Tashkent to Nukus: plane or train

Nukus, the capital of the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan, lies in the far north-west of Uzbekistan, on the lower Amu Darya. It is the home of the Savitsky Museum, with its famous collection of avant-garde art, and the starting point for trips to Muynak and the Aral Sea. From Tashkent, it is one of the longest journeys in the country.

Nukus airport, a short taxi ride from the centre, has domestic flights from Tashkent, usually several times a week, taking about 2 hours. Schedules vary by season; check current timetables and book early in spring and autumn, when groups head for the Aral Sea.

Flying is the obvious choice for most visitors. A good plan is to fly Tashkent → Nukus, then travel south by road to Khiva via the desert fortresses, and fly back to Tashkent from Urgench, which has more frequent flights. See Tashkent to Khiva.

Nukus is on the railway across the Kyzylkum. Trains from Tashkent, some via Samarkand, Navoi and Bukhara, take roughly 15–20 hours, depending on the service. Overnight trains with sleeping compartments are the most practical: you leave in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next day.

Bring food and water, as services on board vary. Tickets go on sale about 45 days in advance; you need your passport. Our train ticket service can help, and our guide to trains in Uzbekistan explains classes. Trains also link Nukus with Urgench and Khiva.

By road, Tashkent to Nukus is about 1,100 km, via Samarkand, Bukhara and the desert road to Khorezm. Driving it in one go is not realistic; it only makes sense as part of a tour, stopping in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva on the way. From Khiva, Nukus is about 3 hours by car, an easy day trip or transfer. See how to get to Nukus and our transfer service.

Nukus fits naturally into a trip to western Uzbekistan:

• Fly to Nukus, spend a day at the Savitsky Museum and the Mizdakhan necropolis, then drive to Khiva via Chilpik and the desert fortresses.
• Add the Aral Sea: from Nukus, drive to Muynak and its ship cemetery, and on by 4x4 across the Ustyurt Plateau to a yurt camp on the shore. See our Aral Sea and Karakalpakstan tour.
• Day trip from Khiva: if you are already in Khiva, visit Nukus in a long day by car.

• Assuming daily flights: flights between Tashkent and Nukus do not always run every day. Check the schedule before fixing the rest of your route.
• Flying back the same way: it is usually better to fly into Nukus and out of Urgench (or the reverse), using the road between them to see Khiva, Chilpik and the fortresses.
• Leaving the Aral Sea to the last minute: 4x4 trips and yurt camps on the Aral shore run only in the warmer months and must be booked ahead.
• Underestimating distances: Nukus to Muynak alone is about 3–3.5 hours by road.

• Most travellers: fly Tashkent → Nukus, then continue overland to Khiva and fly back from Urgench.
• Love long train journeys: the overnight train across the desert.
• Already in Khiva: go by road, about 3 hours.

Nukus has a harsh desert climate: very hot in summer and freezing in winter. The best months are late April–May and September–early October; see Nukus weather. Hotels are fewer than in Khiva; book ahead in high season. See things to do in Nukus.