Tashkent to Andijan: how to reach the eastern hub of the valley

Andijan is the easternmost of the big cities in the Fergana Valley and one of the most densely populated in the country. It lies roughly 300 to 330 kilometres from Tashkent, but the road crosses a mountain range, so travel time depends on your transport and the season more than the map suggests. Here are the real options and what each is good for.

By car over the Kamchik pass

The main road runs south-east from Tashkent through Angren, climbs the Kamchik pass and drops into the valley near Pap. It is paved and well marked on the climbs and in the tunnel sections. In good weather the whole trip takes about 5 to 6 hours with one short stop.

What to know:

• In winter the pass can have snow, fog and ice. If the forecast is bad, leave in the morning and check road conditions before you set off.
• In summer the valley is hot, so early morning or evening departures are more comfortable.
• There are tea houses and fuel stations along the way, but the choice is limited in the mountain section. Bring water and a snack.
• Past the pass the Fergana Valley begins: the road is flat and runs through cotton fields, orchards and roadside bazaars.

By train

Once the railway through Angren and Pap opened, Tashkent and the Fergana Valley got a direct line that did not exist before. Trains to Andijan leave from Tashkent's stations and take about 5 to 6 hours. If comfort and the chance to sleep or work matter most, this is the calm option: no switchbacks, and you can walk through the carriage.

Tickets are sold through the official railway app or website, or at the station ticket office. Before holidays and in the summer season daytime trains sell out several days ahead, so plan early. Timetables and prices change, so check before you travel.

By plane

Flights between Tashkent and Andijan are the fastest on paper: about an hour in the air. But once you add the trip to the airport, check-in and baggage claim, the real saving over the train or car is usually no more than a couple of hours. The plane's strength is a firm schedule regardless of weather on the pass. The downsides are seasonal prices and a limited number of daily flights.

Shared ride

If you need a flexible departure and do not want to depend on a station timetable, a good alternative is to ride with a driver who is already heading to Andijan. You book a seat in the Yo'ldosh app, see the driver's profile and departure time, and pay for one seat rather than the whole car. On a route like this that is normally clearly cheaper than a taxi for the entire cab. Current trips are collected on the Tashkent to Andijan page.

Before booking, check:

• the pick-up point in Tashkent and the drop-off point in Andijan;
• your luggage size: for a long trip, one bag and a small backpack is best;
• the departure time with some buffer, since the pass can bring delays from weather or roadworks.

What it costs

Exact sums change, so think in relative terms:

What to see when you arrive

Andijan is the birthplace of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and the city has a park named after him with a memorial. Nearby are nineteenth-century mosques, the large Jami bazaar and an old quarter where some narrow streets survive. If you are continuing across the valley, Margilan, Fergana and Kokand are easy to reach from Andijan.

Practical tips

1. Leave Tashkent early: you gain time, and you keep daylight in reserve for the mountain section.
2. Carry some cash for tea houses and bazaars; small places do not always take cards.
3. Download an offline map in advance, because mobile signal can drop on the pass.
4. If you travel with a child, bring a child seat or ask the driver whether the car has one.

Plan with Yo'ldosh

To see available trips and book a seat, open the Tashkent to Andijan route page. Return trips and other directions are in all routes. If you are a driver heading to the valley, the for drivers page lets you publish a trip and take passengers along.

Cover photo: shevelevee, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.