About the Blog: Traveling by trains in Uzbekistan is fairly easy and cheap. As big as the country is, it is well connected by trains and can be explored well using the services of Uzbekistan railways. This is a complete guide on taking Uzbekistan trains, how to buy Uzbekistan train tickets and the popular train routes. We have also included information of the high speed Afrosiyob trains, Sharq train and the sleeper trains in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a fascinating country and we were really glad that our introduction to the Central Asia was through this country. While planning our Uzbekistan trip, we had decided to include train journeys for long distance travels. After traveling by long distance trains in India and Myanmar, we were fairly certain that the Uzbekistan trains will not be difficult.

Well, we were pleasantly surprised by Uzbekistan Railways and their trains. The trains were clean, services were good and we were happy travelers. But before delving into the details of the trains in Uzbekistan, let me first tell you why travel by train in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Trains – Why Travel By trains in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is a beautiful country famous for its incredible Islamic architecture and the ancient Silk Road cities. However, the landscape in Uzbekistan is usually barren and desert-like. Apart from the Nuratau Mountain and the Chimgan Mountains, you will hardly see green landscape in the country.

The distance the between cities are long and there are not many interesting sights to see along the roads. The road transport includes marshrutkas or private cars between the cities and they can be quite boring, long and hot.

Traveling by trains in Uzbekistan is not only cheaper, but also more comfortable and sometimes even faster than traveling by road by shared taxi or marshrutkas. You will enjoy the ride along the barren desert and also meet the local people and other travelers, which is always interesting and fun.

In recent years , the old Soviet trains have given way to the high speed Afrosiyob trains in Uzbekistan that has made traveling from Tashkent to Samarkand faster and more comfortable. Afrosiyob trains also run between Tashkent and Bukhara.

Do you need more reasons to take a train ride in Uzbekistan?

What are the different types of trains in Uzbekistan?

There are three types of trains in Uzbekistan as of now – the Afrosiyob (speed train), the Sharq ad the sleeper or overnight train. And we have traveled in all three of them!

Afrosiyob Train in Uzbekistan

Traveling in an Afrosiyob train is quite an experience. It is an ultra-modern high speed train that is also very comfortable without burning a hole in the pocket (compared to western standards). These trains can run at a speed of almost 300 km/hour, and you get a complimentary snack and tea once you board the train.

Afrosiyob trains are quite popular and fill up pretty quickly during the tourist season.

A few features of the Afrosiyob Trains:

• Complimentary Snack and tea
• AC in all the wagons
• USB plug and power plugs
• There are also plenty of leg rooms and a TV screen that plays Uzbek shows. You will also find vendors selling snacks and drinks on the train.

Afrosiyob trains run only in between few destinations, albeit the popular ones. You can take Afrosiyob trains in Uzbekistan between the following cities:

• Tashkent to Samarkand
• Samarkand to Tashkent
• Tashkent to Bukhara
• Samarkand to Bukhara
• Bukhara to Tashkent
• Bukhara to Samarkand

Overnight or Sleeper train

Just like the Afrosiyob trains, traveling in an overnight or sleeper train in Uzbekistan is an experience in itself, even if it is for a different reason.

These sleeper trains are the slowest ones, but also the only ones to take if you are traveling to long distances. They are called Passenger (Пассажирский). These Sleeper trains have multiple class options that you can book. You can book a first class, 2-person private sleeper (Lux / CB), a 4-person private sleeper (Kupe), or a shared sleeper (Platzkartny).

The sleeper trains run between long distances like Tashkent to Nukus and Khiva. There is an overnight train that runs from Kungrad in Karakalpakstan to Andijan in Fergana Valley, while stopping at Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Kokand and others. It takes 27 hours 43 minutes to complete the journey.

We had booked a 4-person sleeper during our overnight journey from Tashkent to Nukus. The train provides clean sheet and pillow.

We traveled by a Platzkartny during our travel from Khiva to Bukhara. Traveling in the Platzkartny or shared wagon was quite an experience. We met the local travelers who were very friendly. Most of them offered us their food. One of them shared his lunch of fish and bread with us in the noon during our journey from Khiva to Bukhara.

A sleeper train ride is quite an experience in Uzbekistan and I would definitely recommend taking it.

A few features of the Overnight or Sleeper Trains:

•  Clean linens and pillow
• USB plugs only in first class. There were no power plugs in the other classes.
• There is no AC.
• There is a hot water kettle inside each wagon near the toilet. You can bring your own tea bag and use the water to make your own tea.
• There are vendors selling snacks and drinks at regular intervals.

The sleeper trains can get very hot during the summer seasons. And without AC, traveling can be a bit tiring.

Sharq Trains

The Sharq trains are the older Uzbek trains used from the Soviet era. The Sharq train covers larger distances, especially for cities that are farther away from Tashkent, like Urganch, Khiva nd cities in Fergana Valley. The trains are slower and the ride is a bit bumpier, and they are cheaper than the Afrosiyob trains.

Some of the Sharq trains have sleeper options also, but most of them are generally for day travels.

A few features of the Sharq Trains:

• USB plugs in First Class. Not found in second class.
• AC is present only in First Class
• You will get complimentary tea.
• Just like the Afrosiyob trains, you will also find vendors selling snacks and drinks on the train.

