Travelling by Train in Uzbekistan: All you need to know

Last Updated on May 17, 2024 by admin

Travelling to Uzbekistan and wondering how to traverse among the important cities? Uzbekistan trains are clean, fast and affordable and are seldom delayed. With a fantastic network across the country this guide will cover everything about travelling by train in Uzbekistan, which train to choose and how to book train tickets in Uzbekistan.

Travelling through any new country is challenging because most visitors are unaware about easy transportation. They end up hiring a car which is not only expensive for time taking and fuel guzzzling.

If you are spending 10 days in Uzbekistan through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, it is best to travel in trains between them. 

I did a lot of research about the safety, booking, cleanliness and punctuality of trains in Uzbekistan. I also compared the cost of trains vs flights for internal country travel and came to the conclusion that trains are the best bet. Not to mention they are a sustainable mode of travel too!

In this blog I will share information about the types of trains in Uzbekistan, how to book, how early to book, luggage storage facility, food on board, toilets on board, how to check-in as well as the punctuality of trains. 

TYPES OF TRAINS IN UZBEKISTAN

To start with, it is important to understand that there are three different types of trains that are perfect for travelling by train in Uzbekistan: Sharq, Afrosiyob and Sleeper trains. 

For all fairness, let me tell you that I travelled by the Afrosiyob and sleeper train. I did not try Sharq. 

Afrosiyob route I travelled on : Tashkent – Samarkand and Samarkand to Bukhara

Sleeper train route I travelled on : Bukhara to Khiva

So let’s understand the types of trains in Uzbekistan and decide which is the best for you.

Sharq Train

Sharq is a day train that connects the cities of the Silk Road. Sharq means east and it runs in the direction of Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara and vice-versa. The Sharq train covers larger distances and is slower as it stops at smaller towns too. 

The train has reclining chairs and there are overhead compartments to place the luggage. The stewards on board help in placing your large luggage.

The Sharq train consists of 1 first-class, 7 economy class cars, 1 SV coach, and a dining car. There are first-class and economy class seats. The first-class coaches are air conditioned while the economy ones have windows that can be opened. 

The Sharq train offers:

• USB plugs in 1st class
• Free tea
• Vendors selling drinks and snacks

You can take the Sharq train to travel between the following popular routes:

Sector	Duration (in hours)	Cost (in som)
Tashkent – Samarkand	3	125700
Tashkent – Bukhara	6	166810
Samarkand – Bukhara	2.5	109510

Uzbekistan Sleeper Train – Passenger (Пассажирский)

The sleeper train is mainly used to travel long distances. And as the name suggests, has sleeper coaches due to long hours of journey. The sleeper train traverses from Tashkent to Khiva covering a distance of 1000 kilometers in 14 hours. Mostly, locals prefer using this train due to the long hours.

However, tourists like me travel on sleeper trains on the Bukhara – Khiva route which takes 6.5 hours. The train leaves late at night and reaches Khiva early next morning which saves a night of accommodation.

Uzbekistan sleeper trains have 3 types of coaches – sleeper class (Platzkartny) which is a shared compartment, coupe which is a 4 person cabin and SV which is a 2-person sleeper cabin. The cabins are air-conditioned while the sleeper coach is not. 

I travelled in the sleeper class in Uzbekistan sleeper train in the summer month (end of August), and I had to open the windows otherwise it got really stuffy. Since the train passed across the desert throughout the night, the desert dust got into the compartment and I kid you not, I coughed quite a bit during the night. Also, whenever the train stopped the air flow stopped and made it really uncomfortable.

The small luggage can be stored above the sleeping berths where there is dedicated space. While the larger bags can be stored inside the lower berths by lifting the seats. My 10-day trolley bag was too big to fit inside the lower berth so I let it sit in the space between the lower berths and that got really cramped. The Indian trains are much more spacious even in the general compartment.

The train attendant gave a pillow, sheet and blanket to make the bed. But shut the lights off almost immediately after boarding from Bukhara. There were so lights otherwise and I had to make do using phone torch.

