City in Samarqand Region, Uzbekistan
Samarkand
Uzbekistan's best-known Silk Road city, with the Registan and Shah-i-Zinda. Great for 2–3 days of sightseeing; tourist crowds and heat in summer, but easy to reach by train.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$550–931Comfortable, one person · so'm6.5M–11MDetails
- Value for money93/100Better value than 92% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 37°CDetails
- Internet94 MbpsFixed broadband, Uzbekistan medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap everywhere.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$17–38Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYandex GoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, better restaurants and shops; bazaars, taxis and small cafés want cash.Details
Where to stay in Samarkand
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Near the Registan and Tashkent Street | Walkable sights, guesthouses and restaurants |
| Old town near Bibi-Khanym | Budget hostels and local life, bazaar nearby |
| Around the railway station | Practical for early trains; fewer sights |
Apps that work in Samarkand
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Yandex Eats | Works in the main city |
| Uzum Tezkor | Local delivery app |
- Maps: Yandex Maps or 2GIS
- Messaging: Telegram
- Taxis: Use Yandex Go; unofficial taxi drivers at the station often quote double. Short hops in the old town are best done on foot.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Uzbekistan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, better restaurants and shops; bazaars, taxis and small cafés want cash.
- 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
Going to Samarkand solo?
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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.