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Uzbekistan in 7 days: an itinerary city by city

Mustaqillik Maydoni station in Tashkent: white columns, crystal chandeliers and a train at the platformSnow-streaked rocky ridge of Big Chimgan above green forested slopes in springShah-i-Zinda necropolis in Samarkand: a row of brick mausoleums with turquoise and ribbed domes in the evening sun

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
13 of 35 free; 22 paid — see “Cost”
Duration
7 days, 9:30 to 17:35 each day
Start and finish
Tashkent Metro → Tash-Hauli Palace
On foot
≈ 3 h 18 min in total
Transport
5 rides, ≈ 2 h 4 min; 3 transfers between cities
Lunch
around 12:47
With kids
fine: short walks
Best time
April–May and September–October: warm but not hot.

Cities in order

  1. Tashkent2 days · 8 places
  2. ≈ 2–2.5 hAfrosiyob fast train
  3. Samarkand2 days · 10 places
  4. ≈ 1.5–2 htrain
  5. Bukhara2 days · 10 places
  6. ≈ 6–7 htrain or car
  7. Khiva1 day · 7 places

Day-by-day plan

Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.

Day 1 · Tashkent09:30–17:35 · 7 places · 8 h 10 min

  1. Tashkent Metro

    · 1 h · 2,500 som by card, 3,000 cash

  2. 12 min on foot

  3. Navoi Theatre

    · 20 min · Shows from 77,000 som

  4. 10 min on foot

  5. Romanov Palace

    · 15 min · Free

  6. 20 min · transport or taxi

  7. Museum of Applied Arts

    · 1 h · ≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial

  8. Lunch · 1 h
  9. 21 min · transport or taxi

  10. Tashkent City Park

    · 1 h · Free

  11. 20 min · transport or taxi

  12. Chorsu Bazaar

    · 1 h · Free

  13. 22 min on foot

  14. Hazrati Imam Complex

    · 45 min · Free

Day 2 · Tashkent09:30–13:30 · 1 place · 4 h

  1. Chimgan

    · 4 h · Free

Day 3 · Samarkand09:30–16:46 · 6 places · 7 h 20 min

Morning transfer: Afrosiyob fast train · ≈ 2–2.5 h

  1. Shah-i-Zinda

    · 1 h 15 min · ≈ 50,000 som for foreigners

  2. 12 min on foot

  3. Siab Bazaar

    · 1 h · Free

  4. 3 min on foot

  5. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

    · 40 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial

  6. Lunch · 1 h
  7. 13 min on foot

  8. Registan

    · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 UZS for foreign visitors

  9. 16 min on foot

  10. Gur-e-Amir

    · 45 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial

  11. 7 min on foot

  12. Amir Timur Monument

    · 15 min · Free

Day 4 · Samarkand09:30–13:24 · 4 places · 3 h 50 min

  1. Ulugh Beg Observatory

    · 45 min · UZS 40,000–75,000 (unofficial)

  2. 17 min on foot

  3. Tomb of Saint Daniel

    · 40 min · ≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial

  4. 8 min on foot

  5. Afrasiab Museum

    · 1 h 15 min · ≈ UZS 40,000–80,000 (unofficial)

  6. 19 min on foot

  7. Hazrat Khizr Mosque

    · 30 min · Free

Day 5 · Bukhara09:30–16:07 · 7 places · 6 h 40 min

Morning transfer: train · ≈ 1.5–2 h

  1. Chor Minor

    · 20 min · Free

  2. 11 min on foot

  3. Lyabi-Hauz

    · 45 min · Free

  4. 8 min on foot

  5. Trading Domes

    · 1 h · Free

  6. 3 min on foot

  7. Mir-i-Arab Madrasa

    · 20 min · Free

  8. Lunch · 1 h
  9. 3 min on foot

  10. Kalyan Minaret

    · 45 min · Square free, mosque ≈ 15,000 UZS

  11. 8 min on foot

  12. Ark of Bukhara

    · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 60,000 UZS for foreigners

  13. 4 min on foot

  14. Bolo-Hauz Mosque

    · 20 min · Free

Day 6 · Bukhara09:30–14:33 · 3 places · 5 h

  1. Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace

    · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 60,000 UZS for foreign visitors

  2. 31 min · transport or taxi

  3. Samanid Mausoleum

    · 30 min · ≈ 20,000 UZS, under 7s free

  4. Lunch · 1 h
  5. 32 min · transport or taxi

  6. Chor-Bakr Necropolis

    · 1 h · ≈ 10,000–15,000 UZS

Day 7 · Khiva09:30–15:52 · 7 places · 6 h 20 min

Morning transfer: train or car · ≈ 6–7 h

  1. Nurullabay Palace

    · 45 min · ≈ 80,000–120,000 UZS

  2. 7 min on foot

  3. Kunya-Ark

    · 1 h 15 min · ≈ 250,000 UZS pass; tower extra

  4. 3 min on foot

  5. Kalta Minor

    · 20 min · Free

  6. Lunch · 1 h
  7. 3 min on foot

  8. Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum

    · 30 min · ≈ 20,000–30,000 UZS, separate

  9. 3 min on foot

  10. Islam Khodja Minaret

    · 40 min · Climb ≈ 100,000 UZS

  11. 3 min on foot

  12. Juma Mosque

    · 30 min · Itchan Kala ticket, ≈ 250,000 UZS

  13. 3 min on foot

  14. Tash-Hauli Palace

    · 1 h · Itchan Kala pass ≈ 250,000 UZS

Go · start

Add nearby

Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.

