Uzbekistan Itinerary: 7 & 10 Days by Fast Train
Two ready Uzbekistan itinerary routes along the Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara–Khiva line, with per-day plans, where to sleep, and high-speed train tips.
The classic Uzbekistan itinerary runs in a near-straight line: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, then Khiva out west. The high-speed Afrosiyob train links the first three cities in a few hours each, so you spend your days in courtyards and bazaars instead of on a bus.
Here are two routes you can copy. A 7-day version that skips Khiva and keeps things relaxed, and a 10-day loop that adds the long haul to Khiva. Pick by how much desert driving you can stomach.
How many days in Uzbekistan do you really need?
Seven days covers the big three cities comfortably if you stick to the train. You’ll see the Registan, Bukhara’s old town, and Tashkent’s bazaars without rushing.
Ten days is the honest minimum for adding Khiva. Getting there means either a long train across the Kyzylkum or a flight, and you don’t want to do that round trip in a hurry.
If you only have five days, drop Bukhara rather than cram it. Quality over checklist.
A quick word that opens doors everywhere: Assalomu alaykum ah-sah-LOM-u ah-LAY-koom (hello / peace be upon you). Lead with it and watch faces soften.
The 7-day Uzbekistan itinerary (no Khiva)
This Uzbekistan 7 day itinerary keeps every intercity leg on the fast train. Book Afrosiyob seats a week or two ahead in high season; they sell out.
Day 1: Tashkent
Land, settle, ease in. Walk the Khast Imam Complex and browse Chorsu Bazaar under its big blue dome. Eat your first plate of plov where locals do, around lunchtime when it’s freshest.
Day 2: Tashkent, then train to Samarkand
Morning metro stations (they’re genuinely worth a look), then the early-afternoon Afrosiyob. The ride takes a bit over two hours. Sleep in Samarkand near the center.
Day 3: Samarkand
Give the whole day to the monuments. Registan Square at opening time, before the crowds, then Shah-i-Zinda and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Save Gur-e-Amir for the late-afternoon light.
Day 4: Samarkand, then train to Bukhara
Morning at the Siyob Bazaar or a quiet courtyard with tea. Afternoon train onward. Our 2-day Samarkand plan has the timing details if you want them.
Day 5: Bukhara
The old town is walkable end to end. Start at the Ark of Bukhara, wander the trading domes, and end at Lyab-i-Hauz for an evening tea by the pool.
Day 6: Bukhara
A slower day. The Po-i-Kalyan Complex at sunrise is quiet and gold. Spend the afternoon on a craft workshop or just sitting in a chaikhana. Order more non, the bread here is excellent.
Day 7: Back to Tashkent and fly out
The fast train from Bukhara to Tashkent runs around four hours, so an evening flight is doable. Tight, but doable. If your flight is early, fly the last leg instead.
Where to sleep: boutique courtyard houses in Bukhara’s old town, mid-range hotels near the Registan in Samarkand, anything central in Tashkent.
The 10-day Uzbekistan itinerary (full loop with Khiva)
This Uzbekistan 10 day itinerary follows the same spine, then pushes west to Khiva. Days 1 through 6 are identical to the 7-day plan above, so pick up from there.
Day 7: Bukhara to Khiva
The long leg. The train across the Kyzylkum desert takes roughly six to seven hours, or you can fly from Bukhara/Urgench to save time. Arrive, eat, rest. Stay inside the old walls if you can.
Day 8: Khiva
Itchan Kala, the walled inner town, is the whole point. It’s small and dense, so you can see most of it on foot in a day: minarets, the old harem, madrasas turned into workshops. Climb a tower at golden hour.
Day 9: Khiva, then back east
A slow morning inside the walls, then your return leg. Many travelers fly Urgench to Tashkent here (about 90 minutes) rather than repeat the desert train.
Day 10: Tashkent and depart
A final morning for anything you missed, a last bowl of lagman or a plate of samsa, and out. If you flew in from Khiva the night before, you’ll be relaxed about it.
Where to sleep: for Khiva, book a guesthouse inside Itchan Kala. Waking up among the walls beats anything outside the gates.
Getting between cities
The Afrosiyob high-speed train is your backbone: Tashkent–Samarkand–Bukhara, fast and reliable. Slower Sharq trains cover the same route for less if the fast seats are gone.
Buy tickets early online or at the station. Bring your passport, since names are printed on the ticket. Our train survival guide walks through the platforms, seat classes, and the phrases you’ll need at the counter.
For short hops inside a city, use a metered or app-based taxi and agree on the fare before you get in if there’s no meter. A polite Rahmat rah-MAHT (thank you) at the end goes a long way.
A few things that make the trip smoother
Carry small cash. Many family-run guesthouses and bazaar stalls prefer som notes over cards.
Learn five words before you fly. Hello, thank you, yes, no, and “how much.” Try Qancha? kahn-CHA (how much?) at the bazaar.
When someone invites you in for tea, say yes if you can. Uzbek hospitality is real and unhurried, and a shared pot of green tea tells you more about the place than any monument.
Dress modestly for mosques and mausoleums. Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off where asked.
Slot a guided half-day into the loop where the history runs deepest — Samarkand’s Registan or Bukhara’s old town reward a local guide, and it’s the one splurge most independent travelers are glad they made.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Uzbekistan?
Yes, for Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara via the fast train. You’ll need 10 days to add Khiva without rushing the long western leg.
Should I do the Uzbekistan itinerary by train or car?
Train for the main spine. The Afrosiyob between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara is faster and more comfortable than driving. For Khiva, weigh the long desert train against a short flight.
What’s the best direction to travel the route?
Most people start in Tashkent (where international flights land) and move west toward Khiva. Doing it in reverse works too, but eastbound flights from Khiva back to Tashkent are easy to find.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the sweet spots for weather. See our month-by-month guide for the details.
Do I need a visa?
Many nationalities get visa-free entry or a simple e-visa. Check our e-visa guide for who needs what.
Whichever route you pick, a little Uzbek makes every counter, taxi, and tea invitation easier. The Salom Uzbekistan app keeps phrases and audio on your phone offline, so you’ve got them on the train when the signal drops. Get the app before you go.