Samarkand to Navoi: the Road Along the Zeravshan
How to travel from Samarkand to Navoi via Kattakurgan, how long it takes and where to stop by the reservoir that locals call the Uzbek Sea.
The road from Samarkand to Navoi heads west along the Zeravshan, the main waterway of this part of the country. Rising in the glaciers of Tajikistan, the river fed Samarkand and Bukhara for centuries, and its valley was lined with orchards, fields and caravan routes. Today it is the wide M37 highway, and the trip takes about two and a half hours. On the way are Kattakurgan, the second-largest town in the Samarkand region, and a large reservoir where locals go to relax in summer.
Distance and time
- Distance: about 160–170 km.
- By car: 2–2.5 hours.
- By high-speed train: about an hour.
- Key points: Samarkand, Kattakurgan, Navoi.
The road is flat, has no passes and is open all year. The main slowdowns are in towns and at checkpoints on the regional border.
How the road goes
Samarkand to Kattakurgan
Beyond Samarkand the highway crosses a fertile valley of vineyards, orchards, cotton and wheat fields, and villages with clay walls. It is about 70–80 km, roughly an hour. Kattakurgan is a busy district town with a big bazaar, a handy first stop to buy fruit and bread and have some tea.
The Kattakurgan reservoir
South of Kattakurgan, a few kilometres off the highway, lies the Kattakurgan reservoir, one of the largest in the country. It is filled by the Zeravshan, and locals jokingly call it the Uzbek Sea. In summer people come here to relax, and there are leisure areas and picnic spots on the shore.
What to know:
- it is not a resort and facilities are basic, but the sight of a large body of water in the middle of the steppe is impressive;
- swim only in permitted places and check local rules;
- getting to the water is a short detour, so discuss it with the driver in advance;
- the best time is morning or evening, as summer afternoons are very hot.
Kattakurgan to Navoi
After Kattakurgan you enter the Navoi region. The landscape becomes drier, the Zeravshan valley narrows and industrial sites appear on the horizon. Another 80–90 km, a little over an hour, and you are in Navoi.
Transport
Train
High-speed trains from Tashkent to Bukhara stop in Samarkand and Navoi, about an hour apart. Regular trains are slower and may stop in Kattakurgan. If speed is all you need, the train is the best choice. Check the timetable in advance, as seats sell out in high season.
Minibuses and shared taxis
Cars and minibuses towards Kattakurgan, Navoi and Bukhara leave from Samarkand bus station. They depart when full.
Shared rides
If you want to leave at a specific time or arrange a stop at the reservoir, it is convenient to book a seat with a driver heading your way. On Yo'ldosh you see the departure time, price per seat and driver profile, and drivers are verified. Trips are on the Samarkand — Navoi and Navoi — Samarkand pages.
Taxi
A whole taxi suits a group of three or four, or if you want a long stop at the reservoir. It costs about the same as four seats in a car.
Comparing the options
| Option | Time | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | about 1 h | you need speed, no stops |
| Shared ride | 2–2.5 h | flexible departure, drop-off at your address |
| Minibus | 2.5–3 h | minimal budget |
| Taxi | 2–2.5 h | a group or a long stop |
Prices for all options change, so check before you travel.
What to see in Navoi
Navoi is a young industrial city, but it still has a few things worth a couple of hours:
- a green centre with boulevards and parks;
- the nearby Sarmishsay gorge, famous for its ancient rock carvings;
- the ruins of the Rabat-i Malik caravanserai and the sardoba on the road to Bukhara, about half an hour from the city.
The way back: Navoi to Samarkand
In the opposite direction everything is the same: 2–2.5 hours by car or about an hour by train. If you are heading for an evening train from Samarkand to Tashkent, leave Navoi with time to spare, as there is often evening traffic entering Samarkand.
Tips
- This stretch tops 40 °C in summer, so leave in the morning and bring water.
- There are checkpoints on the border between the Samarkand and Navoi regions, so keep your passport with you.
- If you want to visit the reservoir, tell the driver when booking.
- The Kattakurgan bazaar has good fruit and dried fruit, a handy stop for gifts.
The bottom line
Samarkand to Navoi is about 170 km along the Zeravshan: a little over two hours by car with optional stops in Kattakurgan and at the reservoir, or an hour by train. Trips in both directions are on the Samarkand — Navoi and Navoi — Samarkand pages, and all destinations are in the routes section.
Cover photo: Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
