Uzbekistan Train Travel Guide: Afrosiyob, Night Trains, & More

Alexander the Great marched through the alleys of ‘Markanda’ (erstwhile Samarkand) riding on his horse, Bucephalus. Marco Polo, the eminent Venetian traveller, explored the Silk Road in Uzbekistan on camels. Hundreds of other nameless explorers relied on caravans. Cut to the 21^st century, when camel or horse-drawn caravans have given way to the modern railway system in Uzbekistan and travellers from around the globe can trace the footsteps of Alexander or Marco Polo while lounging on comfortable compartments.

Yes, air travel is convenient and saves travel time. But when it comes down to an immersive travel experience, the train is the absolute winner. Travelling by trains in Uzbekistan is not just a mode of transportation – it’s part of the adventure. Whether you’re gliding across the desert plains on a high-speed Afrosiyob train or enjoying a slower journey on a classic service, Uzbekistan train travel offers a unique window into the culture, landscapes, and daily life of this fascinating Silk Road nation. With comfortable seating, affordable ticket prices, and easy Uzbekistan train ticket booking options, this mode of travel blends convenience with authenticity.

In this guide, we have strived to cover everything you need to know about trains in Uzbekistan — from the types of trains, ticket classes, and Uzbekistan train schedules to practical tips for booking your tickets and making the most of your journey. Whether you’re heading to Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent, or Khiva, the rails of Uzbekistan are ready to take you on an unforgettable ride.

Types of trains in Uzbekistan:

It makes no difference whether you are a luxury traveller or a backpacker; Uzbekistan’s fantastic railway system will take you to your desired destination. Catering to every budget, Uzbekistan’s trains connect the capital Tashkent with Samarkand, Bukhara, and even the distant cities of Khiva and Andijan. While booking tickets for trains in Uzbekistan, it will be handy to learn their types:

Afrosiyob: Uzbekistan’s High-Speed Train

Slick and stylish, the Afrosiyob train is Uzbekistan Railways’ darling bellwether. Built in collaboration with the Spanish manufacturer Talgo, the Afrosiyob is known for its high speed and uber comfort.

• Routes covered: Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Qarshi – Termiz.
• Facilities: Air conditioning, reclining comfortable seats, clean toilets, free Wi-Fi, USB ports, food and drinks on board.
• Ticket Classes: Economy, Business, VIP.
• Travel Time: It takes barely 2 hours to cover a distance of 300 km between Tashkent and Samarkand, while Samarkand to Bukhara (280 km) is 1.5 hours.
• Best for: Travellers looking for fast and comfortable transport between major cities.
• Pro-tip: Tickets for Afrosiyob become available 45 days before the designated date. Beware, as the tickets for Afrosiyob sell at lightning speed. So, keep a tab on the Uzbekistan railways’ official website and book your seats as soon as the window opens.

Sharing our own experience might be helpful here. We had booked Afrosiyob tickets for travelling from Bukhara to Samarkand. Our train was in the afternoon. So, we explored Bukhara throughout the morning and returned to our B&B after lunch to finish the last-minute packing. Everything was sailing smoothly until we realised that instead of buying tickets for the 4 PM train, we had tickets for the 3 AM train! Thunderstruck, we froze, losing our minds momentarily! We needed to reach Samarkand by night. Without losing any more time, we checked the availability of tickets. We were almost sure that there would be no tickets. But voila! The VIP class had a few tickets left. In short, one or two tickets in the VIP class of Afrosiyob trains remain available. So, if you have missed your chance, don’t lose heart and check availability shortly before your journey.

Sharq: The Intercity Fast Train

The Sharq is another great option for exploring Uzbekistan’s major tourist attractions. The coaches are a wee bit older, and they run a bit slower than the high-speed Afrosiyob trains. But the Sharq trains are comfortable and also easier on the pocket. Hence, they are perfect for the budget travellers and for those who couldn’t get an Afrosiyob ticket.

• Routes covered: Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara
• Facilities: Air-conditioned coaches, comfortable seats, free tea, USB plugs in 1^st class.
• Ticket classes: 1^st & 2^nd classes.
• Travel time: The Sharq trains do not run as fast as the Afrosiyob, yet the travel time is decent. This train takes 3 hours to run between Tashkent and Samarkand, 6 hours from Tashkent to Bukhara, and 2.5 hours from Samarkand to Bukhara.
• Best for: Travellers who are looking for a cheaper train experience and those who couldn’t get a ticket in the Afrosiyob train

Night Trains: Long Distance Travels

For travelling to distant cities in Uzbekistan, such as Khiva, Nukus, or Andijan, the night trains are the best bet. They are way cheaper than the flights, and moderately comfortable, providing sleeping arrangements.

• Routes covered: Common routes for night trains are Tashkent – Khiva, Bukhara – Khiva, Tashkent – Andijan, and Tashkent – Nukus.
• Ticket classes:
• SV/Lux (1^st Class) – Private cabins with 2 berths.
• Kupe (2^nd Class) – Shared cabins with 4 berths.
• Platzkart (3^rd Class) – Basic sleeper berths.
• Facilities: Air-conditioning in SV and Kupe, USB plug points in SV and Kupe, clean bedsheets and pillows, free hot water supply in samovars.
• Travel time: These are overnight trains, and the journey time is longer. While Tashkent to Khiva is covered in 14 hours, Bukhara to Khiva takes 8 hours.
• Pro-tip: We travelled to Khiva from Tashkent on a night train, so listing our experience here will be helpful:
• The train was punctual, leaving Tashkent on time and reaching Khiva at 10-30 in the morning.
• We travelled on the Kupe class. The berths were wide enough for one person. Also, there was ample space for safekeeping the luggage.
• The train was not entirely spick and span, but the bedsheets provided were clean.
• Hot water was always readily available from the samovar. The attendant provided teapots and tea cups to the passengers.
• Food is not available on board. A few vendors sold overpriced snacks. Since hot water was available, we had carried teabags and instant cup noodles. We also brought our cups and a thermos. We had also packed fruits and bread.
• Though toilets were clean at the beginning of the journey, things went south the next morning. Even tissue paper was unavailable. Bring your tissues, soap paper, and sanitisers.
• In the morning, the train travelled through the Kyzyl Kum desert, which was terrific.
• Overall, the journey was comfortable and a unique experience. So, if you’re travelling a long distance, Uzbekistan night trains are the best option.

