Tashkent to Kokand: the short way into the Fergana Valley

Of all the large cities in the Fergana Valley, Kokand is the closest to Tashkent. You cross the Kamchik pass, drop into the valley, and the rest of the way is a comparatively short stretch on a flat road. Roughly 270 to 300 kilometres by road, and in good weather the trip takes about 4 to 5 hours. That makes Kokand a handy first stop if you are just getting to know the valley.

How to get there

By car

The road goes through Angren and the Kamchik pass, then across the valley towards Kokand. It is mostly good, with tunnels and climbs in the mountain section. In winter the pass may be snowy, and in summer there can be queues behind trucks. If you drive yourself, check your fuel before the climb, as there are few stations in the mountain section.

By train

Rail service to the Fergana Valley lets you go without changing, with direct trains leaving from Tashkent's stations. The journey time is comparable to a car, but comfort is higher: you can lie down and stretch your legs. Buy tickets ahead through the official app or at the ticket office, and check timetables and fares before you travel.

Shared ride

If you are not tied to a station timetable and need to travel on a specific day and hour, joining a driver who is already going to Kokand is convenient. In the Yo'ldosh app you pick a time, see the driver's profile and book one seat. For this distance it is cheaper than a whole-cab taxi, and you can choose a morning or daytime departure. All trips are on the Tashkent to Kokand page.

What to see in Kokand

Kokand was the capital of the Kokand Khanate and in the nineteenth century rivalled Bukhara and Khiva. From that era survive:

• Khudayar Khan's Palace, the ruler's ceremonial residence, with a richly decorated facade and many rooms. A local history museum is inside.
• The Jami Mosque, a large congregational mosque with a colonnade of wooden pillars.
• Dakhma-i-Shokhon, a memorial complex where members of the ruling dynasty are buried.
• The Norbutabey Madrasa and other khanate-era buildings in the old part of town.

If you have time, visit the city bazaar and the workshops: Kokand is known for craft traditions, and the surrounding area makes ceramics. The nearest pottery centre is Rishtan, about an hour's drive from Kokand.

How much time to allow

A full day in Kokand looks like this:

1. Leave Tashkent early in the morning.
2. Be in the city by lunchtime: the palace and mosque take a few hours.
3. Lunch at the bazaar or a tea house: plov, lagman, flatbread.
4. Return in the evening or stay overnight.

A same-day round trip is tiring, with about 8 to 10 hours on the road. It is better to stay the night and devote the second day to Margilan or Fergana.

Practical tips

• Clothing: shoulders and knees should be covered in mosques, and women should bring a scarf.
• Money: carry cash for bazaars and small tea houses; larger venues do not always take cards.
• Season: spring and autumn are best. Summer is hot and winter can mean delays on the pass.
• Museum tickets: prices and hours change, so check before you visit.
• Luggage: for long trips, especially shared rides, pack light.

Where to go next

From Kokand it is easy to continue across the valley: the same main road leads to Margilan, Fergana and Andijan. You can build a route like this: Tashkent to Kokand, then Fergana, then Andijan and back to the capital another way. The all routes section helps with that.

Plan your trip

Kokand is an excellent entry point to the valley, and it works for a single day or a whole week. To book a seat, open the Tashkent to Kokand page. If you are a driver heading to the valley, the for drivers page lets you publish a trip, and passengers with questions can use the for passengers section.

Cover photo: U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons.