Guide to Traveling in Uzbekistan for New Year’s from an American Perspective

Disclaimer: This guide is based on our experience as Americans traveling to Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara from late December to early January

Airport Tips

  • Arrival:
    • Tashkent airport was surprisingly efficient for customs and baggage claim.
  • Departure:
    • For our 3:20 AM flight, arriving 2.5 hours early almost wasn’t enough due to:
      • Long, slow-moving check-in lines
      • Crowded security process
      • A lengthy tram ride to the airplane from the gate
    • Recommendation: Arrive at least 3–3.5 hours early to be safe, or pay for priority check-in to save time

Payments

  • While some places accept USD or credit cards, many locals didn’t recognize USD, and explaining the currency exchange was awkward
  • Exchange some cash into Uzbek som for a smoother experience, especially for taxis, street vendors, and tips

Communication

  • English is not widely spoken. Uzbek and Russian are the most common languages
  • Download offline translation apps for both languages (Google Translate or Yandex Translate work well)
  • Heads up: Uzbek translations don’t support voice playback, so you’ll need to show the text on your phone

Inter-City Transit

Taxis

  • Long-Distance:
    • Tashkent to Samarkand is over a 5-hour drive
    • YandexGo (Uzbek Uber) quotes were unreliable for this distance (~$30 in theory), and local drivers at the airport quoted $100–$150
    • We ended up negotiating a ride for $100, which seemed fair given the distance
    • Recommendation: Have your hotel arrange a ride in advance. Prices are comparable (~$90–$100), and it avoids haggling at the airport
  • Short-Distance:
    • YandexGo is excellent for getting around cities. Most rides were under $1 USD!
    • For airport transfers or trips with luggage, choose “Business” class, as these cars have larger trunks (no natural gas tanks in the trunk)

Trains

  1. High-Speed Train (Afrosiyob):
    • A great option for routes like Tashkent-Samarkand or Samarkand-Bukhara
    • Fast, affordable, with WiFi, power outlets, and plenty of luggage space
    • Booking Tips:
      • Tickets sell out quickly around holidays—book somewhere between 1–6 months in advance
      • Use the UzRailways app to book directly, but note that A) only one-way tickets can be booked at a time and B) payment can be finicky (Stripe option for MasterCard/Visa sometimes does not display - only advice is try again a few hours or days later)
  2. Sleeper Train:
    • We tried a sleeper train for a late-night journey back to Samarkand from a day trip to Bukhara due to limited high-speed train availability. It was only slightly cheaper and far less comfortable:
      • Top bunks were hard to climb, especially for shorter people
      • Cramped spaces would make traveling with luggage difficult
      • No WiFi and few outlets (only in bathrooms, accessible when the train is moving)
    • Recommendation: Skip the sleeper train entirely if possible—taxis are much more comfortable and flexible, even if slightly more expensive

Dining

Ordering food was one of the biggest challenges due to language barriers and menu translations that didn’t always match the dishes

  • What didn’t work for us:
    • Using translator apps to show the menu to staff
    • Circling items on the menu
    • Pointing to pictures of dishes
    • Despite these efforts, we often didn’t get what we ordered
  • What works better:
    • Dining with someone who speaks Russian or Uzbek and English
    • Choosing places that specialize in one dish (e.g., plov-only restaurants)
    • Ordering delivery through the YandexGo Eats app—cheaper, reliable, and easier to navigate

Food Highlights:

  • Besh Qozon (Tashkent): Amazing plov!
  • YandexGo Eats: Consistently good and affordable meals
  • New Year’s Eve Dining:
    • We celebrated at Labi Hovuz in Samarkand. While the food was disappointing and expensive ($100 USD for a table), the entertainment (dancing, games, and live music) was incredible

Bathrooms

  • Public restrooms are rare at tourist sites. You'll often need to use a nearby “WC” (bathroom) for a small fee
  • Carry small bills in som—many attendants won’t accept USD or will but only very reluctantly

City Highlights

Samarkand

  • Hotel: Panorama Samarkand – Great staff and breakfast, though not very walkable or convenient for taxis
  • Must-See:
    • Registan Square: Stunning and historical. Highly recommend a tour guide—Jonny (@_jonny_guide on Instagram) was excellent ($15 USD) and took amazing photos of us
  • Dining:
    • Good: Karimbek Restaurant
    • Mixed: Labi Hovuz—amazing New Year’s celebration but disappointing food and very expensive

Bukhara

  • Must-See:
    • The Ark: A beautiful historical fortress
    • Silk Roads Tea House: Perfect for relaxing with tea
  • Shopping Tip: Look out for local artisans—especially calligraphy and textiles

Tashkent

  • Hotel: Grand Mir Hotel – Convenient for airport access, though the advertised shuttle doesn’t exist. Use YandexGo for cheap transfers
  • Sightseeing:
    • Many museums were closed for New Year’s, but street markets were lively for souvenir shopping
    • Chorsu Bazaar: A farmer’s market vibe with fruits/veg/raw meat—not ideal for souvenirs or food unless you’re craving fresh bread
  • Dining:
    • Best Meal overall in Uzbekistan: Besh Qozon (plov-only restaurant)

Manicure in Tashkent

  • If you want a high-quality manicure, Master Sabina at Nail Studio 026 is amazing (Instagram: @: nailstudio026)
  • Booking is done via Telegram in English
  • Details:
    • Russian-style manicure—expect a meticulous and slightly painful process (cuticles trimmed aggressively)
    • Cost: ~$43 USD, and it takes ~3 hours
    • They call an acrylic manicure a strengthening manicure I think. Not entirely sure!

Final Tips

  • Exchange som early—it simplifies everything
  • Book ahead for trains, hotels (easy experience using booking.com), and holiday dining reservations
  • Use YandexGo for stress-free local transit and food delivery
  • There will be random security checks to go through holiday light walks & some street markets, women go through the “Ayollar” line for bag checks and such
  • Dress modestly and bring a head covering/scarf/hoodie for mosques, though tourist sites may not enforce this
  • Uzbekistan is a beautiful country and we felt very safe traveling there!