing a conclusion is paid and, in accordance with the Regulations of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the procedure for the export and import of cultural property, today costs the following:
|
Name |
% of min. salary |
in sums |
in dollars |
| Books |
5-15 |
472 - 1417 |
0,3-0,9 |
| Multivolume encyclopedias |
18900 |
||
| Professional painting |
100-200 |
9450-18900 |
6,5-13 |
| Unprofessional painting |
25-50 |
2362-4725 |
1,5-3,1 |
| Professional graphics |
50-100 |
3265-6530 |
3,1-6,5 |
| Graphics are unprofessional |
25-50 |
1630-3265 |
1,5-3,1 |
| Carpets, tapestries |
200-400 |
13060-26120 |
13-26 |
| Palaces |
100-200 |
6530-13060 |
6,5-13 |
| Suzane |
100-200 |
6530-13060 |
6,5-13 |
| Items of decorative and applied art |
25-150 |
1630-9795 |
1,6-9 |
| Artistic silverware (except cutlery) |
100-200 |
6530-13060 |
6,5-13 |
| Musical instruments |
50-100 |
3265-6530 |
3,1-6,5 |
| Artistic furniture, household appliances |
150-250 |
9795-16325 |
9-16 |
| Videotapes |
1300 |
||
| Audio cassettes | |||
| Soil samples, archaeological, geological and other samples |
100-200 |
6530-13060 |
6,5-13 |
| Stamps, badges, signs, other collectibles |
.
How are things going with medical care? Pharmacies in Samarkand, and indeed in Uzbekistan, are literally on every corner. So, you shouldn’t bring a package with all the medications you have at home. The state ambulance service is traditionally called by number 03. The team usually arrives quickly. We recommend medical companies (open from 8 to 18:00) that have earned authority among the population: Company "Doctor"- st. Lutfi, 26. Tel: 33 56 38. (Landmark - cafe "Blues"), and M medical office named after Khursheda Nasimova- st. Amira Temura, 55. Tel: 33 09 59. (Landmark - again, the Blues cafe) Distinctive features of the local mentality that you need to know: They treat visitors with interest and show respect. If you need help, they will definitely help (they will advise, inform, indicate). The local population, the bulk of which considers itself Muslim, is completely tolerant of Christianity and Judaism, however, when visiting mausoleums and mosques, simple rules should be followed: Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages, including beer, in the visited area; Remove shoes when entering an active mosque or prayer room; You cannot interrupt the prayer being read; If you entered the room where it is being said at that moment, you should sit down and wait for the end of the prayer. Prayer is an opportunity to turn your gaze inward. While listening to a prayer in an unfamiliar language (Arabic), you can simultaneously (silently) read your own, or simply relax and observe your inner world, without fixating on passing thoughts. This will be better than waiting until the end of the prayer, realizing that something important is happening, but not grasping its essence. The local population, visiting the mausoleums of saints, prays there, showing respect to the saint and believing that prayer in a holy place will be heard by God and the saint. In Uzbekistan, elderly people are traditionally given all kinds of honor and respect. Try to follow this and many doors will open for you. It is customary to address people of (any) older age only to "you". It is interesting that sometimes older people themselves (usually elderly) address even small children with “you”. It is not necessary to follow this, but you should know that the ritual of shaking hands can replace pressing your right hand to your heart (while looking into the eyes of the person you are greeting). For a European handshake, bring your left hand to your chest and lean slightly as a sign of respect. A handshake with two hands is widespread - the right hand is used to shake the hand, and the left hand is used to hold the elbow. Special attitude to bread and bakery products. It is considered a sin to leave an uneaten piece of bread (you can leave a broken piece) or throw any baked goods (even an ice cream cup) on the floor/street. It is customary to pick up a dropped piece of bread and put it aside. You will come across an interesting tea ritual - here it is customary to bring freshly brewed tea to the desired consistency by pouring it into a bowl three times and pouring it back into the teapot. After which, the tea is allowed to brew for about a minute or two and it is poured to the level of the middle of the bowl (so that you can hold it without getting burned). They drink a lot of tea. There is no other way. When photographing specific people, it is advisable to ask their permission. At bazaars it is customary to bargain within reasonable limits. In stores - no. Tipping is rare and is left only at your request (usually 10%), if the bill does not indicate a percentage for service. What holidays are celebrated in Uzbekistan and when? |
In the spring of 2011, I visited Uzbekistan. In a month I crossed it from west to east, visited Muynak, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Termez, Tashkent, Fergana, Margilan, Kokand and Andijan. I present to your attention my mini-guide to this country.
