Getting around
Getting around Central Asia
Flights, trains, private drivers and 4×4s: how to cover the distances.
Distances are large
Khiva to Bukhara is about 450 km; Bishkek to Karakol a full day; Dushanbe to Khorog two days. Good itineraries balance long travel days with rest.
Flights
Domestic flights save time: Tashkent–Urgench (for Khiva), Tashkent–Nukus, Almaty–Astana, Bishkek–Osh, Ashgabat–Dashoguz or Mary. International flights connect Tashkent, Almaty, Bishkek and Dushanbe.
Trains
Uzbekistan’s high-speed trains are the best way between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Kazakhstan has fast trains between Almaty, Astana, Shymkent and Turkistan. See trains in Uzbekistan.
Private car and driver
For most of the region, a private vehicle with a driver is the most flexible option, and it is the standard on tailor-made tours.
4×4
Needed for the Pamir Highway, Song-Kul, the Aral Sea, Mangystau and Darvaza. Roads can be rough and slow; distances on the map understate the time needed.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
