65 Things to Know Before Traveling to Uzbekistan + Myth-Busting Travel Tips

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Are you planning a trip to Uzbekistan and trying to filter out all the outdated tips and information? Are you looking for more reliable and up-to-date tips for traveling to Uzbekistan? You’re not alone.

One of our biggest frustrations when traveling in Uzbekistan was all the outdated travel tips we came across. Most of the travel blogs, guides, and other resources listing everything we needed to know before traveling to Uzbekistan had us over-preparing to enter a rigid country, filling out tons of customs paperwork, and dealing with many outdated laws and views on tourism. However, starting in 2019, Uzbekistan has dramatically changed its approach to tourism, opening itself up to a more modern and progressive approach to international travel, making many of these old travel tips outdated.

Our experience traveling in Uzbekistan was so different from many of these guides that we kept thinking we were missing things. Did we accidentally skip the customs line at the Tashkent Airport, which everyone said was so strict? No, Uzbekistan streamlined its customs approach, making things much easier for travelers.

On the plus side, we are over-prepared rather than under-prepared, so we can’t complain too much, but it is nice to know what you are getting into when you visit a new country. So, after traveling independently to Uzbekistan, here is our list of top tips and things you need to know before visiting. I added some myth-busting facts to address some outdated information you might encounter.

IMPORTANT NOTES: We visited in late 2019, the same year Uzbekistan changed its approach to tourism. While most of these tips still apply in 2024 and later, the pandemic did change things; Uzbekistan is quickly changing as it opens up to tourism, so always be prepared for the unexpected.

We are a couple traveling as a white woman on a US Passport and an Indian-Australian man on an Australian passport. These tips and information may not apply to other passport holders, and your experience may differ from ours. Please ensure you follow all the laws and guidance of your home country and do independent research on official government websites for your home country and Uzbekistan.

How to use this guide

For each of the tips I give, I offer our insights and experiences while also offering resources to help you find more information. For many of the tips, there will be a heading titled “Myth Busting” that seems to counter what I just told, but it details information that is common in older guides and busts those myths.

Important Things To Know Before Uzbekistan

1. Getting Through Customs is Easy?

We read a lot of websites and heard from many people that customs in Uzbekistan were very strict. We were fully prepared to fill out tons of paperwork and have customs go through everything we own counting all our money, checking for medications and porn.

While there are guidelines on what you can and can’t bring into the country, you only need to declare certain things in certain cases. We were not subject to search at the Tashkent airport and honestly customs was a breeze. We were able to enjoy their new red and green customs system that allows you to self declare any items that you need to, and keep on walking if you have nothing to declare.

As of 2018 international airports in Uzbekistan use a green and red system. If you choose to go through the red zone you will have to fill out declaration paperwork, if you choose to go through the green zone, they seem to trust you and you continue on your way with no trouble.

When should you use the red zone?

Uzbekistan DOES have some pretty strict customs rules. You should never bring porn in the country, drugs, or medication with codeine and you need to declare yourself if you are carrying more than 2k USD (the average yearly wage of locals). You can find all the Uzbekistan customs regulations, here.

However, since the green and red zones were introduced at the airports in 2018, it seems their approach to customs is much more relaxed. That does not mean you should violate their customs rules. If you are entering with any banned material be prepared to be deported, or if you have items you need to declare, go through the red zone and be prepared to fill out extra paperwork.

Myth Busting: Customs are a Nightmare

We boarded our flight from Istanbul to Tashkent on Turkish Airlines with no trouble at all. The only minor issue we had was Turkish Airlines was not aware that as of 2019 Australians were allowed visa-free entry into Uzbekistan, so they asked Ganesh for his visa. We were thankful we had printed the statement from a Uzbekistan government website stating he did not need a visa otherwise we would not have been able to board.

When we landed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan we breezed out of that airport so quickly, we actually thought we forgot to do something or missed a checkpoint. After disembarking, we went through a passport check where I showed my visa and received my stamp. Ganesh had no issues on his Aussie passport and we met on the other side to pick up our luggage.

We exchanged some USD to SUM using an automatic machine that ate our USD and spits out SUM and turned to leave the airport. We noticed that customs was a wide-open area, with minimal staff, where you could walk along a green or red zone. We just walked through the green area – as we had nothing to declare and no one questioned us or asked us to fill out any paperwork.

When we left Uzbekistan via Tashkent airport we weren’t checked at all either. No one went through our bags, asked us how much money we had, or even wanted to see our hotel slips.

It should also be noted that the more modern and relaxed customs seem to be found at the international airports if you drive across certain land borders you are subject to the customs of both countries and your chances of being searched greatly increase.

2. Visa Free Travel? – Maybe!

Uzbekistan is notorious for requiring citizens of most countries to obtain a visa. It is very important that you check if you need a visa. Most citizens of countries that are required to get a visa need the visa BEFORE they arriv, including the E-Visas. Meaninging you are unlike to get a visa on arrival.

Many citizens can get an E-Visa, which I will cover shortly. Still, if you are not eligible to apply for the E-Visa, then you may even need to make an appointment at a consulate and provide a letter of invitation to travel from a tour agency or other representative in Uzbekistan.

As a citizen of The United States I was able to apply for my 30 day E-Visa online before I traveled. My husband, an Australian, was able to travel visa free.

It is essential to look into this at least 30-90 days before travel to ensure you have plenty of time to make arrangements.

Myth Busting: Almost Everyone Needs a Visa

As of Feb 2019, 46 additional countries joined the 17 visa-free countries for Uzbekistan. That means about 63 countries no longer need to obtain visas before arriving for a length of stay anywhere from 30-90 days. My husband, who is in Australia, was one of the first Australians to enjoy visa-free travel to Uzbekistan.