Geography
Uzbekistan is located in the center of Central Asia. It borders in the northeast with Kyrgyzstan, in the north and northwest - with Kazakhstan, in the southwest - with Turkmenistan, in the southeast - with Tajikistan, in the south - with Afghanistan. In the east, Uzbekistan is limited by the foothills of the Tien Shan and Gissar-Alai in the south by the Amu Darya River.
It is interesting that Uzbekistan is one of two countries in the world (the other is Liechtenstein) that not only do not have access to the World Ocean, but also do not border on any country that has such access. To get from Uzbekistan to the ocean shore, you need to cross at least two borders.
Most of the country is plains. Only near the border with Tajikistan are the Gissar-Alai ridges located: the Zeravshan ridge between Samarkand and Shakhrisabz and the Gissar ridge to the south and east of Shakhrisabz. And to the northeast and east of Tashkent, on the border with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, there are the Pskem and Chatkal ranges (belonging to the Tien Shan system), better known as the Chimgan Mountains. In the very east of the country, separated from Tashkent by the Kurama Range, lies the large and fertile Fergana Valley - the largest intermountain depression in Central Asia, surrounded by mountains on almost all sides.
Climate of Uzbekistan
The climate in Uzbekistan is sharply continental. Summers here are hot, dry and sunny, winters are cool but not too long. In January it is usually from +4 to −8 degrees Celsius, in July - from +22 to +42. It is best to come here in late spring (from April to May) or early autumn (from September to October), when the temperature is from +20 to +25. The coldest and windiest part of the country is Karakalpakstan, the warmest is Termez and the surrounding area. The difference in temperature between them can reach 10-20 degrees.
The forty-day period from the end of June to the beginning of August is called “chilla” in Uzbekistan. At this time, during the day the temperature can be above +50, and at night it does not fall below +30. It is better not to visit the country at this time.
Population of Uzbekistan
The population of Uzbekistan is 29 million people. Of these, 51.4% live in cities, and 48.6% in rural areas.
During the Soviet years, people from other union republics (mostly Russians) came to Uzbekistan. In the 1990s, many of them left the country. Today, Uzbeks make up 84% of the population, Russians and other Slavs - 4.5%, Tajiks - 4.5%, Kazakhs - 2.5%. Many Russians live in Tashkent and Fergana, many Tajiks live in Samarkand and Bukhara. In the west of Uzbekistan live the Karakalpaks, a Turkic-speaking people close to the Kazakhs. They have their own national autonomy - the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The total number of Karakalpaks in the country is small - only 2%.
Languages
The official language of the country is Uzbek. It is a Turkic language and is closest to the Uyghur language spoken in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Initially, the Uzbek language used the Arabic alphabet; during the Soviet years it was translated first into the Latin alphabet and then into the Cyrillic alphabet. With independence in the early 1990s, the authorities began to translate the language back into the Latin alphabet, but the process was delayed. Today, two alphabets operate in parallel in the country - Cyrillic and Latin. There are more official inscriptions (placards with street names, road signs, city maps) in Latin, and more popular inscriptions (inscriptions on minibuses, price tags in markets, signs for shops and restaurants) in Cyrillic. There are many signs and inscriptions in Russian. Approximately 2/3 of the residents of Uzbekistan speak Russian fluently, and the rest know certain words and phrases. People speak Russian best in Tashkent, worst in rural areas and small towns.
Since there are many Tajiks living in the country, their language is also very popular. For example, in Bukhara and Samarkand, Tajik has almost replaced Russian as the language of interethnic communication: many Uzbeks and Russians know it.
