How to get to Samarkand

The railway is the best way to travel between Uzbekistan’s main cities. Three types of train run between Tashkent and Samarkand:

• Afrosiyob high-speed trains take about 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. They are modern, comfortable and punctual, with economy and business classes. See Tashkent to Samarkand for a full comparison.
• Sharq fast trains take around 3–3.5 hours and are cheaper.
• Regular passenger and night trains are slower but useful for some connections.

Tickets sell out quickly in spring and autumn, so book as early as possible. They can be bought on the official Uzbekistan Railways website and app, at station ticket offices with your passport, or through an agent; see our train tickets service if you would like help. You need your passport to board, and the name on the ticket must match it. For more detail see trains in Uzbekistan and our route guide from Tashkent to Samarkand.

Samarkand railway station is in the north-west of the city, about 15–20 minutes by taxi from the Registan.

Samarkand is on the main line west to Bukhara. High-speed and fast trains link the two cities in about 1.5–2 hours. Some trains continue to Khiva and Urgench in Khorezm, a journey of several more hours across the Kyzylkum desert; check the timetable for direct options. Trains also run south to Karshi and Termez, and there are connections to Navoi and Jizzakh.

A classic itinerary is Tashkent → Samarkand → Bukhara → Khiva by train, flying back to Tashkent from Urgench at the end.

Samarkand International Airport is about 6 km north of the city centre, 15–20 minutes by taxi. It has a modern terminal and receives domestic flights from Tashkent and other cities, and a growing number of international routes, typically from Istanbul, Moscow and other Russian cities, the Gulf and Central Asian capitals. Routes change seasonally, so check current schedules.

Flying into Samarkand and out of Tashkent or Urgench (or the reverse) saves time and avoids backtracking. Domestic flights between Tashkent and Samarkand exist but are rarely worth it compared with the fast train, once airport time is included.

The road from Tashkent to Samarkand is about 300 km, typically 4–5 hours by car, through Jizzakh and the Gate of Tamerlane gorge. Shared taxis leave from Tashkent and are faster but less comfortable than the train. From Bukhara the road is about 270 km, around 4 hours, with possible stops at the Rabati Malik caravanserai and Gijduvan.

A private car with a driver is the most flexible option if you want to stop along the way, for example at Shakhrisabz between Samarkand and Bukhara or Karshi. Roads are generally good on the main routes, though police checkpoints are common; always carry your passport.

The Jartepa–Sarazm border crossing lies about 45 km east of Samarkand on the road to Penjikent in Tajikistan. It is used by travellers combining Samarkand with Penjikent, the Fann Mountains and Dushanbe. From the border, Penjikent is a short drive. Opening hours and rules for foreigners change, and visa requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current situation before planning a crossing. See our Jartepa border guide for the procedure and onward travel.

The old city is walkable: the Registan, Gur-Emir, Bibi-Khanym, Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda are 10–20 minutes apart on foot, linked by the pedestrian Tashkent Street. For the observatory, Afrasiyab, the station, the airport and outlying sites, use a taxi. Ride-hailing apps work in Samarkand and are the easiest way to avoid negotiating fares. Electric golf carts sometimes run along the pedestrian streets for a small fee.