30-day visa-free: Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Switzerland, Andorra, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Vatican City.

60-day visa-free: Kyrgyzstan

90-day visa-free: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine

Important to Note: It is your responsibility to know if you require a visa. With information regarding tourism changing quickly, please verify all travel requirements with your government website, as this list may change anytime.

3. E-Visa Travel For Many

Passport holders from countries not approved for visa-free entry can apply for the new e-visa.

e-visa: All European Union citizens (except those listed for visa-free) Albania, Andorra, China, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Oman, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and The United States of America.

If you are eligible for the Uzbekistan e-visa, like I was, then don’t worry, it is super easy to apply online. It costs $20 (2019 rate).

It helps to have a recent copy of your passport photo on hand, otherwise will need to go get a professional passport photo taken. Once you complete the information online, it takes 2-3 days to hear if you are confirmed or denied.

Important to Note: Print your visa out and keep it in a safe place. You will need to show it to the border control upon entry, you may need it to board your flight, and again when you leave the country, so make sure it is packed in your carry-on baggage.

Myth Busting: Applying for a Visa Takes Forever

This new e-visa system means applicants requiring a visa no longer need to submit a letter of invitation to receive the visa. This process was complicated and took a long time as you had to secure a letter of invitation, submit it to a consulate, and then wait.

This simplified Uzbekistan visa and e-visa procedure means that the consular offices of Uzbekistan are issuing visas within 2-3 working days. I got mine in 3!

4. Always Carry Your Passport AND A Copy

You are required to have your passport on hand when you travel in Uzbekistan. Make sure you invest in a great wallet or purse that is safe and secure, with a hidden pocket for your passport.

While bribes against tourists are less common with the new tourist police deployed to keep travelers safe, there is still a small chance you will be the victim of fake police asking for your passport.

If a real police officer asks for your passport, you legally have to have it available to present. If you have a gut feeling you might be scammed by fake police, show them the copy and say your real passport is back at the hotel.

You can then return to your hotel or head to the Tourist Police, where they can help you clarify whether the person asking for your passport is legitimate or not. 

Things To Know About Money in Uzbekistan

5. Using Cash: USD or SOM?

A lot of travel resources for Uzbekistan talk about how important it is to have cash, specifically USD. Because of this we actually exchanged quite a lot of EUR for USD before leaving for Uzbekistan.

However, after traveling through Uzbekistan in late 2019, we realized that we didn’t need to bring so much USD in or rely on it as much as we thought. Cash and specifically USD doesn’t rule as much as it used it. We would have been able to keep some of our EUR (we live in Germany), use the local currency, SOM, and even, in some cases our VISA credit card.

Myth Busting: USD & Cash are King

Many guides tell you to bring a lot of USD in cash, that’s not necessarily the case anymore.

Our USD did come in handy in a few situations and is good to have for an emergency, but since we live in Europe we found that EUR was just as easy to use.  We wished we had used EUR rather than exchanging for so much USD.

Everyone that accepted USD also accepted EUR. To be honest, they probably would have even accepted AUD and GBP.

Nearly every large hotel we stayed at accepted international credit card, or SOM. In fact, in 2017 Uzbekistan passed a law that hotels have to accept local SOM, thus reducing your need to rely so much on USD. The local homestays we booked accepted SOM.

We even paid for a few high-end souvenirs from master crafters with a credit card in the madrasa bazaars in Samarkand.

You will NEED cash (SOM) still for most things such as taxis, some restaurants, small souvenirs, and entrance into most tourist attractions.

Important to Note: VISA is the preferred credit card. Some places only accepted VISA, and we were thankful we brought our VISA. MasterCard is probably the second most preferred. I would not travel with an AmEx or other alternative bank cards.

6. You Can (sometimes) Use ATMs

We successfully withdrew local currency with our international bank card at a few ATMs in cities such as Tashkent and Bukhara. The days of bringing in hundreds and hundreds of USD and declaring it at the border are over.

ATMs are increasingly common in Uzbekistan, and if you find yourself in a pinch needed local currency, you are likely to find ATMs will accept your foreign credit card, especially if its a VISA.

Myth Busting: ATMs Don’t Exist or Take Foreign Cards

A lot of outdated guides might tell you that ATMs used to only allow you to take out small amounts of local currency and don’t work with international cards. It has also been noted not to rely too much on ATMs as they are often broken or out of money.

However this is changing. ATMs are increasingly more common to come across, international cards are more widely accepted and you can take out larger amounts.

Important to Note: Uzbekistan’s relationship with money is changing, and while our experiences with ATMs were problem free that might not be the case for everyone.

It is important to still carry some backup currency to ensure you don’t end up in any situation without cash. Before heading to a small town or a remote area make sure you have enough SOM to cover your accommodation, food, and transportation for your stay.

7. Pack A Regular Wallet

When traveling to Uzbekistan before 2017 you would need a giant Zelda pouch with several upgrades to carry all the small denomination currency notes.

Carrying the amount of 25-50 USD often meant you needed dozens or even hundreds of notes which also meant you needed a fat wallet.

Between splitting our money evenly between the two of us, along with keeping some cash hidden in a safe box our wallets didn’t stretch too much.

Myth Busting: Pack a Large Wallet

Many guides will tell you to pack a big wallet, but in 2017, Uzbekistan introduced the 50,000 note, and in February 2019, they introduced a 100,000 banknote. While the 100,000 is only worth about USD 12 based on rates in 2019, it goes a long way to cut back on the wallet bloat. Every time we went to the ATM, we received a 50,000 banknote. 