Overall, these green coloured sleeper trains are old and can’t be compared to the modern Afrosiyob. But they have a Soviet vibe to it and you are most likely to strike up a conversation with locals who prefer travelling in this compartment with their families. Other than the space and dust issues, it was a pretty good and comfortable experience!

The Sleeper train offers:

• Clean sheets and pillows 
• USB plugs only in 1st class 
• Free hot water in a big kettle near the toilets
• Vendors selling drinks and snacks (not at night time) 

You can take the night train if you have more time in hand and want to travel between the following popular cities. I did not find a direct sleeper train between Tashkent and Khiva online even though a lot of locals were travelling on that route.

Sector	Duration (in hours)	Cost (in som)
Tashkent – Samarkand	4	Sleeper – 134070 Coupe – 167210 SV – 292330
Tashkent – Bukhara	9	Sleeper – 165760 Coupe – 214110 SV – 392390
Samarkand – Bukhara	4.5	Sleeper – 121600  Coupe – 148000 SV – 252000
Bukhara – Khiva	6.5	Sleeper – 146850 Coupe – 195330

Afrosiyob

Afrosiyob is the bullet train in Uzbekistan. I did not know those existed outside of Europe, South Korea, China and Japan, but I was pleasantly surprised!

If you have to travel by train in Uzbekistan I would highly suggest booking a seat well in advance in Afrosiyob. With speeds reaching 280-300 km an hour, a complimentary snack and stewards and stewardesses in every wagon to serve you on the train, the experience feels like sitting on a flight. 

There is ample space to stow your small bags that can go overhead as well as big luggage near your seats. There is also plenty of legroom on all seats. The sights from the train are great and will keep you busy looking from the window.

The Afrosiyob train has VIP class (premium 1st), Business Class (1st class), Economy class (2nd class) and a restaurant car. VIP seats are leather and arranged 2+1 across the car width.  Business class seats are fabric, and arranged 2+1 across the car width.  Economy seats are fabric and 2+2 across the car width.

I rode on the Business class wagon and it was extremely comfortable. I got a vegetarian snack (cupcake, croissant and coffee). The coach also shows if the washrooms are occupied and they are equipped for specially abled persons too.

The Afrosiyob offers:

• USB plugs and power plugs
• Air-conditioned coached (across all classes)
• Snack + tea/coffee
• Vendors selling all types of drinks and snacks

You can take the Afrosiyob to travel between the following popular routes:

Sector	Duration (in hours)	Cost (in som)
Tashkent – Samarkand	2:15	245000
Tashkent – Bukhara	4.05	403000
Samarkand – Bukhara	1.45	178000

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND PRACTICAL TIPS FOR TRAVELLING BY TRAIN IN UZBEKISTAN

How to Book Tickets for a Train in Uzbekistan?

If you are travelling in a group tour then obviously your train tickets would be taken care of. However, if you are a solo traveller in Uzbekistan you can request your hotel or hostel to help you book the tickets.

But if you are someone like me – a travel ninja who wants to do everything by yourself then there is an easy way to do it. Online! The website has been revamped since I visited last year and is now in English and offers help and demonstration videos of how to go about booking tickets.

Always book your tickets directly with Uzbekistan Railways. This is the official website to book train in Uzbekistan. Do not book through any other third party websites. 

Important Note: Advance booking on Uzbekistan trains opens before 45 days! Afrosiyob tickets get sold out very quickly so book as soon as possible.

These are the steps:

• Insert your from and to destination.
• Add your date of travel
• Choose the train
• Login using Google, Facebook or OneID. I suggest to login using google (gmail) so that the ticket automatically comes on the email.
• Choose your wagon/coach – economy, business or VIP.
• Choose the seat(s). It also shows the number of seats remaining and the cost.
• Fill in the passenger details. Be mindful of all the details such as date of birth and passport details as these are checked before boarding.
• Continue for payment.
• Payment can be done using a Visa credit card and Apple Pay. The website remembers your details for your next booking. 
• After booking, you’ll receive an e-ticket by email. 
• You have to show the ticket when entering the railway station as well as while boarding the train and your coach.

