Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 12 days: from Khujand to Khiva
Tashkent → Khujand → Dushanbe → Penjikent → Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) → Samarkand → Bukhara → Khiva → Urgench
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Khorezm’s capital · Uzbekistan
Urgench travel guide
The modern capital of Khorezm, with the airport and railway station that serve Khiva, 35 km away.
Urgench is the capital of Khorezm region in western Uzbekistan and the transport hub for Khiva, 35 km away: the airport and the main railway station are here. It is a modern city with a lively bazaar but few monuments. It should not be confused with Kunya-Urgench, the medieval capital of Khorezm, which is in Turkmenistan.
For most travellers, Urgench is where the trip to Khiva begins: you land at Urgench airport or arrive at Urgench station and drive about 40 minutes to the walled city. Our team is based in Khiva, and we meet guests here every day.
Modern Urgench grew in the 19th century as a trading town of the Khiva Khanate, on a canal off the Amu Darya. In the Soviet period it became the regional capital, which is why it has the administrative buildings, the university and the airport, while Khiva kept its old town. The name was taken from the great medieval capital of Khorezm, Gurganj or Old Urgench (Kunya-Urgench), which was destroyed by the Mongols in 1221 and abandoned when the river changed course; its ruins lie about 150 km to the north-west, across the border in Turkmenistan.
- Time needed
- A few hours, or a night before an early flight
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Getting there
- Flights from Tashkent and some international routes; trains from Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara; 35 km (about 40 minutes) by road from Khiva.
Don’t miss
What to see in Urgench
- 01
Central bazaar
The main market of Khorezm, with melons, dried fruit, Khorezm bread and fresh fish from the delta.
- 02
Al-Khwarizmi monument
A statue of the 9th-century mathematician from Khorezm whose name gave us the word “algorithm”.
- 03
Riverside and parks
Green avenues along the canals and a central park, pleasant on summer evenings.
Urgench and Khiva
Should you stay in Urgench or Khiva? For almost every traveller the answer is Khiva: the old town is the reason you are here, and sleeping inside or next to the walls lets you see it at sunrise and after dark. Stay in Urgench only if you have a very early flight or train and want to save the drive, or if Khiva is fully booked during holidays.
The transfer between the two takes about 40 minutes by car. Taxis and ride-hailing cars wait at the airport and station. See our guide to getting from Urgench airport to Khiva for the options.
Two Urgenches
Travellers are often confused by the names. Urgench (Uzbekistan) is the modern regional capital described on this page. Kunya-Urgench (Turkmenistan) is the site of medieval Gurganj, capital of the Khwarazmshahs, with its tall Kutlug-Timur minaret and mausoleums. Visiting Kunya-Urgench from Khiva requires a Turkmen visa or permit and a border crossing at Shavat–Dashoguz.
Practical tips
Urgench airport is small and quick to pass through. ATMs and SIM-card shops are available in the city and at the airport. The bazaar is the best place in the region for Khorezm specialities such as shivit oshi (green dill noodles) ingredients, dried melons and local bread. In summer the heat is intense; in winter nights fall well below zero. If you arrive late at night, arrange your transfer to Khiva in advance: the road is straight and easy, but taxis are fewer after midnight, and a driver waiting with your name saves a lot of negotiation after a long journey.
Tours
Tours that include Urgench
Urgench: frequently asked questions
How far is Urgench from Khiva?
About 35 km, roughly 40 minutes by car. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are available at the airport and station.
Is Urgench the same as Kunya-Urgench?
No. Urgench is the modern Uzbek city near Khiva. Kunya-Urgench is the medieval capital of Khorezm, in Turkmenistan, about 150 km away.
Should I stay in Urgench or Khiva?
Stay in Khiva unless you have a very early flight or train. Khiva’s old town is the main attraction and is best at sunrise and in the evening.
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