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Day trip to the Sarmych-Sai petroglyphs
by Romaguy · 2026-02-04 · 2 replies
Hi, We’d like to know if it’s easy to visit the Sarmych-Sai gorges from Bukhara as a day trip. Do homestays and hotels offer this? Thanks
Need information on planning a trip to Uzbekistan
by Andma · 2025-12-29 · 2 replies
Hello, We’re a senior couple planning to spend around 3 weeks in Uzbekistan, either starting at the end of March or mid-April. We’ll begin in Khiva (Urgench) and finish in Tashkent (via Termez). We prefer traveling independently as much as possible, at our own pace, and are considering hiring drivers for specific legs of our journey. Here’s our rough itinerary: 4 nights in Khiva 4 in Bukhara 5 or 6 in Samarkand (we’d like to do a day trip to the Seven Lakes in Tajikistan) 2 in Termez Then Tashkent and the Fergana Valley 2 in Tashkent Does this seem balanced? Any suggestions? We’re not planning to go as far as the Aral Sea or stay in a yurt camp. Is the weather favorable at the end of March (risk of rain)? Or would mid-April be better? What’s the typical cost for a driver’s services? Thank you in advance for any tips that could help us with our plans. Andrea
Booking flight tickets to Uzbekistan
by Kachalot · 2025-12-20 · 2 replies
Hi there, I’d like to return to Uzbekistan next April for 10 days with my husband to visit our son who lives there. We went last July and I bought the flight tickets (direct flight from Paris on Uzbekistan Airways) about 2 months in advance at very reasonable prices. I’ve been checking for late April for a few weeks now, and the tickets are much more expensive and keep rising. I can’t figure out if the prices are going up because it’s still a bit too early to buy and they’ll likely drop if the planes aren’t full, or if it’s because the period is actually in high demand. For reference, last year I bought my son’s ticket on May 30th for a departure on June 3rd—just 3 days later—at a very low price that didn’t budge at all. Just in case, does anyone know the pricing trends for this airline and can advise me? Should I wait or not? Thanks, and feel free to ask if you need any tips about the country!
Do you have to book trains in advance in Uzbekistan?
by Narbonne11 · 2025-10-21 · 5 replies
Hi there,

We’re planning a 15-day trip to Uzbekistan in March—classic independent itinerary: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. We’d like to take the train between each city, but I don’t want to lock down the whole trip before we leave.

So, my question is: is it absolutely necessary to book train tickets before departure, whether for the high-speed trains or the regional ones? Is booking really essential for the regional trains?

Thanks a bunch!

Philippe
Paying when arriving in the middle of the night at Tashkent Airport
by Dooli · 2025-10-03 · 2 replies
Hi,

In two weeks, we’re arriving in Tashkent around 1 a.m. I don’t think my hotel accepts Mastercard—is it better to bring dollars to pay, or will I be able to withdraw some som there?

Same question: I don’t think I’ll be able to buy an eSIM at 1 a.m., but has anyone seen it done that late?

Thanks.
Looking for feedback on bike touring in Central Asia
by Lumazero · 2025-10-02 · 5 replies
Hi everyone, We’re planning to spend 5 months cycling as a family in Central Asia. To align with the weather, we’re thinking of arriving in Uzbekistan in April, heading toward the Ferghana Valley in late April/early May, and wrapping up with a long stretch in Kyrgyzstan from mid-May to early August.

I haven’t really dug into the third part (Kyrgyzstan) yet, but from what I’ve seen on the forum and online, cycling across Uzbekistan doesn’t seem all that appealing: long, straight desert stretches with lots of trucks.

Has anyone come across any "hidden gem" routes they’d be willing to share? I’ve already noted that it’s best to avoid riding toward Tashkent. I’m looking for routes between Bukhara and Samarkand, and any nearby areas that are nice for cycling.

I’d love to fly into Dushanbe to reach Samarkand, but we all agree that it’s not a good fit for the season (early April) if we’re cycling, right?

Thanks for your feedback! Ludo
Transport from Urgench Airport to Nukus
by Madalton26 · 2025-09-04 · 4 replies
Hi everyone, I’m landing at Urgench Airport at 7:10 AM and I’d like to get to Nukus, but I’m not sure how. There’s supposedly a bus (no. 748?), but I can’t find its schedule or departure point (airport, city center?). If any of you have done this route before, I’d love some info. Have a great day
Paying a photo tax in Uzbekistan
by Copinard · 2025-08-28 · 8 replies
Hi, I just read the various discussions about the photo tax that’s being asked for in Uzbekistan, but that info is from 2016/2017. I’m leaving next week for Tashkent/Samarkand/Bukhara/Khiva, and I’ve been told a 50 USD tax is required for photos. I really get the feeling this is a "forced sale" and an exorbitant amount. Have any of you paid this tax recently? Thanks
Have you heard of Qanot Sharq airline?
by Shiyawase · 2025-06-18 · 6 replies
Hi everyone! We’re planning a multi-stop trip, starting with Uzbekistan. Has anyone flown with Qanot Sharq before? We’re looking to take a flight from Tashkent to Guangzhou. We tried buying a ticket on their website, but they only accept local bank cards since they don’t take foreign currency. We’ve searched on other sites but can’t find any tickets that include baggage. It’s a bit risky since there’s no info on whether we can buy baggage allowance on their site or how much it’d cost.

