Samarkand to Khiva: train, car or plane

Samarkand and Khiva are two of the three great Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan; the third, Bukhara, lies between them. Beyond Bukhara, the route crosses the Kyzylkum desert to the Khorezm oasis. Travelling straight from Samarkand to Khiva is possible, but it is a long day, and skipping Bukhara means missing one of the highlights of the country.

Direct trains run from Samarkand to Khiva (and Urgench), taking about 9–11 hours depending on the train. Some are day trains, others overnight sleepers from Tashkent that pass through Samarkand. Sleeping compartments make a night journey comfortable.

Train types and timetables on this line have changed several times since it was upgraded, so check current services. Tickets go on sale about 45 days in advance. You need your passport to buy and board. Our train ticket service can check availability for your dates; see also trains in Uzbekistan.

Samarkand station is 15–20 minutes by taxi from the Registan. Khiva station, opened in 2018, is close to the walls of Ichan-Kala.

The best way to travel from Samarkand to Khiva is in two stages, with at least two nights in Bukhara:

1. Samarkand to Bukhara: about 1.5 hours by Afrosiyob, or 4 hours by car with stops at Rabati Malik and the ceramic workshops of Gijduvan.
2. Bukhara to Khiva: about 6–7 hours by train or car across the desert.

This avoids a very long travel day and lets you enjoy Bukhara’s old town, one of the most atmospheric in Central Asia.

The road from Samarkand to Khiva runs via Navoi and Bukhara, then across the desert beside the Amu Darya, about 720 km in total. Without long stops, the drive takes 10–11 hours. It is possible in one day with an early start, but tiring. A car with driver is best used for the Bukhara–Khiva leg, or for the whole route split over two days with a night in Bukhara. Our transfer service offers cars, SUVs and minivans for the route.

There are no direct flights from Samarkand to Urgench (Khiva’s airport). Flying via Tashkent takes most of a day with connections, so the train or road is usually better. If you are coming from Samarkand and want to fly, consider taking the Afrosiyob back to Tashkent and flying to Urgench from there. See Tashkent to Khiva.

For an adventurous variation, travel from Samarkand north to the Nuratau mountains and a yurt camp near Lake Aydarkul, then continue via Nurata to Bukhara, and on to Khiva. This turns the journey into a three-day trip with a night in the desert and a night in Bukhara.

• Doing it in one day without need: a 10–11-hour journey leaves no energy for Khiva on arrival. Stop in Bukhara if you can.
• Booking trains late: the desert line has fewer trains than the Tashkent–Samarkand route, and they fill up in high season.
• Ignoring the way back: Khiva is at the western end of the country. Book your flight from Urgench to Tashkent at the same time as your train, so the whole route fits together.

• In summer, the desert section is very hot: start early by car, or take the train.
• Bring water and snacks; services on the desert road are few.
• Plan to arrive in Khiva before sunset to see the walls of Ichan-Kala in the evening light.
• Our team is based in Khiva and can meet you at the station or arrange your car. See how to get to Khiva.