Overview
Uzbekistan is a country in Asia according to businesscarriers. Uzbekistan boasts some of the finest architectural treasures along the famous Silk Road, including Islamic mosaics, turquoise domes, minarets and remnants of the days when Central Asia was a center of power and learning. Notable examples include the ancient city of Khiva with its imposing city walls, the narrow, winding streets of Buxoro and Samarkand, which locals call the “Rome of the Orient”. Silk is still produced today in the Ferghana valley between the Tianshan and Alai mountains. It is because of its friendly bazaars and its countryside of cotton fields, Mulberry trees and orchards are definitely worth a visit. The mountains of Uzbekistan are of interest to hikers, cyclists and backcountry skiers, and experienced mountaineers can climb some of the highest peaks on earth here. The tourist offer and the tourist infrastructure of Uzbekistan is constantly improving. Meanwhile, foreign individual travelers are allowed to camp and unmarried couples are allowed to share a hotel room. The upturn in the tourism industry is to be further boosted by the new visa-free entry for nationals of some EU countries and Switzerland, among others. Cyclists and backcountry skiers of interest and experienced mountaineers can scale some of the highest peaks on earth here. The tourist offer and the tourist infrastructure of Uzbekistan is constantly improving. Meanwhile, foreign individual travelers are allowed to camp and unmarried couples are allowed to share a hotel room. The upturn in the tourism industry is to be further boosted by the new visa-free entry for nationals of some EU countries and Switzerland, among others.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Uzbekistan’s national airline Uzbekistan Airways (HY) flies non-stop from Frankfurt/M. to Tashkent. Feeder flights from Vienna and Zurich to Frankfurt/M. are possible with Lufthansa (LH) or the respective national airlines. From Frankfurt/M. and Vienna flies Turkish Airlines (TK) via Istanbul to Tashkent; Turkish Airlines (TK) also offers flights from Hamburg, Hanover and Zurich via Istanbul to Tashkent.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Tashkent: 6 hrs 15 mins (non-stop); Vienna – Tashkent: 9 hours 55 minutes; Geneva – Tashkent: 10 hrs 25 mins (journey times with stopovers vary depending on length of stay.)
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
There are connecting roads to all neighboring countries. The border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, while open to tourists, can sometimes be closed for security reasons. Long-distance buses: Buses run regularly from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Uzbekistan. Toll: There are currently no toll roads. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by train
The Trans-Caspian Railway crosses Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; it connects Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea via Ashkhabad-Bukhara-Samarkand with Tashkent. Tashkent is an important hub in Central Asian rail transport. Connections lead in all directions: west to Ashkhabad (Turkmenistan), south to Samarkand and on to Dushanbe (Tajikistan), east to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) and north to Moscow (Russian Federation). The trip from Moscow to Tashkent takes two and a half days. Another line leads to the Fergana Basin in the east of the country; From there we continue by taxi to Osh in Kyrgyzstan. You can drive from Uzbekistan to China via Almaty (Kazakhstan).
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Uzbekistan Airways (HY) flies regularly to the country’s major cities such as Andijan, Bukhara, Fergana, Karshi, Namangan, Navoi, Mukus, Samarkand, Tashkent and Termez.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network of Uzbekistan has a total length of approx. 86,500 km. The main route runs along the ancient Silk Road, on the route Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Urgench-Nukus. Toll: There are currently no toll roads. Petrol stations: The network of petrol stations outside the cities is very sparse and the quality of the petrol is poor. For longer distances you should always carry canisters with fuel.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Most of the roads (approx. 72,000 km) are paved, but mostly in poor condition outside of the cities. Potholes are always to be expected. There are hardly any markings. Driving at night is generally not recommended.
Road classification
Some parts of the road are considered motorways, but are badly neglected. A multi-lane ring road leads around Tashkent; partly without apparent lane separation.
Car rental
Rental cars are available in all major cities with and without a driver. The minimum age for drivers when booking rental cars is usually 25 years.
Taxi
Taxis can be found in all major cities. The fare should be agreed before departure. Taxis can be hired by the hour, day or week. The country can be traveled cheaply, especially with shared taxis. However, shared taxis only leave when they are full.
Coach
Buses run regularly between the larger cities, which are very slow due to the road conditions.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited; – alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰; Absolute ban on alcohol while driving. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 70 km/h; – extra-urban: 100 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
There is no national breakdown service.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Traveling in the city
Buses, trolleybuses, trams, taxis and a metro all operate in Tashkent. Public transport is very cheap and quite reliable. Taxis and shared taxis are also available.
Locally on the way by train
The Uzbek Railway serves rail transport in the country. The route network covers approx. 4,670 km and connects, among other things, Tashkent, Termez, Navoi, Samarkand, Bukhara, the Fergana Basin, Kungrad and Nukus. There are two railway stations in Tashkent (North and South). High-speed trains connect Tashkent with Samarkand and Bukhara. The Trans-Caspian Railway crosses the country from the Turkmen border via Kagan (near Bukhara), Samarkand and Jisak, where there are connections to Tashkent. Passengers should never leave their luggage unattended.
Traveling by ship
Uzbekistan’s navigable waterways have a total length of 1,100 km. The main river port is Termez on the Amu Darya.
