This November 2022 guide to how to buy the Uzbekistan train ticket has the following sections:
- different train and class types
- how to buy a train ticket on the Uzbekistan Railways (UR) in person or using the UR map
- how to convert the app to English (do it first!)
- arriving for your train at the station.
Best trains in Central Asia
Congratulations, you have decided to ride on the best trains in Central Asia. Uzbekistan has invested heavily in the new trains and renovated the tracks. The current journeys are comfortable, clean, and with speeds up to 250 km/h. Much more comfortable and faster than buses, (shared) taxis or marshrutkas. They are the top choice unless there is a direct flight connection (e.g., Urgench for Khiva).
Trains leave and depart from stations located in central locations. The stations are excellent. They are clean with clearly-displayed schedules. Toilets are clean and free. Staff is helpful. Security is tight. Although, no wifi in the trains, but let’s not be too fastidious.
Which train and carriage
When purchasing a ticket, there are options regarding (a) the train type and (b) class of travel.
(a) Train type
Broadly speaking, the UR trains may be divided into the modern Afrosiyob and the old Sharq / “Passenger” carriages. The Afrosyob is using the European-manufactured Talgo. It is modern with supreme air-conditioning (not to be underestimated if traveling on a Sharq in the summer in Uzbekistan). In economy and business, they have an open-carriage design with no individual compartments.
Sharq is using the older (Soviet era?) technology with weak or no air-conditioning and is considerably slower. Whereas an Afrosiyob from Tashkent to Samarkand takes 2 hours, a Sharq needs 3 and a slower “passenger” train even 4.
(b) Class of travel
There are a few classes of travel to choose from. This depends on the distance and the comfort level you prefer. You can purchase a regular seat in:
(a) economy (2+2 seating arrangement on Afrosiyob) or business (2+1 on Afrosiyob trains),
(b) “platzkartnyi” (lying beds in an open carriage with no individual compartments),
(c) coupe (or couchette, individual compartments with 4 beds),
(d) Lux (individual compartments with 2 beds) or Grand (individual compartments with 2 beds, and private shower and toilet).
On longer distances lying bed options are popular and might be sold out early, especially in September.
Interestingly, the Afrosiyob trains are not much more expensive than the slower Sharq or Passenger trains.
Uzbekistan train tickets selling out quickly
Accordingly, the Afrosiyob trains are selling out quickly in the second half of August and September with the declining temperatures and increasing tourist numbers. It is also not uncommon not to see ANY tickets available on any train (Afrosyob, Sharq or Passenger) in this timeframe within the next week.
I have not read any written confirmation, but there seems to exist a late release of tickets (even on Afrosiyob) a day earlier. I have seen suddenly 20-40 Afrosiyob economy tickets becoming available the day before. In short, even if there are no train tickets available, please do not despair and don’t book a cramped bus or shared taxi yet. There might well be a last-minute release for your train. Secondly, there is always time to go to the marshrutka station or look for an enthusiastic taxi driver, and go through the usual delightful negotiation process.
Train hospitality
The final thought on the class of travel. During longer rides in “platzkartnyi”, coupe (“kupe”), Lux or Grand, you will probably meet your fellow passengers. Some of them in a lot of detail. Or, probably more precisely, your fellow passengers will learn a lot about you. Your profession, family, marital status, your trip in Uzbekistan (and any other Central Asian countries), what you liked or disliked, etc. Sometimes it feels too much and some of those questions would not be asked back at home. However, it seems this is a genuine interest as it is not common to have a chance to talk with a foreigner for a few hours.
In other words, hours of conversations. There will always be someone with (some) English, who will want to talk to you with several others listening to the translation. You will be a unique specie, especially on a slower Sharq or Passenger train.
As part of the Central Asian hospitality, you will probably be drinking dozens cups of tea, munching on excellent local snacks, and nodding understandably to an older grandmother speaking to you directly in Uzbek.
In other words, traveling by train is a cultural experience and a unique way to meet non-tourists. By the time you disembark, you will be well-fed and well-informed where to go / eat / sleep in excruciating detail.
And if you are lucky, you might even be invited home to tea. This always seems to end with a full-blown meal deliciously cooked at home.
How to buy a Uzbekistan train ticket?
You can purchase a ticket either at the station office (“КАССА”), on the UR website or on the UR app. The app is excellent. It has clearly defined trains with available seats and corresponding prices per class per day. It did not crash for me once, accepts credit cards, and can be set to English.
Convert UR app to English first
A technical comment how to convert the UR app to English. It is well hidden and the default language is Russian.
Click on the “Others” tab (first on the right, “Eшё” in Russian).
Then click on settings (“Hactpoйки”).
Then language (“Язык”), and finally on “English”.
The alternative is to learn (or at least recognize) the Cyrylic letters, which will be also helpful in restaurants, shops and traveling.
The UR website is below. I found the app easier to use. Also, it stores your ticket offline there. You can show it to the conductor when boarding your train and do NOT have to print it out earlier.
Arrive 30 minutes earlier
Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes earlier than your scheduled departure time. All passengers have to go through the security station and scan all bags and there may be a line. Secondly, trains starting at your destination are usually available for boarding at least 15 minutes earlier. All local passengers will board immediately when the train is available.
Where to go next?
After this introduction to how to buy a Uzbekistan train ticket, the articles below will help.
As you are taking a train in Uzbekistan, you will probably go to Samarkand and Bukhara.
If you will be traveling to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan border at Dostyk will help.
When going to Tajikistan, How to cross the Uzbekistan – Tajikistan border describes the Samarkand-Penjakent border crossing.
