Travel advisory · UzbekistanSome governments advise against travel to parts of Uzbekistan.The warnings cover only these areas: Border strip with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan border zones.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Border strip with Afghanistan · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand
- Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan border zones · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along the Afghanistan border (Canada), Andijan (New Zealand), Eastern Ferghana Valley (New Zealand), Termez (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise normal precautions | Jan 26, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Take normal security precautions (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No travel warning; general caution advised (regional advisories) | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (hors zones frontalières) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Uzbekistan
Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, three Silk Road cities with UNESCO-listed old towns, reached by fast train from Tashkent.
Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Tashkent is the capital and largest city. The country is best known for its Silk Road cities. Samarkand was the capital of Timur's Timurid Empire in the 14th century, and Samarkand and Bukhara grew rich from Silk Road trade. Khiva's Itchan Kala, the historic centre of Bukhara and Samarkand are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The trip suits travelers who want historic cities, desert landscapes and an easy rail network between them. Fast trains run from Tashkent to Samarkand and on to Bukhara, and the trip from Tashkent to Bukhara takes about 3 hours 20 minutes. Much of the country is desert, so plan for dry heat. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, because summer highs in the desert cities can reach about 40 °C. Allow at least a week for Tashkent and the Silk Road cities, and more if you add Khiva or the Fergana Valley.
Five things to know before Uzbekistan
- Check your visa-free days before you fly
UK, US and Canadian passports can visit visa-free for up to 30 days; US citizens were added from 1 January 2026. Check other passports on the official e-visa site, and plan a visa for longer stays. Visas and entry
- Keep your registration slips from each hotel
You must be registered within 3 days of arrival. Hotels do it for you; if you stay privately, your host registers you through the Emehmon system.
- Book Afrosiyob trains ahead in spring and autumn
The fast trains from Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara sell out in peak months. Buy on the official railway site or app as soon as sales open for your dates. Getting around
- Declare prescription medicines at customs
Carry a doctor's prescription and declare medicines on the customs form. Some medicines, including painkillers that contain codeine, are restricted in Uzbekistan.
- Declare large sums of cash when you arrive
Large sums of foreign currency must be declared on arrival, and you cannot leave with more than you brought in. The limit is set by Uzbek customs, so check it before you fly. Money on the road
Uzbekistan travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free days, registration and customs declarations.
Read the guideGetting aroundAfrosiyob fast trains, night trains to Khiva and shared taxis.
Read the guideMoney and costsSom, card payments and the currency rules at the border.
Read the guideWhere to stayOld-town guesthouses in Bukhara and Khiva, and Samarkand bases.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs, eSIM and coverage on the trains.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- UZS 120,000
- Food
- UZS 90,000
- Transport
- UZS 12,000
- Sights
- UZS 30,000
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- UZS 350,000
- Food
- UZS 250,000
- Transport
- UZS 50,000
- Sights
- UZS 100,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- UZS 700,000
- Food
- UZS 500,000
- Transport
- UZS 150,000
- Sights
- UZS 300,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh7°Low-1°ColdJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low1°CoolFebruaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Mild, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°WarmMayClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh35°Low21°HotJuneClear
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh38°Low24°HottestJulyClear
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low21°Very hotAugustClear
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low17°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°CoolNovemberClear
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°ColdDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Samarkand, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Uzbekistan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 32%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Uzbekistan
03:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°7°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed12°8°53%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu21°5°1%Thursday: Fog. High 21°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Fri24°12°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat23°14°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun23°12°37%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Mon19°12°37%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 01:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 11,902 UZS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Stories from Uzbekistan
All stories
Uzbekistan FAQ
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
Not for up to 30 days on UK, US and Canadian passports; US citizens were added from 1 January 2026. Check other passports on the official e-visa site and plan a visa for longer stays.
How do I register in Uzbekistan?
Hotels register you at check-in. If you stay privately, your host registers you through Emehmon, and camper-van travelers register themselves online. Registration is due within 3 days of arrival.
How long is the train from Tashkent to Samarkand?
About two to two and a half hours on the Afrosiyob fast train. Slower trains take longer and are cheaper.
How many days do I need in Uzbekistan?
Eight to ten days covers Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva by train. With a week, skip Khiva or fly one way.
When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?
April to May and September to October. Summer highs pass 35°C in the desert cities, and winters are cold and quiet.