Religions
In Uzbekistan, Sunni Islam is traditionally practiced. After independence, the number of adherents of Islam increased, but still religion does not have a serious impact on the life of society. The most secular cities in the country are Tashkent and Fergana, the most religious are small towns and villages in the Fergana Valley and Central Uzbekistan. Russians in Uzbekistan are not very religious, although many adhere to Orthodoxy. In some cities, pre-revolutionary churches have been preserved.
Entry into Uzbekistan
G 
Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Uzbekistan, but they do need a foreign passport. Also, citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine can enter the country without a visa.
You can import foreign currency into Uzbekistan without restrictions. Uzbek soums can be moved across the border (import and export) only within the limits of 50 minimum wages (50 thousand soums x 50 = 2.5 million soums). You can export currency within the amount imported into the country.
In addition, you can import no more than 1 thousand cigarettes and 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages into the country.
Any currency you have, be it rubles, dollars, Uzbek sums or any other money, must be declared upon entry.
Take two declaration forms from the customs officers and fill them out, indicating the currency and the most valuable things (laptop, photo or video camera, etc. - preferably indicating the specific model, as well as the approximate cost). One copy will remain with the customs officer upon entry, the second (on which he will put a stamp) you will keep until the end of the trip. When leaving, you will need to fill out another declaration form and give two copies to the customs officer for comparison.
Be careful and include in the declaration the entire amount, down to kopecks, cents, etc. Customs officers often find fault with travelers who have forgotten to indicate any currency they have. The problem is that the form has only three lines to indicate the currency. If you have more, add numbers 4, 5, 6, etc. at the bottom and indicate the corresponding types of currency. If there is no space in this section, you can use the “Other valuables and products” section.
As a rule, customs officers at the entrance and exit X-ray things, ask to see the contents of the backpack and count the available currency. All this can take several hours, so don't expect to get through the Uzbek border quickly.
Previously, Uzbek customs officers had an extremely liberal attitude towards the law: they could extort money, try to “seize” valuables and otherwise violate the law. Fortunately, their harmful activity has decreased in recent years, but you still need to be on alert at the border. Be careful and serious about going through Uzbek customs.
Registration
A foreigner must register in Uzbekistan if he stays in the country for more than three working days (holidays and weekends are not counted). The registration procedure is regulated by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which contains the annex “Rules for the stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Republic of Uzbekistan.” It is quite vague and non-specific, but in Uzbekistan there has been a certain tradition of issuing this very registration.
So, you can register in several ways.
The most difficult way is to go with a citizen of Uzbekistan to the migration service. You will need to bring copies of your passport and the passport of the homeowner, a number of documents (it is better to check the list in advance), fill out several forms and pay a fee (about $5 for CIS citizens). Do not forget to make a copy of your passport for yourself, since the migration service will take the original and will not issue any certificates. In a few days you will receive the coveted registration, which is a stamp in your passport.
The second way is to spend the night in hotels that do the registration themselves. This method is chosen by most travelers. Not all hotels can accept and register foreigners, but only those that have a special license, but fortunately, almost all major cities have “licensed” hotels, including inexpensive ones, where they can accommodate and register you. Hotel employees should give you a receipt for payment, which will be your registration. Most hotels provide free registration.
If you have an unregistered break in your trip (for example, your last registration expired on the 15th, and you only received a new one on the 17th), there seems to be nothing wrong with that. Although the law does not give an unambiguous interpretation on this matter, the police usually do not find fault with this. However, prepare a convincing explanation just in case. Like, “drove all night by car,” “spent the night on the shore of the lake in a tent,” “waited until the morning at the train station,” etc.
The third way is to structure your trip so that you leave the country every three working days. You can completely skip Uzbekistan during this period, but for a full inspection of this country, of course, three working days will not be enough.
The law does not clearly state from what day the countdown of the day required to obtain registration begins, but according to established practice, border guards and police do not count the day of entry. That is, if you checked in on Monday, you can check out on Thursday, and if you checked in on Thursday, you can check out on Tuesday (weekends don’t count).