8. Uzbekistan is an Affordable Destination for Most

While I avoid discussing budget, everyone has a different definition of an affordable destination. I also don’t think it is good to call places cheap, as they are not cheap for the people who live there and I don’t want to add to tourisimificaiton or other economic concerns. However, Uzbekistan is generally affordable for most travelers.

I’m happy to say that, as of 2019, it is still generally affordable. I am not a budget backpacker, and my partner and I travel with a higher disposable income, so even after booking excellent accommodations in Bukhara and Tashkent, booking taxis through our hotels for a higher price, and eating at excellent restaurants, we came out under our personal budget.

On average, we spent about 30 EUR a day for two people, not including our accommodation.

9. Expect To Pay More As A Tourist

Most entrances to tourist attractions and museums have two prices. There is a tourist price and a local price. As a tourist, you should expect to pay more than locals. I LOVE this, as it allows locals to visit their sites. As a visitor, you should be happy to pay a higher wage to ensure these sites are maintained. 

Despite this, it remains generally affordable. However, this two-tier pricing system helps maintain the balance of tourism while keeping it affordable for residents.

10. Expect Local Tourism

We encountered very few foreign tourists while traveling to Uzbekistan. Most people we saw appreciating the museums and sights were locals traveling through their home country.

After that, most tourists came from the surrounding countries, traveling visa-free. So, we also encountered a lot of Georgians, Russians, Kazakhs. We ran into very few English-speaking tourists but met a few people from Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and China.

I suspect this will be different for those reading in 2024 and later as the new approach to accessible visas will bring in a lot of travelers from other countries.

11. Money Talks

We came across an old madrasa complex in Samarkand that we wanted to visit. As we approached, we realized it was technically closed for the night. When we walked up, the security guard pointed to the pricing list and held out his hand. He took our SOM and escorted us in. We had him as an escort and paid to get in, so I think it was ok.

I’m not encouraging you to bribe people to go to off-limits places. Still, as this was an official heritage site that collects money and has security, I felt different about taking advantage of paying the ticket value for little after-hours exploration.

12. To Haggle or Not to Haggle?

Coming from the bazaars in Istanbul or the street markets in SE Asia, I figured most of the souvenirs in Uzbekistan would be cheaply made or imported goods, with vendors open to haggling.

However, many of the items in the markets were handmade by master craftsmen. It is essential to ensure you are paying the right price to support hard-working artists. As a traveler, I am privileged to have the income to travel and support the local economy. So, I’m always willing to pay a fair wage for a handcrafted item. But, you have to strike the right balance not to overpay and inflate the economy.

That being said, high-quality items in Uzbekistan aren’t as cheap as the economy might suggest. Prices for some things start around 50 USD, and while you can haggle down, things aren’t as cheap as in some bazaar cities. Be prepared to spend a bit of money if you want quality souvenirs.

I would say there were two tiers of souvenirs: those by master crafters and those that were mass-produced in Uzbekistan by general crafters. You will know if someone is a master crafter as their biography will be hanging in the store, a certification plaque or the shopkeeper will talk about them.

When to Haggle: When it comes to taxis, fruit, or people selling cheaply made items on the street, haggling is open for business. You should never pay the taxi their first ask price, as they will almost always charge you. 

Haggling techniques that worked for us when approaching general vendors who weren’t certified master craftspeople were the walk-away, returning later, and asking for two things for less than they would be individually.

Things To Know About Uzbekistan Accomodation

13. Hotel Registration Slips, For Now

Hotels must register guests as per the Uzbekistan Government. That has not changed, but how they are registering you is..

You will be asked for your passport when you check into a hotel. The front desk will often take 10-20 minutes to register you using your passport. It seems they use a modern online system to do this, but they will give you a slip of paper with your passport when they return as part of a system they are phasing out.

While Uzbekistan is changing how they register hotel guests from paper slips to an online system, during the transition period, you will still likely be given slips of paper and may be asked for them when you leave the country. We still got the slips, even though no one asked for them.

If you are given these papers, it is essential to hang on to them, just in case, but it is unlikely you will need them or be asked for them.

Myth Busting: You Need The Slips to Leave the Country

Most blogs written years ago will tell you you need these slips to leave the country. It is true that at every hotel, we stayed at, the front desk filled them out and gave them to us when we checked out. They were often in our passport hidden in a page, so be careful they don’t fall out. We held onto these for when we left the country , but I’ll be honest not a single person asked us for these slips.

After reading through some Tripadvisor forums, it seems to be a dying system. More than likely, the hotels are still in a habit of doing it, and therefore, they will give them to you. If you are given them, keep them, but don’t stress about it too much. I also suspect that all the information is online.

14. Hotels Are Now Easy To Book!

We booked all of our accommodation for Uzbekistan on Booking.com, which was awesome. Being able to use Booking.com is a relatively new thing for Uzbekistan.

Almost every property I looked at, from Tashkent to Bukhara, has a message saying, “Hotel XYZ has been accepting booking customers since X Month 2019,” which means that hotels have only started using booking in 2019. You no longer have to navigate hotel websites; you can use that genius discount to get accommodation and find sustainable properties.

The only downside is that many properties don’t have reviews yet. We were lucky that everything we booked was fantastic, and we left our rave reviews to help those in the future.

Myth Busting: Hotels are Hard to Book

Many travel resources have mentioned that hotels are complicated to book and difficult to find, and advanced booking is needed. While traveling in the summer (which isn’t peak season), we had no issues booking hotels 1-2 weeks before we arrived and found everything conveniently on Booking.

