Multi-centreSamarkand & Bukhara
- 5★ hotels in each city
- Direct flights from London Heathrow
- High-speed trains and transfers
From£949per person · 2 sharing
View details
Tashkent & Samarkand
Two nights in Tashkent and two in Samarkand, with 5-star hotels, breakfast, direct flights and the high-speed train between the two.
- 4 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- Direct from London Heathrow
From
£799
per person · 2 sharing
About this holiday
A short first trip to Uzbekistan. Fly direct to Tashkent, take the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand for two nights among its madrasas and mausoleums, then return to Tashkent for your last night and flight home.
The package includes return flights from London Heathrow, 5-star hotels with breakfast, train tickets in both directions and all your transfers. Spend your days at the Registan, the Shah-i-Zinda and the Gur-e-Amir, and finish with Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar and metro.
- Duration
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Board
- Bed & breakfast
- Hotels
- 5★ in both cities
- Flights
- Direct from London Heathrow
- Train
- Afrosiyob high-speed train
- Good for
- Couples, friends, families
5★ hotels in Tashkent and Samarkand
In Tashkent you stay in a 5-star hotel in the city centre. In Samarkand you stay in a 5-star hotel within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the Registan. We confirm the hotels with each quote.
Hotel features
- Breakfast at both hotels
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- 24-hour reception
- Family rooms on request
- Mosques close by in both cities
Times from central hotels
- Registan (Samarkand)approx. 10 mins on foot
- Gur-e-Amir (Samarkand)approx. 15 mins on foot
- Shah-i-Zinda (Samarkand)approx. 10 mins by road
- Samarkand stationapprox. 15 mins by road
- Chorsu Bazaar (Tashkent)approx. 15 mins by road
- Tashkent Airportapprox. 20 mins
Times are approximate and depend on your hotels.
Included in the price
Included
- Return flights from London Heathrow, with checked baggage
- 2 nights in Tashkent and 2 nights in Samarkand, all 5★
- Breakfast every morning
- Afrosiyob train tickets, Tashkent to Samarkand and back
- Airport and station transfers
- ATOL protection under ATOL 10416
- A UK consultant before and during your trip
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Guided tours and entry fees
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Extras such as seat selection or extra baggage
Before you go
Flight time
Approx. 7 hours direct from London Heathrow to Tashkent (TAS), then approx. 2 hours 15 minutes by train to Samarkand.
Time difference
Uzbekistan is 5 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 4 hours ahead in summer. It does not change its clocks.
Money
The currency is the Uzbek som (UZS). Cards are accepted in many hotels and larger shops; carry cash for bazaars, taxis and small cafés.
Visiting mosques
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes where asked. Women may be asked to cover their hair at working mosques and shrines.
Language
Uzbek is the official language and Russian is widely spoken. English is spoken at many hotels and tourist sites, less so elsewhere.
Weather
Samarkand averages around 26–32°C in May and June and 28°C in September. July reaches around 34°C, and winter days are cold, at around 6–9°C.
Day by day
These are suggestions; guided tours and entry fees are not included, but we can add a guide in any city.
- Day 1
Fly to Tashkent
Fly direct from London Heathrow to Tashkent, approx. 7 hours. Flights land in the early hours, so your room is booked from tonight. Your driver takes you to your hotel, approx. 20 minutes.
- Day 2
Train to Samarkand
Take the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand, approx. 2 hours 15 minutes. See the Registan by day, then come back after dark when it is lit up.
- Day 3
Samarkand
Walk the Shah-i-Zinda, visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Siab Bazaar next to it, and finish at the Gur-e-Amir, Timur’s mausoleum.
- Day 4
Back to Tashkent
Take the train back to Tashkent. Visit the Hazrati Imam complex and Chorsu Bazaar, and ride the metro, known for its decorated stations.
- Day 5
Fly home
Breakfast at your hotel, then your transfer to Tashkent Airport for your flight to London.
Questions about this package
How do I get from Tashkent to Samarkand?
By the Afrosiyob high-speed train, approx. 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. Your train tickets and your transfers to and from the stations are included. Trains often sell out, so we book them with your holiday.
Are guided tours included?
No. You’re free to explore at your own pace. We can add an English-speaking guide for a half or full day in Samarkand or Tashkent. Entry fees are paid separately.
Can I add Bukhara?
Yes. Our Samarkand & Bukhara package adds two nights in Bukhara, approx. 1 hour 45 minutes from Samarkand by train. We can also add extra nights in Samarkand.
When is the best time to visit Tashkent and Samarkand?
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months, at around 21–32°C. July and August are hot, and winters are cold but quiet.
Which UK airports can I fly from?
This package is priced with direct Uzbekistan Airways flights from London Heathrow, which run on selected days each week. We can quote connecting flights from other UK airports, and the price may change.
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Multi-centreUzbekistan Silk Road
- 5★ hotels in four cities
- Heathrow flights plus a domestic flight
- Trains and transfers
From£1,249per person · 2 sharing
View details
Questions about this holiday?
Talk to a UK consultant
Call us or send an enquiry, and we’ll check prices for your dates, suggest hotels and change the package to suit you.