Proponents of ultra-budget travel who do not want to spend money on hotels can cross the border every three working days and immediately come back. This can be done in Andijan (close to the Kyrgyz border), Kokand (border with Tajikistan), Denau (border with Tajikistan), and most conveniently in Tashkent (the border with Kazakhstan is located on the northern outskirts of the city).
Well, I’ll add that lack of registration is “failure to comply with the established procedure for temporary or permanent registration.” It is punishable by a fine of 50 to 100 times the minimum wage, or deportation from the country (Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Liability, Art. 225). The minimum wage in Uzbekistan since December 1, 2010 is almost 50 thousand soums, respectively, for lack of registration you can officially be charged 2.5-5 million soums (about 1000-2000 dollars). Be careful, there are cases where people were actually forced to pay such huge sums!
How to get to Uzbekistan
By plane. The easiest way to fly from Moscow is to Tashkent. Several airlines operate on this route, so finding a ticket for the desired date will not be difficult. Aeroflot, Transaero and Uzbekistan Airways fly to Tashkent from Moscow. Tickets from Moscow to Tashkent and back cost approximately 20 thousand rubles.
Uzbekistan Airways does not sell tickets directly online. Contacts of representative offices in Moscow and other cities can be found on their official website www.uzairways.com
By train. Trains run to Tashkent from Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Kharkov, Saratov and St. Petersburg. The last two trains travel through western Uzbekistan and pass through Nukus and Samarkand.
In addition, Tajik trains pass through the territory of Uzbekistan Moscow- Dushanbe, Moscow - Kulyab and Saratov - Khujand. True, in Uzbekistan they make “technical stops”, so you cannot buy a ticket to Uzbek stations, but you can buy tickets to Tajikistan and just get off in Uzbekistan. In this case, you will, of course, greatly overpay, but if there are no other options, this option is suitable. The train travels from Moscow to Tashkent for almost three days. A ticket for a reserved seat carriage costs almost 7 thousand rubles, which is not much cheaper than a plane ticket.
All trains go through the territory of Kazakhstan, so get ready for long waits at the border, visits from border guards and customs officers and other troubles.
By bus or car. Russia does not border Uzbekistan, but there are two main roads going there through Kazakhstan: the first is Atyrau (which can be reached from Saratov or Samara via Uralsk, or directly from Astrakhan) - Beineu - Kungrad; the second - Aktyubinsk (which can be reached from Orenburg or Orsk) - Kyzylorda - Turkestan - Chimkent - Tashkent. The first leads to the western part of the country, the second to the capital of Uzbekistan. From Western Siberia you can travel through the main Kazakh highway Astana (or Pavlodar) - Karaganda - Alma-Ata. Only, before reaching Almaty, in the area of the village of Burubaital (the southern tip of Lake Balkhash), you will need to turn left to Taraz and Chimkent.
Officially, there are no direct bus flights from Russia to Uzbekistan, but there are irregularly running private buses for guest workers and shuttle workers, which you can look for in the market of your city.
Around the country
By plane. Tashkent is connected by air to all regional centers of the country. Flights are operated by the state-owned monopoly company Uzbekistan Airways (O’zbekiston havo yo’llari). The official website of the airline is www.uzairways.com. True, it is not particularly useful for a traveler: you cannot buy a ticket there, or even find out the tariffs, you can only look at the current schedule.
From Tashkent, planes fly to the following cities: Andijan, Bukhara, Fergana, Karshi, Namangan, Navoi, Nukus, Samarkand, Termez, Urgench. Here are approximate prices for flights from Tashkent (one way prices): Andijan - 70 thousand soums ($30), Bukhara - 77 thousand soums ($32), Termez - 87 thousand soums ($36), Urgench - 120 thousand soums ($50), Nukus - 110 thousand soums ($46). A round-trip ticket costs twice as much as a one-way ticket.
