Visa, budget, transport, health: all the essential information before you go.
🛂 Visa
For most nationalities
No visa is required for tourist stays of less than 30 days for citizens of many countries, including most of the EU, the UK and the US.
Passport
Should remain valid for 3 to 6 months after your return date, depending on current guidance.
Check before you book
Rules can change: check the website of the Uzbek embassy in your country before booking your trip.
💶 Budget
Accommodation
From €30 (guesthouse) to €160 (comfortable hotel) per night for two people.
Meals
Between €6 and €20 per meal at most local restaurants.
Domestic transport
Fast Afrosiyob trains cost €30 to €75 depending on the route and class.
Average daily budget
Allow €105 to €180/day/person for a comfortable trip, excluding the international flight.
✈️ Transport
Flights
Direct flights to Tashkent are available from several European capitals (around 6-7 hours), or via Istanbul/Moscow.
Trains
The fast Afrosiyob train network links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara in a few hours, comfortable and punctual.
Roads
For Khiva and the desert, a private car with driver or a domestic flight is the best option.
🩺 Health
Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccines; it's recommended to be up to date with routine vaccines (tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis).
Water
Stick to bottled water, widely available everywhere.
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended, including medical assistance and repatriation cover.
🔒 Safety
General level
Uzbekistan is considered a safe destination, with low crime rates against tourists.
Precautions
Keep a copy of your documents, avoid changing money on the street, and use official exchange offices.
Official guidance
Check your home country's foreign travel advisory website before departure for up-to-date advice.
📅 When to go?
Best seasons
April-June and September-November, with mild weather and ideal light for photography.
Summer
Intense heat (up to 40°C), best avoided except for the higher-altitude Fergana Valley.
Winter
Cold and sometimes snowy, but the sites are empty: a good option for tighter budgets.
💬 Language
Languages spoken
Uzbek and Russian are the main languages. English is limited outside tourist circuits.
Tip
A few words of Uzbek or Russian, or an offline translation app, are very useful.
10 useful words in Uzbek
Salom — Hello ·
Rahmat — Thank you ·
Iltimos — Please ·
Ha — Yes ·
Yo'q — No ·
Kechirasiz — Excuse me / Sorry ·
Xayr — Goodbye ·
Necha pul? — How much does it cost? ·
Yordam bering — Help me ·
Tushunmadim — I didn't understand
💳 Money
Currency
The Uzbek som (UZS). Bank cards are accepted in major cities, but cash is essential elsewhere.
ATMs
Available in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, but keep some cash in reserve.
A question before you go?
Feel free to write to us, we answer all practical questions about travelling to Uzbekistan.