Uzbekistan Train Booking Guide 2026: Afrosiyob Tickets

When planning a trip to Uzbekistan, the must-visit cities on almost every traveler's itinerary are

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

While domestic flights are an option for moving between these historic Silk Road hubs,

traveling by train is by far the most efficient, comfortable,

and scenic way to get around.

01 Booking Your Uzbekistan Train Tickets Online

https://eticket.railway.uz/en/home

O'zbekiston temir yo'llari | Official Train Booking Site

Make sure to book directly through the official Uzbekistan Railways website!

The very first thing you need to do

is switch the language setting to English (EN) at the top right.

Unless you're fluent in Uzbek or Russian, the default landing page can be quite confusing.

Switching to English makes navigating the portal a breeze.

Once that's done, select your departure station, destination, and travel date.

Major tourist hubs like Tashkent, Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, and Nukus

are handily pinned right at the top of the dropdown list for easy selection.

Select your departure, destination, date, and hit search!

This is the search result page for a train from Tashkent to Samarkand.

When I first looked at this, I thought all the good times were just sold out,

but the departure time wasn't actually the main issue here.

Number 1 shows the Train Type,

and Number 2 shows the Seat Class.

Uzbekistan trains generally fall into three categories:

1. Afrosiyob (High-Speed bullet train)

2. Sharq (Express/Regular regional train)

3. Sleeper trains (Soviet-style long-distance trains)

You should absolutely try to book the Afrosiyob if you can.

Notice how all the fully booked trains in the search results are the Afrosiyob?

If you have the option, always go with the Afrosiyob.

02 Choosing Your Seats and Train Classes

Afrosiyob Seat Map & Selection

You can choose between Economy, Business, and VIP class cars.

Make sure to check the travel direction of the train

so you don't accidentally book a backward-facing seat!

The Afrosiyob is Uzbekistan's premier high-speed bullet train,

comparable to Europe's high-speed rail networks.

It offers the shortest travel times

and is incredibly modern, clean, and comfortable.

Highly recommended if you can secure a seat.

Afrosiyob Ticket Prices (Tashkent–Samarkand, as of July 2026)
VIP: ~$49 (619,000 UZS)
Business Class: ~$36 (450,000 UZS)
Economy Class: ~$23 (294,000 UZS)

*Prices vary by route and change with exchange rates. Check the official site for current fares. 

Sharq (Regular Regional Train) Seat Map

If you are traveling solo on the Sharq train,

look for the isolated single seats rather than double seats.

It makes for a much more comfortable journey.

Do not book a double seat hoping the seat next to you will stay empty.

These trains are almost always fully booked.

During my three separate train journeys in Uzbekistan,

I did not see a single empty seat.

Sharq Ticket Prices

Standard Seat: ~$13

*Prices are approximate and subject to change based on exchange rates and booking time.

Sleeper Train Cabin Layouts

Sleeper trains offer three main compartment types:

For the Coupe cabins, make sure you double-check the level selection.

The lower berths and upper berths are clearly marked on the booking screen,

so choose according to your preference.

The lower berth (1st level) has easy access to power outlets

which is great for keeping your phone charged.

The upper berth (2nd level) offers a bit more privacy

and dedicated overhead luggage storage space,

though you do have to climb up and down.

Choose the setup that best fits your travel style!

Sleeper Train Ticket Prices

SV (2-Berth): ~$24

Coupe (4-Berth): ~$14

Sleeper (Open-Plan): ~$11

*Prices are approximate and subject to change based on exchange rates and booking time.

03 Entering Details and Making Payment

Fill in your first name, last name, date of birth, and gender.

For the "Document Type" field, scroll down to the very bottom

and select "Foreign Document," then enter your passport number!

Your passport number will be printed directly on your ticket,

and train staff will cross-reference it with your actual passport upon boarding.

Double-check to make sure there are no typos!

A final confirmation screen will display your entered details.

Give it one last look!

Select your credit card type and complete the payment process.

04 Accessing and Using Your E-Tickets

You can view all your booked tickets under your account's booking history.

The most important rule: Keep your tickets handy!

Before boarding any train, conductors stand at the carriage doors

and manually check every single passenger's boarding pass.

You can print out a physical copy

or download the PDF directly onto your phone or tablet.

Here is a sample E-ticket!

This ticket shows a departure on October 6 at 8:40 AM

from Tashkent, arriving in Samarkand at 11:45 AM.

It is for Car 3, Seat 42.

The main details you need to keep track of are

the departure time, train number, and seat number.

05 Essential Tips for Booking Uzbekistan Trains

As soon as you finalize your Uzbekistan travel itinerary, booking your trains should be your top priority.

This is the absolute golden rule!

The booking window opens around 45 to 60 days before departure
(it varies by route and season, so check both).
Set an alarm and book the moment it opens
to lock in those coveted Afrosiyob high-speed tickets and prime seats.
(As of July 2026 — confirm the exact window on the official site before you plan.)

Otherwise, you might plan for a quick bullet train ride

only to end up on a long, slow regional train...

Yes, I'm speaking from experience!

⬇️Check out my Uzbekistan train riding experience below⬇️

Tashkent to Samarkand Train Review: Riding Uzbekistan's High-Speed Rail