13-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a dream destination for backpackers who want to travel back in time without breaking the bank. By utilizing the extensive Soviet-era train network, staying in social hostels, and indulging in delicious street-side samsas, you can experience world-class architecture for less than the cost of a daily coffee in London or New York.
This 13-day route takes you through the 'Golden Triangle' of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, while keeping costs low by focusing on free walking tours, local markets, and public transport. Prepare for incredible hospitality and some of the most stunning Islamic architecture on the planet.
Day 1: Tashkent - Arrival & The Great Metro Tour
Arrival at TAS Airport
Clear immigration and grab a local SIM card. Use the official taxi desk or the Yandex Go app for the cheapest rates to your hostel.
Chorsu Bazaar Lunch
Head to the 'Obshorka' (food court) at Chorsu Bazaar. Grab a massive plate of Plov or a fresh Tandir Samsa for less than $1.50.
Tashkent Metro Exploration
Spend the afternoon riding the metro. For the price of one ticket ($0.15), you can visit stunning stations like Kosmonavtlar and Alisher Navoi.
Independence Square (Mustaqillik Maydoni)
Walk through the massive fountains and monuments of the city center. It is free and beautifully lit up at night.
Day 2: Tashkent - Modern History & Local Vibe
Minor Mosque
Visit the 'White Mosque' on the banks of the Ankhor Canal. It is a peaceful, free-entry site that showcases modern Uzbek architecture.
Memorial to the Victims of Repression
A somber but beautiful park and museum complex located near the Tashkent TV Tower.
Plov Center (Besh Qozon)
Witness giant cauldrons cooking thousands of portions of Uzbekistan’s national dish. A full meal here is incredibly cheap and filling.
Magic City Park
A quirky, free-entry theme park area with a replica of a Disney castle. Great for people-watching and free evening entertainment.
Day 3: Tashkent to Samarkand - Journey to the Silk Road
Morning Train to Samarkand
Take the 'Sharq' or 'Afrosiyob' train. The Sharq is slower but much cheaper for those on a strict budget.
Hostel Check-in
Drop your bags at a budget-friendly spot near the Registan to save on local transport costs.
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
The final resting place of Tamerlane. The gold-leaf interior is breathtaking and very affordable to enter.
Registan Night Light Show
You don't need to pay for a ticket to see the Registan illuminated at night from the public viewing platform.
Day 4: Samarkand - Ancient Wonders
Registan Square Exploration
Pay the entrance fee early in the morning to beat the crowds at the three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg, Tilya-Kori, and Sher-Dor.
Siyob Bazaar
Buy local Samarkand bread (Non) and halva for a cheap picnic lunch while exploring the stalls.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world. The scale of the ruins is immense and perfect for photography.
Shah-i-Zinda (Avenue of Mausoleums)
A stunning necropolis with the most intricate blue tilework in Central Asia. Go late for the best lighting.
Day 5: Samarkand - Hidden Gems & Outskirts
Ulugh Beg Observatory
See where a medieval king mapped the stars. It is located on a hill with a great view of the city.
Tomb of the Prophet Daniel
An unusual 18-meter long sarcophagus located in a scenic spot by the Siyob river.
Afrosiyob Museum & Hill
Walk the ancient mounds of the original Samarkand city and see the famous 7th-century frescoes.
Local Mahalla Walk
Wander through the residential alleys (Mahallas) behind the Registan for an authentic look at local life.
Day 6: Samarkand to Bukhara - Entering the Desert
Morning Train to Bukhara
The train journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Watch the landscape change into a dry desert steppe.
Lyabi-Hauz Plaza
The heart of old Bukhara. Sit by the ancient pond and enjoy the shade of mulberry trees that are hundreds of years old.
Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah
Famous for the mosaic of two phoenixes on its facade. It is free to view from the outside.
Dinner at a Tea House
Sip green tea and eat Manti (dumplings) for a few dollars in the historic center.
Day 7: Bukhara - The Heart of the Silk Road
Po-i-Kalyan Complex
The most iconic site in Bukhara, featuring the Kalyan Minaret, which was so impressive that Genghis Khan spared it.
The Ark of Bukhara
A massive 5th-century fortress. Walking around the high exterior walls is free and offers great scale for photos.
Bolo Haouz Mosque
Known as the 'Mosque of 40 Columns' because of its reflection in the water. It is free and stunningly carved.
Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum
Visit the 'Job's Well' museum, known for its unusual conical dome and sacred spring water.
Day 8: Bukhara - Trading Domes & Artisans
Chor Minor
A tiny, four-towered gatehouse tucked away in a residential neighborhood. It is one of the most photogenic spots in town.
Bukhara Trading Domes
Explore Toqi Sarrofon and Toqi Zargaron. While shopping is expensive, window shopping and soaking in the history is free.
Samanid Mausoleum
A masterpiece of early Islamic architecture made of intricate brickwork. Located in a pleasant park.
Puppet Show Workshop
Visit a local workshop where traditional puppets are made. Many offer free demonstrations of the craft.
Day 9: Bukhara to Khiva - The Kyzylkum Desert Crossing
Train to Khiva
This is a long 6-7 hour journey across the desert. Book the 'Platskart' class for the most authentic and cheapest experience.
Arrival in Khiva
The train station is a short walk or a very cheap taxi ride to the ancient walled city, Itchan Kala.
Sunset Walk on the Walls
Pay for the Itchan Kala ticket (valid for 2 days) and climb the walls for a panoramic view of the mud-brick city.
Itchan Kala by Night
The old city feels like a movie set once the day trippers leave. It is incredibly safe and quiet.
Day 10: Khiva - An Open-Air Museum
Kalta Minor Minaret
The iconic turquoise-tiled fat minaret. It was meant to be the tallest in the world but was never finished.
Juma Mosque
Features 213 carved wooden columns. The atmosphere inside is dark, cool, and ancient.
Lunch: Shivit Oshi
Try Khiva’s specialty—bright green dill noodles—at a local eatery outside the main gates for better prices.
Kunya-Ark Citadel
Explore the 'Old Fortress' and the throne room. The view from the watchtower (additional fee) is the best in Khiva.
Day 11: Khiva - Palaces & Pahlavans
Pahlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum
The holiest site in Khiva with a beautiful courtyard and stunning turquoise tiling. It's a place of local pilgrimage.
Tash-Hauli Palace
See the harem quarters and the elaborate stone carving and tilework of this 19th-century palace.
Nurullabay Palace
Located slightly outside the main walls, this palace features a blend of Russian and Oriental styles.
Souvenir Bargaining
Khiva is famous for camel wool socks and wood carvings. Bargain hard at the stalls near the West Gate.
Day 12: Khiva to Tashkent - The Great Return
Last Morning in Itchan Kala
Revisit your favorite spots or climb the Islam Khoja Minaret for one last look at the desert city.
Local Khwarezm Lunch
Eat like a local at the bazaar near the North Gate—try the Tukhum Barak (egg-filled dumplings).
Evening Night Train
Board the long-distance overnight train back to Tashkent. This saves you the cost of one night's accommodation.
Train Socializing
The Platskart wagon is the best place to meet locals and share stories (and food) with fellow travelers.
Day 13: Tashkent - Final Souvenirs & Farewell
Arrival in Tashkent
Drop your bags at a luggage locker at the station or a nearby hostel for a few hours.
Navoi Theater
Admire the architecture of the National Opera and Ballet Theater. The square and fountain outside are beautiful.
Central Asian Plov Center
One last legendary meal. If you missed it on Day 2, now is the time to eat the best Plov in the country.
Departure to Airport
Head to Tashkent International for your flight home. Use Yandex Go for a fixed, low price.
Best Time to Visit Uzbekistan
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during the shoulder seasons of Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to early November). During these periods, the weather is pleasantly warm, making it ideal for walking through ancient cities. Summer (June to August) can be brutally hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F), while Winter can be surprisingly cold and snowy, though it offers the lowest prices for budget travelers.
Currency & Money
The currency is the Uzbek Som (UZS). While credit cards are increasingly accepted in major hotels and restaurants in Tashkent, Uzbekistan remains a cash-heavy society, especially for budget travelers. ATMs are widely available in cities, but it is wise to carry US Dollars in pristine condition to exchange at banks for the best rates. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill in small local cafes is appreciated.
Getting Around Uzbekistan
Trains are the best way to travel between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. The Afrosiyob high-speed train is the most comfortable, while the Sharq and night trains are better for those on a tight budget. For shorter distances or routes not covered by rail, shared taxis are the standard; you negotiate a price for a seat in a car heading to your destination. Within cities, the Tashkent Metro is world-famous and cheap, while Yandex Go is the go-to app for affordable taxi rides.
