Uzbekistan travel guide
Uzbekistan is the Silk Road made real. Domes tiled in turquoise rise over Samarkand and Bukhara, old trading domes still shelter bazaar life and Khiva's walled centre feels like a stage set for another century. Add plov, fresh bread, painted ceramics and warm hospitality, and it is an easy country to love, especially for anyone who enjoys architecture. Beyond the famous trio there is plenty to choose from. Shahrisabz is Timur's birthplace and a short trip from Samarkand, Fergana is the base for the valley's silk and ceramic towns, and Nukus offers an astonishing art museum and the road towards the Aral Sea. Tashkent works as the capital and the main transport hub for the journey. Spring and autumn are the best time to travel, as summers are very hot and winters cold. Uzbekistan suits history lovers, photographers and first-time visitors to Central Asia. Plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Tashkent.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Uzbekistan
- Currency
- UZS so'm
- Emergency number
- 112 / 102
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Uzcard, Humo
- ATM fees
- Varies; ATMs can run out, some dispense USD
Cities in Uzbekistan
- Samarkand The jewel of the Silk Road and one of the oldest inhabited cities on Earth, Samarkand reached its zenith as the dazzling capital of Timur's…
- Bukhara Dubbed "the Holy City" of Central Asia, Bukhara is a 2,500-year-old Silk Road city whose UNESCO-listed historic centre is the…
- Tashkent The vibrant capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia, Tashkent blends a Soviet-era grid of wide boulevards and monumental…
- Khiva Khiva's Itchan Kala — the intact mud-brick inner city — is Central Asia's most perfectly preserved ancient urban ensemble and a UNESCO…
- Shahrisabz The birthplace of Timur (Tamerlane) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shahrisabz — "Green City" in Persian — lies in a fertile valley 80 km…
- Fergana The cultural and economic heart of the fertile Fergana Valley — one of the most densely populated regions in Central Asia — Fergana is the…
- Nukus The remote capital of Karakalpakstan, Nukus is known worldwide for one extraordinary reason: the Savitsky Museum, which holds the world's…
Frequently asked questions about Uzbekistan
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Uzbekistan?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
- What currency is used in Uzbekistan?
- The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som. ₹1 is about 125 so'm.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Uzbekistan?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Uzcard, Humo. Typical ATM fees: Varies; ATMs can run out, some dispense USD. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Uzbekistan?
- Tipping in Uzbekistan: optional. Typically about 5% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Uzbekistan?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Uzbekistan use?
- Uzbekistan uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Uzbekistan?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 102. Ambulance: 103. Tourist helpline: 1284.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Uzbekistan?
- SIM and eSIM available in Uzbekistan.
- What is the capital of Uzbekistan?
- The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent. Time there: IST - 30 min.