Uzbekistan Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Lipioshka (bread) should never be laid upside down and should never be put on the ground, even if it is in a bag. It is normal to remove shoes but not socks when entering someone’s house or sitting down in a chai-khana. Shorts are rarely seen in Uzbekistan and, worn by women, are likely to provoke unwelcome attention from the local male population. Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth (eg jewelry) in public places. Homosexuality is illegal.

Photography: Photography near airports, military barracks and police stations can upset the authorities.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Uzbekistan Airways (HY) (website: www.uzairways.com).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Tashkent International Airport (TAS) is in the south of the town, about 11km (7 miles) from the center. To/from the airport: Buses run frequently to the city center (journey time – 30 minutes to 1 hour). Trains and tolley buses connect the airport with the center (journey time – 10-20 minutes) and taxis are available (journey time – 15-20 minutes). Facilities: Bureau de change, duty-free shops, restaurants and bars.

Getting There by Rail
Tashkent is the nodal point for rail services from Central Asia. Lines lead west to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), south to Samarkand and on to Dushanbe (Tajikistan), east to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) and north to Moscow (Russian Federation). From Tashkent, along the Saratov-Syr Darya Line, the journey to Moscow takes nearly three days.

There is also a spur line to the Fergana Valley in the east of the country, which leads to Osh in Kyrgyzstan. It is possible to connect to China through Almaty; and to Iran and the Middle East (via Turkmenistan). Foreigners have to pay for rail tickets in hard currency, preferably US Dollars, but it is still a cheap option by Western standards.

Getting There by Road
Uzbekistan has road connections to all its neighbors. The border between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is closed to all except Uzbek and Afghan nationals. Travelers should exercise caution around the Kyrgyz–Uzbek border as some violent incidents have occured. It is not advisable to bring your own car. Contact your local embassy for details.

Bus: There are services to all the neighboring countries, although the occasional border closures between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan make this route unreliable. Long-distance buses leave from the Tashkent bus station near the metro station. Foreigners have to pay for tickets in hard currency.

Car hire: It is possible to hire cars with drivers for long journeys; they will normally ask to be paid in US Dollars. The best place to look for these is at the long-distance bus and train stations.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Uzbekistan by visitors over 16 years without incurring customs duty:

• 1,000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products.
• 1.5l of alcoholic beverages and 2l of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Other goods for personal use up to a value of US$10,000.

Note: All valuable items such as jewelry, cameras and computers should be declared on arrival.

Prohibited Imports
Firearms, ammunition, drugs, photographs and printed matter directed against the country, live animals (without special permit) and fruit or vegetables.

Prohibited Exports
Items more than 100 years old and those of special cultural importance require special permission for export. When buying items that may be more than 100 years old, ask for a certificate stating the age of the item(s). Precious metals, stones, furs, arms and ammunition, antiquities and art objects (subject to duty and special permit from the Ministry of Culture) are also prohibited.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Uzbekistan Airways (HY) (website: www.uzairways.com) flies to all the major towns and cities in Uzbekistan on a regular basis. Destinations include Andijan, Karshi, Namangan, Navoi (which is 45 minutes by bus from Bukhara), Nukus, Samarkand, Tashkent and Termez.

Getting Around by Rail
There are railways linking Termez, Samarkand, Bukhara, the Fergana Valley and Nukus. There are two railway stations in Tashkent – North and South. The Trans-Caspian Railway traverses the country from Chardzhou in Turkmenistan via Kagan (near Bukhara), Samarkand and Dzhizak, where the railway branches off to serve the capital, Tashkent. Passengers should store valuables under the bed or seat, and should not leave the compartment unattended.

Getting Around by Road
The Republic of Uzbekistan is served by a reasonable road network. Traffic drives on the right.

Bus: Services connect all the major towns within Uzbekistan and are cheap and fairly reliable.

Taxi: Taxis and cars for hire can be found in all major towns. It is safer to use officially marked taxis, although many taxis are unlicensed. Travelers are advised to agree a fare in advance, and not to share taxis with strangers. As many of the street names have changed since independence, it is also advisable to ascertain both the old and the new street names when asking directions. Cars can be hired by the trip, by the hour or by the day or week.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit will be required when car hire facilities have been introduced.

Note: Visitors wishing to travel to Termez and other areas of the Surkhandarya region require a permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tashkent. They usually take five days to process.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Tashkent is served by taxis, buses, trolleybuses, trams and underground. Public transport is cheap and generally reliable. There are regular bus services to all major towns in Uzbekistan.


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