How to get around Uzbekistan train stations

The train stations are nothing less than airports. Less crowds, minimal taxis and no chaos!

After getting dropped off at the drop point, you have to pass through station security. The QR code on the e-ticket will be scanned and it will be matched with your passport details manually by the security guards. All of the bags will also go through a scanner.

This may take a while and there may be queues to get inside. Which is why it is advised to reach atleast 30 minutes before the train departure.

After passing security you will enter the station which displays the platform on which your train is expected. The station security guards will help foreigners without you asking.

Once the train arrives, a steward will be waiting outside each coach/wagon. Once you identify your coach, you will have to produce your ticket once again to the steward. Then they guide you to your seat and may help with luggage (if you request them).

You have to climb 2 steps and once inside pass an automatic glass door to reach inside the seating area.

Luggage storage on train in Uzbekistan

I did not get much information about luggage storage on any blog I read before going. Especially on the overnight sleeper train. I had assumed that there would be space on Afrosiyob but I struggled for info on other trains. I am sure most travellers travel with their trolley bags which need bigger space.

Luggage storage on Afrosiyob was a breeze. After entering the seating area there is huge space to store big bags right by the single seat window. There are overhead bins to store smaller bags or laptop bags.

Luggage storage on sleeper trains in passenger class can be done in the overhead compartment over the berth for small bags and inside the lower berth for medium bags. Trolley bags cannot fit into the berths and need to be kept near the berths. In coupe and SV coaches there is better space management for larger trolley bags.

Toilets in Trains of Uzbekistan

Toilets in Afrosiyob are very modern with a water basin at each end of the wagon/coach. Again it is a lot like flights, just much bigger in space.

Toilets in sleeper trains are alright too. But I had to struggle to find a flush button as well as how to get the tap running! The hygiene level was not upto the mark on this.

I cannot comment on Sharq train toilets as I personally did not see them.

What to carry on a train in Uzbekistan?

If you are riding the Afrosiyob, you don’t really need anything because there is toilet paper in the toilet and snacks served on the train. However, it is always a good idea to carry some snacks in case of emergencies.

In sleeper trains if you are travelling from Bukhara to Khiva then you are most probably going to board post dinner around 11pm and won’t need anything. If you are travelling from Tashkent to Khiva then it is a good idea to carry food.

Although in both cases, food coaches are there and vendors sell all sorts of snacks. 

I also recommend you to carry wet wipes and hand sanitizer.

Are there waiting areas or lounges in the train station?

Yes there are waiting areas on all stations. Tashkent station could get crowded pretty quickly due to the frequency of trains. But there is another waiting area on the first floor where nobody goes.

INTERNATIONAL TRAIN JOURNEY FROM UZBEKISTAN

There are several international trains that connect Uzbekistan to neighbouring countries. 

There is a train every week that connects Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Moscow, Russia. The distance is 2793km and it takes approximately 3 days.

There are trains that connect Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. Trains connect Tashkent to Almaty that takes 17 hours and Tashkent to Shymkent which takes 6.5 hours. The bookings can be done online.

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR TRAIN TRAVEL IN UZBEKISTAN

• Follow the rules and signs especially while using the toilet.
• Do not throw trash from the windows of sleeper trains. There are dedicated bins near the toilet.
• Be humble to locals who will most definitely strike a conversation with you and may offer food.
• Carry an e-ticket print out just in case you phone hangs up or doesn’t have battery or data.

I hope this guide on travelling by train in Uzbekistan is handy and helpful for you. It will save a lot of time and money. Do you have more questions other than what I have covered? Write to me in the comment below and I will reply.

Looking for more Uzbekistan Inspiration? Read Here

• Things to do in Samarkand
• Uzbekistan Travel Guide
• Tashkent Metro Stations
• Things to do in Bukhara
• Tashkent Attractions
• Souvenirs to buy from Uzbekistan
• Things to do in Khiva
• Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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