Getting around
Uzbekistan trains: Afrosiyob, routes, classes and tickets
The high-speed Afrosiyob, the trains to Khiva and the Fergana Valley, classes, booking and the mistakes to avoid.
Uzbekistan’s railways connect all the main tourist cities. The high-speed Afrosiyob links Tashkent and Samarkand in about 2 hours and continues to Bukhara. Slower day trains and overnight sleepers reach Khiva, Urgench, Nukus and the Fergana Valley. Book through Uzbekistan Railways with your passport details, early in spring and autumn.
Train journey finder
Pick two cities to see the trains between them and how long they take.
Typical journey times. Timetables change; check the current one when you book.
The main routes
| Route | Train | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent – Samarkand | Afrosiyob (high-speed) | about 2 h – 2 h 30 | Several daily; sells out first |
| Tashkent – Samarkand | Sharq / regular | about 3 h 30 – 4 h | Cheaper, still comfortable |
| Samarkand – Bukhara | Afrosiyob / Sharq | about 1 h 30 – 2 h 30 | |
| Tashkent – Bukhara | Afrosiyob | about 3 h 30 – 4 h | Via Samarkand |
| Bukhara – Khiva / Urgench | Day and night trains | about 6–8 h | Across the Kyzylkum; check the current train types |
| Tashkent – Khiva / Urgench | Overnight sleeper | about 14–16 h | Many travellers fly instead (1 h 40) |
| Tashkent – Fergana Valley | Day trains | about 4–5 h | Through the Kamchik Pass tunnel |
| Tashkent – Nukus, Termez | Day and night trains | long journeys |
Times vary by train and season. Always check the current timetable when you book.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train
The Afrosiyob (named after ancient Samarkand) uses Spanish-built Talgo trains and runs at up to about 250 km/h on the best stretches. It is the fastest and most comfortable way between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and the train most travellers want, so it sells out first.
Classes are economy, business and VIP. Economy is perfectly comfortable for a two-hour trip, with reserved seats, air-conditioning and a snack trolley. Business has wider seats. Luggage racks are at the end of each carriage and above the seats.
Trains to Khiva and Khorezm
Khiva has had its own station since 2018, a short walk from the walls of Ichan-Kala; Urgench, 40 minutes away, also has a station. Trains run from Tashkent via Samarkand and Bukhara, crossing the Kyzylkum desert. Since the line through the desert was upgraded, faster daytime services have been added alongside the classic overnight sleepers. The train types and times have changed several times, so check which trains run on your dates.
From Tashkent, flying to Urgench (about 1 h 40) is still much faster than the train. From Bukhara, the train is a good alternative to the 6–7-hour road journey.
Night trains and sleeper classes
Overnight trains have three classes:
- Platskart: open-plan carriage with berths along both sides. Cheapest, social, little privacy.
- Kupe: closed compartments of four berths. The usual choice for travellers. Book all four berths for privacy.
- SV / lux: two-berth compartments, where available.
Bedding is provided. Bring water, snacks, a light layer and slippers. Attendants keep tea water hot.
How to book tickets
- Tickets are sold by Uzbekistan Railways (O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari) online, through its official app and at station ticket offices.
- You need your passport details for every ticket, and the same passport to board.
- Sales usually open about a month or more before departure. For Afrosiyob seats in April–May and September–October, book as soon as sales open.
- Arrive 30–40 minutes early: stations have security screening and you may need to show your passport at the platform.
- If online payment with foreign cards fails, a local agency or your hotel can book for you. If we plan your trip, we book trains for you as soon as sales open.
Tips from our team
- Station names: Tashkent has more than one main station. Check which one your train uses (most long-distance trains use Tashkent’s central station, Toshkent Shimoliy / North, but not all).
- Samarkand and Bukhara stations are outside the old towns; allow 15–30 minutes by taxi.
- Bukhara station is in Kagan, about 15 km from the centre.
- Food: the dining car on day trains is simple. Buy bread, fruit and snacks at a bazaar the day before.
- Combine rail and road: a classic route is fly Tashkent → Urgench, road Khiva → Bukhara, Afrosiyob Bukhara → Samarkand → Tashkent. See our 7-day itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Tashkent to Samarkand?
About 2 to 2.5 hours on the high-speed Afrosiyob, and about 3.5 to 4 hours on slower Sharq and regular trains.
Is there a train to Khiva?
Yes. Khiva has had its own station since 2018, with trains from Tashkent via Samarkand and Bukhara. From Tashkent the journey is long, so many travellers fly to Urgench instead and use the train between Khiva and Bukhara.
How far in advance should I book Afrosiyob tickets?
As soon as sales open, usually about a month or more ahead, especially for travel in April–May and September–October, when seats sell out.
Do I need my passport to board trains in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Tickets are issued in your name with your passport number, and the passport is checked at the station.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
