Uzbekistan
A Few Things First
Some little things I picked up along the way that might inspire you to go, or if you’ve booked already, to make planning your trip a little easier. From trains and SIM cards to money, dealing with the heat, and everything else far and few between.
Data
Firstly, traveling between cities is easy! The stations are simple to find and modern, even offering private areas for mothers to pump and other things. Then the trains themselves are very reliable, quite comfy and efficient, but comfort levels depend on what you’re taking. For longer distance, like Khiva to Bukhara it’s usually a sleeper-style with cabins or open compartments. And thank goodness I chose a 4-person cabin because the train has one big niggle… when it stops, the air conditioning does too. It can get horribly warm if you’re traveling in peak summer and I myself was often wet with sweat.
That said, the shorter ones, ie Bukhara to Samarkand seem to be a regular layout, more modern and much better in temperature control. As well, all trains have an assistant coming around with refreshments and snacks during the journey, and the sleeper versions provide free teabags (no cups though).
Dress respectfully
The dress code isn't particularly strict, but you're visiting places that are deeply important to many people. So personally, I think it's always nice to cover your shoulders or wear something a little longer when visiting mosques and religious sites. It's a small gesture of respect, and that goes a long way!
Planning the day
I bought a Ucell eSim card (one of the major providers) as soon as I landed at Khiva Airport and I was shocked at the prices for what they offer… if I remember correctly, around 90GB for no more than €5!
I had great coverage throughout the trip, only struggled a little on the train journeys, but never had to worry about running out of data.
Money
I swear by Revolut for anything and everything. They have exceptional exchange rates, support/help and perks. While in Uzbekistan card payments were widely accepted, I'd still carry a little cash for markets, smaller cafés and what not.
Always look for a certified bank with an ATM if you can, instead of a random one standing on its own. Khiva has a few hidden inside the corners of the West Gate and a couple others dotted around outside the walls. For major cities, there are many more around and easier to find.
Getting around
To book tickets, I’d suggest downloading the Uzrailways app because online was a ball ache. They’re are also really affordable and for 6 hours from Khiva to Bukhara journey, I paid around €15–17. Nice to know: they also refund almost the full ticket price if you want to cancel a day or so in advance!
The trains make travelling between the main cities surprisingly easy, but taxis are also incredibly cheap when you need one. I downloaded the Yandex app, which is available I think across the country. For example, going to Samarkand Airport at 2am was super easy and only cost around €1-2.
I didn’t get many taxis though as I prefer walking when I can, and it’s super safe, even at a night and a solo female traveler.
Meeting locals
One thing I really didn't expect was just how kind people were.
I remember dragging my luggage to a café on the way to the train station in around 38°C heat (it was just 10 minutes away), and people kept stopping to offer me a lift. It was incredibly sweet that they wanted to help!
Uzbekistan is vers easy to remember for its architecture and history, but it makes the world of difference when the locals are one of the nicest parts of travelling.
What to budget
I wasn’t expecting how affordable things would be.
Accommodation, food and transport were all excellent value and I'd even put it on par with destinations like Thailand in terms of how far your money goes. You can stay somewhere lovely, eat well and travel between cities without spending a fortune.
Especially during the hotter months, get up earlier than you think you need to. The cities are much nicer to wander around before the heat really kicks in, and you'll also have some of the main sights to yourself before the crowds arrive.
Take it from me after my own little heat-exhaustion episode in Bukhara: wandering around in 40°C sunshine without drinking enough water is not the clever way to do it.
Final ThoughtsOverall, Uzbekistan was a really easy country to travel around. I felt safe travelling solo, found getting between the main cities surprisingly straightforward and, honestly, the kindness of people was one of the biggest things I took away from the trip.
It’s a country with an incredible amount of history and some seriously unique architecture, but what made it even better was how affordable and welcoming it felt. If you're thinking about going, do it!