15. Yes, You can Book Hostels 

We found accommodation in Uzbekistan to be well within our budget, and as I mentioned, we stayed in higher-end accommodation throughout our trip. However, if you are on a budget and looking for hostel accommodation, hostels are starting to pop up around Uzbekistan. Hostels are mainly in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand and slowly appear in other parts of the country.

Booking.com has a wide variety of hostel listings to choose from.

Myth Busting: Cheap Hostels Don’t Exist

Tashkent alone has 34 hostel listings on Booking, most of which look like the typical hostels in any other country. Bukhara has 21 hostels listed. However, many appear to be more in line with guest houses. Since the growth of tourism, Uzbekistan has seen an increase in the number of hostels, and they do exist.

It is important to note that some of them are not your standard dorm hostel and are more in line with a budget homestay.

16. BnBs, Guesthouses, Camping, etc. 

Guesthouses & Homestays: Uzbek locals are so friendly and welcoming that choosing a guest house or a homestay is a great option to engage and learn about local culture. Your hose at certified guest houses or homestay experiences should be able to register you in the system and provide you with a slip.

Camping: register to do so online. If you are road-tripping through Uzbekistan, you can legally camp and stay the night in your car. However, according to the official Uzbekistan tourist website, you must register in advance. If you camp in the wild, you will not be registered in the system for a few nights. The Uzbekistan government likes to know where travelers stay every night.

Myth Busting: Is Couch Surfing Might Still Be Illegal

Couch Surfing is said to be illegal in Uzbekistan. However, one of the main reasons for this is the lack of accommodation slips. All the information I found on this topic was from several years ago and talked about USD 2,000 in fines and being deported.

I can not find any reputable information, such as a government or tourist website, that says otherwise. Still, with the new government relaxing on accommodation registration, I see couch surfing becoming more popular and legal. Some people tried it in 2019, and their couch-surfing host was able to register them. So, if you try it ask your host if they are certified and able to register you in the Uzbekistan hotel system.

Important to Note: Personally until I read from an official source couch surfing is legal I do not recommend you attempt it.

17. Caravanserais Aren’t Really A Thing Anymore

When the Silk Road was at its peak, travelers would stay at a Caravanserai, an inn with a large inner courtyard to park their camel and open terrace-style accommodation looking over the courtyard.

Most Caravanserais are now abandoned and fun to visit for urban exploration. There are several types of modern hotels, and you can book one that looks like these old types of inns.

18. Pay The Hotel Tax

A USD 2 hotel tax will be added to your bill per night along with a general tourist tax at many of the sights. This tax is something we were happy to pay as tourists.

The only downside is that the $2 is the same no matter where you stay. Whether you book a $ 150-night stay or an $8 hostel dorm, you pay $2. If you are on a tight budget, it’s important to remember that your $8 a night will turn into $10 a night.

Safety & Security Tips for Uzbekistan 

19. The Tourist Police

In Uzbekistan’s effort to be more welcoming and inviting to tourists, they are pushing to make it as safe and comfortable as possible for them. That is where the Tourist Police come into play.

The Tourist Police are your best friend if you feel unsafe or that you may be subject to a scam or bribe. It is helpful to note where the Tourist Police office is in every city you go to. If anyone asks you for your passport, tries to burgle you, bribe you, or overcharge you, tell them you can all go to the Tourist Police to verify. More than likely, the person will back off and leave you.

Myth Busting: Uzbekistan Has Many Scammers

A lot of guides out there talk about the scams and bribes that happen in Uzbekistan. The presence of the Tourist Police means that the number of scams and tourist traps has decreased significantly.

Never once did anyone attempt to rip us off or scam us. We did see the Tourist Police actively patrolling and pulling over unlicensed taxis to show they are cracking down to make it a safe place. 

20. Be Ready For Security Checks

One of the essential things to know before you visit Uzbekistan is you will be subject to security checkpoints just about everywhere you go. Your bag will go through a scanner, and you will walk through a metal detector. It is helpful to ensure you are packed efficiently without much stuff in your pockets, metal in your bags, or anything that could be used as a weapon.

You’ll be screened by entering hotels, train stations, shopping centers, and metro stations. The process is similar to an airport checkpoint. The first time you are subjected to so much screening, it is a little weird, but you’ll get used to it.

21. Uzbekistan is Safe

Often, enhanced security means there is an underlying thread to be aware of. However, Uzbekistan is quite safe. Never once did I feel any strange military tension or threats from locals. Every encounter we had with locals or security was friendly and positive.

It was one of the countries where I felt the safest. So, relax and enjoy striking up conversations with locals on the street or having security wave you through with a smile.

Myth Busting: The -stans are Unsafe

Having a “Stan” in the name comes with a reputation that the country is unsafe. In 2019, Uzbekistan is conflict-free and safe for travelers. The government is prioritizing tourism and doing all it can to ensure it remains secure for travelers. The last major conflict was in 2010 in the Fergana Valley, which is an area to exercise a bit of caution.

22. Emergency Contacts

If you are in an emergency while traveling in Uzbekistan, you can use any of the following numbers to get help.

• Emergency service – 112
• Fire service – 101
• Healthcare emergency – 103
• Emergency gas service – 104
• Rescue service – 1050
• Inquiry office – 109

Important to Know: You should have health and travel insurance to cover emergency costs.

23. Enjoy Independent and Solo Travel

As a young couple, we traveled to Uzbekistan independently. We planned the entire trip ourselves and booked all our trains, planes, accommodation, and excursions. Aside from a few language difficulties and outdated websites, we had no major issues. I highly recommend Uzbekistan for independent, solo, or couple travel.

