Your 15 Biggest Samarkand Questions, Answered by Someone Who's Been
Samarkand is having a moment. After years of obscurity (quick — can you find Uzbekistan on a map?), the Silk Road's most magnificent city is suddenly on every "underrated destinations" list. But with the attention comes a flood of questions from travelers who've never been to Central Asia.
I've fielded these questions from dozens of friends and followers. Here are the real answers.
Getting There & Visas
Q: Do Americans/Europeans need a visa for Uzbekistan?
No. Citizens of 90+ countries — including the USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan — get visa-free entry for up to 30 days. No pre-registration, no invitation letter. Just show up with a valid passport (3+ months validity). For other nationalities, e-Visa at e-visa.gov.uz costs $20 and is processed in 2 days.
Q: How do I get to Samarkand from Tashkent?
Take the Afrosiyob bullet train. It's 2 hours 10 minutes, costs $7-12 depending on class, runs 2-4 times daily, and is modern, clean, and punctual. Book at uzrailway.uz or at the station. In peak season, book 2-3 days ahead.
Alternatively, shared taxis from Tashkent cost $3-5 per seat but take 4-5 hours. I'd take the train.
Q: Can I fly directly to Samarkand?
Samarkand International Airport (SKD) has domestic flights from Tashkent and limited international routes (mostly CIS countries and Turkey). For most Western travelers, flying into Tashkent and taking the train is easier.
Safety & Comfort
Q: Is Samarkand safe?
Very safe. Uzbekistan has one of the lowest tourist crime rates in the world. I walked around at night without concern. Petty theft exists but is uncommon. The main safety issue is the heat in summer (July-August, 38-42°C) — heatstroke is a real risk if you're walking between monuments.
Q: What about the political situation?
Stable. Uzbekistan has been undergoing significant reforms since 2016. Tourism infrastructure is improving rapidly. The government actively encourages tourism. You won't encounter political issues as a tourist.
Q: Do I need to register with the police?
Yes, but hotels handle this automatically. When you check in, the hotel registers you with OVIR (migration police) and gives you a registration slip. Keep every slip for your entire trip. At the airport on departure, officials may ask to see your slips for every night. Missing nights can technically result in fines.
If staying at a homestay or Airbnb, the host must register you. Confirm this when booking.
Money
Q: How cheap is Samarkand really?
Astoundingly cheap. A guesthouse runs $12-24/night. Entrance to the Registan (Central Asia's most iconic monument) costs $3.20. The best plov in the country costs $2. A full day of sightseeing — entrance fees, meals, transport, and a guide — costs under $30.
A comfortable daily budget is $25-40 including everything.
Q: Can I use credit cards?
At hotels and some restaurants, yes (Visa/Mastercard). But many shops, bazaars, and smaller eateries are cash-only. ATMs dispense Uzbekistani Som (UZS) but can run out in smaller cities.
Bring USD or EUR cash and exchange at official exchange offices ("Obmen Valyuty" signs). Rates are good and consistent. Never change money with people on the street.
Q: How much cash should I carry?
For 3 days in Samarkand, bring $100-150 in cash as backup. Exchange as you go — $20-30 at a time is fine. One USD equals approximately 12,500 UZS (check current rates).
Sightseeing
Q: What are the must-see monuments?
Five essentials, in my recommended order:
Registan Square — three madrasas, turquoise tilework, 40,000 UZS entry
Shah-i-Zinda — avenue of mausoleums with the most exquisite tiles in Central Asia, 25,000 UZS
Gur-e-Amir — Tamerlane's tomb with jade slab and gold interior, 25,000 UZS
Bibi-Khanym Mosque — once the world's largest mosque, 25,000 UZS
Ulugh Beg Observatory — 15th-century astronomical site, 25,000 UZS
Plus Siab Bazaar (free) for the bread, dried fruits, and suzani textiles.
All of these can be covered in 2 full days. Allow a third day for a slower pace and deeper exploration.
Q: Is a guide worth it?
Absolutely. The Registan without context is a beautiful building. The Registan with context — the political rivalries encoded in the tilework, the astronomical precision of Ulugh Beg's madrasa, the story of Sher-Dor's controversial animal imagery — is a revelation.
Guides charge 80,000-120,000 UZS (~$6.40-9.60) for a half-day. Worth every som.
Q: What about the Registan light show?
Every evening at 8PM (summer), the Registan facades are illuminated with a projection show set to music. It's free to watch from outside the square. Is it cheesy? A little. Is it also genuinely moving, watching 600-year-old walls shift through colors while traditional music fills the square? Yes. Go.
Food & Culture
Q: What should I eat?
You must eat plov. Not want to. Must. Samarkand plov — rice pilaf with lamb, carrots, chickpeas, and raisins — is the definitive version. The Plov Center on Karimov Street cooks from a massive cauldron and serves until the pot is empty (usually around 2PM). A plate costs $1.60-2.40.
Also try: non (flatbread from Siab Bazaar, $0.24-0.40), lagman (pulled noodle soup), manty (steamed dumplings), and shashlik (grilled meat skewers).
Q: Can I drink alcohol?
Yes. Uzbekistan is a Muslim-majority country, but alcohol is widely available. Beer and wine in restaurants, vodka at shops. The local beer (Sarbast, Pulsar) is decent. Drinking in public or being visibly drunk is frowned upon.
Tashkent to Samarkand: 2h train. Samarkand to Bukhara: 1.5h train. Bukhara to Khiva: 7h train or 30-minute flight.
Allow 8-10 days for the full circuit. It's one of the best-value historic itineraries in the world.
Q: How many days do I need in Samarkand?
2 days minimum. 3 days ideal. Day 1: Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym, Siab Bazaar. Day 2: Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Plov Center, evening Registan revisit. Day 3: Slower exploration, Afrosiab Museum, paper-making workshop, or just wandering.