The Sharq Trains run between Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. There are a few running from Tashkent to Kokand in Fergana Valley as well.

We had traveled in a Sharq train from Tashkent to Kokand and back.

Uzbekistan Train Tickets: How to book a train in Uzbekistan?

The easiest way to book Uzbekistan train tickets is through the Uzbekistan Railways website or app. You can now buy Uzbekistan train tickets 30 to 45 days in advance. If you do not see it available yet, come back the next day to check it again.

We recommend buying the train tickets a few days in advance. If you are traveling in the peak season get them as early as possible.

There are a few other 3rd party websites that also sell Uzbekistan train tickets. But we found buying tickets from the Uzbekistan Railways website the cheapest and easiest.

How to buy Uzbekistan train tickets online?

You have to login to the website via your Google account, Facebook or Telegram account.

Choose your destinations and travel dates on the main page. You will be directed to a page where you will get a list of the available trains. The next few steps are self explanatory. The payment can be made in Visa and Mastercard.

Latest Update in March 2024: Lately, there was some issue in the payment system and Uzbekistan railways website and app were not accepting payments from international cards. You could only get the tickets if you had a local card or from the railway station. The technical glitch has then been removed and as of April 2024, you can buy Uzbekistan train tickets using international Cards.

These days, you do not have to carry a printout of the ticket. You can show the QR code or the ticket document on your mobile phone.

How to Buy Train Tickets from the Railway counters?

You can also get your train tickets directly from the ticket office in the railway station. Just head to the ticket counters, which is located close to the station and ask for the tickets. Carry your passport with you.

Where to get Uzbekistan Train Schedule?

You will get the timetables for the trains in Uzbekistan from the train schedule on the website of Uzbekistan Railways. However, the schedule is in the local language and you might have to use Google Translate in case the names are shown in local language.

For your convenience, let me state the names of some major Uzbek cities in Cyrillic alphabet.

• Tashkent : ТАШКЕНТ
• Samarkand: Самарканд
• Bukhara: Бухара
• Khiva: Хива
• Nukus: Нукус
• Kokand: КОКАНД

At the Train Station

Reach the railway station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. To enter the railway station, you have to pass a security check. I had heard that the checking is strict, but we did not face any strict checking. The bags were passed through a scanner and we had to walk under the checkpoint.

Just before entering the station, the ticket is checked. As mentioned before, these days it is not required to carry a printout of the ticket. The QR code on the Uzrailways mobile app or the ticket in pdf format on your phone is sufficient.

If you have any problem getting to the correct platform or the coaches, just ask the guards there. They are quite helpful.

Some Important Tips on traveling by Trains in Uzbekistan

There are usually no power plugs on the night trains in Uzbekistan. So for charging, get your power bank.

The cabins are a bit chilly during the winters. You might need an extra layer of clothing.

Linen, pillows and a light blanket is given in the sleeper trains. They are usually clean.

It is better to carry a roll of toilet paper with you. The toilets usually remain clean but they run out of toilet papers real soon.

It is better to get your snacks and drinks including water from outside or the railway station shops. Vendors go across the wagons selling them, but they tend to be a bit pricey.

Tashkent has 2 railway stations. The South Station (TOSHKENT JANUBIY or YUZHNYY) is located near the airport and is used for mostly long distance trains. The North Station (TOSHKENT SHIMOLIY) is the one that most people use and the trains from Samarkand and Bukhara run from this station. Check your tickets before heading towards the correct railway station!

Our Experience

The first train that we took in Uzbekistan was a sleeper train from Tashkent to Nukus. We boarded the train at around 1.30PM from Tashkent South Station. Our coupe was clean and we were given clean linens and pillow. The guards were very friendly and helpful.

The train journey was comfortable and we reached Nukus early morning the next day.

We got our next train from Khiva to Bukhara. It was also a sleeper train, but we had booked in a Platzkartny.  This was the most interesting ride. The local passengers came and talked with us. Some even offered us food. A group of kadies were traveling in the train and they were singing a local song. It was a fun ride. Just during lunch, a man asked us to sit with him and he was going to share his lunch with us. We had almost reached Bukhara by then. But he gave us a part of his lunch in a container for us to eat later. He would simply not take a no for answer!

The next two trains were Afrosiyobs from Bukhara to Samarkand and from Samarkand to Tashkent. Those two train rides were quite fast, clean and comfortable. We had a complimentary snacks and tea. And on the TV screen, they were playing Bollywood songs!

We experienced our journey on a Sharq gtrain from Tashkent to okand and back. There were only seating arrangements in the train. This train was also clean, but slower than the Afrosiyob. GThe scenery from Tashkent to Kokand is very beautiful!

In Conclusion

Trains in Uzbekistan are one of the best ways to travel across the country, especially if you are on budget. It is easy to get tickets also. Hope this article will help you get around Uzbekistan easily by trains. If you have more questions on Uzbekistan trains, please as us in the comments below or drop us an email.

It is our endeavor to keep the articles updated. If you notice that there are some changes in information regarding taking trains in Uzbekistan, please inform us. We will update it in the blog with a thank you and courtesy.

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