Afrosiyob train: Tashkent — Samarkand — Bukhara

Afrosiyob is a Talgo high-speed train on Tashkent — Samarkand — Bukhara (and return). Speeds up to 250 km/h with air-conditioned carriages.

It replaced slow overnight trains for most tourists and is the backbone of the classic Uzbekistan route.

Tashkent → Samarkand — about 2 h 25–35 min. Samarkand → Bukhara — about 1.5–1 h 50 min. Departures morning, afternoon and evening — frequency varies by season and leg; check railway.uz or eticket.railway.uz for current schedules.

Schedules change — verify before travel. Allow 30–60 minutes for hotel-to-station transfers when planning.

Official site eticket.railway.uz — register, pick a train, pay by card. Station counters are an alternative but sell out in season.

Tip: book 1–2 weeks ahead; in April–May and September–October even earlier. Passport details must match your document exactly.

Economy — standard seats, fine for most travellers. Business — more space, better catering. VIP — top comfort, fewer seats.

All classes have AC, power outlets and a dining car with tea and snacks. Luggage fits on overhead racks and designated areas.

In Tashkent, departures are from Toshkent Markaziy (Central) and/or Toshkent Janubiy (South) — your ticket shows the station. Samarkand station is in town — 15–30 minutes to the centre by taxi. Bukhara station is often at Kagan (~12–15 km from the old city) — allow ~20–30 minutes to the historic centre.

NarminTour packages usually include hotel — station — hotel transfers. Your guide handles logistics so you do not chase taxis at departure time.

On Classic Uzbekistan, Magnificent Samarkand 3 nights and Treasures of Uzbekistan 4 days rail legs are built into the programme.

You fly in — NarminTour moves you between cities while you focus on Registan and the medressas.