Afrosiyob Ahoy!

Getting Around Uzbekistan by Train

History knows no greater international route than the Great Silk Road. Over ten thousand kilometers long and spanning the lands of two continents, the Silk Road had Uzbekistan at its very centre. Here, the trading city of Samarkand stood at the intersection of several key caravan roads. This great, ancient city marked the midway point for most journeys across its length. Exhausted caravan guards must have breathed a sigh of relief approaching Samarkand after weeks of journeying, knowing they were now halfway across the vast expanses from China to the Mediterranean.

Today, we cross Uzbekistan more comfortably. No longer by camel, horse or on foot, instead our caravans trundle over the landscape in the form of high-speed trains. Here’s everything you need to know about making a journey through Uzbekistan by train.

Uzbekistan Railways

Today, a network of trains, operated by Uzbekistan Railways, connects most of the cities and main tourist points in Uzbekistan. High-speed, electric trains carry travellers between Samarkand and Bukhara, where the country’s main historic and Silk Road sights are preserved. You can also take a non-high-speed train from Bukhara to Urgench, the jumping-off-point for the UNESCO-listed, open-air city-museum, Khiva.

Also by railway you can reach the lesser visited Fergana Valley in the eastern part of Uzbekistan, which is home to sights related to the Kokand Khanate (1709–1876). Trains run to the Fergana city of Margilan, where you can visit the famed Khan-atlas and adras fabric factories for an up-close look at Uzbek silks. The journey itself is a tremendously scenic train ride. The railway line runs through the Kamchik Pass via a 19km-long tunnel through the mountain range that separates the Fergana Valley from the rest of Uzbekistan, offering scenic views at every bend.

High-Speed Rail

Uzbekistan’s high-speed railway network, known as the ‘Afrosiyob’, continues to grow, with trains running between Tashkent, Samarkand, Qarshi and Bukhara, and a line expansion in progress to Khiva. Built and implemented by the Spanish railway companies Renfe and Talgo, the trains have an aerodynamic design, reaching operating speeds of 250km/h, and excellent safety record.

Afrosiyob trains are roomy and comfortable. All passenger seats are equipped with streamlined recliners, a table and footrest, reading lamps, a built-in audio-video module and monitors for watching TV. There are overhead racks and luggage space at the ends of the carriages; officially the limit on luggage allowance that passengers may bring on board is 36kg per person.

All of the carriages on these trains are non-smoking. Each car is equipped with an information board that displays details about the route, carriage number, air temperature in the cabin and the train’s current speed. Windows have sun shades and are made of special laminated glass for sound insulation, ensuring a quiet journey. 

The Afrosiyob is also equipped with accessibility features for travellers with disabilities. All floors are level for wheelchair access, and in the third car there are zoned wheelchair areas equipped with fasteners and conductor call buttons. There is also a wheelchair accessible toilet on board.

Afrosiyob trains have a ‘Bistro’ carriage that serves Central Asian and European snacks, as well as soft and alcholic drinks, tea and coffee.

‘Sharq’ Signature Train

Branded ‘Sharq’ (meaning ‘East’ in Uzbek), this express train connects the three ancient cities of Uzbekistan – Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara – slightly faster than local stopping trains do. Reaching a maximum speed of 160km/h, the Sharq train zips the 616km between Tashkent and Bukhara in six hours and 40 minutes – five hours faster than travelling on a regular train. On the way, the Sharq makes a 20-minute stop in Samarkand. The train has comfortable sleeper carriages with two-bed compartments, as well first- and second-class seated carriages. First-class accommodation is in three- or six-person couchette seats, while second-class carriages have open-plan rows of seats. 

There’s also a buffet car serving snacks and refreshments. Each carriage has TVs where passengers can watch shows and music videos, listen to the radio or music, and read a variety of news outlets. On the way, passengers are offered a light breakfast (included in the fare) and a wide range of drinks, including beer and wine. Sharq trains are comfortable and kept to an international standard.

Seats are ergonomic, there’s good noise insulation and temperatures inside the carriages are kept comfortable year-round.

Tashkent-Bukhara Night Train

If you prefer to sleep and travel at the same time, the Tashkent-Bukhara night train (train no. 661/662) is a great option. The service departs daily from Tashkent in the evening just after 8pm, arriving to Bukhara at 6am the next day, so tourists arrived well-rested and can drop straight into a day of sightseeing in the old town. The return service leaves Bukhara at 9:20pm. Carriages are comfortable, allowing passengers to get a good night's sleep. There are several classes: first-class has cosy, two-bed compartments; second class has four-bed compartments, and there are several dorm-style carriages with 54 open-plan beds, suitable for budget travellers. The train is formed of 20-22 cars (the number varies from service to service) and includes five or six SV-class (double deluxe) carriages, which are kitted out with TVs. There’s also a dining carriage serving Uzbek and European-style meals, snacks and drinks. 

‘Afsona’ Tourist Train

In 2013, a new charter train branded ‘Afsona’ (which means ‘Legend’ in Uzbek) went into operation, connecting the southern and far western regions of the country with the northeast, from Tashkent to Urgench via Qarshi. The opening of the Afsona service was aimed at offering a new, more convenient route for groups of travellers to reach the most ancient region of Uzbekistan: Khorezm, home to the treasured, historic city of Khiva. 

The Afsona trains are small and are designed to provide a boutique, group-travel experience. There are eight luxury carriages, several couchette carriages and a dining car. The Afsona is a luxury charter, so the train does not runs on a regular basis; it must be booked by individual request. Trains can be chartered for large groups of between 200 and 250 passengers. The route and stops along the way can be totally customised, so the cost of tickets depends on the number of passengers and bespoke tour programme.