Samarkand Airport: Getting to the Registan and the Railway Station

More and more travellers fly straight into Samarkand, bypassing Tashkent: the city is served by domestic flights and international flights from a number of countries. The airport is on the northern edge of the city, so the main sights are close by. Still, the transfer has its details: where exactly you need to go, whether the old town, the railway station or straight on to another city, and how to avoid overpaying the taxi drivers at the exit. Let us take it step by step.

Where the airport is

Samarkand airport lies northeast of the centre. Approximate distances:

The figures are approximate and depend on where your hotel is: the old town, with its narrow lanes and pedestrian areas, can add a few minutes.

Taxis

For most visitors a taxi is the most convenient option, especially with luggage.

Through an app

Popular taxi apps work in Samarkand. If you have mobile data, this is the most transparent option: the fare is shown up front and the route appears on the map. You can buy a SIM card with your passport at the airport or in town.

Drivers at the exit

Taxi drivers usually wait outside the terminal. Their prices tend to be higher than in the app, especially for foreigners. If you go with one:

• agree the price before you get in and check the currency;
• give a specific address or landmark, such as the Registan or the railway station;
• turn down a sightseeing tour on the way if you just want to get to your hotel.

What it costs

An app taxi to the centre is usually cheap, roughly the cost of a simple lunch. Drivers at the exit may ask several times more. Prices change, so compare with the app before agreeing.

Public transport

Samarkand has city buses and minibuses, and some pass near the airport. This is the cheapest option, but:

• stops may not be right outside the terminal;
• route numbers change, so check locally or in public transport apps;
• a minibus is awkward with large luggage;
• late in the evening and at night there is practically no service.

If you are travelling light and arrive during the day, a bus or minibus will save you money.

Getting to the Registan and the old town

Every driver knows the Registan. But if your guesthouse is in a neighbourhood behind the Registan or near Gur-e-Amir, keep in mind:

• some old-town streets are narrow or pedestrian, so the car may stop a few minutes' walk from your door;
• send your driver a map pin or the name of the nearest landmark in advance;
• if your hotel offers a transfer, it may be the easier choice for a late arrival.

Getting to the railway station

Samarkand railway station is in the northwest of the city. High-speed and regular trains leave from here for Tashkent, Bukhara and other cities. If you are going straight from your flight to a train:

1. Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours between landing and departure: baggage reclaim, the drive and security at the station all take time.
2. Buy your train ticket in advance, especially for high-speed trains in high season.
3. There is a security check at the station entrance, so keep your passport and ticket handy.

If you are heading straight to Bukhara

The most popular next stop after Samarkand is Bukhara, about 270 km away. Your options:

• train, the fastest way, though tickets for convenient departures sell out in advance;
• shared ride: on Yo'ldosh you can find a driver on the Samarkand to Bukhara route and book a seat. The car picks you up at an agreed spot, and you can arrange a stop on the way, for example at the Rabat-i-Malik caravanserai;
• a private taxi, convenient for a group but more expensive.

By car the trip to Bukhara takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Late or night arrivals

• Public transport has stopped running by then.
• The easiest options are an app taxi or a hotel transfer.
• Let your guesthouse know you will arrive late, as small hotels may lock their gates at night.

Useful tips

• Currency exchange. The airport has exchange desks and ATMs, but rates in town may be better. Change a little for the ride.
• Passport. You need it for a SIM card, currency exchange and check-in.
• Season. In spring and autumn, the high season, there are more drivers at the exit and prices are higher. The app helps you get your bearings.
• Going back. Arrive early for your departure, especially for an international flight.

Samarkand airport is one of the most convenient in the country: the city is close, the drive is short and you can reach the Registan in a quarter of an hour. Compare prices, decide in advance where you are going and plan the next leg of your trip. See all routes across the country on the routes page.

Cover photo: Bgag, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.