FAQ About Uzbekistan

кастыль

To visit Uzbekistan, you need a valid passport and a visa unless your country is listed among visa-free nations. Depending on your citizenship, you can obtain a visa through the e-visa portal, at an embassy, or in rare cases (when no embassy is available) through a tour company that will send a request to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, citizens of over 90 countries can enter Uzbekistan without a visa, and citizens of around 60 countries are eligible for an e-visa. You can find detailed visa information here.

Yes, but under specific conditions:
- If your country doesn’t have an Uzbekistan embassy or consulate, and the e-visa is not available.
- If you run out of time to apply for a visa at an embassy (you must have a ticket to Uzbekistan for the nearest available date).

An invitation letter is a document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan for those unable to obtain a visa at an embassy. This letter must be presented at the airport to receive a visa upon arrival.
A group visa is a single document for a group of 5 or more tourists traveling the same route. This allows a single visa application instead of multiple individual ones.
Consular fees are the charges paid at an embassy to obtain a visa.

An e-visa is an easy way to get entry permission to Uzbekistan. Available for citizens of over 60 countries, you can apply for an e-visa by visiting the e-visa website, filling out the necessary forms, paying the fee, and waiting for a response within 3 business days. Once approved, the visa will be sent via email with a link to download it in PDF format. This document must be printed and shown at passport control when entering or leaving Uzbekistan. The cost of the visa depends on the number of entries, ranging from $20 to $50, and allows for a stay of up to 30 days within a 90-day period.

Yes, but only in limited quantities. Each person may bring up to 1 liter of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco into Uzbekistan.

Yes, medications for personal use are allowed. However, there are restrictions on certain types of medications, including sleeping pills, sedatives, and painkillers, and limits on the quantity you can bring. Some medications may be allowed with a prescription. Narcotic substances are strictly prohibited. You can view the list of restricted substances here.

No, drones are not allowed in Uzbekistan. Importing, selling, or using drones without permission can result in severe penalties, including fines or imprisonment for up to 3 years. To bring a drone, you must request official permission from the State Committee for Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, and the Uzbekkino Agency. Additionally, you must provide the Ministry of Defense and the State Flight Safety Inspectorate with details about filming locations and the people operating the drone.

There are no restrictions on how much cash you can bring into Uzbekistan. You can take out up to 100 million soums or the equivalent in foreign currency (approximately $8,000 as of August 2024). If the amount of cash you plan to take out exceeds this limit, you must fill out a customs declaration upon entering Uzbekistan.

Yes, SIM cards can be purchased at some Uzbekistan airports. However, mobile provider offices are not available at land borders. Most tourists purchase SIM cards in cities, at central offices or large branches of mobile operators. Almost all companies offer special rates for tourists, and you will need to present your passport to purchase one.

The best time for a cultural tour of Uzbekistan, including visits to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, is in the spring and fall. The weather in March-April and September-October is the most pleasant for long excursions and sightseeing, with temperatures ranging from +20 to +30°C. This is also the best time to visit the Aral Sea, Termez, and the Fergana Valley.
In summer, the heat in Uzbekistan can be intense, so this season is better suited for mountain hikes around Tashkent, where the climate is milder, or for relaxing at the Charvak Reservoir. In the cities, temperatures can reach over +40°C, while in the mountains, they range from +30 to +35°C.
Winter in Uzbekistan is ideal for skiing at the resorts of Amirsoy, Beldersay, and Chimgan. It’s also a good time for a cultural tour, though warm clothing will be necessary. Hotel prices are typically lower in winter, and there are plenty of sunny days. In cities, winter temperatures range from -5 to +5°C, while in the mountains, it can drop to -10°C.

Your choice of clothing depends on the time of year and destination. Uzbekistan experiences around 300 sunny days a year, so sunglasses are recommended year-round.
From May to September, you can comfortably wear shorts, t-shirts, and a cap or hat. Shoes should be breathable, such as sneakers, sandals, or light shoes.
In March-April and September-October, the weather is cooler, so pack pants, shirts, t-shirts, and a light sweater or jacket for the evenings.
From November to February, warm clothing such as sweaters, jackets, and hats is necessary, and shoes should be sturdy and warm.
In major tourist cities in Uzbekistan, there are no specific clothing restrictions for women, but when visiting religious sites, it is required to cover your head, shoulders, chest, and legs. Additionally, modest clothing (avoiding short shorts and deep necklines) is advisable when visiting the Fergana Valley or rural areas, where locals may view revealing clothing as inappropriate.

No vaccinations are required to visit Uzbekistan. All COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022.

Uzbekistan uses 220V electricity with type C (CEE 7/16, Europlug) outlets. If your devices operate on 110/120V, you will need a converter and an outlet adapter. Converters are difficult to find in Uzbekistan, so it’s best to purchase one before your trip, though adapters are available in most electronics stores.

The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek. Russian is widely spoken in major cities and by older generations, while many younger people are learning English, especially those working in the tourism industry. Additionally, you can find guides and translators who speak many European and Asian languages.

In Tashkent and other large cities, international cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in restaurants and hotels. However, at bazaars, smaller establishments, and in remote towns and villages, only cash is accepted, so it’s advisable to withdraw and exchange some cash at ATMs in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, or Khiva.

