Tashkent to Jizzakh: a Short Trip Along the M39
How to reach Jizzakh by train or car, how long it takes and the easiest way to continue to the Zaamin mountains or Lake Aydarkul.
Many people know Jizzakh only as a point on the highway between Tashkent and Samarkand, where drivers stop to refuel and eat the famous Jizzakh samsa. But the city is also a convenient gateway to two popular getaways: the Zaamin mountains and Lake Aydarkul. Here is how to get there quickly from Tashkent, how to get back and where to head next.
Distance and time
- Distance: about 200 km by road.
- By car: 2.5–3 hours.
- By train: 2 to 3 hours depending on the type of train.
The road from Tashkent runs south-west along the M39 through Syrdarya and the Hungry Steppe to Jizzakh. The surface is good, with multiple lanes for most of the way.
By car on the M39
What the road is like
- Tashkent to the Syr Darya. Leaving the capital and crossing the river. Expect traffic leaving the city at rush hour.
- Syrdarya region. Flat steppe, cotton and wheat fields and canals. The highway bypasses Gulistan.
- Approaching Jizzakh. The mountains of the Nuratau and Turkestan ranges appear on the horizon.
What to keep in mind
- Speed cameras are frequent on the M39, so stick to the limits.
- Checkpoints at regional borders: keep your passport and car documents handy.
- Filling stations line the whole route, with queues at methane stations at peak times.
- In summer the steppe is hot and dry, and a car without air conditioning is hard going in the afternoon.
Shared ride
Many drivers use the M39 every day to go to Jizzakh, Samarkand and beyond. On Yo'ldosh you can book a seat with a driver going to Jizzakh and leave at a convenient time. You see the price per seat and driver profile, and drivers are verified. Trips are on the Tashkent — Jizzakh page.
By train
Trains run between Tashkent and Jizzakh, including those heading to Samarkand and further south. Some high-speed trains stop in Jizzakh and some pass through, so check the timetable for your specific train. Regular trains are slower but cheaper. Jizzakh station is in town, a short taxi ride from the centre.
Comparing the options
| Option | Time | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 2–3 h | comfort, predictability | not all trains stop |
| Shared ride | 2.5–3 h | flexible time, door to door | traffic leaving Tashkent |
| Minibus | 3–3.5 h | cheap | slow, waiting |
| Taxi | 2.5 h | maximum freedom | most expensive |
Prices change with fuel costs and the season, so check before you travel.
Where to go next from Jizzakh
Zaamin
Zaamin district offers the mountains of the Turkestan range, juniper forests, clean air and cool summers. There is a national park and a well-known mountain resort area with sanatoriums. From Jizzakh to Zaamin is about 80–100 km, 1.5–2 hours. The last kilometres climb into the mountains, so check road conditions in winter.
The best time is May to September, when the valleys are hot and the mountains comfortable.
Aydarkul
Aydarkul is a large lake in the Kyzylkum desert north-west of Jizzakh. There are yurt camps where you can ride camels and swim. The drive from Jizzakh takes 2–3 hours, and the last stretches may be unpaved. It is easiest to go with a driver who knows the way, and it is best to book a night at a yurt camp in advance.
The best time is spring or autumn, as the desert is very hot in summer.
Samarkand
Jizzakh to Samarkand is about 100 km, roughly an hour and a half. On the way is the Tamerlane's Gate gorge with ancient inscriptions on its cliffs.
What to see in Jizzakh itself
- The bazaar and, of course, Jizzakh samsa: large, juicy and baked in a tandoor. Many people stop here just for it.
- Tamerlane's Gate, a scenic gorge not far from the city on the way to Samarkand.
- A calm centre with parks and wide streets.
Back to Tashkent
You can return from Jizzakh to Tashkent by train or car. On Sunday evenings traffic towards the capital is heavy, with jams entering Tashkent. If you want to leave at a particular time, book a seat ahead on the Jizzakh — Tashkent page.
Tips
- If you are going on to Zaamin or Aydarkul, plan to leave Tashkent in the morning so you arrive in daylight.
- In summer bring water and a hat, as the sun is harsh in both the steppe and the desert.
- Keep your documents with you, as there are several checkpoints on the M39.
- You do not need to hunt for a particular place for samsa; it is baked all over town and along the highway.
The bottom line
Tashkent to Jizzakh is a short 2.5–3 hour trip on the M39 or by train. From here it is easy to continue to the Zaamin mountains, Lake Aydarkul or Samarkand. Trips in both directions are on the Tashkent — Jizzakh and Jizzakh — Tashkent pages, and all destinations are in the routes section.
Cover photo: Jamshid Nurkulov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
