Blog · First trip, Planning
10 mistakes first-time visitors make in Uzbekistan (and how to avoid them)
Too many cities, too few days, midday sightseeing in July and last-minute train tickets. The planning mistakes we see every season, and the simple fixes.
The most common mistakes are trying to see too much in too few days, leaving train tickets to the last minute, sightseeing in the midday summer heat, carrying no cash, skipping Khiva because it looks far, and not dressing for mosques. All are easy to avoid with a realistic route, early bookings and a little local knowledge.
1. Trying to see everything in a week
Uzbekistan looks small on the map, but Tashkent to Khiva is over 1,000 km. Five cities in seven days means more time in trains and cars than in old towns. Pick three or four places for a week, and give each at least two nights. Our guide to how many days you need has realistic plans for 5 to 14 days.
2. Leaving train tickets to the last minute
The fast trains between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara sell out in spring and autumn, sometimes weeks ahead. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, or ask us to. See trains in Uzbekistan.
3. Sightseeing at midday in summer
From June to August afternoon temperatures in Bukhara and Khiva often pass 40 °C. Start at 7 or 8 in the morning, rest from 12 to 4, and go out again for the golden hour and the evening, when the old towns come alive.
4. Relying only on cards
Cards work in most hotels, city restaurants and big shops, and ATMs are easy to find in cities. But bazaars, small cafés, taxis and village homestays often want cash in som. Keep some notes on you. More in our money guide.
5. Skipping Khiva because it looks far
Khiva is the one city travellers most often regret missing. A short flight to Urgench, or a night train, makes it easy, and the road from Khiva to Bukhara across the desert is part of the experience. Not sure? Read Khiva or Bukhara.
6. Not dressing for mosques and madrasahs
Most monuments are museums and nobody will stop you in shorts, but working mosques and shrines expect shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a light scarf. It is also simply more comfortable in the sun. See etiquette in Central Asia.
7. Taking taxis without agreeing the price
Use a ride-hailing app in the big cities, or agree the fare before getting in. It saves arguments and usually money.
8. Throwing away the hotel registration slips
Hotels register you with the authorities automatically and give you a small slip or a note on your booking. Keep them until you leave the country; they can be asked for at the border. Read the Uzbekistan visa guide for the rules.
9. Eating only in tourist restaurants
Some of the best food in Uzbekistan is in the busy local places: the plov centres at lunchtime, the samsa ovens in the bazaar, the tea houses. Go where the locals queue, and go early: plov is a lunch dish and often sold out by mid-afternoon.
10. Planning without a local
You can travel independently in Uzbekistan, and many people do. But a few messages with someone on the ground (about which trains run on your dates, which festival is on, which road is being repaired) can save you a day. That is what we do from Khiva. Tell us your plan and we will tell you honestly what we would change.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for a first trip to Uzbekistan?
Seven to ten days is ideal for a first trip: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva at a comfortable pace. With five days, choose three cities.
Do I need cash in Uzbekistan?
Yes, some. Cards are accepted in hotels and city restaurants, but bazaars, taxis and small cafés often want cash in Uzbek som. ATMs are easy to find in cities.