Tickets for domestic flights can be purchased both at any airline office in the country and at the airline’s representative office abroad. In Tashkent, tickets are sold at the main air services agency near the railway station (Amir Temur ko'chasi st., 51, tel. 140 48 10, 8.00-13.00, 14.00-19.00). Contacts of Uzbek Airlines representative offices in other cities can be found on the company’s website.
By train. Uzbekistan has a well-developed railway connection: almost all major cities of the country are connected by railways. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, some branches ended up abroad. For example, sections on the Kungrad-Navoi and Karshi-Termez lines remained on the territory of Turkmenistan, and the road from the central part of the country to the Fergana Valley remained on the territory of Tajikistan. However, the authorities have built new railways, so that it is possible to travel from central Uzbekistan to Kungrad and Termez without entering Turkmenistan. Only there is no railway to the Fergana Valley yet, and due to the difficult terrain it is unlikely to be built in the foreseeable future. The Tashkent-Andijan and Bukhara-Andijan trains running through Tajikistan were canceled in 2010, so it is impossible to get to the Fergana Valley by train.
The official website of Uzbek Railways is www.uzrailway.uz. For a traveler, it is almost useless, since you cannot buy tickets there. However, you can see the schedule of all Uzbek trains at www.uzrailway.uz/rus_p_6.html. In addition, a tourist may find the website www.uzrailpass.uz useful, where current prices for travel on Uzbek trains are posted.
Train prices in Uzbekistan are tied to the Swiss franc exchange rate and change (usually increase) every week. The cost of travel in a reserved seat car is approximately 4000-6000 soums (1.7-2.5 dollars) per 100 km of travel.
You can buy a ticket at ticket offices at train stations or offices selling train tickets (sold at a small premium) right on the day of departure, but if you are going to travel on the weekend, it is better to take care of this in advance. Uzbek Railways is part of the Express system, and theoretically tickets for them can be bought in Russia: at railway ticket offices and on the Internet (on the website ticket.rzd.ru). True, tickets for Uzbek trains are sold in Russia with a markup of 30-50%. As in Russia, train tickets in Uzbekistan are personalized. They can only be purchased with a passport, and the conductor checks the passengers' documents upon boarding.
The interiors of Uzbek carriages are not much different from Russian ones. As in Russia, there are compartment, reserved seat and general carriages. There are express trains "Registan" (Tashkent - Samarkand), "Shark" (Tashkent - Bukhara) and "Nasaf" (Tashkent - Karshi), which travel at an average speed of more than 100 km/h. They usually have seats and two categories of carriages: first and second class. The classes differ only in the presence of a TV and some other useless amenities. The fare in second class is approximately the same as in a reserved seat carriage on a long-distance train.
By bus and taxi. Uzbek buses are the cheapest in the entire former Soviet Union. This property more than compensates for the chaos and confusion that reigns in the bus service.
Large and quite comfortable buses (most often Mercedes) run over long distances (more than 200 km). Thanks to the flat terrain, they travel quite quickly: for example, from Tashkent to Samarkand (310 km) you can travel in 4 hours, and from Tashkent to Bukhara (620 km) in 8 hours. In some areas (for example, between Bukhara and Nukus) the speed is noticeably reduced. Since buses are prohibited from traveling at night in Uzbekistan, they usually depart in the morning in order to be there by evening. If the distance is not too far (for example, from Tashkent to Samarkand), as a rule, there are several flights during the day. Bus station buildings in Uzbekistan are empty and abandoned, and only on the platform in front of them are buses waiting for passengers.
There is something like an official schedule, but it is often not followed. Sometimes there is additional transport that is not indicated in any schedule: the bus owner simply arrives at the bus station, hangs a sign on the bus with the name of the city and invites customers. Only Tashkent - Samarkand flights leave strictly on schedule, and tickets for them can even be bought at the ticket office. In all other cases, payment is made directly on the bus.
On short and suburban routes (the concept of short and suburban transportation includes all distances less than 200 km - for example, only minibuses run in the Fergana Valley, and there are no large buses), small Isuzu buses and Damas minibuses run. They are sent as they are full from morning to mid-day (after 15-16 hours they will be difficult to find). Damas is a symbol of the Uzbek automobile industry, cheap, but very uncomfortable. This is a minibus less than three and a half meters long and less than one and a half meters wide. It accommodates the driver and seven passengers. Even a thin person without luggage will feel cramped here. The doors open on both sides.
