Students: How to Get Home Cheaply for the Holidays

The end of the semester, holidays, the start of a break: on these days thousands of students leave Tashkent at the same time for home in Andijan, Qarshi, Urgench and other cities. Trains sell out in days, prices rise and bus stations are crowded. Good preparation helps you leave calmly without going broke. Here are tips for those heading home on the routes Tashkent — Andijan, Tashkent — Qarshi and Tashkent — Urgench.

Why it is so hard before the holidays

Demand jumps sharply on the same dates. Everyone wants to leave on the last day of classes or the evening before a holiday. Rail tickets for popular directions run out quickly, taxis get pricier and few free seats remain in cars. Those who start looking a day or two ahead are often left without choice.

Plan ahead

1. Find out holiday and break dates in advance. As soon as the schedule appears, decide when you would like to travel.
2. Start looking a week or more ahead. The earlier, the wider the choice and the lower the prices.
3. Choose an unusual time. Leaving on a weekday, early morning or midday is often cheaper and freer than Friday evening.
4. Do not delay buying a train ticket. If you pick a train, buy the ticket as soon as sales open.
5. Keep a backup. If the train does not work out, look at shared rides, and vice versa.

How to find a seat in a shared ride

In Yo'ldosh, drivers publish trips with time, price and pickup point. For a student it is a convenient way to get home:

• the seat price is usually lower than a taxi;
• you can pick a time that fits your exam schedule;
• boarding at a clear point, such as near the dormitory or metro station;
• the driver's rating and reviews are visible.

If the time you need is not there, subscribe to notifications or check the app regularly: drivers post new trips in the last days before holidays.

Travelling together: how to save

The simplest way to cut costs is to go as a group. If you are from the same city or heading the same way, agree with classmates and book seats in one car. That way you:

• get to know the driver and feel more confident;
• can travel with friends rather than strangers;
• split the cost of getting to the station or pickup point;
• find it easier to carry luggage together.

If there are two or three of you, you can book several seats in a row.

A student's luggage

After a semester many people have accumulated a lot: bags of clothes, books, gifts for relatives. The rules are simple:

1. find out in advance how much luggage the driver is willing to take, and message them in chat;
2. pack in soft bags, which are easier to fit;
3. do not take extra: heavy items can be sent separately;
4. keep documents, money and phone with you.

Safety and preparation

• Check the driver's profile and reviews before booking.
• Send family or friends the trip details: driver's name, plate number, arrival time.
• If you travel alone, choose daytime trips or one with a fellow traveler you know.
• Wear a seat belt and watch how you feel on long routes.
• Charge your phone and bring a power bank.

Long routes and stops

If you are going far, such as to Urgench, factor in the length of the road and prepare: take water, a snack and a warm top. Agree on stop times and be punctual so as not to hold others up. For long trips it makes sense to get a good sleep beforehand.

Holiday days: what to bear in mind

• In the days before holidays there are more cars on the roads, so the trip may take longer.
• Do not plan to arrive "just in time". A time buffer saves you from stress.
• For the return, book a seat in advance: coming back to Tashkent after the break is just as busy.

Budget: how not to overpay

1. Compare several options for one date.
2. Do not fall for "cheap" offers without agreed price and terms.
3. Check what is included in the price: luggage, stops.
4. Set aside a small sum for the trip in advance, during the semester.

Bottom line

A trip home for the holidays does not have to be stressful. Plan ahead, stay flexible on timing, travel as a group and keep a backup. For more on booking see the for passengers page, and all directions are collected on the all routes page.

Cover photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.