How to get from Tashkent to Samarkand: train, bus or shared ride
Around 300 km and two to five hours on the road. We compare Afrosiyob, Sharq, buses, taxis and shared rides by time, price and comfort.
Tashkent to Samarkand is the busiest intercity route in Uzbekistan. The two cities are about 300 km apart by road, and you have more ways to make the trip here than anywhere else in the country: a high-speed train, regular trains, buses, taxis and shared rides. Below we go through each option by time, price and comfort so you can choose the one that suits you.
The route at a glance
- Road distance: roughly 300–310 km.
- By car: usually 4–4.5 hours without long stops.
- Afrosiyob high-speed train: about 2–2.5 hours.
- Sharq train: about 3.5 hours.
- Bus: 5 hours or more, including stops.
The highway runs through Syrdarya region, Gulistan and Jizzakh, then cuts through the gorge near Jizzakh known as Tamerlane's Gate and comes out into the Zarafshan valley. The road is mostly flat and wide, but some stretches are under repair, and in summer the midday heat is intense.
Afrosiyob: fast and predictable
Afrosiyob is the fastest way between the two cities. It leaves from Tashkent's central railway station and arrives at Samarkand station, which is a 15–20 minute taxi ride from the Registan. Carriages are air-conditioned, the seats are airline-style and there is a buffet car.
The main drawback is tickets. In high season, especially spring and autumn, morning departures sell out several days ahead, and on holidays and weekends even earlier. Tickets are sold on the railway's website and app, and you need your passport to board. An economy seat costs several times more than a seat in a shared car, and business class is noticeably more expensive still; fares change, so check them when you book.
Sharq and regular trains
Sharq is slower, around 3.5 hours, but also cheaper. It is a good choice if Afrosiyob is sold out or you are not in a hurry. Long-distance passenger trains, including overnight ones, also stop in Samarkand. An overnight train is awkward if Samarkand is your final stop, because it arrives very early in the morning.
Buses
Intercity buses leave from Tashkent's main bus station and arrive at Samarkand bus station. This is the cheapest option and the slowest: with stops the journey can take 5–6 hours. A bus works for unhurried travellers on a tight budget.
Taxi for the whole car
A door-to-door taxi is the most comfortable option: the car picks you up at your home or hotel and drops you at your exact address. But you pay for the whole car, so for one or two people it is noticeably more expensive than anything else. For a family of four with luggage, however, a private taxi can make good sense.
Shared ride: a seat in a car
The most flexible option is to buy a single seat in a car that is already going to Samarkand. Drivers leave throughout the day, from early morning to evening, so you do not have to fit around the train timetable. A seat usually costs about the same as the Sharq train and far less than a private taxi; the exact price depends on the driver and the day, so check the listings.
On Yo'ldosh, drivers publish trips on the Tashkent — Samarkand route and you book a seat in the app. Drivers have verified profiles, you can see the departure time, meeting point and price in advance, and you can agree on details in the chat. This is handy when trains are sold out or you need to leave at a specific time.
Comparing the options
| Option | Travel time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afrosiyob | 2–2.5 h | high | speed, tickets bought early |
| Sharq | about 3.5 h | medium | saving money without losing much time |
| Bus | 5–6 h | low | the smallest budget |
| Private taxi | 4–4.5 h | highest | a group or family with luggage |
| Seat in a car | 4–4.5 h | medium | flexible departure time |
If you drive yourself
- Leave early: before noon the road is quieter, and in summer it is cooler.
- Fuel stations and roadside cafes line the whole highway, especially around Gulistan and Jizzakh.
- Keep to the speed limits: there are cameras and police posts along the way.
- Carry water: from May to September daytime temperatures often exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
What to consider when choosing
If you only have one day for Samarkand, it makes sense to take a morning Afrosiyob and return on an evening train. If you travel with lots of luggage or children, a seat in a car or a taxi saves you the transfers at stations. And if you plan to continue to Bukhara, look at onward options and compare travel times in advance.
Samarkand deserves at least two days: the Registan, the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and Siab bazaar cannot be seen properly in a couple of hours. So pick a way of travelling that gets you there rested.
You can find a seat in a car on the Tashkent — Samarkand route on Yo'ldosh, and every available direction is listed on the routes page. If you are driving to Samarkand yourself, take a look at the for drivers section: you can offer your empty seats to fellow travellers.
Cover photo: Bobyrr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
