Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It consists of 12 provinces, and its capital is Tashkent. Uzbekistan is a democratic republic with a diverse cultural heritage. The country's wealth of attractions is one reason why the number of tourists traveling to Uzbekistan has been steadily increasing in recent years.
The country dazzles with its main attractions: the Silk Road sites of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, mosques, and minarets that offer a glimpse into the history of Islam beyond the Middle East and the power of the Timurid Empire. The bazaars of Tashkent are especially noteworthy, as Uzbeks are traders and artisans.
If you're not particularly interested in ancient monuments, immerse yourself in the countryside and meet the people of the provincial regions. It's fascinating to observe craftsmen in small towns or venture deep into the eastern desert and southern highlands. Uzbek culture is rich, warm, and dynamic, and very different from the surrounding nomadic peoples.
Famous places in the heart of Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva—Silk Road cities in the central part of the country. Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia, exemplifies the magnificent urban vision of the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
If you've decided to travel to Uzbekistan, you'll always be wondering how much money you need for the trip. Of course, it depends on your preferences, level of relaxation, and entertainment. Food prices are quite low, while transportation costs are slightly higher. Budget accommodation is also available if desired.
Accomodation
There are a few relatively inexpensive hostels in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, but budget accommodation is impossible to find elsewhere. High taxes mean high rental prices, but if you're traveling as a couple, you can find beautiful rooms at affordable prices in Bukhara and Khiva. In other cities, you'll pay a little more for a comfortable room.
- Dormitory: 8-15 $/€
- Double room in a cheap hotel: 10-30 $ / €
- Double room in a good/very good hotel: 25-140 $/€
- Double room in a 5-star hotel: 200 $/€
Food
A couple of bowls of pilaf and tea at a simple local restaurant will cost around $2-3/€. Fast food sells for $1-2/€. At the market, you can expect prices to be around 25-50% of Western prices for basic foods. Don't be afraid to try dishes at local restaurants, as prices will rarely exceed $10. Upmarket restaurants charge between $10 and $25 per meal.
Transport:
- Train Tashkent - Bukhara: 20 $ / €
- Flight Tashkent - Khiva: 80 $ / €
- Bus or metro in Tashkent: 20 cents
- Taxi from the airport to the center of Tashkent: 4 $ / €
Tours, activities and admissions
Unlike Iran or Turkey, many religious buildings in Uzbekistan are completely free to enter. However, visiting the famous Registan landmark will cost 2-3 USD/€. This is the entrance fee. Museums have similar prices. You'll have to pay several fees in places like Khiva: once to enter the old city, another for photography permission, and a third to visit the mosque.
Guide and driver services are very affordable. Hiring a driver or guide for the whole day costs $40/€XNUMX.
Traveling to Uzbekistan is quite expensive. A visa costs approximately $80 (more for Israelis and Americans), and other nationalities require an additional invitation, which costs a similar amount.
If you are flying in and out of the country, expect to pay (this is a rough estimate) $/€500 for a return flight from Europe or Asia.
