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Current Advisory Is Low-Risk
U.S. advisory lists Uzbekistan at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Asia
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
I applied for a single entry e-visa for Uzbekistan through the official portal at <a href='https://e-visa.gov.uz' target='_blank'>e-visa.gov.uz</a>. The fee was 20 USD for a single entry visa valid for 30 days.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.
| Currency | 1 unit → NPR | Date |
|---|---|---|
| USD | 136.85 | 2025-04-24 |
| UZS | 0.01 | 2025-04-24 |
| AUD | 89.00 | 2025-04-25 |
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 24, 2025 | Applied two times | Visa Fee | 2.00 | 20.00 | 40.00 | USD | 5,474.00 |
| 2 | Apr 24, 2025 | UAE transit; 101 + 145 USD | Flight | 1.00 | 246.00 | 246.00 | USD | 33,665.10 |
| 3 | Apr 24, 2025 | 50750 som; 750 som card charge | SIM Card | 1.00 | 50,750.00 | 50,750.00 | UZS | 558.25 |
| 4 | Apr 24, 2025 | Taxi: Airport to Hotel; 12000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 12,000.00 | 12,000.00 | UZS | 132.00 |
| 5 | Apr 24, 2025 | Hotel; 24 USD | Accommodation | 1.00 | 24.00 | 24.00 | USD | 3,284.40 |
| 6 | Apr 24, 2025 | Taxi: Hotel to Magic Park; 15000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 15,000.00 | 15,000.00 | UZS | 165.00 |
| 7 | Apr 24, 2025 | Dinner; 56000 som | Food | 1.00 | 56,000.00 | 56,000.00 | UZS | 616.00 |
| 8 | Apr 24, 2025 | Zipline; 50000 som | Activities | 1.00 | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | UZS | 550.00 |
| 9 | Apr 25, 2025 | Taxi: Hotel to Train Station; 21000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 21,000.00 | 21,000.00 | UZS | 231.00 |
| 10 | Apr 25, 2025 | Train: Tashkent to Samarkand; 32.24 AUD | Transport | 1.00 | 32.24 | 32.24 | AUD | 2,869.36 |
| 11 | Apr 25, 2025 | Taxi: Train Station to Hotel; 20000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 20,000.00 | 20,000.00 | UZS | 220.00 |
| 12 | Apr 25, 2025 | Hostel stay; 110000 som | Accommodation | 1.00 | 110,000.00 | 110,000.00 | UZS | 1,210.00 |
| 13 | Apr 26, 2025 | Hostel stay; 110000 som | Accommodation | 1.00 | 110,000.00 | 110,000.00 | UZS | 1,210.00 |
| 14 | Apr 25, 2025 | Dinner; 45000 som | Food | 1.00 | 45,000.00 | 45,000.00 | UZS | 495.00 |
| 15 | Apr 26, 2025 | Entrance: Shah-i-Zinda; 50000 som | Activities | 1.00 | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | UZS | 550.00 |
| 16 | Apr 26, 2025 | Taxi to Bibi-Khanym Mosque; 13000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 13,000.00 | 13,000.00 | UZS | 143.00 |
| 17 | Apr 26, 2025 | Entrance: Bibi-Khanym Mosque; 50000 som | Activities | 1.00 | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | UZS | 550.00 |
| 18 | Apr 26, 2025 | Souvenir; 30000 som | Miscellaneous | 1.00 | 30,000.00 | 30,000.00 | UZS | 330.00 |
| 19 | Apr 26, 2025 | Water (1 Ltr); 5000 som | Food | 1.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | UZS | 55.00 |
| 20 | Apr 26, 2025 | Magnet; 3000 som | Miscellaneous | 1.00 | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | UZS | 33.00 |
| 21 | Apr 26, 2025 | Mix Dry Fruit; 10000 som | Food | 1.00 | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | UZS | 110.00 |
| 22 | Apr 26, 2025 | Bread; 5000 som | Food | 1.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | UZS | 55.00 |
| 23 | Apr 26, 2025 | Cucumber; 2000 som | Food | 1.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | UZS | 22.00 |
| 24 | Apr 26, 2025 | Samsa; 6000 som | Food | 1.00 | 6,000.00 | 6,000.00 | UZS | 66.00 |
| 25 | Apr 26, 2025 | Dinner; 31000 som | Food | 1.00 | 31,000.00 | 31,000.00 | UZS | 341.00 |
| 26 | Apr 26, 2025 | Water; 5000 som | Food | 1.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | UZS | 55.00 |
| 27 | Apr 27, 2025 | Train: Samarkand to Tashkent; 179000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 179,000.00 | 179,000.00 | UZS | 1,969.00 |
| 28 | Apr 27, 2025 | Water; 5000 som | Food | 1.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | UZS | 55.00 |
| 29 | Apr 27, 2025 | Taxi: Hostel to Train Station; 17000 som | Transport | 1.00 | 17,000.00 | 17,000.00 | UZS | 187.00 |
| 30 | Apr 27, 2025 | Sandwich; 30000 som | Food | 1.00 | 30,000.00 | 30,000.00 | UZS | 330.00 |
| Total | 55,531.11 |
Last updated 5 hours ago
U.S. advisory lists Uzbekistan at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
If you need a visa, use Uzbekistan's official e-visa portal and avoid third-party unofficial payment websites.