If anyone has any tips, we’d love to hear them! 😊 Safe travels!
Uzbekistan with family in the spring
by Sawaddeekha · 2025-06-16 · 20 replies
Hello,

I’ve been dreaming about the Silk Road for a long time and hope to visit Uzbekistan next year with my husband and son (11 years old). Late April to early May.

I’m planning a very classic itinerary: Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent.

I checked the Uzbekistan Railways website, but it seems you can only book tickets three months in advance?

Otherwise, I’ve seen some people in other discussions suggest booking through Uzrailway. Are these the apps below? Are they reliable?

I really don’t want to go through a travel agency—I’d prefer to organize everything myself—and it seems the only hurdle is booking the trains. I was thinking of taking the train from Tashkent to Samarkand, then to Bukhara, and finally to Khiva, before flying back from Urgench to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways (is that a bad idea?🤪). What do you think?

Since we’re traveling with a child, I’d rather book and organize everything in advance to avoid any potential hassles. I tend to plan my trips much more now than I used to😏.

Would you have any great accommodation recommendations (not luxury, but not a youth hostel either)? We prefer places with charm, friendly owners, and a nice setting...

Also, I speak several languages but not Uzbek or Russian🤪... Is English widely spoken these days?

Thanks everyone 🙂
Local agency in Uzbekistan
by Gusphinehort · 2025-05-30 · 4 replies
Hi, Does anyone know if the travel agency "NOUVINI" in Tashkent still exists??? Or do you have another agency to recommend??? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Jean Pierre
Uzbekistan - Finally made it - Summer 2022
by Ellobo · 2025-05-11 · 15 replies
Another trip planned during Covid. Actually, for 2020, I had three trips booked, with tickets purchased and everything. This one to Uzbekistan was planned for April 2020. We postponed it to April 2021, but it was canceled again, and we couldn’t reschedule for April 2022 because our friends who were coming with us were busy. So, we chose summer, knowing the temperatures would likely be very high.

We left as a group of five: a couple we usually travel with and one of their friends, whom I knew. She was traveling alone and had dreamed of this trip but didn’t want to go by herself.

For organization, we went through an agency to handle the train tickets and our trip to the Aral Sea. It’s not my usual style, but back in 2020, we were already in touch with them, and they were very understanding during the two cancellations. It wasn’t easy, given the economic crisis Covid caused, especially in Uzbekistan.

Again, I’m writing this travel journal from memory since I didn’t take any notes. (It’s good to give your brain a workout now and then!)

Day 1: Off to Tashkent

We flew in the afternoon to Istanbul, had a 2-hour-15-minute layover in Turkey, and then took an overnight flight to arrive early in the morning in Tashkent. Problem (again): just before taking off from Saint-Exupéry, the plane had an issue with the landing gear. We waited two hours, and after a few hammer and wrench adjustments, we finally took off. Of course, by the time we arrived in Istanbul, it was a mad dash through the airport to catch our connecting flight. We landed at 7:30 AM in Tashkent, and of the five suitcases in our little group, two were missing (one of ours and the solo traveler’s). Big problem because we were leaving at 2:30 PM by train for the Aral Sea, and we wouldn’t be near an airport again for three days. Plus, at the small airport in the Uzbek capital, no one spoke English (or French, or the Ardèche dialect). Fortunately, we had booked a guide for a quick morning tour of the capital. We had seven hours to kill, and it seemed smart to do it this way (and yes, sometimes we do think ahead). With him speaking English and, more importantly, Uzbek, the delivery of our suitcases was arranged.

So, we set off to explore the capital. It’s very Soviet in design—wide avenues and ugly buildings.

We visited the Khasti Imam historical complex (first name to pronounce at your own risk—there will be plenty more during the trip). Lots of "oohs" and "aahs" about how beautiful it was, but in the end, compared to what we saw later, it was really just small potatoes.

We checked out Chorsu Bazaar, the city’s large covered market. The guide was friendly and gave us plenty of tips for the rest of the trip. He suggested a restaurant, which we accepted, so we could get familiar with local customs. The good thing was, it didn’t seem like a tourist trap.

