20 Things to Know Before Visiting Uzbekistan

Central Asia never fails to invoke the romantic imagination of scholars and laypersons alike, thanks to the almost mythical and contemporary cliché of the ‘Silk Road’. Forever a crossroads of history, Central Asia can best be described as a place that ‘time forgot and where one can forget time’. Characterised by medieval blue-domed cities, exuberant bazaars, obscure caravanserai, and faraway yurt camps, Central Asia seemed to be seized in a time warp.

Uzbekistan is an integral part of Central Asia. From Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan to Amir Timur, its swashbuckling history has been shaped by some of history’s greatest conquerors. Few of the world’s daring travellers, such as Marco Polo, have left their footprints here. Travelling to Uzbekistan is akin to travelling back in time, thereby trudging on the sand-prints of a handful of history’s iconic warriors and explorers.

With its riveting historical heritage and an arsenal of lapis blue architecture adorning its skyline, Uzbekistan is arguably the most popular travel destination in Central Asia. The warmth of the Uzbek citizens, coupled with a vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, and general secular setting, has made Uzbekistan one of the most tourist-friendly countries in the world. No wonder, Uzbekistan featured in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best Destinations to Travel in 2024’.

We have been planning to explore Uzbekistan for the last couple of years. We outlined our travel itinerary through meticulous research and sorted everything out without taking help from any travel agency or guide. In this blog, we have outlined the basic practicalities for organizing a trip to Uzbekistan and a couple of do’s and don’ts. We hope this blog will preliminarily help you chalk your Uzbekistan itinerary.

1. General information regarding Uzbekistan:

• Uzbekistan is part of Central Asia.
• It is a doubly landlocked country, as only landlocked countries surround it.
• It is surrounded by 5 countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
• The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent, which also happens to be the country’s largest city.
• The official language is Uzbek.
• The currency is Uzbek Som (UZS).

2. Best time to visit Uzbekistan:

Uzbekistan is a landlocked country. Thus, it has a continental type of climate. Weather conditions are extreme here – summers are scorching and unbearable, while winters are bitterly cold. For travelling comfortably, spring and autumn are by far the ideal seasons.

Spring: The period between March to May is pleasant, with temperatures ranging between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. The chances of rainfall are nil.

Autumn: The fall season coincides with September and October. During autumn, daytime temperature varies from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius. In the evening, it can go down below 10 degrees Celsius. You may also encounter sudden showers.

We visited Uzbekistan in the first week of October. We found the mornings to be cool and delightful. However, the afternoon sun was quite searing. Evenings were chilly and windy, and we had to wear light jackets and drape shawls while having dinner. Moreover, we ran into rain at Tashkent.

Avoid the summer months (June to August) when the temperature goes beyond 40 degrees Celsius, as well as the winter (December to February) which witnesses freezing temperatures and snowfall.

3. Getting a visa for Uzbekistan:

The process of getting a visa for travelling to Uzbekistan is straightforward.

• More than 60 nationalities can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for a month such as the United Kingdom, most of the European Union countries, South Korea, Israel, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Residents of 75 countries, including India and the USA, can easily get an e-Visa by applying online.
• You can apply online for an e-visa through the official website of Uzbekistan’s e-visa. Single entry visa costs $20 and double entry $35. You will get your e-visa within 3-4 business days.
• You must possess a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your date of entry into Uzbekistan.
• One passport-sized photograph is also required for the e-Visa application in the portal.
• If you are not eligible for e-Visa or visa-free entry, contact the Uzbek embassy or consulate in your area.

4. Currency in Uzbekistan:

The currency here is Uzbekistani Som (UZS). Bank notes start from 1,000 UZS and go up to 2,00,000 UZS. Coins are rarely used and we found coins of 500 UZS and 1,000 UZS.

The current exchange rate for Uzbeki Som is as follows:

• 1 USD = 12,766 UZS.
• 1 INR = 151 UZS.
• 1 Euro = 13,885 UZS.
• 1 Yen = 85.37 UZS.

Carry USD for a swift exchange of money. You can exchange your money at the following places:

• Tashkent airport – the counter is located just near the immigration and the exchange rate is pretty good.
• Banks- We exchanged USD at a bank situated near the Kalta Minor in Khiva. The exchange rate was decent here.
• Hotels and B&Bs – A few of them also offer money exchange. We exchanged money at our Samarkhand B&B, though the rate was a bit high as compared to the airport and bank.
• Souvenir shops- Some of them often do money exchange. The souvenir shop located beside the Ulugh Beg Madrassah at Samarkhand offers money exchange.
• You can also get your money exchanged at Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent and Siyob Bazaar in Samarkand.

