Getting to Tashkent and Onward by Afrosiyob Train and Metro

Tashkent is the aviation and high-speed rail hub of Central Asia. Because the international airport and the primary railway station both lie within fifteen minutes of the central squares, arriving and connecting onward along the Silk Road to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva is remarkably smooth once you know which of the city's two train stations is printed on your ticket.

From Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS) to the centre

Unlike remote modern airports, Tashkent International Airport (TAS) sits just 6 kilometres south of Amir Timur Square and Oybek. International flights arrive at Terminal 2, while domestic Uzbekistan Airways flights (such as to Urgench for Khiva) use Terminal 3 across the airfield:

• Yandex Go app (recommended): connect to airport Wi-Fi or pick up a tourist SIM / eSIM in the arrivals hall, then summon a metered car through the Yandex Go app to reach hotels in Amir Timur Square, Oybek or Kosmonavtlar in 15 to 20 minutes without bargaining with kerbside touts.
• Official airport taxi counter and city buses: an official fixed-rate taxi desk operates inside the arrivals hall, and municipal buses link the terminal forecourt to central Metro stations.

Tashkent North (Shimoliy) vs Tashkent South (Janubiy) Railway Stations

Tashkent has two main passenger railway stations, so always check your Uzrailways ticket carefully:

• Tashkent North Station (Toshkent-Shimoliy / Severny Vokzal): the main central terminal located right at Toshkent Metro station on the Blue (O'zbekiston) Line. Almost all high-speed Afrosiyob bullet trains to Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as international trains to Almaty, depart from here. Arrive 30 to 40 minutes early for baggage X-ray and passport checks at the station entrance.
• Tashkent South Station (Toshkent-Janubiy / Yuzhny Vokzal): located in the south-western Yakkasaray district near Choshtepa Metro, handling daytime Sharq express trains and overnight sleeper trains to Bukhara, Khiva (Urgench) and the Fergana Valley. Check the official Uzbekistan Railways portal for current departure boards.

Riding the Tashkent Metro with contactless tap-to-pay

The four-line Tashkent Metro (Chilonzor Red Line, O'zbekiston Blue Line, Yunusobod Green Line and the elevated Circle Line) reaches Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Timur Square, Alisher Navoi and Bodomzor (for Besh Qozon). Simply tap a contactless bank card at the gate.