Capital city, Uzbekistan
Tashkent
Central Asia's easiest city for first-timers: cheap, fast Afrosiyob trains south, Soviet metro, great plov and growing cafés. Heat, winter smog and uneven English are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$762–1,270Comfortable, one person · so'm9M–15MDetails
- Value for money76/100Better value than 75% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 38°CDetails
- Air quality42 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet94 MbpsFixed broadband, Uzbekistan medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$21–51Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYandex GoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashVisa and Mastercard work in malls, hotels and many restaurants; cash for bazaars, taxis and small shops.Details
Where to stay in Tashkent
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Mirabad and Yunusabad | Cafés, offices, quiet streets, good for longer stays |
| Amir Timur Square area | Central hotels, metro and restaurants |
| Chilanzar | Cheaper flats, local life, near the metro |
| Old City near Chorsu Bazaar | Budget hostels and street food |
Apps that work in Tashkent
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uzum Tezkor | Main local delivery app |
| Yandex Eats | Restaurants and groceries |
- Maps: Yandex Maps or 2GIS
- Messaging: Telegram
- Taxis: Street cabs have no meters; agree the price first or use an app. Many private cars act as taxis.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Uzbekistan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Visa and Mastercard work in malls, hotels and many restaurants; cash for bazaars, taxis and small shops. Carry some Uzbek soum.
- 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 Tashkent 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.