Town in Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan
Khiva
A small walled desert city of mud-brick walls and blue minarets, best as a one- or two-night stop. Very walkable and photogenic; tourist-priced and slow, and extremely hot in summer.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$466–762Comfortable, one person · so'm5.5M–9MDetails
- Value for money97/100Better value than 96% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 39°CDetails
- Internet94 MbpsFixed broadband, Uzbekistan medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap everywhere.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Getting aroundYandex GoVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashHotels may take cards but small guesthouses, cafés and taxis want cash.Details
Where to stay in Khiva
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Itchan Kala (inner walled city) | Guesthouses inside the walls, evening atmosphere, walkable |
| Dishan Kala (outer town) | Cheaper homestays and local life outside the walls |
Apps that work in Khiva
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Yandex Go | Works in Khiva and Urgench; fixed prices |
- Maps: Yandex Maps or 2GIS
- Messaging: Telegram
- Taxis: Taxis are informal; agree a price before getting in or use Yandex Go from Urgench airport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Uzbekistan.
- Mostly cash Hotels may take cards but small guesthouses, cafés and taxis want cash. Withdraw soum before arriving.
- Currency: Som (UZS). US$1 ≈ so'm11,813.00 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs taking foreign cards are common in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, some dispensing dollars; scarcer in smaller towns.
- Tipping: Restaurants often add a 10–15% service charge; check the bill. Otherwise rounding up is enough.
- Paying by phone: Payme and Click need an Uzbek card; contactless foreign cards work where Visa or Mastercard is accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities are visa-free; others use the official e-visa at e-visa.gov.uz, applying at least three days ahead.
- You must be registered within 3 days of arrival: hotels and hostels do it automatically; private stays register online (e-mehmon).
- Keep hotel registration slips or e-receipts; unregistered nights can lead to fines.
Emergency numbers
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Ucell, Beeline and Mobiuz sell SIMs with a passport at their offices in cities; data packages are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Uzbekistan
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.