Samarkand is Uzbekistan's Silk Road showpiece, a 2,700-year-old city of turquoise domes, the Registan's three madrasas, Timur's tomb and the tiled mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda.
- Public
- Buses, electric buses and a tram cost 2,000 UZS by card and 4,000 UZS in cash since 1 May 2026; tourist routes run 24 hours, other routes until 22:00.
- Taxi
- Yandex Go works in Samarkand and is the simplest option for the airport and train station.
- Rental
- Not recommended; taxis and drivers are cheap and day-trip roads are slow.
- Walking
- The Registan, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda are walkable from each other; the railway station is about 5 km from the Registan.
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 3/5
- Taxi
- 5/5
- Rental
- 2/5
- Walking
- 4/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yandex Go taxi | 30,000-50,000 UZS (~$2.50-4.20) | 15-20 minutes | |
| City bus (route 10 reported) | 2,000 UZS by card (~$0.17), verify route | About 30 minutes |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Use Yandex Go; fares are shown in the app before the ride. Older guides report that some street taxis negotiate the fare, so agree it before getting in.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Samarkand's sights cluster in the old centre, while the railway station and airport are a taxi ride away.
Airports
Samarkand International Airport (SKD)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Install Yandex Go before arrival.
Use a bank or transport card on buses: 2,000 UZS (~$0.17) against 4,000 UZS (~$0.33) cash.
Buy Afrosiyob tickets on eticket.railway.uz; sales open about 60 days ahead.
Public transport runs until 22:00 except on tourist routes, which run 24 hours.