From Termez to Tashkent: Getting Back from the South
The return trip from Surkhandarya to the capital: when to buy train tickets, how to find a shared car and where to stay overnight if you split the drive.
Getting to Termez is only half the job. The trip back to Tashkent is often harder than the journey south: tickets for the dates you need are already gone, cars to the capital leave at dawn, and 700 km in the heat with mountain stretches is a serious undertaking. This guide explains how to plan your return in advance and avoid losing an extra day.
When to buy train tickets
The Termez to Tashkent train is convenient because it travels overnight: leave in the evening and wake up in the capital. But demand is uneven:
- in summer, the peak season for holidays and family visits, buy tickets several weeks ahead;
- before holidays such as Navruz, Ramadan Eid, Eid al-Adha and New Year, seats sell out especially fast, in both directions;
- at the end of August, students and families return to Tashkent for the school year, so demand is high again;
- at other times you can usually buy tickets a few days in advance.
The advice is simple: if you travel to Termez by train, buy your return ticket at the same time. Check timetables and availability through the official railway ticket sales.
The plane as a backup
If the train is sold out, you can fly. There are few flights from Termez to Tashkent, and fares depend on the date, rising around holidays. If your dates are flexible, compare several days.
How to find a car to Tashkent
Cars from Termez to the capital traditionally gather near the bus station and at the city exits. Many drivers set off very early, at 4–6 am, to clear the mountains before the heat and reach Tashkent by evening.
What to know:
- Arrange it the day before. You can find a seat at the station in the morning, but there will be less choice and a longer wait.
- Ask about the route. Some drivers go via Shahrisabz and the pass, others via Qarshi, and travel times differ.
- Discuss luggage. People often bring melons, pomegranates and dried fruit back from Termez, so warn the driver in advance.
- Book online. With Yo'ldosh you can reserve a seat ahead of time in the car of a driver heading to Tashkent: the departure time, price and driver profile are shown in the app, and drivers are verified. Trips are on the Termez — Tashkent page.
One day or two
The drive from Termez to Tashkent takes 10–12 hours without long stops. It is doable in a day if you leave before dawn. But if you are not in a hurry, it makes sense to split it.
Where to stay overnight
- Shahrisabz. Roughly the halfway point. In the evening you can walk to the ruins of the Ak-Saray palace and the Dorut Tilovat complex, then cross the Takhtakaracha pass to Samarkand in the morning.
- Samarkand. For a wider choice of hotels and dinner near the Registan, continue to Samarkand. From there Tashkent is 4–4.5 hours by road or about two hours by high-speed train.
- Qarshi. An option if the car goes through the Kashkadarya steppe. It is a quiet city with easy access to the highway.
A combined option
Many travellers do this: drive from Termez to Samarkand, stay the night, and take the high-speed train to Tashkent in the morning. It is faster and more comfortable than going all the way by car, as the most tiring part of the trip is done on day one.
What to keep in mind on the road
- Heat. From May to September leave as early as possible and carry at least two litres of water per person.
- Checkpoints. Documents are checked when leaving Surkhandarya and at regional borders. Keep your passport on you, and foreigners should also carry their registration.
- Stops. There are few rest areas in the mountains. Guzar, Shahrisabz or the highway near Samarkand are convenient for a meal.
- Coverage. Mobile signal can be patchy in the mountains, so tell family your expected arrival time in advance.
- Driver fatigue. On a long trip it is normal to ask for a stop to stretch. Good drivers stop every 2–3 hours anyway.
Return options at a glance
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night train | 12–15 h | book early, especially in summer |
| Plane | about 1.5 h | few flights, price depends on date |
| Car in one day | 10–12 h | leave before dawn |
| Car + night in Shahrisabz or Samarkand | 2 days | relaxed, with sightseeing |
| Car to Samarkand + train | 1–2 days | faster and more comfortable |
Prices for all options change, so check before you travel. Roughly, a seat in a car and a train ticket cost about the same, while flying is usually more expensive.
What to bring back from the south
Surkhandarya is known for early fruit and vegetables: melons, watermelons and tomatoes ripen here before anywhere else in the country. In autumn there are pomegranates and persimmons. If you are carrying fruit, pack it in boxes and tell the driver about the weight.
The bottom line
Plan your return from Termez at the same time as the trip there: buy return tickets straight away, and if travelling by car, book a seat the day before or split the journey over two days. Trips to the capital are posted on the Termez — Tashkent page, and how booking works is explained in the for passengers section.
Cover photo: Sue Fleckney, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