5. Transportation for travelling in Uzbekistan:

Moving around in Uzbekistan is as easy as winking. We mostly used public transport and did not face any hassle despite the language barrier.

Trains: Uzbekistan has a fantastic railway network. There are three types of trains – the high-speed Afrosiyob, the overnight sleeper trains for travelling long distances, and the day trains called Sharq.

Tickets can be conveniently booked from the official website of the Uzbekistan railways. You can pay through your credit cards.

However, seats in Afrosiyob sell out pretty quickly. Bookings for Afrosiyob start 40 to 45 days before the intended date of the journey.

We travelled by train thrice – an overnight sleeper train from Tashkent to Khiva, Afrosiyob from Bukhara to Samarkand, and again from Samarkand to Tashkent. Trains in Uzbekistan are comfortable and also easy on the pockets.

Flights: Tashkent International Airport is the primary gateway to Uzbekistan. It is also one of the busiest airports in Central Asia. Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Fergana, and Navoiy also have international airports.

Tashkent is well-connected to the rest of the world. Direct flights are available from New Delhi, and it takes less than 3 hours to reach Tashkent.

Buses: Major cities in Uzbekistan have an extensive network of buses. Bus is also an excellent option for inter-city transport. You can book bus tickets from avtoticket. uz.

Trams: Trams run only in Samarkand. There are two routes of tram, which can be checked in the Yandex Navigator app.

Metros: The capital city of Tashkent has an underground metro railway. Most of the metro stations are impressively decorated with artwork. Nearly all of Tashkent’s attractions can be reached by metro. A one-way ticket costs only 2,000 UZS.

Cabs: The Yandex Go app cabs will be your reliable friend in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Yandex Go is the Uzbeki equivalent of Uber. Compared to the normal taxis which generally overcharge tourists, Yandex Go are cheaper and more convenient. Although, you will need a local SIM card to use the app.

6. Getting a local SIM card in Uzbekistan:

Right after immigration, the first thing to do is buy a local SIM card from the Tashkent airport. Local mobile connectivity is necessary for navigating maps, using a translator, and booking Yandex Go cabs. There are three service providers – U Cell, Beeline, and Uztelecom. You just need to produce your passport at the counter to get a SIM card.

We got a U Cell SIM for 80,000 UZS that gave us 40 GB of data which was enough for 12 days.

7. Language in Uzbekistan:

Uzbek is the official language of Uzbekistan. It is a Turkic language similar to old Turkish and written in the Latin script. Russian is also spoken, mostly by the older generation. Street signages are predominantly in Uzbek Latin script, and few display Cyrillic script.

English is not widely spoken in Uzbekistan, except for the hotels, and few restaurants and souvenir shops. We found several locals in Samarkand and Tashkent quite fluent in English, while language posed a challenge in Khiva.

Make sure to install Google Translator (or any equivalent app) on your phone and download the Uzbek language to interact with the locals. You will also need a Translator to read the menu cards in restaurants (for in-camera translation, Apple translator proved to be more reliable). Menu cards in most restaurants (even the high-end ones) are written in Cyrillic script.

8. Food in Uzbekistan:

The Uzbeki cuisine is heavily meat-centred. The typical Uzbeki dishes such as Plov, Manti, Laghman, Shashlik, Shurpa, Mastava and Samsa have meat as their main ingredient. You will mostly find beef and lamb meat. Horse meat is also popular, especially its sausage called Naryn. Moreover, Khiva boasts a few specialities (not found elsewhere) such as Shivit Oshi (pasta prepared with dill paste), Gumma (fried meat pies), and Tuxum Barak (egg dumplings).

Vegetarian options are limited. Varieties of soups (the Uzbek lentil soup is yummy) and salads are available at restaurants. You can also find vegetarian options of Manti and Samsa in a few eateries. Also, the markets of Uzbekistan are loaded with bread, fresh fruits and an array of dried fruits. You can stock up on these if meat is not an option for you.

In our experience, finding vegetarian food was not always breezy in Khiva and Bukhara. However, in Tashkent, varieties of vegetarian foods are within easy reach.

9. Alcohol in Uzbekistan:

Despite being a Muslim country, Uzbekistan is free from any taboo regarding alcohol. Uzbekistan is the main wine-producing country in Central Asia. Samarkand has the best wineries. You can even visit a few wineries such as the Hovrenko Wine Factory. You can also find local beer brands such as Pulsar and Qibray. Most of the restaurants serve alcohol in Uzbekistan. Be assured that after a long day, you can let your hair down and enjoy your elixir.