Myth Busting: You Need to Book a Tour

You might not have wanted to travel to Uzbekistan by yourself or as a couple of years ago. Most people, save for a few brave adventurers, would book group tours or avoid solo travel. Our experience was that Uzbekistan was a great place for solo or couples travel.

In 2019, we still saw several tour groups traveling, but you will be fine if you prefer to travel alone, with a friend, or with your partner. With the new government welcoming tourism, it is easier to get around, and hotels are more accessible to book. If you want local engagement or perspectives on things, you can book a guided multi-day tour, hire a local guide for the day, or book a day trip.

24. Exercise Caution In The Fergana Valley

The exception to most things on this list, from sanitation to customs to safety, would be the Fergana Valley. Collecting your hotel slips if you stay in this area is important, and you may be more subject to border questioning.

It has been a safe place to visit in recent years, but it is off the beaten path and has experienced conflict between its bordering countries. Many of the modern amenities and luxuries I talk about throughout this post may not be present.

The Valley is a place to explore the local culture of Uzbekistan rather than the grand architecture of cities such as Bukhara. That said, please ensure you do your research to make the most of your time in Fergana Valley. I suggest reading Against the Compass’ Guide to Fergana Valley as a good starting point. 

Things to Know About Uzbek Transporation

25. The Trains Are Amazing!

When we boarded our train from Tashkent to Bukhara, we were amazed at how organized, punctual, clean, and excellent our ride was. From the get-go, we had rail employees approach us to make sure we were getting on the right train and helped us to the correct seats.

Once settled, we could enjoy complimentary snacks or choose from a wider selection of food and drinks to purchase. The toilets were clean, there was plenty of luggage storage, the seats were comfy and had outlets. It was a great way to get from point A to B in Uzbekistan, all at a reasonable price. 

The trains run from Tashkent to Khiva, covering 263 stations nationwide.

The trains are so popular, especially for local transit, that you should book tickets online, especially among locals. Once you book your tickets, you need to confirm to get paper tickets you can print out.

The good news is that since we visited in 2019, the train booking systems is much easier with the English website! We had a hell of a time translating the website, and booking was a nightmare. Enjoy the new system!

26. Give Yourself Extra Time at Airports & Stations

When entering the train station or airport you will often have to go through several security checkpoints where you show your passport and ticket before even entering the area. Then, you’ll go through a bag screening and another security checkpoint.

They are pretty efficient, and most Western passports don’t raise eyebrows, but there might be a long line at any point in time, or you might be subject to additional screening. For this reason, it is best to give yourself a large window of time so you don’t miss any of your flights or trains. 

27. The Tashkent Metro is Awesome

One of the first things that surprised me in Uzbekistan was how great the Tashkent metro system was to ride -not to mention how beautiful it was. The metro system spans across the entire city with accessible points at most of the major areas or sites.

Once you buy tokens from the ticket booth and head down to your platform, it is only a 10-minute (or less) wait to ride the metro. Often, you will find staff members available to help point you in the right direction. 

Myth Busting: You Can’t Take Photos of the Metro

In, 2019 you are officially allowed to take photos at the Tashkent Metro. So, get your camera ready and click away. Locals are often confused by this as it is a new thing to be allowed to take photos in the metro, and tourism isn’t booming there yet, so be prepared for a lot of stares. You can take photos, too. 

28. Pack Your Walking Shoes

Aside from the Tashkent metro and intercity trains, Uzbekistan has very little public transportation, meaning you will walk A LOT. The major cities and towns in Uzbekistan are significant, and there are many things to see and do that are spread across the city.

We found ourselves walking long distances daily to see all the sights. You will want to pack comfortable, reliable, breathable shoes to deal with the heat. I packed a solid pair of walking shoes and sandals and hardly even wore my sandals as I needed more support and comfort. This is not the time to wear fashion over function. 

29. Take a Taxi

If you get tired of walking, there are hundreds of taxis. Many taxi drivers do not speak English, and we often struggle to ask them to take us to major tourist sites.

It helps to have your hotel or accommodation book you a taxi, but you will pay more money, which is often what we did. While you pay more, the price is fixed and fair, so no haggling is needed.

Otherwise, you should haggle with taxis and never take their first offer. If you walk away from the cab, plenty will be more willing to accept your offer.

Important to Note: Taxis are often old and not in the best condition. You likely won’t have a seatbelt or other safety features like rearview mirrors.

30. Download Yandex

Google isn’t very popular in Central Asia; instead, the Russian-made Yandex rules. I suggest you download Yandex’s Taxi App for Tashkent. We found it didn’t work well outside of Tashkent, which is unfortunate as Tashkent had good enough public transit not to need taxis as much. Samarkand is where we relied on Taxis the most.

You can also download Yandex maps. Not many restaurants are listed on Google Maps (at least in 2019). A whole new world opens up if you move away from Google and try Yandex.

31. Store Your Luggage

If you check out early from your hotel and catch a late bus, or you fly in the morning and catch a bus in the evening, you can store your luggage at train stations. We stored luggage for the day at the Tashkent train station.

It was very safe and secure in a basement area with a security guard always watching over it. We just paid a small fee and got a ticket we held onto. You can also keep your bags at most hotels—though few have a secure storage area. 

32. Shared Busses Are A Thing

Shared buses are trendy for accessing those off-the-beaten-path locations the train doesn’t go to. It is also an excellent option for budget travelers. These buses will gather in a central area and leave once they are full.

If you are the only person on the bus and the driver leaves, you will be charged the total price. So, wait until other people are heading to your destination, load up, and then head out. This way, you can all split the total cost.