No. Uzbekistan’s currency law mandates that all payments within the country must be made in the national currency (Uzbek som), except in cases established by law. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or ATMs.

Yes. You can exchange Uzbek som back into US dollars or euros at exchange offices in banks, provided you keep the receipts from when you exchanged foreign currency into som.

There are no fees for entering or leaving Uzbekistan. However, at a few land checkpoints between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, there are neutral zones where private minibusses operate, and you will need to pay for transportation in cash (in either US dollars or local currency).

Tipping is not obligatory in Uzbekistan, and the decision is left up to the tourists. Most restaurants include a 10-20% service charge in the bill. If you wish to tip a guide or driver, it is usually done at the end of the tour and is discretionary.

We believe that offering tours without international flights provides certain advantages: you can choose a more affordable or convenient flight, select your preferred airline, or create a custom itinerary with stopovers en route to Uzbekistan. Additionally, many tourists join our tours already in Uzbekistan, which makes international flights unnecessary.

Yes, we can organize a custom tour based on your requests, as long as the planned destinations and activities fall within our expertise. Contact us, and we will work to create a memorable and personalized trip for you.

If you need assistance during your tour, our tour operators will always be available to help and resolve any issues. Additionally, before your tour, we will provide you with the contact details of our local representatives, who can handle any on-the-ground emergencies.

City sightseeing tours usually begin at 9:00 AM, but the start time can always be adjusted to suit your schedule.

A guide leads tours in their city and possesses in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of the region. All guides are certified professionals.
A tour leader accompanies tourists across the country or region and manages the logistics of the trip—planning the route, coordinating times, arranging transportation and meals, and handling other details. In some cases, they may also act as a guide and have extensive knowledge of the country. Every tour leader is certified.

A guesthouse is a type of accommodation where tourists can stay overnight. It is similar to a hostel, with shared rooms and bathrooms. It also offers a chance to experience local life.
A traditional home is where locals introduce tourists to Uzbek culture and customs through meals, dinners, or workshops. Most traditional homes do not offer overnight accommodation.

The main international gateway to Uzbekistan is Tashkent Airport, which receives numerous flights daily from Europe and Asia. Additionally, there are 9 other international airports in the country that receive flights from CIS countries. For tourists planning a tour of Uzbekistan, the airports in Urgench and Samarkand are of particular interest.

The capital, Tashkent, is connected by direct flights to all regional centers in Uzbekistan, as well as to Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan. There are also direct flights between some popular tourist cities. If you want to visit Khiva, fly to Urgench, which is located just 30 kilometers away.

Nearly all major cities in Uzbekistan are connected by rail, with daily train service on most routes. The high-speed "Afrosiab" train runs between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

There are three classes of service: SV (luxury sleeper compartments with two beds, sometimes with a TV, accommodating 18 passengers per car), first-class compartments (four berths with two lower and two upper beds, accommodating 36 passengers per car), and economy (open-plan seating with 54 passengers per car).

Yes. E-tickets for flights typically become available 3-4 months before departure, and for trains, tickets are available 60 days before the travel date. To purchase tickets, you need to register on the official websites of Uzbekistan Airways or Uzbekistan Railways, select the date, enter the passenger details, and make the payment. On the day of departure, you will need to present the PDF ticket and your passport at the station or airport.

Public transportation is well-developed only in Tashkent, where fares are 2,000 som and can be paid in cash, with local ATTO cards, UzCard, or international Visa and Mastercard. In other cities, public transportation is limited, often consisting of minibusses, and only accepts cash payments.
Taxi services in Uzbekistan include local taxi companies as well as ride-hailing apps like Yandex Taxi and Uklon. Taxi prices depend on the distance and time of day, but an average ride costs between $4-6.

Yes, it is possible to rent a car in Uzbekistan. Several companies offer car rental services, with options to rent a car with or without a driver.

No, it is not recommended to drink tap water in Uzbekistan. It is safer to drink bottled or boiled water.

Yes, alcohol consumption is permitted in Uzbekistan. However, drinking alcohol in public places is subject to administrative fines.

Coffee is not particularly popular in Uzbekistan, but coffee shops can be found in Tashkent and larger cities. In many casual eateries, instant coffee is often served, so it’s best to confirm when ordering.

Lunch at casual restaurants starts at around $4. In mid-range establishments with quality service and décor, lunch costs between $8-10 (they called “Milliy Taomlar” – National Dishes), while luxury restaurants may charge over $20 per person.

In Tashkent, there is a wide range of restaurants to choose from, including those offering international cuisine, steakhouses, and venues with entertainment.

In Samarkand, popular restaurants include "Besh Chinor", "Karimbek", "Platan", "Samarkand", and "Sirius".

In Bukhara, try "Old Bukhara", "Saffron", "Doston House" or "Bella Italia".

In Khiva, be sure to visit the "Terrace" restaurant, "Zarafshan-Opa" café, and the "Khorezm" art café.

Yes, vegetarian options are available in Tashkent and larger cities. However, due to the cultural emphasis on meat in Uzbek cuisine, special requests may be necessary at many restaurants. Uzbekistan's bazaars and supermarkets offer a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Yes. With 95% of the population practicing Islam, finding halal food is easy in Uzbekistan. Many large grocery stores also offer halal products.