10. Accommodation in Uzbekistan:

In Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, family-run B&Bs are the most preferred options for accommodation. They are budget-friendly, and comfortable, and many of them are even decorated in the traditional Uzbek way. Most have aesthetically decorated lawns where you can chill after a hectic day. Moreover, the breakfast platters are just to die for. Make sure to book the B&Bs well ahead of your arrival if you are planning to visit during spring or autumn. Both these high seasons attract thousands of visitors from around the world, and the best of the B&Bs get fully booked beforehand. We used Booking.com for all our hotel bookings.

In Tashkent, you will get lots of options on your budget.

11. Reserve seats in restaurants:

Make reservations at the popular restaurants in Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Tables at rooftop restaurants and the ones with gorgeous views need to be booked in advance. The restaurants start getting busy right after the sunset (from around 6-30 PM), and without reservation, the chances of getting a table of your choice at the famous eateries are next to nil.

We faced this issue at Café Zarafshon, Khorezm Art Café, Terrassa Café in Khiva, Old Bukhara Restaurant in Bukhara, and Labi G’or Restaurant in Samarkand. At Khorezm Art Café and Old Bukhara Restaurant, we didn’t get a table. While in the others, we had to settle for normal seats.

12. Hone your Chaikhana etiquette:

Tea is an integral part of Uzbekistan’s culture. Uzbekistan is the largest consumer of tea followed by Japan. The Uzbek people relish green tea (‘Kok’ in the Uzbek tongue) and black tea (‘Kara’). The locals consume tea throughout the day, even relishing tea with their lunch and dinner.

In a country obsessed with tea, Chaikhana or tea houses are a common sight everywhere in this beautiful country. And the locals have a tea etiquette. They drink tea from small bowls called ‘piyala’. It is customary to pour the first two bowls of tea back into the teapot before drinking to help it brew properly.

13. How to dress in Uzbekistan:

Uzbekistan is a liberal Muslim republic. There is no strict restriction regarding clothes. We found the women (and men) in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara to be chic. Their outfits are uber stylish yet modest.

It is wise to wear dresses that cover your shoulders, and midriff and go below the knees. So, ditch your tank/crop tops, shorts, and mini skirts at home. Instead, pack flowy maxi dresses, midi or maxi skirts, kaftan dresses, co-ords, and shrugs. Carry a scarf with you as you may need to cover your head while visiting mosques and mausoleums.

For men also, we advise to avoid shorts, sleeveless t-shirts, or going bare-chested.

14. Exploring the monuments at night:

Obviously, you will explore the breathtaking monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva in the morning or afternoon. But, remember to return in the evening too. The Registan Square of Samarkhand, Poi Kalon complex of Bukhara, and Kalta Minor & Islam Khodja Minaret of Khiva are spectacularly lit up at night.

15. Safety in Uzbekistan:

The suffix ‘stan’ attached to a country’s name often raises eyebrows. Rest assured, Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries in the world. True, it shares a border with Afghanistan. However religious extremism is non-existent in Uzbekistan. Reports of crime against tourists are also rare. Popular tourist destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are frequented by English-speaking tourist police.

The Uzbek nationals are one of the friendliest people that we have met. They are a smiling lot, and always eager to help.

However, exercise normal precautions as you would do while visiting any other place.

16. Bargain, but within a limit:

Bargaining for prices at markets, souvenir shops, and taxis is common everywhere in Uzbekistan. The prices are not overtly exaggerated in most shops, so don’t push things too far when haggling.

According to our experience, prices are exorbitant in the Siyob Bazaar of Samarkand. A single piece of medium-sized ceramic plate was priced at UZS 800,000 there! No wonder, we turned away and ran as fast as possible. On the other hand, Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent offered reasonable rates.

17. Tipping in Uzbekistan:

Tipping is not the regular norm here. In most restaurants, 10 – 15% of mandatory service tax is charged upon your bill. As a reflection of your satisfaction, you can tip your guide or driver. However, tipping is not mandatory in Uzbekistan.

18. Avoid drinking tap water:

Like anywhere, avoid drinking tap water directly. Water is the main source of germs for stomach problems. So, either have filtered tap water or buy packaged water bottles. One litre of packaged mineral water costs UZS 20,000.

19. Some essential Uzbek phrases:

• Hello – Salom
• Thank you – Rahmat
• Excuse me – Uzr
• Please – Iltimos
• Yes – Ha
• No – Yoq
• Water – Suv
• Food – Ovqat
• Tea – Choi
• Toilet – Hojatxana

20. Other do’s and don’ts:

• Do remove your shoes before entering mosques, mausoleums, or someone’s house.
• Don’t disrespect the bread as bread is considered sacred in this country and a symbol of sustenance.
• Avoid loud talking, especially at religious sites.
• Don’t wear inappropriate dress at mosques and mausoleums.
• Don’t go overboard with public displays of affection and show restraint in this regard.