How to Travel Uzbekistan by Train

5 hours ago

8 min read

Travelling around Uzbekistan by train is one of the easiest ways to get between the country’s main Silk Road cities. In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about travelling around Uzbekistan by train — including the different trains, which one to choose, how to book tickets, and what to expect along the way.

Uzbekistan Trains

Train	Best for	Main tourist route
Afrosiyob	Fastest option between the major central cities	Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara
Jaloliddin Manguberdi	Fast travel all the way to Khiva	Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara–Urgench–Khiva
Sharq	Cheaper/slower alternative	Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara
Sleeper trains	Overnight travel and saving a hotel night	Including Tashkent–Khiva and other long routes

Is Train Travel Easy in Uzbekistan?

Yes! Travelling around Uzbekistan by train is incredibly easy and really affordable. The main tourist cities are well connected by train, making it one of the easiest ways to travel around the country.

We started our trip in Tashkent, travelled to Khiva, then Bukhara and finished in Samarkand.

Our route: Tashkent → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand

💡 Why we travelled this way...We flew into Tashkent and finished our trip in Samarkand because Samarkand has an international airport. This meant we could travel in one direction across Uzbekistan without having to backtrack all the way to Tashkent to fly out.

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Understanding the Different Uzbekistan Trains

There are several different types of trains in Uzbekistan, and at first the names can make the whole system seem much more confusing than it actually is.

For most travellers visiting Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, these are the main trains you need to know about.

Afrosiyob High-Speed Train

The Afrosiyob is Uzbekistan's well-known high-speed train and one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to travel between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.

It has reserved seating rather than beds, with Economy, Business and VIP classes.

As a rough guide, the journey takes around:

Tashkent → Samarkand: 2 hours 15 minutes

Tashkent → Bukhara: around 4 hours

If an Afrosiyob service works with your itinerary and tickets are available, it's generally one of the easiest options for travelling between these cities.

Important: Afrosiyob does not travel all the way to Khiva.

Jaloliddin Manguberdi – The New High-Speed Train to Khiva

This is the big change to Uzbekistan train travel in 2026.

The new Jaloliddin Manguberdi high-speed train began operating between Tashkent and Khiva in May 2026.

It travels through Tashkent → Samarkand → Navoi → Bukhara → Urgench → Khiva,

making it possible to travel between Uzbekistan's main tourist cities on a much faster train than the traditional sleeper services.

The full journey between Tashkent and Khiva takes around 7½ hours.

This train isn't an Afrosiyob. It's a newer Hyundai Rotem high-speed train that operates on the route to Khiva.

Check the official Uzbekistan Railways website for the current timetable and availability for your travel dates.

Sharq Train

The Sharq is a slower daytime train connecting cities including Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.

It isn't as fast as the Afrosiyob, but that doesn't mean it's a bad option. If the high-speed trains are sold out or the departure times don't suit your itinerary, the Sharq can be a useful alternative.

Sleeper Trains

Uzbekistan also has traditional sleeper trains, which are particularly useful for longer journeys.

Instead of sitting in a normal train seat for the entire journey, you can book a bed and travel overnight.

The main sleeper options are:

SV/Lux: a private compartment with two beds

Kupé: a compartment with four beds

Platskart: an open-plan sleeping carriage with multiple bunks

These trains are much slower than the newer high-speed services, but travelling overnight can save you paying for accommodation and means you don't lose an entire day getting from one city to another.

Our Experience on Uzbekistan's Sleeper Trains

When we travelled through Uzbekistan, the new high-speed train to Khiva didn't exist yet, so our journey looked quite different to what you can book today.

We travelled by sleeper train from Tashkent to Khiva and again from Khiva to Bukhara.

Best Trains Between Uzbekistan's Main Tourist Cities

If you're following the classic Uzbekistan route through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, these are the main train options to look for.

Tashkent to Samarkand

The Afrosiyob high-speed train is generally the quickest and easiest option, taking around 2 hours 15 minutes.

The new Jaloliddin Manguberdi and slower Sharq trains can also be good alternatives depending on the timetable and ticket availability.

Samarkand to Bukhara

The Afrosiyob is again one of the fastest options between Samarkand and Bukhara.

The new Jaloliddin Manguberdi also travels this route on its way towards Khiva, while slower trains are available if the high-speed services don't suit your plans or are sold out.

What we did: We actually travelled from Bukhara to Samarkand by taxi, but if I were doing the trip again, I'd take the train. The price was fairly similar, but spending several hours squashed into a car wasn't nearly as comfortable as travelling by train.

Bukhara to Khiva

The new Jaloliddin Manguberdi high-speed train has made travelling between Bukhara and Khiva much quicker and easier.

Traditional trains also operate this route, so it's worth comparing the different options for your travel date.

Tashkent to Khiva

You now have two very different ways to travel by train between Tashkent and Khiva.

