Uzbekistan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
I didn't know what to expect from Uzbekistan before I went — and that's exactly what made it so surprising. This is a country that feels like the Muslim Rome: ancient cities dripping with monumental Islamic architecture, mosaic-tiled domes that glow blue and gold in the afternoon light, and a history so layered it takes days to even scratch the surface. I expected a quiet, off-the-beaten-path destination. What I found was a country very much alive with tourism — just not from the West. Russian, Chinese, and Central Asian tourists fill the streets, and the infrastructure reflects it. Uzbekistan is ready for visitors — and it's extraordinary.
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Why Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan sits at the heart of the ancient Silk Road — the legendary trade route that connected China to the Mediterranean for centuries. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva were once among the most powerful and prosperous in the world, and the architecture they left behind is staggering. Monumental madrasahs, towering minarets, and ornate mausoleums built by Timurid emperors and Central Asian khans — all remarkably well-preserved and genuinely breathtaking.
But beyond the monuments, Uzbekistan surprises you. The people are exceptionally warm, transport is cheap and efficient, and the country is far safer and more accessible than most people imagine. It's one of those destinations that completely exceeds expectations — and one that still feels genuinely special before the Western tourist crowds fully discover it.
👉 Where I stayed during my trip:
- Khiva: Khiva Karim Sulton 🅱️ Booking 🔗🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗
- Bukhara: Hotel Mironshox 🅱️ Booking 🔗🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗
- Samarkand: Hotel Mohina 🅱️ Booking 🔗🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗
- Tashkent: Anvar's Guests 🅱️ Booking 🔗🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗
Practical Information
Visa
Uzbekistan offers a highly accessible entry policy for international travelers:
- Citizens from over 90 countries, including most European nations, the UK, and Canada, enjoy visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days.
- From January 1, 2026, US citizens have also been granted 30-day visa-free access.
- Travelers from countries not on the visa-free list can apply for an e-Visa through the official government portal 🔗 — typically processed within 3 working days.
⚠️ Your passport must be valid for at least 3–6 months beyond your arrival date. Hotels automatically handle the mandatory registration with local authorities — just make sure you're staying in registered accommodation.
SIM Card
Get a local SIM card as soon as you arrive at the airport — wifi is available only in hotels and some tourist restaurants, so you'll need mobile data constantly. I bought an Ucell card for 50,000 UZS and it worked perfectly throughout the trip.
⚠️ Not all plans include social media access — check before you buy. If your phone supports eSIM, Airalo 🔗 is a good alternative, though a bit more expensive.
Transportation
Transportation in Uzbekistan is very cheap and efficient; therefore, it's not necessary to rent a car. Trains are best for long-distance travel between the major cities, and taxis and shared taxis are for shorter distances.
🚆 By Train: The best option for travelling between major cities. High-speed trains connect Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara quickly and comfortably. The only exception is the Khiva–Bukhara route, which runs only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays on older trains — budget about 6 hours.
⚠️ Tickets sold out quite easily, so it's best to book them in advance on their Official website🔗. You can purchase the tickets only 40 days ahead; before then, you simply see the timetables.
🚖 Taxis & Shared Cars: I mainly used taxis to get between the train stations and the city center, since the stations are usually located a bit outside the city (around 6 km or more). Another option is to take shared minibuses with 7 seats, but keep in mind they only depart once all seats are filled, which can sometimes mean waiting.
⚠️ Always negotiate the price before getting in a taxi. For a 6 km ride, drivers may ask as much as 120,000 UZS, but in the end I paid only 33,000 UZS. To really save money, the best option is to use the Yandex Go app. I read that it works with a local SIM card, but in my case it didn’t. Whenever possible, I recommend asking your hotel to book a Yandex taxi for you—it’s easier, cheaper, and avoids haggling.
Accommodation
I chose to stay in family-run guesthouses, where the hosts were always warm and eager to help. They assisted us with exchanging money and arranging taxis, making our stay much easier. The accommodations were usually simple and no-frills, but very affordable—around €30 for a double room—and the personal touch made the experience truly special.
👉 I booked all of them on Booking🔗
Language
Besides speaking Uzbek, the second main language is Russian. Nobody speaks English (even in guest houses), but with Google Translate, I managed to understand the bare minimum. In tourist places is easier, as English is more spoken.
Money
Uzbekistan is very affordable, especially if you bring euros or dollars. A short taxi ride costs around €3, while a meal for two is about €6 (though tourist restaurants are more expensive). The local currency is the Uzbek sum, and you’ll need to exchange money, as credit cards are accepted only in a limited number of tourist-oriented places.
⚠️ Before my trip, I wasn’t sure how common ATMs would be, so I brought enough euros in cash to cover my expenses and hotel stays. In reality, ATMs are available in all city centers, though fees can be quite high. Exchanging euros or dollars is straightforward, and I often did it directly at my hotel for convenience.
Uzbekistan Culture and Tradition
Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, so both men and women are expected to dress modestly. Women are not required to wear a hijab—most local women don’t—but it’s a good idea to carry a scarf with you, as you’ll need it to cover your head when entering many mosques.
Is Uzbekistan safe to travel to?
How safe is Uzbekistan? I never felt in danger whatsoever during my time here. This country is an authoritarian state, but it has a stable government, and safety is ensured. Practically, it means that policemen are everywhere, and small crimes don't happen. Train stations are controlled (there are metal detectors at the entrance), and overall safety is ensured. I read that policemen could bother tourists, but Uzbekistan has drastically changed its approach to tourism in recent years. It's clear that now they see it as an opportunity, and try to treat tourists very well. Also, you can walk at night without any problem (keeping in mind that the streets are poorly lit).
Best Time to Travel to Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, the winter season is very cold, and the summer is very hot. Temperatures in December average 8°C (18°F) in the north and 0°C (32°F) in the south. However, extreme fluctuations can take temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F). During the summer, temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F) and above.
✨ The best seasons to visit this country are therefore spring and autumn. I went at the end of October, and the weather was perfect, in the daytime it was 25°C (77°F), in the evening around 15°C (59°F).
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