Bukhara to Tashkent: how to get back without overpaying
Return trains from Bukhara sell out sooner than you think. Here is when to buy tickets, what a seat in a car costs and how to fit in a stop in Samarkand.
Many people plan their trip around Uzbekistan as a loop: fly into Tashkent, head west to Samarkand and Bukhara, then come back. And it is the return leg that most often turns out to be the most expensive and stressful: tickets for convenient trains are already gone, and a taxi to the capital for one person costs a fair amount. Here is how to get from Bukhara back to Tashkent sensibly, without overspending or rushing.
Why return tickets go first
Trains from Bukhara to Tashkent run via Navoi and Samarkand, and some of their seats are bought by passengers boarding in Samarkand. As a result, tickets from Bukhara on popular departures, the morning and daytime high-speed trains, disappear faster than in the opposite direction. This is especially noticeable:
- in spring and autumn, at the peak of the tourist season;
- before and during public holidays, when many people travel to see relatives;
- on Fridays and Sundays.
A simple rule: as soon as you know the date you are leaving Bukhara, buy your return ticket. If your trip starts in Tashkent, it makes sense to buy both the outbound and return tickets on the same day. Sales open well in advance; check the dates on the railway's website or app.
High-speed or regular train
The high-speed train from Bukhara to Tashkent takes about 4 hours and is the priciest option. Regular passenger trains, including overnight ones, are slower but much cheaper, and a night train also saves you a hotel night. Remember that Bukhara's station is in Kogon: it is 20–30 minutes by taxi from the old town, so build that into your plan.
A seat in a car: what it costs and how to find one
If there are no tickets or the train times do not suit you, there is the car. You have two choices:
- A private taxi. Convenient, but you pay for the whole car for 570 km, which is expensive for one or two people.
- A seat in a shared ride. You only pay for your seat, and the driver is going to Tashkent anyway. This is usually several times cheaper than a private taxi and comparable to a train ticket. The price depends on the driver, the day and demand, so go by the current listings.
On Yo'ldosh, trips on the Bukhara — Tashkent route are published by drivers who are making the journey themselves. You see the price per seat, departure time and the driver's profile, and book in the app. Drivers are verified, and details such as the pick-up point and luggage can be agreed in the chat.
More ways to save
- Travel on a weekday. On Tuesday or Wednesday both trains and cars are less busy.
- Choose the morning. There are usually more morning trips, so your chances of finding a seat are higher.
- Two or three of you is better value. Two or three seats in one car are often easier and cheaper than buying separate train tickets.
- Do not buy from random people at the station. It is better to know in advance who you are travelling with and for how much.
Think about luggage separately. Travellers often leave Bukhara with souvenirs: carpets, suzani, Gijduvan ceramics, copperware. Large bundles are awkward on a train, and in a car the driver needs to know in advance how much space you will need. Mention it when booking so you do not end up paying for an extra seat or hunting for other transport at the last minute.
Stopping in Samarkand: two cities in one transfer
The road from Bukhara to Tashkent passes through Samarkand, which is a great reason to split it in two. If you only saw Samarkand briefly at the start of your trip, or not at all, you can:
- leave Bukhara in the morning and reach Samarkand in 3.5–4 hours;
- spend a day or two there: the Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Shah-i-Zinda and Siab bazaar;
- continue to Tashkent: another 4–4.5 hours by car or about 2–2.5 hours by high-speed train.
That way you see more and break a long journey into two comfortable legs. Tickets for the Samarkand to Tashkent train are often easier to find, too, because there are more departures on that section.
If you spend the whole day in a car
The full trip from Bukhara to Tashkent by car takes 6–7 hours. For a smooth journey:
- leave early in the morning, especially in summer, when the desert stretch of the highway gets very hot after lunch;
- agree a lunch stop with the driver, for example in Samarkand or near Jizzakh;
- keep water and snacks to hand;
- if you like photography, ask for a short stop at the Rabati Malik caravanserai soon after leaving Bukhara.
Quick cheat sheet
| Situation | What to choose |
|---|---|
| High-speed ticket bought in advance | the train, the fastest option |
| Trains are sold out | a seat in a car |
| You want to save on a hotel | the night train |
| You have a spare day | a stop in Samarkand |
| A group with luggage | a car, several seats at once |
Free seats on the Bukhara — Tashkent route appear on Yo'ldosh every day, and you can browse other routes across the country on the routes page. The for passengers section explains how booking works.
Cover photo: Jamshid Nurkulov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