The new Jaloliddin Manguberdi takes around 7½ hours, making it by far the faster option.

Alternatively, traditional sleeper trains make the journey overnight. These are considerably slower — our overnight train took around 16 hours — but you get a bed and can sleep through much of the journey.

🎟️ Ready to check train tickets?

You can check train times, compare options and book Uzbekistan train tickets with 12Go.

How to Book Uzbekistan Train Tickets Online

The best place to start is the official Uzbekistan Railways e-ticket website, where you can search current train times, check availability and book tickets directly.

When booking, you'll need to enter your passenger details, including your passport information. Make sure the details match the passport you'll be travelling with.

You can also choose your train, carriage and available seat during the booking process.

If you'd prefer an easier booking platform, you can also compare and book Uzbekistan train tickets through 12Go.

When Do Uzbekistan Train Tickets Go on Sale?

This is where things get a little confusing.

There doesn't seem to be one reliable release date that applies to every Uzbekistan train. You'll see advice online saying tickets are released 30, 45 or even 60 days ahead, while recent travellers have reported tickets appearing at different times depending on the train and route.

Rather than relying on an exact number of days, I'd start checking several weeks before your trip. If your dates are fixed and the train you want becomes available, book it.

This is particularly important for the popular high-speed trains.

Why Does It Say “No Seats”?

Don't immediately panic if the booking website shows “no seats” for the train you want.

It can mean the train is sold out, but it may also mean tickets for that particular service haven't been released yet.

One simple way to get a better idea is to check the same train on the days before your travel date. If tickets are available for earlier dates but suddenly disappear from a particular date onwards, there's a good chance the later tickets simply haven't been released yet.

Keep checking as your travel date gets closer.

Do Afrosiyob Tickets Sell Out?

Yes. Afrosiyob is one of the most popular trains for travellers, particularly between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, so services can sell out.

If your itinerary is fixed, I'd book your preferred train once tickets become available rather than leaving it until you arrive in Uzbekistan.

If Afrosiyob is sold out, don't panic. Check the Jaloliddin Manguberdi, Sharq and other conventional trains serving your route before changing your itinerary.

Can You Book Uzbekistan Trains With a Foreign Card?

Foreign cards can sometimes be hit and miss on the official Uzbekistan Railways website.

I'd try your normal card first. We travel with a Wise card, which is SO handy for paying in local currencies while we're overseas.

If your payment won't go through, you can also try booking your train through 12Go instead.

Family travelling on a sleeper train in Uzbekistan

What Are Sleeper Trains in Uzbekistan Actually Like?

The sleeper trains we travelled on in Uzbekistan were definitely on the older side, but they were comfortable.

The beds are quite short — although my husband is 6'6", so almost every bed in Asia is a little short for him! For the rest of us, they were comfortable enough for an overnight journey. Bedding was provided, including a sheet and a small pillow.

On our overnight train from Tashkent to Khiva, we had four bunks together. It wasn't an enclosed compartment, so there was no door or curtain and not much privacy, but we were all together, which worked well for us as a family.

There was plenty of room for our luggage, with storage shelves and racks above the beds, so we could keep everything with us. We also had power points near the beds and another by the little table, which was perfect for charging our devices and playing cards during the journey.

One of the best parts was simply watching Uzbekistan go by through the window. It's a long journey, and the desert is rather beautiful.

Food and drinks may be available onboard, but I definitely wouldn't rely on it. Not every sleeper train has a restaurant car and the onboard options can be pretty limited.

We stocked up at the supermarket before boarding our overnight train to Khiva and brought plenty of snacks and drinks with us. For such a long journey, I'd definitely recommend doing the same.

We never had any concerns about security while travelling by train in Uzbekistan and felt completely safe throughout the whole journey.

Mud brick buildings with blue dome roofs, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Train Travel FAQs

How Much Luggage Can You Take on Uzbekistan Trains?

Uzbekistan Railways allows passengers up to 36 kg of hand luggage. We travelled with all our luggage on the sleeper trains and had plenty of storage on the racks and shelves around our beds.

Do I Need My Passport to Travel by Train in Uzbekistan?

Yes. Book your ticket using the same passport you'll be travelling with and have it with you when you board the train.

How Early Should I Arrive at the Train Station?

Don't arrive at the last minute. Uzbekistan train stations have security and ticket checks before you reach the platform, so I'd allow at least 30 minutes before departure and a little longer if it's your first time using the station.

Can I Take Food and Drinks on Uzbekistan Trains?

Yes. We stocked up on snacks and drinks before our overnight journey to Khiva and I'd definitely recommend doing the same. Food may be available on some trains, but I wouldn't rely on it, particularly for a long sleeper journey.

I hope this guide has made planning your train travel around Uzbekistan a little easier! If you're planning your trip, you might also find some of our other Uzbekistan guides helpful.