These buses are smaller white vans and have numbers on their window. Double-check your destination before getting on. 

Culture & Customs Tips for Uzbekistan

33. Pack Those Shorts

Sure, the majority of the country is Muslim, but that doesn’t mean it is a strictly religious country. The modern Uzbek government actively pushes for the separation of church and state, and the locals are pretty relaxed about religion. That means you can fit right in with shorts and a T-shirt.

I often wore long, cool dresses with no sleeves, which was also totally ok. I chose cool, comfortable, and loose clothing but easy to cover up with a scarf in a pinch. 

Myth Busting: Uzbekistan is Super Conservative

I was worried about traveling to Uzbekistan in the middle of summer that I would have to pack more conservative clothing. To be safe, I packed a few Salwar Kameez, which are breathable and conservative, but I was thankful I packed plenty of shorts, t-shirts, and breathable dresses.

I fit right in with locals and tourists, none of whom were overly conservative. I carried a scarf around in case I wanted to visit a mosque. In its modern state, Uzbekistan doesn’t have that many active places of worship worth visiting, though, so you can pack as you would for any warmer destination, with some quick cover-up options added to your suitcase. 

34. Mosques Are Quiet

If you don’t hear the call to prayer several times a day, it is not because there are no mosques, but because in Uzbekistan’s effort to separate church and state, they don’t allow the loud public blast of the call to prayer through the minarets. 

That being said, there aren’t that many active mosques, and the ones that exist are in an older architectural style, so they don’t define the skyline as in many Muslim-dominated countries. 

35. Say “Salom”

Salom is a common greeting for locals. Don’t be shy; feel free to make eye contact in the street and say Salom first. The locals will happily say it back and continue their merry way. 

36. Locals are Friendly

The locals do more than say hello in casual passing; they are incredibly friendly. Everyone wants to chat with you, make eye contact with you, exchange hellos, or flash their golden smiles. Be prepared to start a conversation at dinner with the table next to you, the local sitting on his doorstep, or your server. 

37. Russian is Out, Uzbek is In

Most guidebooks talk about learning some Russian phrases as one of the things you should do before you travel to Uzbekistan. While many older locals spoke Russian, the language is being phased out. I encourage you to learn Uzbek phrases so that you can talk to the locals in their preferred language as they distance themselves from Russia.

Myth Busting

It was uncommon to find signs and writing in Cyrillic. Unless you are traveling to other areas in Central Asia, such as Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, where Russian is more common, it is a waste of time to learn Cyrillic, as suggested by many. 

38. English Isn’t Common

Russian may not be as common as it once was, but English is not widely spoken. Since most of the tourism is from Asia, Germany, France, and Russia, many locals have learned some phrases in those languages.

We were approached a few times, and the locals would start speaking French, Japanese, or German to us, assuming we were from one of those locations. 

It seems kids are learning English in school, though, since many younger kids were able to have simple conversations with us.

39. Where Are You From?

Everyone wants to know where you are from. Some people can ask you, “Where are you from?” you’ll often hear random countries like “America?” or “Deutschland?” meaning they want to know your home country.

For me, coming from the U.S., everyone would follow up and want to know what state. Some people knew Alaska was cold, but others had never heard of it. For Ganesh, the Australian, everyone wanted to know what city, replying with “Sydney, Melbourne?”

40. Say “Cheese”

A few times a local approached me and I was a bit wary of them, unsure what they would want. Years of traveling in places where the locals are jaded and take advantage of tourists have taught me to be on guard. I had no reason to worry; the locals wanted a photo with me and would pull out their phones for an epic selfie. Prepare your best smile to be in plenty of photos.

If you are uncomfortable with photos or strangers taking selfies with you, plan to turn them down politely.

41. Avoid Politics

Uzbekistan is technically a dictatorship, but it is mostly benevolent. The locals are generally happy with how things are and see the benefits of their current leader. They prefer not to talk about politics and stick to lighter topics. But, I encourage you to read up on the politics and history of the region to be well-informed. 

42. Know Your Timur History

Timur is all over Uzbekistan. His place of rest is in Samarkand; grand statues are spread across the country, and there are many references to him and his conquest. If you want to understand some of the history and monuments he built, read up on his history. 

43.  Madrasas, Mosques, Mausoleums, & Bazaars

You will come across three types of buildings when visiting the historic Silk Road cities. It is helpful to identify them and know their history.

Madrasas

Madrasas are old Islamic schools and were once the pinnacle of knowledge spanning the Islamic world’s maths, science, astronomy, religion, and writing. They are grand buildings with archway entrances, an inner courtyard, and several stories of smaller rooms. Most grand buildings you see along the Silk Road are old madrasas. Some now have bazaars, and others are left empty. You do not need to dress modestly to enter these.

Since Uzbekistan isn’t overly religious, few still function as schools. However, one at Kalon Square in Bukhara operates as a school. For this reason, you can not enter.

Mosques

Much like the Madrasas, many Mosques in Uzbekistan are not active. You will find many are now museums. The mosques are not in the style of many modern mosques in Istanbul. Instead, they are often made of wood with intricate pillars adorning the entrance.

You should cover your head and shoulders if you enter an active mosque.

Mausoleums

These are primarily found in Samarkand, but they are throughout Uzbekistan. The grand places of the rest are fitting for Central Asia’s greatest leaders. They look like they could be a madrasa from a distance, but they are smaller and often more intricate with gold and white colors.

I found the mausoleums in Samarkand at Shah-i-Zinda and Timors to be some of the most breathtaking structures I have ever seen.

Covering your shoulders when entering these areas is common, but even locals seem pretty relaxed about it.