Prices for transportation in large buses are 3000-3500 soums (1.25 - 1.5 dollars) per 100 km of travel. On minibuses, the fare varies from 2,000 to 4,000 soums (0.8 - 1.7 dollars) per 100 km.
Another popular way to travel around Uzbekistan is intercity group taxis. If you want to get somewhere quickly, it is better to use this transport. And in some directions (for example, where the road goes through a mountain pass) there is no alternative to them: for example, from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz or from Tashkent to the Fergana Valley you can only get with the help of such a taxi.
Group taxis depart from a place popularly called "pyatak". For example, in all cities of the Fergana Valley there is a Tashkent nickel - a place from which taxis depart to the capital. The cost of travel in a group taxi is 5-10 thousand soums (2-4 dollars) per 100 km. This is more expensive than taking an Uzbek bus, but by Russian standards it is still inexpensive (cheaper, for example, than taking an intercity bus in Russia). If minibuses and taxis go in the same direction, their prices usually differ by half.
You need to keep in mind that taxis do not travel long distances. Let's say, from Tashkent to Bukhara you will need to take three taxis: Tashkent - Samarkand, Samarkand - Navoi and Navoi - Bukhara. It’s better to leave in the morning: then there is more choice of taxis, and passengers quickly fill up. After lunch, you will have to wait a long time for other passengers, and the taxi driver, taking advantage of the situation, may ask for a large amount.
Urban transport. In most cities there is no civilized bus service. Large city buses are only available in Tashkent. The main type of urban transport in Uzbekistan is Isuzu and Damas minibuses. The fare is 300-600 soums. Payment to the driver or conductor.
Tashkent is the only city in Central Asia that has a metro system. It has been operating since 1977 and consists of three lines.
Electric transport in the entire country exists in only two places: in Tashkent there are several tram routes, and between Urgench and Khiva there is a trolleybus line created in 1997.
City taxis in Uzbekistan are quite cheap, but often operate like public transport: the price is set for each person, and the taxi driver can pick up other passengers along the way. If you are in a medium-sized regional center, then during the day you can take a taxi from the city center to the outskirts for 1000-2000 soums. In the evening and at night the price increases several times. Naturally, the greediest taxi drivers are at train stations and airports, but if you walk a hundred meters to the nearest street, you will catch a normal ride.
"There are many Tajiks in Samarkand and Bukhara." - actually there are also a lot of Jews there
"At this time during the day the temperature can be above +50..."
I lived in Tajikistan for 16 years, and have been to Uzbekistan more than once - there has NEVER been such a temperature there...
“As a rule, customs officers at the entrance and exit... ask to show the contents of the backpack and count the available currency.” This also never happened to me, but when I flew to Israel, yes, they shook out all the things from the suitcase.
“...but there are private buses that run irregularly for guest workers and shuttle workers” - I wouldn’t recommend this type of travel at all, because you still have to go through 3 days on a train, and an illegal bus... it’s terrible...
“City taxis in Uzbekistan are quite cheap” - but the price, oddly enough, is different for everyone; for foreigners or decently dressed people, it will be higher...
But in general, Samarkand and Bukhara really have something to see there.
And it’s still better to go there in the spring. Everything has been in bloom since mid-March.
In autumn, for the most part, Uzbekistan looks lifeless
Informative! Thank you! I didn’t even know about some points...)
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Is it possible to pay for a ticket by card? Is it safe?
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What is an electronic ticket and electronic registration?
Purchasing an electronic ticket on the website is a modern and fast way to issue a travel document without the participation of a cashier or operator.When purchasing an electronic train ticket, seats are redeemed immediately at the time of payment.After payment, to board the train you need to either register electronically or print a ticket at the station.Electronic registration Not available for all orders. If registration is available, you can complete it by clicking on the appropriate button on our website. You will see this button immediately after payment. You will then need your original ID and a printout of your boarding pass to board the train. Some conductors do not require a printout, but it is better not to risk it.Print e-ticket You can do so at any time before the train departs at the ticket office at the station or at the self-registration terminal. To do this, you need a 14-digit order code (you will receive it via SMS after payment) and an original ID.
