Tashkent's Northern and Southern stations: how to get there and what leaves from where

Trains in Uzbekistan have become a convenient way to reach Samarkand, Bukhara and other cities, but Tashkent has several stations, and newcomers can easily turn up at the wrong one. A mistake with the station can cost you a missed train, so it is better to sort it out in advance.

The main rule: read your ticket

The most reliable way to learn your departure station is to read your ticket or booking carefully. It gives the name of the station, the departure time, and the train and carriage numbers. Do not assume that all trains to Samarkand leave from one station: different trains and directions can depart from different stations, and timetables sometimes change. Before you set off, check the information in the railway app or on the website.

The Northern and Southern stations: what is the difference

In everyday talk in Tashkent people refer to the Northern and Southern stations, each serving its own directions. The general principle:

• The Southern station is in the southern part of the city and handles part of the trains, including long-distance ones;
• The Northern station is in the northern part of the city and serves its own services.

Which trains leave from which station depends on direction and type of train. The exact split of directions between stations changes, especially when new trains launch, so always check your ticket. That matters more than any tip online, including this article.

How to get to the station

Metro

The metro is the best way to reach a station because it does not sit in traffic and runs to a timetable. Both stations have convenient metro connections or public transport routes nearby. Before you travel, find out which metro stop is closest to your station and how far you need to walk. The Tashkent metro is beautiful, but crowded at rush hour, so with heavy luggage choose another time.

Taxi

A taxi is easiest if you have suitcases or travel at night. Order a car in advance and allow a time buffer for traffic, which can be serious in the morning and evening. Tell the driver the exact name of the station so that you are not taken to another one.

Buses

City buses work if you travel light and know the city well. For newcomers with luggage they are not the best option.

How much time to allow for boarding

At the station you face several steps: a check of documents and ticket at the entrance, finding the right platform, boarding the carriage. Allow at least 40 to 60 minutes before departure, and more on holidays and at rush hour. For high-speed trains boarding opens early and closes a few minutes before departure. Latecomers are not refunded either the ticket or the money, so it is better to arrive with room to spare.

What to bring

• your passport: needed when buying a ticket and checked at the entrance and on the train;
• a printout or electronic ticket;
• water and a light snack, although you can usually buy food on the train;
• a phone charger;
• cash for taxis and small expenses.

Train or shared ride

The train is good when comfort and a fixed travel time matter; for example, Tashkent to Samarkand on the high-speed train takes about two hours. But tickets for popular trains can be sold out, and the station may be far from your hotel. In such cases a ride with a driver helps: you book a seat in the Yo'ldosh app, see the departure time and the driver's profile, and agree on pick-up near your home. See trips on the Tashkent to Samarkand and Tashkent to Bukhara pages.

Typical mistakes

1. Not checking the station. You have a ticket in hand but went to the wrong station. Always read your ticket.
2. Being late because of traffic. Especially common at the evening rush hour and before holidays.
3. Forgetting your passport. Without it you will not be let onto the platform.
4. Mixing up the time. Departure time is local, so check the date and hour.
5. Arriving too early without a plan. If there are several hours before departure, leave your luggage in the left-luggage room (if there is one) and take a walk nearby.

Near the stations

Around the stations you will find cafes, shops and small bazaars where you can buy flatbread, fruit and water. But do not go far if you are short of time. If you arrived early in the morning and are waiting for hotel check-in, the station waiting halls and nearby tea houses help pass the time.

Plan your trip

If the station is inconvenient or the tickets have run out, see trips on the Tashkent to Samarkand and Tashkent to Bukhara pages, and all other directions in all routes. Booking details are collected on the for passengers page.

Cover photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.