UZBEKISTAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Uzbekistan travel guide: money, SIM, seasons and arrival
Prepare for the practical details.
Money, cards and ATMs, SIM and eSIM, the best season, arrival at Tashkent airport and a trip-cost worksheet, each checked against official sources.
Entry documents & accommodation registration
Uzbekistan visa and registration: entry rules for 2026
Uzbekistan visa-free stays, e-visa fees, passport checks and hotel registration. Sources checked 14 September 2026.
Read the guideCash & customs
Cash limits in Uzbekistan: customs and how much to bring
Declare cash above 100 million som. Entry and exit rules, $100 in som and a cash worksheet for 7, 10 or 14 days. Checked September 2026.
Read the guideTRIP LENGTH · DECISION GUIDE
How many days in Uzbekistan? Choose 7, 10 or 14
Compare city time, hotel nights and the trade-offs in a 7-, 10- or 14-day Uzbekistan trip. Decide what to cut, when to add Khiva and how to allow for a return.
Read the guideA day among the fortresses of ancient Khorezm
Desert castles from Khiva: choose two or three stops
Plan an excursion from Khiva to Ayaz-kala, Toprak-kala and Kyzyl-kala. Compare two or three stops, walking time, transport, heat, meals and your return.
Read the guideA village stay between city visits
Nuratau overnight trip: villages, walks and where to stay
Plan one or two nights in Nuratau’s villages. Compare Sentob, Uhum and Hayat, separate Nurata and Aydarkul detours, and confirm access, rooms, meals and walks.
Read the guideTrip planning · Karakalpakstan
Aral Sea trip: Muynak, the shore and overnight planning
Choose a Muynak day trip or an overnight stay by the Aral shoreline from Nukus. Compare days and nights, vehicle needs, camp questions and the full trip quote.
Read the guideSEASONAL PLANNING · AUTUMN
Uzbekistan in autumn: September, October or November?
Choose your autumn dates using Uzbek climate records, then adjust the city route, market visits, clothing and optional mountain or desert days.
Read the guidePlan a March–May trip
Uzbekistan in spring: March, April or May?
Choose a spring month for Uzbekistan using Uzbek climate data, Navruz planning, route adjustments and a booking checklist for cities and nature trips.
Read the guideMoney & payments
Money in Uzbekistan: cash, cards and ATMs
How to exchange money, read bank rates, withdraw som and prepare a payment backup in Uzbekistan, with bank fees as of the dates checked and advice for Russian-issued cards.
Read the guidePlan your spending
Uzbekistan trip costs: prices and a 7-day worksheet
Build a seven-day Uzbekistan budget with local prices and their check dates, a meal-cost example, a six-night worksheet, and separate shared and per-person expenses.
Read the guideWeather & trip timing
Best time to visit Uzbekistan: seasons and route choices
Choose when to visit Uzbekistan using official climate data, seasonal trade-offs and practical adjustments for city walks, mountains and desert journeys.
Read the guideChoose the help you need
Uzbekistan independently or with a private guide?
Compare independent travel, help with selected tours and transfers, and a fully arranged Uzbekistan trip. See who handles each task and what to request in a quote.
Read the guideGet connected after arrival
SIM or eSIM in Uzbekistan: numbers, data and setup
Choose a local SIM, local eSIM or travel data eSIM for Uzbekistan. Compare plans as of the dates checked, registration with a foreign passport, payment restrictions and the UZIMEI check.
Read the guideArrival planning
Arriving at Tashkent airport: the city, trains and your first night
Plan your Tashkent arrival: taxi pickup, bus payment, the correct railway station, domestic terminal changes and a first-night checklist.
Read the guidePublished prices and exchange rates are dated reference points. Confirm the total, inclusions and payment conditions before booking.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
US, UK and EU passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 30 days; many other nationalities use the e-visa at $20 for a single entry. Hotels register you within three working days of entry. The visa and registration guide has the MFA table by nationality.
Cash or card?
Both. Bring clean US dollar or euro notes to change at a bank counter and a Visa or Mastercard issued outside Russia for ATMs, where the operator fee is 1.5% at the banks we checked. Cards issued in Russia, including Mir, do not work. See money and cash limits.
When is the best time to visit?
For a first city trip, April to early May or the second half of September to October; July and August are hot for walking. The best-time guide has the climate figures and the spring and autumn pages explain the month-by-month adjustments.
Which SIM should I buy?
A local SIM or eSIM with an Uzbek number if you need taxi apps and local calls; Ucell’s Bor 70 plan was 70,000 som a month for 70 GB when checked. You need your passport, and the phone must pass the UZIMEI device check. Details in the SIM and eSIM guide.