Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Does Uzbekistan sound like a place you’d like to visit? Here’s a travel guide that answers all the questions you might have while planning your trip!

A bit of history: Uzbekistan is one of the five former Soviet nations in Central Asia, along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The country became an independent republic on August 31, 1991, making it one of the youngest nations in the world.

For many years, certain cities served as key stops along the Silk Road, where merchants traded goods. Silk, tea, spices, precious stones, and more passed through Uzbekistan between the East and the West.

Do I need a visa? Citizens of France, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and more than 30 other countries do not need to apply for a visa if their stay does not exceed 30 days. However, there is a fee to enter the country:

• 60 euros for a single entry
• 70 euros for a double entry
• 80 euros for multiple entries

If you are staying in Uzbekistan for more than 72 hours, you must register with OVIR, the Department of Visas and Registration. This registration is handled by the hotel or your host. Make sure your hotel or guide completes the registration. Every hotel where you stay must complete this step, which is why it’s advantageous to hire a guide!

If you wish to stay longer, or if your country is not among the authorized countries, you must apply for a visa online. After filling out the application form, you will receive a confirmation via email and will then be asked to pay the application fee.

How to get to Uzbekistan? You can travel to Uzbekistan by:

• Plane, arriving in Tashkent, Samarkand, or Urgench for international flights. If you’re coming from a neighboring country, other cities are also served by the local airline Uzbekistan Airways
• Train; several neighboring countries have trains connecting them to Uzbekistan
• By road; you can cross from one country to another via land border crossings

Can I pay by credit card everywhere? Absolutely not! There aren’t always ATMs, and in some places there are very few. However, you can withdraw or exchange money at banks or in large hotels.

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek som. It is weak and currently stands at 9,520.00 Uzbek soms to one U.S. dollar. Yes, that’s a whole stack of bills!

We therefore recommend that you carry US dollars in cash during your trip and exchange them periodically for Uzbek soms to avoid walking around with a large wad of bills.

How do I get from one city to another? If you’re traveling with one of our guides, don’t worry about a thing—they’ll take care of everything for you! Otherwise, you can always take the train or shared taxis from your hostels, hotels, or guesthouses. However, you must book them at least 2 to 3 days in advance, as they can be hard to find during peak season.

You can also travel from one city to another by plane if you’re short on time and don’t mind the extra cost.

Should I stay with a local family? You absolutely must! We recommend spending at least one night with a local family—you can’t leave without experiencing Uzbek hospitality!

Can I eat at any restaurant? Yes, don’t hesitate to try the local flavors! Here’s a short list of traditional dishes you shouldn’t miss:

• Lagman: a noodle dish
• Pumpkin manty: dumplings stuffed with meat (sometimes vegetarian)
• Samsas: meat-stuffed pastries
• Shasliks: meat skewers
• Plov: the country’s most traditional dish, consisting mainly of rice, meat, and carrots

**Is it an expensive destination? ** Uzbekistan is a very affordable destination, whether in terms of admission prices to religious sites or museums, or for accommodations and restaurants. Of course, your budget will vary depending on the level of comfort you desire!

When to go? Spring or fall are the best seasons to visit; you’ll have long days to explore. If you’d like more information on the pros and cons of each season, we invite you to read our article When to Visit Uzbekistan.

Will I be able to make myself understood? Uzbek is the official language, and Russian is spoken by the vast majority of the population. English is mainly spoken by hotel and hostel receptionists but very rarely by the local population. Otherwise, you can communicate using hand gestures or Google Translate.

If you don’t speak English, the easiest option is to hire a guide—they’ll translate everything for you!

How should I dress? The Uzbek population is predominantly Muslim, but Uzbekistan is a secular country. Both locals and tourists dress freely in skirts and dresses, even inside mosques and holy sites. Tourists are also not required to cover their heads when visiting religious sites. However, you should avoid wearing shorts or short tops.

Did you enjoy this travel guide? Feel free to share it!