Where to stay in Tashkent

Tashkent is a large, spread-out city, and unlike Samarkand or Bukhara it has no compact historic quarter where everything is within walking distance. The best choice is usually somewhere central and close to a metro station, so that you can reach the old town, the museums and the railway station easily. Taxis are cheap, so distances matter less than in many capitals. Accommodation ranges from international chain hotels and new business hotels to small family-run hotels and hostels.

Best for: first-time visitors, short stays, evenings out.

The area around Amir Timur Square and along Amir Timur Avenue is the heart of modern Tashkent. You are within walking distance of Broadway, the Amir Timur Museum, the State Museum of History, the Navoi Theatre and many restaurants and cafés, with two metro lines meeting under the square.

Pros: central, well connected, many places to eat, safe for evening walks. Cons: larger hotels can be expensive; traffic noise on main roads.

Best for: travellers taking early trains, good value.

The Mirabad district and the streets towards the main railway station have a mix of mid-range and small hotels, quiet residential streets, the Holy Assumption Cathedral and some popular restaurants. It is convenient if you are catching an early Afrosiyob train to Samarkand or Bukhara.

Pros: good value, close to the station, quieter streets. Cons: fewer sights within walking distance; you will use the metro or taxis.

Best for: business travellers and those who want modern high-rise hotels.

Tashkent City is a new business and residential district west of the centre, with skyscrapers, international hotels, a large shopping mall and a landscaped park with fountains and evening light shows. It shows the fast-changing face of the capital.

Pros: new, comfortable hotels; modern facilities; park and shopping on the doorstep. Cons: feels international rather than Uzbek; higher prices.

Best for: travellers who want local atmosphere.

There are fewer hotels near Chorsu bazaar and the Khast Imam complex, but staying here puts you in the most traditional part of Tashkent, near the bazaar and the mosques, with Chorsu metro station on hand.

Pros: local life, bazaar on the doorstep, good food. Cons: fewer comfortable options; quieter in the evening.

Best for: very late arrivals or early departures.

Tashkent airport is only about 15–25 minutes from the centre, so most travellers do not need an airport hotel. If your flight arrives in the middle of the night and you plan to leave early the next day, a hotel close to the airport can save time. See how to get to Tashkent.

Wherever you stay, the metro and ride-hailing taxis make it easy to reach the rest of the city. From the centre, the old town around Chorsu is about 15 minutes by metro, the railway station 10 minutes and the airport 15–25 minutes by taxi. Traffic can be heavy at rush hour, so allow extra time for trains and flights, and leave at least 2–3 hours before international departures at the airport.

• Book ahead in spring and autumn and during major conferences and events, when central hotels fill up.
• Check the metro: a hotel within 5–10 minutes’ walk of a station makes getting around much easier.
• Registration: hotels register foreign guests with the authorities, as required in Uzbekistan. Keep the registration slips. See our Uzbekistan visa and entry guide.
• Late check-in: many international flights arrive at night; confirm that your hotel has 24-hour reception and arrange a transfer.
• Breakfast is usually included.

We can recommend and book accommodation to match your budget as part of a tailored trip.

One or two nights at the start of a trip, and one at the end before your flight home, is typical. With two full days you can see the main sights; add a third for the mountains. See our Tashkent itinerary and things to do in Tashkent.