What the route costs

13 of 35 are free; 22 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.

1Tashkent Metro501 h2,500 som by card, 3,000 cash
2Navoi Theatre4420 minShows from 77,000 som
4Museum of Applied Arts361 h≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial
9Shah-i-Zinda461 h 15 min≈ 50,000 som for foreigners
11Bibi-Khanym Mosque4940 min≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
12Registan571 h 30 min100,000 UZS for foreign visitors
13Gur-e-Amir5945 min≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
15Ulugh Beg Observatory4045 minUZS 40,000–75,000 (unofficial)
16Tomb of Saint Daniel4140 min≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial
17Afrasiab Museum351 h 15 min≈ UZS 40,000–80,000 (unofficial)
23Kalyan Minaret3945 minSquare free, mosque ≈ 15,000 UZS
24Ark of Bukhara431 h 30 min≈ 60,000 UZS for foreigners
25Bolo-Hauz Mosque4420 minFree
26Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace321 h 30 min≈ 60,000 UZS for foreign visitors
27Samanid Mausoleum3830 min≈ 20,000 UZS, under 7s free
28Chor-Bakr Necropolis301 h≈ 10,000–15,000 UZS
29Nurullabay Palace3945 min≈ 80,000–120,000 UZS
30Kunya-Ark381 h 15 min≈ 250,000 UZS pass; tower extra
32Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum3930 min≈ 20,000–30,000 UZS, separate
33Islam Khodja Minaret3940 minClimb ≈ 100,000 UZS
34Juma Mosque3930 minItchan Kala ticket, ≈ 250,000 UZS
35Tash-Hauli Palace381 hItchan Kala pass ≈ 250,000 UZS
Other 13 places11 h 30 minFree
Total31 h13 of 35 free

Who this route is for

Good for
  • First trip to Uzbekistan
  • Fly into Tashkent, out of Urgench
  • Independent travel by train and taxi
Not for
  • The Khorezm desert fortresses and the Fergana Valley are not included
  • Summer afternoons are hot — sightseeing moves to mornings and evenings
Best time

April–May and September–October: warm but not hot.

Uzbekistan itinerary: how the week works

The route runs east to west with no backtracking: Tashkent — Samarkand — Bukhara — Khiva. Each day is a YesGo city itinerary: two days in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, one in Khiva. The second Tashkent day goes to the Chimgan mountains, 85–90 km from the city.

The longest transfer is Bukhara to Khiva, 6–7 hours by train or car. Do it in the morning and you are walking Itchan Kala by evening.

The cities on the route

Tashkent — the capital with palace-like metro stations, the Navoi Theatre, Chorsu Bazaar and the Hazrati Imam complex. Samarkand — Timur's city: Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda and ancient Afrasiyab. Bukhara — the old town round the Lyabi-Hauz pool, 16th-century trading domes, the 1127 Kalyan minaret and the Ark citadel. Khiva — a museum town inside the walls of Itchan Kala, all on foot.

Getting around on your own

Fast Afrosiyob trains link Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara — book them early. To Khiva go by train or car. Back to Tashkent fly from Urgench, Khiva's neighbouring city. In town walk and use Yandex Go taxis.

Where to stay

Two nights each in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara — in the centre or by the old town — and a night in Khiva, inside Itchan Kala or next to it: mornings and evenings there are nearly free of groups.

Uzbekistan in 5 or 10 days

Five days — drop the second Tashkent day and Khiva: Tashkent, two days in Samarkand and two in Bukhara. Ten — add a day each in Khiva and Bukhara for the Khorezm fortresses and the surroundings. Every city has its own 1- and 2-day itineraries.

How to do it right

  • Afrosiyob tickets sell out — book them in advance.
  • Carry cash in sum: bazaars, taxis and small desks do not always take cards.
  • For mosques and mausoleums cover shoulders and knees; women need a headscarf.
  • Uzbekistan uses the sum (UZS). Cards work in the cities, but bazaars, taxis and small ticket desks prefer cash. Many monument prices are unofficial — check at the desk.
  • Start early in summer and rest in the afternoon heat.

Questions

What is a good Uzbekistan itinerary for 7 days?

Tashkent — Samarkand — Bukhara — Khiva: two days in each of the first three cities and one in Khiva.

Where should I start?

In Tashkent: almost all international flights arrive there. Finish in Khiva and fly out of Urgench.

Can I travel around Uzbekistan independently?

Yes: trains between the cities, walking and taxis in town.

How long is the train from Tashkent to Samarkand?

About 2–2.5 hours on the fast Afrosiyob train.

How do I get from Bukhara to Khiva?

By train or car, 6–7 hours.

What can I see in Uzbekistan in 5 days?

A day in Tashkent and two each in Samarkand and Bukhara.

What is the best time to go?

Spring and autumn. Summer days are very hot, winter is cold but quiet.

Is it good with kids?

Yes: walks in the old towns are short, and under-7s get into many sites free.

Do I need a guide?

No, but in Samarkand and Bukhara a guide helps you understand the monuments.

What currency is used?

Uzbekistan uses the sum (UZS). Cards work in the cities, but bazaars, taxis and small ticket desks prefer cash. Many monument prices are unofficial — check at the desk.

Sources and fact-check

  • Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
  • Uzbekistan Railways: Afrosiyob trains
  • Wikipedia: Itchan Kala, Registan, Historic Centre of Bukhara
YesGo editorial team ·
How we checkedEach day is a YesGo city itinerary for 1–2 days: the main places, the order with the least walking, lunch. Transfers are rough travel times; check train and flight schedules before you go.

Cities on this route