Namangan to Pap: Getting There and Connecting to Tashkent

For most travellers Pap is a dot on the map that they pass on the way from Tashkent to Namangan. Yet this district town has real practical value: it lies close to where the highway from the Kamchik Pass descends into the Fergana Valley, and the railway linking the valley with the capital through the Kamchik tunnel runs through Pap. That is why people from the western part of the region often travel to Pap specifically to set off for Tashkent. Here is how to get there from Namangan and how to make the connection.

Distance and travel time

Pap is about 55 to 60 km from Namangan. By car the trip takes around an hour, by minibus with stops up to an hour and a half. The road runs through orchards and villages on the right bank, and as you approach Pap the Kurama mountains rise more clearly on the horizon.

These figures are approximate and depend on weather on the pass, roadworks and stops.

Getting from Namangan to Pap

Minibuses

Minibuses to Pap leave from the Namangan bus station and from stops on the city's western exit. They run throughout the day, more often in the morning. They are cheap but slow.

Taxis

A shared taxi is faster and more comfortable: the car leaves once it has enough passengers and makes hardly any stops. You can hire the whole car, especially if you have luggage and are catching a train afterwards.

Shared rides

Yo'ldosh lists the Namangan to Pap route: you book a seat with a driver leaving at the time you need. This is convenient when you have to make a specific train or meet a car heading to Tashkent.

Why Pap is a good place to set off for Tashkent

By train

The railway from Tashkent into the Fergana Valley runs through Angren, the Kamchik tunnel and Pap. Many trains to Namangan and further into the valley stop at Pap. For people in the western districts this means boarding a train without going into Namangan first. Check timetables and seat availability in advance: tickets are sold on presentation of a passport, and at weekends and holidays seats sell out quickly.

By car

Cars from Namangan to Tashkent pass through Pap, and you can join one along the way. But rather than trying to flag down a ride on the highway, it is more reliable to arrange your trip in advance. The driver then picks you up at an agreed spot and you do not have to wait at the roadside.

The Kamchik Pass: what you need to know

The road from Pap to Tashkent crosses the Kamchik Pass, one of the country's main mountain roads, at an altitude of around 2,260 m.

• In winter the pass gets snowfall and ice. In severe weather traffic may be temporarily restricted, so check road news before you travel.
• In tunnels and on hairpin bends drivers slow down, so the trip may take longer.
• Motion sickness. If you get carsick, sit in the front and avoid a heavy meal before the trip.
• Warm clothes. Even in summer it is noticeably cooler on the pass than in the valley.
• Documents. There are checkpoints on the road where documents may be checked, so keep your passport handy.

Pap itself: what to see

Pap is a small town with a bazaar and quiet streets. It has few tourist sights, but the surrounding foothills are scenic. If you have time between trains, stroll through the bazaar, have lunch in a teahouse and buy fruit for the road. Summers here are hot and dry like the rest of the valley, while in spring the countryside turns green for a short while.

Connection tips

1. Allow extra time. If you are travelling from Namangan to catch a train, arrive in Pap at least 40 to 60 minutes before departure.
2. Know where the station is. Ask the driver to drop you right at the station rather than on the highway.
3. Cash. In small towns cash is easier, as minibus and taxi drivers may not take cards.
4. Luggage. With large suitcases a taxi or a shared ride with a boot is more comfortable.
5. Prices. Fares for minibuses, taxis and rides change, so check before you travel.

Back to Namangan

Transport from Pap to Namangan runs all day, and in the evening it is easier to find a car in advance. Yo'ldosh also covers the return direction, Pap to Namangan: useful, for example, if you have come back from Tashkent by train and want to get home without waiting for a minibus.

Pap is not a tourist destination but a handy transport hub for the western valley. Once you know how trains and cars run over the Kamchik, you can save time and skip the detour through Namangan. See all routes on the routes page and booking details on the for passengers page.

Cover photo: Xasanboy off, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.