How to Book Train Tickets in Uzbekistan:

Since trains in Uzbekistan are the most convenient way for travelling in this Central Asian gem, train tickets get booked pretty fast. Booking train tickets in Uzbekistan has become much easier in recent years, thanks to improvements in digital infrastructure and a growing focus on tourism. Therefore, it is convenient to understand how to book train tickets in Uzbekistan.

A. Online ticket booking in Uzbekistan:

The most convenient way to book train tickets is using the official website of Uzbekistan Railways.

Features:

1. Interface in the English language is available.
2. Helps to search Uzbekistan train schedules, prices, and availability.
3. Offers the option to select a class of seats.
4. E-tickets are sent via mail. They can be easily downloaded or shown digitally at the station.

Tips:

1. While booking train tickets, open the website from a desktop.
2. An account needs to be created, which will be verified through email.
3. Passport details are required during booking.
4. Make sure the name on the passport matches that on the ticket.
5. Payment is usually accepted via international cards.

B. Booking at Railway Stations:

Train tickets can also be booked directly at the railway stations in cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

What you’ll need:

1. Original passport.
2. Cash, as card payment is not accepted everywhere.
3. Station staff may not speak English or any other language. So, Google Translate will be helpful.

When to book:

1. For Afrosiyob and popular destinations like Samarkand and Bukhara, book 3-5 days in advance.
2. For long-distance routes or during holidays, book even earlier.

C. Booking through local travel agencies:

Many local travel agencies and tour operators offer assistance with Uzbekistan train ticket booking. They charge a service fee for this. This is convenient if:

• You’re not comfortable with the digital interface.
• You’re facing online payment issues.
• You’re travelling during peak tourist season.
• You prefer a hassle-free, English-speaking booking service.

D. Booking Tickets Via Third-Party Websites:

A few international travel websites help in booking Uzbekistan train tickets, such as 12go.asia, Rail.ninja, and Tutu.travel.

Important Notes:

• These platforms are user-friendly and in English.
• Ticket prices are often higher than on the official website due to service fees.
• Always double-check travel times and ticket types

Final words:

• Double check Uzbekistan train schedules before the final booking.
• Print a physical copy of your train ticket just in case, although digital tickets work fine.
• Memorise your train number, departure time, and platform number.

Useful Tips for Uzbekistan Train Travel:

• Book Uzbekistan train tickets early. The high-speed Afrosiyob trains are popular among both the locals and tourists. So, they fill up pretty early, especially on the Tashkent – Samarkand and Samarkand – Bukhara routes. If you are visiting in the peak spring or autumn months, make sure to regularly check the official website of Uzbekistan railways for the availability of tickets.
• Always carry your passport, as it is an essential requirement for travelling on Uzbekistan trains. A passport is required when booking as well as during boarding. Tickets and passports are checked at the entrance of the station. Also, ensure that the name on your ticket matches your passport.
• Arrive 30-45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Major stations such as Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara have elaborate security checks like airports.
• Carry snacks and water with you. The Afrosiyob trains offer tea, coffee, and a few baked goodies. However, in long-distance or overnight trains, there is no pantry car. So, bring fruits, bread, snacks, and water if you are up for an overnight journey. You can also buy food from the stalls in the station.
• Trains in Uzbekistan are usually punctual, especially the Afrosiyob trains. We travelled to Khiva by the overnight train, and the train was right on time.
• In stations, announcements are either in Uzbek or Russian. Note down your train number, carriage number, and seat number. We found that the attendants on the train can understand and speak a few English words, so we reached out to Google Translate for general communication.
• The trains in Uzbekistan are safe. Yet keep your money and valuables secure and practice general caution.

Ticket Classes & Pricing:

Class	Description	Suitable For
Business Class (Afrosiyob)	Spacious seats, meal service, extra legroom	Luxury travellers
Economy / Tourist Class	Comfortable seating, basic services	Budget to mid-range travellers
SV (1st class sleeper)	2-berth compartments with bedding	Couples or solo travellers
Kupe (2nd class sleeper)	4-berth compartments	Families or small groups
Platzkart (3rd class)	Open layout, shared space	Backpackers and locals

• Prices of train tickets vary according to route and class.
• For an overnight train from Tashkent to Khiva, a coupe ticket costs USD 28 while a sleeper ticket is USD 20.
• For the Tashkent to Samarkand Afrosiyob train, the price for a ticket in Economy class is USD 22 and for Business class USD 32.
• A sitting ticket in the Sharq train from Samarkand to Bukhara costs USD 13.

Travelling in Uzbekistan by train is a memorable and convenient way to explore the Silk Road cities while connecting with locals. Whether you choose the sleek Afrosiyob or a traditional night train, the experience is sure to enrich your journey. Just remember to plan, book tickets early, and enjoy the ride through one of Central Asia’s most fascinating landscapes.