Next, we headed to the train station because our train was at 2:30 PM. The guide left us, and then another problem arose. While going through security, one of the staff made it clear that our train was canceled and our ticket needed to be changed to the train leaving around 8:20 PM. Heatwave moment (it was 38°C). Our issue was that we were supposed to arrive in Nukus (our destination) at 6:00 AM and take a minibus for a round trip to Moynaq and the Aral Sea (four hours each way). The plan was to spend 2-3 hours there and return, so a 10-11-hour timeline. Leaving at 6:00 AM made it doable, but with the train now leaving at 8:20 PM, we’d arrive in Nukus at noon, which messed up the rest of the plan.

I was fuming at the agency (I really don’t like using agencies), so I called the local contact, who quickly sent our guide back (because trying to communicate, change tickets, and get information was tough).

I asked the manager to find us flight tickets to make up for the delay, but nothing—zilch—was possible. We were stuck! My buddy and I were determined to get to Moynaq, but the women in the group were less motivated.

No choice but to board the train for an overnight journey. We had a cabin for two (and our friend had one to herself). Big scare at first—no AC, and it felt like 150°. They told us it would work once the train started moving, which it did. A frugal meal in the dining car (spaghetti with meat—the only dish on offer) and we had a good night’s sleep.

The +: Finally, we’re here! The -: A lot of hassles to start the trip
Upcoming trip to Uzbekistan
by Claudine95 · 2025-04-26 · 5 replies
Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Uzbekistan in October 2025 and I’m looking for info to help me organize it as best as possible. Claudine
Using your phone in Uzbekistan
by Appenans · 2025-04-17 · 7 replies
Hi there, Our trip is just around the corner—only 10 days to go! Quick practical question: what’s the easiest and most budget-friendly way to use my phone while I’m there? Thanks in advance! Céline
Declaring Medications at Uzbek Customs
by Fleurine12 · 2025-03-28 · 5 replies
Hi there. I’d like to know if all medications need to be declared at Uzbek customs. E.g., antidepressants? Thanks for your reply
Agency for visiting the Aral Sea from Nukus
by Nicoreve · 2025-03-26 · 1 reply
Has anyone got a recommendation for a reliable agency at a reasonable price for a 2-day trip to the Aral Sea from Nukus?
Looking for contact details of a tour guide (Uzbekistan)
by Hjeanc5977 · 2025-03-17 · 4 replies
Hi there, we’re heading to Uzbekistan to explore the cities of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent. Do you have any contact details for French- or English-speaking guides? Thanks EH
Solo travel itinerary over 3 weeks from Urgench to Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
by Nicoreve · 2025-03-15 · 6 replies
Hi everyone,

As a senior woman, I’m planning a solo trip to Uzbekistan this time. I arrive in Urgench on April 18 and leave from Tashkent on May 9, so 3 weeks. 1 - Aral Sea: I’d like to start there. Has anyone had a recent experience to share? Depending on your feedback, I’ll decide whether to go or not—my whole itinerary shifts based on that! 2 - What’s the best way to get around between cities? The train seems preferable, but booking and paying from France is complicated… and I’d have to plan everything in advance 😕 3 - Has anyone gone directly from Samarkand to Fergana? If so, by what transport? Or is it mandatory to go through Tashkent? 4 - Any tips for the most frequent and reliable transport in the Fergana Valley? 5 - I’d also love recommendations for accommodations (hostels, guesthouses) and nice restaurants in the country!

Feel free to share whatever advice you can… Thanks so much in advance! 😉
Various questions about Uzbekistan
by UnaMilanese · 2025-01-31 · 5 replies
(I sense the moderators changing the title here...)

Good evening! 🙂

The departure date is approaching, and I’m side-eyeing my suitcase... well... uh... It’s true I’m allowed 30 + 8 kg, but if I can pack much lighter, that wouldn’t bother me. So, to eliminate a few "uhs":

1. It’s going to be quite chilly outside, especially in the mornings—I know that—but what about indoors? Do Uzbek hotels tend to be overheated? (More than 21/22°C?)

2. Is this country like Turkey, where you find foam slippers in the room’s linen kit?

3. Are dry cleaners or laundromats common?

Possibly more to come later.

Cat
Are there flights arriving in Urgench and returning from Tashkent?
by Nicoreve · 2025-01-23 · 24 replies
Hello, As a senior woman, I’m planning a 3-week solo trip (late April or early May) to explore the country by public transport, visiting the main cities (Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand), the Ferghana Valley, and if possible, the Aral Sea. I’m reaching out to the community to see if there are flights arriving in Urgench and returning from Tashkent—or the other way around? Thanks in advance to anyone with insights! 😉

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