Official guidance references passport validity beyond the allowed stay period; verify specifics before departure.
The official currency is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS), with approximately 12,800 UZS to 1 USD. Exchange money at banks in major cities for the best rates. Uzbek banks may reject US dollar bills that are old, damaged, or wrinkled, so bring crisp newer notes. Card payments are increasingly accepted in cities but cash is essential in bazaars and smaller towns.
The high-speed Afrosiyob train connects Tashkent to Samarkand in about 2 hours and continues to Bukhara, making it the best way to travel the Silk Road corridor. Regular trains are very affordable at around $7 for a second-class Tashkent-Bukhara ticket. Shared taxis are common for shorter routes. Always negotiate taxi fares in advance as rates vary widely, with a standard rate of about 4,000 UZS per kilometer.
Tipping is not a strong custom in Uzbekistan. Most restaurants automatically add a 10-15% service charge to the bill. If no service charge is added, leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected. For tour guides and drivers on multi-day trips, $5-10 USD per day is a reasonable tip.
The best months are March to mid-June and September to October, avoiding the extreme continental climate's scorching summers (40°C+) and freezing winters. October is arguably the ideal month with daytime highs around 17°C, perfect for sightseeing. Spring brings blooming landscapes, while autumn fills the bazaars with fresh harvest produce.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Tashkent
I arrived from Abu Dhabi at around 1 pm and spent the rest of the first day in Tashkent.
📍 Samarkand
On the second day, I traveled from Tashkent to Samarkand and stayed there.
📍 Samarkand / Tashkent
I spent another day in Samarkand, and in the evening I returned to Tashkent.
📍 Tashkent
I spent the fourth day in Tashkent, and at around 10 pm in the evening I flew back to Abu Dhabi.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Fragrant rice pilaf with lamb, carrots, chickpeas, and cumin, the centerpiece of Uzbek cuisine.
Marinated and charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, served with raw onions and vinegar.
Flaky baked pastry triangles filled with spiced lamb and onion, baked in a tandoor oven.
Hand-pulled noodles in a hearty broth with lamb, peppers, and tomatoes.
Round decorative flatbread baked in a clay tandoor oven, stamped with intricate patterns.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
The heart of ancient Samarkand and one of the most iconic landmarks on the Silk Road. Three grand madrasas — Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori — face each other across a vast plaza, their facades covered in intricate blue-and-gold tilework. Visit at sunset when the mosaics glow golden, and return at night for the light show that illuminates the square.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A living museum of Silk Road history with over 140 protected monuments packed into the old city. Wander through the Lyab-i-Hauz plaza shaded by ancient mulberry trees, explore the massive Ark Fortress where emirs ruled for centuries, and admire the 47-meter Kalon Minaret that even Genghis Khan refused to destroy. The covered trading domes still bustle with merchants selling silk, ceramics, and spices.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A perfectly preserved walled inner city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like stepping back into a medieval Silk Road tale. Inside the mud-brick walls stand over 50 historic monuments including the striking turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret, the ornately carved Tosh-Hovli Palace, and the Juma Mosque with its 218 carved wooden columns. Walk the city walls at sunset for panoramic views over the minarets and domes.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Central Asia's most vibrant market housed under a massive turquoise dome in the heart of old Tashkent. Stacks of freshly baked tandoor non bread, mountains of dried fruits and nuts, colorful spice pyramids, and local dairy products fill the stalls. The surrounding outdoor sections sell everything from fresh produce to household goods. A must-visit for experiencing everyday Uzbek life and tasting local snacks.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
A glimpse into our favourite moments from Uzbekistan.
The breathtaking interior dome of Tilya-Kori madrasah on Registan Square, Samarkand - a masterpiece of Islamic geometric tilework in deep blue and gold, covering the ceiling in a mesmerizing circular mandala pattern