Bazaars 

The large multi-dome structures you see almost everywhere in Uzbekistan are bazaars. This is a bazaar if you see many brick domes with vents on top that sprawl over quite a distance. Most of them are still active and are great places for souvenir shopping.

Things to Know About Uzbek Food & Drink

44. Yes, You Can Survive as a Vegetarian

If you’ve read my vegetarian survival guide to Central Asia, then you already know how easy it was to be a vegetarian in Uzbekistan. We found many veggies and fruits and pages of vegetarian options at every restaurant we visited. I didn’t eat meat once in Uzbekistan, but I enjoyed various vegetarian dishes. All the restaurant staff was amiable and helpful in ensuring our dietary needs were met.  

Myth Busting: Vegetarians are Fucked

Most travel guides to Central Asia or Uzbekistan state that the diet is all meat and all plov all the time, or if you are a vegetarian, you are screwed. In 2019, this is not the case. If anything, it was harder to find plov than other meals.

Many of these guides were created by budget bloggers who may not have been able to afford to sit down in restaurants or weren’t looking for vegetarian options. Also, as more tourism comes to the country, especially from countries like India, the locals are more in tune with dietary needs like vegetarian food. 

There are even plenty of traditional dishes that are naturally vegetarian, from soups, samsas, and dumplings.

45. Hot Tea on Hot Days

If drinking hot tea on a hot day sounds awful, get used to it. One staple in the Uzbekistan diet is hot tea. You will be served tea at restaurants and guest houses. Boiling the water helps get rid of any bacteria.

As you drink the hot tea, you will begin to sweat; sure enough, a breeze will come through to help you cool off. So, sweat it out with some hot tea on a hot day. The only thing missing is the breeze, haha. 

46. Get Drunk!

Seeing as Uzbekistan isn’t as conservative as other Muslim-dominant countries, drinking is perfectly acceptable by both locals and tourists. So, feel free to order beer or wine for dinner. You may even find yourself drinking vodka with the locals. Be careful, though; you will need to finish the bottle.

47. No Need to Tip, But…

While eating out, you don’t need to leave a tip for your server – unless you want to. You will, however, pay a service charge at most dining establishments, so don’t be surprised when you see that tacked on to a bill. 

48. Kids Will Serve You

One of the most comical memories from Uzbekistan was when we went to a coffee shop in The Registan. We approached a high bar counter, and not seeing a single employee, we said, “Hello?”

Two kids popped up on tiptoes to see over the counter to take our order. They looked well under 12, but they were making coffee and mixing cocktails. This is a common sight in Uzbekistan, and while it is a bit odd at first, that’s just how it is.

49. Try Street Food

If you’re not vegetarian or on a budget, there are plenty of street food vendors in both cities and small villages. People will often serve piping hot and fresh samsas or plov out their front door or on the side of the street.

50. Plov, Laghman, and…

Uzbekistan is known for its plov and Laghman, but the food variety was much more diverse than that. The traditional dishes you will encounter most often are:

Plov: Similar to a rice pilaf, this dish is traditionally cooked in large cast-iron bowls with meat, raisins, animal fat, and some veggies.

Laghman: This is an egg noodle dish with fat-plump noodles typically cooked in fat with meat and some veggies.

Samsas: smaller, flaky pastry pockets stuffed with meat, cheese, or veggies.

Myth Busting: Plov, Plov, Plov

Many guides talk about how all there is to eat is Plov and Laghman. However, we found a HUGE variety of food. While almost every restaurant had plov and Laghman on the menu in all the major Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan, we found kebaps, eggplant rolls, lavash with cheese and tomato, pumpkin dumplings, grilled veggies, fruit salads… etc. So, you won’t eat plov the entire time.

Things to Know About Health & Sanitation 

51. Water is Not Safe to Drink

As someone who strives to be zero waste, I know that water sanitation is always a big deal to me at my destinations. Unfortunately, the water is not clean or safe to drink. This means you will have to source or buy your water.

Uzbekistan can get very hot, so rather than buying liters of tiny plastic water bottles, I encourage you to get a LARQ water bottle, which works well. If you stay at nicer hotels, you can boil water in their kettles, refill your bottles, and put them in your fridge. 

If you need to buy water, get a big 5-gallon jug and refill your reusable bottle.

52. Drink Lots of Water

On that note, with the heat and all the walking you will be doing, it is essential to drink lots of water. I was drinking several liters a day, and we even carried a Camelbak with us during the day.

53. Public Toilets & Squatty Potties

As someone who has to pee frequently, I often rate countries or cities by the state of their public toilets. Almost every restaurant, cafe, and hotel had great toilets. Some public toilets may cost about 1000 SUM. It was safe to say whenever I needed a toilet, I had one.

Myth Busting: Public Toilets are Nasty

If you are reading Lonely Planet or other guides about how nasty public toilets are, great news: this is changing! In 2018, Uzbekistan introduced an initiative to improve the general health and sanitation of all public toilets around the country, including remote areas with no water.

In most of the major tourist destinations, you will see the results of this initiative starting to happen with more public toilets and better sanitation in all toilets. However, some public toilets are a bit iffy since this is a vast project. For example, the toilets at the train stations are squatty potties, and you must ensure you get toilet paper before entering.

Important to Know: As conditions continue to improve, have your toilet paper in your bag, carry hand sanitizer, and get used to squatty potties. You often find a sign on the door asking you to toss your paper rather than flush it. 

54. Take a Siesta

If you travel in the summer or during the hot months, as we did, pace yourself and learn to take a siesta in the afternoon. We would get up early to explore, and by 1 pm, we would head back to our air-conditioned room to relax, drink water, nap, and eat lunch.

