How to move between Silk Road cities, and how to get around once you're there — trains, buses, city transport, and ride-hailing apps, with real booking steps.
Between Cities: The Train Network
Uzbekistan's inter-city trains are the backbone of getting around, and for the Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara corridor they're genuinely excellent — modern, air-conditioned, and reliable. There are three tiers:
Afrosiyob — high-speed bullet train (Spanish Talgo build, up to 250 km/h). Runs Tashkent–Samarkand (~2h15m) and Tashkent–Bukhara (~6h). The fastest and most comfortable option whenever it's running your route.Sharq — a slower express/regional train, a solid backup when Afrosiyob seats are sold out.Sleeper trains — Soviet-era long-distance trains with SV (2-berth) and Coupe (4-berth) classes, used for longer or less-served routes (e.g. toward Khiva/Urgench/Nukus, which the high-speed network doesn't fully reach yet).
How to Book
Book directly on the official Uzbekistan Railways site — eticket.railway.uz — switching the language to English first. Tickets typically go on sale about 45–60 days ahead of departure, and popular Afrosiyob departures (especially weekends and shoulder season) can sell out within hours. Book as early as your dates are firm; if nothing's available, check back closer to the date since seats do get released.
Buses & Shared Taxis
For routes not well served by rail — including the stretch out toward Nukus, Moynaq, and the Aral Sea region — long-distance shared taxis and buses fill the gap. These are cheaper than private transfers but slower and less predictable on schedule; agree the fare before getting in for shared taxis, since they're not metered.
Getting Around Within a City
Walking — the old quarters of Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand are compact and best explored on foot; most sights sit within a 10–15 minute walk of each other.Tashkent Metro — genuinely worth riding even if you don't need to go far; several stations are architecturally stunning (marble, chandeliers, mosaics) and it's one of the cheapest ways to cross the city.Yandex Go — the most reliable ride-hailing app across Uzbekistan's cities; shows the fare upfront, so there's no haggling. Download it before you land.inDriver — a "name your price" alternative to Yandex Go, useful for longer suburban or inter-town rides.Street taxis — still common outside the main cities; always agree the fare before the ride starts, since meters are rarely used.