A brief history of railways in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s railway history dates back to the late 19th century, when the Russian Empire expanded into Central Asia. In 1888, the first railway line on what is now Uzbek territory was inaugurated, linking the Caspian Sea port to Samarkand via Tashkent. Rail transport quickly became a strategic tool, designed to connect a vast continental territory characterized by long distances and desert regions.
During the Soviet era, the network expanded significantly. It played a key role in freight transport as well as in territorial planning and control. After independence in 1991, Uzbekistan regained full control of its railway infrastructure, now operated by the state-owned company Uzbekistan Railways (Oʻzbekiston Temir Yoʻllari). Unlike in some neighboring countries, the rail network was not neglected; it has instead been steadily modernized and consolidated.
Today, Uzbekistan has nearly 4,000 kilometers of railway lines, a significant portion of which are electrified. Rail remains a central component of national logistics and a growing driver of tourism, offering a reliable and practical alternative to long road journeys.
A rail network shaped around the Silk Road cities
Train travel in Uzbekistan is organized around a few clear corridors linking the country’s main historic cities. Tashkent, the capital, serves as the primary rail hub. From there, lines radiate toward Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva (via Urgench), as well as toward southern and eastern regions that are less visited but economically active.
This structure makes rail travel particularly well suited to cultural itineraries, with manageable distances and direct connections between major historical centers.
Afrosiyob: high-speed rail in Central Asia
Uzbekistan was the first country in Central Asia to introduce a true high-speed rail service. The Afrosiyob trains, built by the Spanish manufacturer Talgo and launched in 2011, reach speeds of up to 210 km/h (130 mph). They operate between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, and on some services extend to Karshi.
Onboard comfort is high, with air conditioning, spacious seating, multiple travel classes, and on certain trains a dining car. In just a few hours, passengers travel from the broad avenues of the capital to the historic heart of Samarkand. Train travel in Uzbekistan thus combines modern efficiency with access to some of the most important cities of the Silk Road.
Bukhara–Khiva: a key rail link for tourism
For many years, the historic city of Khiva was difficult to reach by public transport. A direct rail connection from Bukhara has now changed this. Introduced as part of a regional tourism development program, this service runs several times a week in each direction.
The journey takes approximately 5½ hours and crosses the Amu Darya River and the desert landscapes of the Kyzylkum. It provides a practical alternative to road travel or domestic flights, which can be more time-consuming or less predictable. This route appeals to independent travelers as well as organized groups, particularly during peak travel periods.
Conventional trains and local life
Alongside high-speed services, conventional trains remain essential to the network. They serve secondary cities, operate both day and night, and are widely used by local residents. Night trains are still available on certain long-distance routes, offering a practical solution in a geographically large country.
Traveling on these trains provides direct social immersion. Families, traders, students, and pilgrims share the same space. Stations are lively transit points, and the train remains a central collective space in everyday life.
Reading the country from the train window
Uzbekistan’s railways cross highly contrasting landscapes: irrigated agricultural plains, desert regions, Soviet-era urban areas, and historic oasis cities. This geographical continuity makes distances tangible and reveals regional transitions and settlement patterns.
For this reason, train travel in Uzbekistan offers a concrete understanding of the country that is difficult to achieve through other modes of transport.
Rail travel and Uzbekistan’s major cultural sites
The railway network serves many of Uzbekistan’s most important cultural landmarks. Tashkent, modern and spacious, is a natural gateway. Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is connected to the capital in just over two hours. Bukhara offers a deep immersion into Central Asian Islamic architecture, while Khiva, enclosed by its mud-brick walls, preserves an urban fabric closely tied to the caravan era.
Together, these four cities form the backbone of a well-balanced train travel itinerary in Uzbekistan, combining cultural heritage with geographical coherence.
Practical rail facts about Uzbekistan
- Afrosiyob trains are among the fastest ever operated in Central Asia.
- Many stations retain monumental architecture from the Soviet period.
- Access to platforms is controlled, with systematic ticket and ID checks.
- Distances between cities feel very different when experienced by train across such a vast country.
Why choose train travel in Uzbekistan?
Train travel in Uzbekistan allows travelers to efficiently connect the major Silk Road cities while maintaining a coherent reading of the territory. It reduces long road transfers, limits reliance on domestic flights, and offers consistent comfort.
For culturally focused journeys, where the route itself contributes to understanding the country, the train remains one of the most relevant ways to explore Uzbekistan in its historical and human depth.