As things started to cool off by 5 pm, we would emerge to check out a few more sights, catch the sunset, eat dinner, and stroll around at night with the locals.

55. Pack Sun Protection

While it might be hot enough to get away with shorts – the sun is no joke. Ensure you’re protecting yourself from the sun with a hat, a coverup, UV protection sunglasses, and breathable clothing.

56. Pack Diarrhea Meds

You may get sick eating certain foods, especially with the water quality. It doesn’t hurt to have some meds on hand for stomach-related issues. Remember only to bring what you need and if it a prescription, make sure it is in your name for customs.

General Tourist Tips To Know About Uzbekistan

57. High Airport Tax

Uzbekistan is making leaps and bounds towards fostering tourism in the country, but there is still one downside. Flying internationally to the Tashkent airport or any other airport is quite expensive due to airport taxes. These fees might get quite high if you are flying in from somewhere like the U.S., but coming in from Germany wasn’t too bad.

Uzbekistan has stated they are working to reduce these high airport fees, so it might not be long before we see killer deals in Tashkent. Regardless of the price, it is 100% worth visiting.

58. Print It!

Print all your important documents, including your visa, visa waiver information, passport copy, train tickets, booking confirmations, etc. We had a whole packet of paperwork in a protected case that we kept on us. You will need physical copies of many things throughout your trip, and never rely on digital copies.

59. Travel in the Autumn

When I traveled to Uzbekistan in August, it was freakin’ hot, to say the least. I ended up with heatstroke walking around 45 degrees Celsius temperatures. While it was great because hardly anyone was around and we had places to ourselves, we sometimes felt it was too hot.

The peak season for visiting Uzbekistan is autumn, September, or October. This time of year, restaurants serve a lot of fresh fruits and veggies from the recent harvest, making it even better for vegetarians. Spring is also a pretty decent time to visit. Winter gets pretty cold at night, so pack some warmer items for winter travel. 

60. Get a Local SIM or e-SIm

I use an Airalo e-SIM when I travel, which is ideal for anyone with an unlocked phone. You can download an e-SIM for Uzbekistan and use it as you travel throughout the country. The data packages are usually generous, and it is super easy to top up and keep using your phone like before.

If you cannot get an e-SIM, I suggest you get a local SIM card. You can easily pick one up from an English-speaking airport tourist information booth attendant. The regional internet is excellent, fast, and reliable. 

Myth Busting: The WIFI Sucks

We read a lot of complaints about the terrible internet in Uzbekistan. Most of the hotels and accommodations we stayed in had decent Wi-Fi. Some cafes and restaurants had it, but not all. It is still an up-and-coming thing, and if you want to stay connected, you should get a local SIM.

61. Visit Places 2x

As hobby photographers, we visited almost every major tourist spot in Uzbekistan, such as the Registan in Samarkand and Kalon Square in Bukhara, at least twice.

The lighting changes so much from sunrise to afterdark. Trust me, you’ll want photos of these sights at dawn/during the day and again at sunset/at night to play with the lighting. So, budget enough time in each destination to do this, meaning don’t just take a day trip to these cities. Stay longer and appreciate the beauty as the light changes if you can. 

62. Bring a Tripod

If you’re also a photographer, I suggest you pack a tripod, which ensures those night shots are crystal clear. There isn’t much in terms of water features, like grand waterfalls, so you probably don’t need an ND filter, but a travel tripod, such as the Rollei Carbon Travel Tripod, which I use.

63. Enjoy a Relaxed Itinerary

We were a bit stressed by the lack of information on what to do and see. It was like everyone read Lonely Planet and copied their guide to create blog posts. So, instead of doing a ton of research and following a plan to see top sights, we walked around.

Every corner of the cities and towns had exciting things to see, people to talk to, and photos to take. A loose itinerary with an open mind is the way to explore Uzbekistan.

I suggest booking your transportation and accommodation in advance but leaving the day-to-day sightseeing in the air. You’ll be surprised at what you find. 

64. Ready for Tourism

Since 2017, things in Uzbekistan have changed drastically. A major driving factor is the push for tourism and opening the country up to foreigners. Uzbekistan is ready for tourism in every sense of the word. The hotels are ready to welcome you; infrastructure is in place; restaurants are more diverse for dietary needs; it is safe; they have excellent museums, tourist sites, friendly locals… the list goes on. 

65. Don’t Be a Dick and Ruin It

As the heading says, don’t be a dick of a tourist and ruin it. Uzbekistan is still special and remote. It feels authentic, and the last thing we want is asshole tourists to take advantage of local hospitality.

Please, please don’t be that basic-ass tourist who comes and trashes the cities, ruins the sights with endless photos, rips the locals off, or other general bad behavior. Visit Uzbekistan, but do so with respect.

66. Your Mind Will Be Blown

Lastly, it’s been a while since a destination blew my mind. I started to think those days were over. I was becoming a bit jaded myself. I was tired of visiting cities destroyed by selfish and self-centered travelers. I was tired of seeing castle after castle that looked the same and locals who were angry at disrespectful tourists.

Uzbekistan’s culture, food, history, and architecture truly blew my mind and reminded me why I love traveling and experiencing new cultures. 

Pin To Your Dream Travel Board!

I hope these 65 + essential travel tips and things you need to know before traveling to Uzbekistan were helpful. Since Uzbekistan has changed so much in the last two years, the myth-busting tips ensure you have the most up-to-date and recent information to help you plan the best trip to Uzbekistan. Do I need to update or add anything? Let me know in the comments, or shoot me an email.

Don’t forget to pin for some bucket-list inspiration.