Navoi to Bukhara: Getting There in an Hour and a Half
A short hop along the Zeravshan: trains, minibuses, taxis and shared rides in both directions, plus a stop at the Rabat-i Malik caravanserai on the way.
Navoi and Bukhara are about 100–110 km apart, making this one of the easiest trips in the west of the country. The road follows the Zeravshan valley, the same one that Silk Road caravans travelled for centuries, and on the way you can see one of the best-known monuments of that era. Here is how to travel in both directions, how long it takes and what to watch out for when you arrive in Bukhara.
Distance and time
- Distance: about 100–110 km between the city centres.
- By car: 1 hour 20 minutes to an hour and a half.
- By train: about an hour on the high-speed train, longer on regular ones.
The road is flat with no passes and follows the M37 through rural districts and small towns. It is open all year.
By train
High-speed and regular trains run between Navoi and Bukhara; they come from Tashkent and Samarkand and stop in Navoi. It is a fast, comfortable option. Trains run several times a day but not every hour, so check the timetable.
An important detail: Bukhara's railway station is in the town of Kogon, about 12–15 km from the old centre. From the station to the historic area is 20–30 minutes by taxi or minibus. If you are travelling light and want to go straight to the old town, factor in this time.
In high season (spring and autumn), seats on high-speed trains to Bukhara may already be sold out before Navoi. Book ahead.
By road: minibuses, taxis, shared rides
Minibuses and buses
Minibuses and buses to Bukhara leave from Navoi bus station. They are cheap, but departure depends on filling up and there are many stops on the way. Allow about two hours.
Taxi
A whole taxi is a quick and convenient option, especially if you want to stop at Rabat-i Malik or go straight to a hotel in the old town. Agree on the price before you get in.
Shared rides
If you need to leave at a certain time, booking a seat with a driver heading your way is convenient. On Yo'ldosh you see the departure time, price per seat and driver profile, and drivers are verified. The car takes you straight into the city with no change in Kogon. Trips are on the Navoi — Bukhara and Bukhara — Navoi pages.
Comparison
| Option | Time | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | about 1 h + transfer from Kogon | fast, comfortable | station not central |
| Minibus | about 2 h | cheap | slow, waiting |
| Shared ride | 1.3–1.5 h | to the centre with no change | needs booking |
| Taxi | 1.3–1.5 h | stop when you like | more expensive |
Prices change, so check before you travel.
What to see on the way
Rabat-i Malik and the sardoba
About half an hour from Navoi towards Bukhara, right by the highway, stand the remains of the Rabat-i Malik caravanserai, built in the 11th century under the Karakhanids. Its massive entrance portal survives. Across the road is a sardoba, an old underground water cistern under a dome, where caravans stopped to water people and animals. The stop takes 20–30 minutes and is well worth it.
Gijduvan
A little off the main road lies Gijduvan, one of the best-known centres of Uzbek ceramics, with distinctive brown, yellow and green glazes. If you are going by taxi and have time, you can call in at one of the family workshops.
Arriving in Bukhara
If you are travelling by car, agree with the driver on where to be dropped:
- Lyabi-Hauz, the heart of the old town, with many hotels nearby;
- the Ark area, by the fortress and Registan square;
- a specific hotel: many guesthouses in the old town are on narrow lanes where cars cannot always go, so you may have to walk the last 100–200 metres.
The way back: Bukhara to Navoi
In the other direction the logic is the same. If you are staying in the old town, a shared ride or taxi is more convenient than the train, since you do not need to travel to Kogon for the station. If speed matters and you do not mind getting to the station, the train is a good option.
Tips
- Summer temperatures between Navoi and Bukhara exceed 40 °C, so travel in the morning.
- If you plan a stop at Rabat-i Malik, mention it to the driver when booking.
- Bring cash, as minibuses and small roadside stops do not take cards.
- In Bukhara, the old town is best explored on foot.
The bottom line
Navoi to Bukhara is a short, simple trip: about an hour and a half by car, or an hour by train plus the transfer from the station in Kogon. On the way, Rabat-i Malik is worth a stop. Trips in both directions are on the Navoi — Bukhara and Bukhara — Navoi pages, and all destinations are in the routes section.
Cover photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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