Frankly speaking, getting to Samarkand is much easier than deciding on the trip to Uzbekistan itself. Some tourists are put off by the bureaucratic registration system, which is mandatory for everyone upon arrival in the country. Moreover, registration documents must be kept until departure from Uzbekistan. And all because passport control workers may ask even tourists leaving the country to show their registration. But all these inconveniences pale in comparison with the impressions that one of the oldest cities in the world - Samarkand - will reward tourists with.
Fast but expensive air travel
The fastest way for tourists to get to Samarkand from Russia is by air. Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to the city with an oriental flavor operate almost daily. A comfortable flight from St. Petersburg will take about five hours, and from Moscow a little less – 4 hours. Let me clarify right away that the cost of the flight will depend on the airline that travelers use. But in any case, air travel is not a cheap pleasure. A ticket to Samarkand for flights operated by the Uzbek airline will cost tourists as much as minimum $240. The services of Aeroflot and Transaero in delivering travelers to Samarkand will result in $270–450.
Tourists from Ukraine and Belarus will not have any problems with air travel to beautiful Samarkand. Most likely, it will not be possible to find a direct flight from Kyiv, but tourists will definitely be able to fly with one transfer in Tashkent. Such a flight will cost travelers an average of $350 and will take from nine to seventeen hours.
You can get from the airport to the hotel or to the center of Samarkand by taxi. Travel prices are quite affordable. You can even save a little by moving a couple of hundred meters away from the airport towards the road. True, it will be easier for travelers with children or large luggage to call a taxi directly to the airport. This service will cost only 2.5–3 dollars. Moreover, this is the price without adding other passengers. Otherwise, a taxi will be even cheaper.
High-speed express or memorable train Registan
If visiting Samarkand is one of the points of travel around Uzbekistan as a whole, then you can get to this mysterious city from Tashkent by high-speed train Afrosiab. It departs from the platform of the main railway station in Tashkent and delivers curious tourists to Samarkand in just two hours. Such a trip costs from 21 to 40 dollars one way. The most acceptable ticket for most tourists is an economy class ticket. But this does not mean that the journey will be uncomfortable. Even for a relatively small fee, passengers will travel in comfortable seats and, if desired, use video or audio equipment, which is equipped in all cars.
In addition, Afrosiab has a cafe-car, which is convenient for tourists with children. However, absolutely all travelers can use the services of a cafe car and take a sample of the famous Samarkand flatbreads on the way to Samarkand.
Disadvantages of high speed trains is that it flies to Samarkand only twice a day. However, you can get to the city of famous shadows not only on Afrosiab. A Soviet-style electric train, familiar to many travelers, runs towards Samarkand. Many people mistakenly believe that traveling on the Registan train is uncomfortable. In fact, the nondescript carriages are well equipped inside. If you're lucky, in the summer the air conditioning in the compartment will be able to cope even with the exhausting heat of the day. By the way, a train ticket costs the same $21, but in both directions. True, it’s also expensive to get to Samarkand on Registan and it will take almost 4.5 hours.
Whatever train you decide to take, in any case it will be a convenient and affordable option for traveling to Samarkand. The main thing is to take into account and remember the features of the Uzbek railway communication. The rules at the local train stations are very similar to the rules at many airports around the world. Do not be alarmed when, at the entrance to the station, you are searched and the luggage you are carrying is checked. Exit to the platform of the train or commuter train is possible only after presenting your passport and ticket. So it’s better not to hide documents far away. And also, no matter how funny it may sound, taking photographs at the station is strictly prohibited. Special signs throughout the station remind tourists of this.
And also, I plan to get to Samarkand by rail, take into account the mandatory registration for the train, which ends half an hour before its departure. The main thing is to get on the train, and then the mysterious and hospitable Samarkand will surprise and impress.