This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019ve just spent the last three weeks travelling solo<\/a><\/strong> around Uzbekistan, a destination that had been on my radar for years!<\/p>\n It was around 2019 that I first remember lusting over photos of this incredibly beautiful destination I\u2019d recently started seeing online. <\/p>\n Having now visited, I\u2019m better versed on the history: the country opened to tourism in 2017 after dictator Islam Karimov died (he\u2019d ruled since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989). This explains why it wasn\u2019t on my radar during my first big Asia trip in 2015. Nowadays, I\u2019m meeting travellers visiting the Stans on their way back to Europe from Asia.<\/p>\n I\u2019m so thrilled I\u2019ve finally made it to this part of the world. It\u2019s getting VERY popular, which makes it easy to navigate, but crowded in peak season. I recently met a traveller on his second trip, having first visited in 2017. He said it\u2019s a different world, after being the only Western traveller he met on the first trip.<\/p>\n These days, you can\u2019t expect an unexplored paradise but you CAN expect a fantastic trip. Here\u2019s everything I know, based on my recent experiences\u2026<\/p>\n Absolutely! This is one of the safest destinations I\u2019ve visited. Far safer than major cities in Europe where there\u2019s usually pickpocketing and cat-calling.<\/p>\n During three weeks in Uzbekistan<\/a><\/strong>, I never felt unsafe. I freely checked directions whilst on the street, something that sadly resulted in the loss of my phone in South America!<\/p>\n I think it comes, in part, from Uzbekistan not being especially patriarchal. In some destinations I\u2019ve visited, like India and Egypt, it still feels like a man\u2019s world, and I occasionally felt uneasy at hotels where I was the only woman around. <\/p>\n In Uzbekistan, women work in the service industry and there\u2019s generally a gender balance in public spaces. As a solo woman, this puts me at ease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I still don\u2019t think you\u2019ll encounter any problems.<\/p>\n The main issue you may face is that, in rural areas and local environments like markets, very little English is spoken, and it\u2019s difficult to pick up Uzbek. This could be overwhelming as a first-time solo traveller<\/a><\/strong>. However, you\u2019ll probably be visiting tourist cities like Bukhara and Samarkand, so I don\u2019t think this will be a big problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although it didn\u2019t happen to me, the only negative issue I heard of solo travellers experiencing was their train getting cancelled last minute (after arriving at the station) and having to split extortionate taxis with other travellers, since trains often book out days in advance. <\/p>\n One traveller told me the taxi stopped at a lunch location and she was charged $25 for a simple meal that wasn\u2019t worth more than $5. So, perhaps have a Plan B in case your train is cancelled, and always check prices before ordering, especially if a menu with prices isn\u2019t provided.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This isn\u2019t a destination where you can rock up any time of year! The seasons will impact your trip significantly. Here\u2019s a summary:<\/p>\n Spring<\/strong> (March-May) and autumn\/fall <\/strong>(September-November) are peak season with the most temperate weather. Of course, this also means crowds. You should book in advance to get the best deals on accommodation, and so trains don\u2019t fill up.<\/p>\n Summer <\/strong>(June to August) sees temperatures of 40-50 degrees Celsius, so is considered low season. The exception is early June, when I visited. It was hot (around 35\u00b0) but possible to sightsee early morning and late afternoon. There were barely any crowds, so I actually enjoyed visiting in this season.<\/p>\n I timed my trip this way because I wanted to hike in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan afterwards, but they\u2019re too cold until late June\/early July, so I didn\u2019t want to visit the region any earlier.<\/em><\/p>\n Winter <\/strong>(November-February) \u2013 with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees, this is not a popular time to visit. But if you\u2019re from Europe, you can probably handle the cold, and you\u2019ll definitely escape the crowds!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Here are all the places I visited during my 3-week trip\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although it wasn\u2019t the highlight of my trip to Uzbekistan, I liked Tashkent, potentially as my expectations had been low\u2026 I\u2019d heard other travellers say it wasn\u2019t even worth going.<\/p>\n No, it doesn\u2019t display the same stunning architecture as cities like Bukhara, but I still found it captivating with its mix of Soviet and Islamic details. I loved riding the Tashkent metro <\/a><\/strong>(known as one of the world\u2019s most beautiful), adorned with nods to Soviet space exploration and Uzbek\/Islamic myth. <\/p>\n I\u2019d suggest spending two days in Tashkent, starting with a free walking tour with Donat from Guruwalk<\/a><\/strong>. We got to make our own bread with Uzbek breadmakers in Chorsu Bazaar, an impressive market complex (worth visiting whether or not you take a walking tour).<\/p>\n Donat also offers other donation-based tours focusing on the Soviet details and street art. I wish I\u2019d had time for the latter as I\u2019m a street art fiend<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n Where to stay<\/strong>: I liked Drimin by Sunrise Caravan<\/a><\/strong> in the safe Mirabad area close to nice cafes and quality restaurants. I stayed in a 4-bed female dorm for $13 a night, including breakfast and coffee. It\u2019s just a 20-minute drive from the airport, costing around $1.50 with Yandex.<\/p>\n Where to eat: there are countless places from fine dining to affordable local fare and modern brunch cafes. One of my most memorable meals was at Besh Qozon, serving only the national dish of plov. Pilaf rice, meat, carrots, sultanas and abundant oil simmer in a HUGE pan. Robot waiters bring out your food, highlighting the blend of tradition and tech in Central Asia<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This well-preserved city in Western Uzbekistan is a gem. Some travellers skip it if they\u2019re in a rush because of its location. Admittedly, the attractions you see here are similar to those in Bukhara and Samarkand. However, it\u2019s unique with its Walled City and acts as a jumping-off point for side trips to the Aral Sea.<\/p>\n Despite the 15-hour overnight train ride from Tashkent (I actually slept surprisingly well), I was glad I included Khiva in my itinerary. It\u2019s so beautiful with its minarets and rooftop restaurants, serving regional dishes not found elsewhere in Uzbekistan. <\/p>\n Unlike other cities in Uzbekistan where you pay to visit individual attractions, it works a little differently in Khiva. You buy a ticket for the walled city for around $15, valid for two consecutive days, which includes entry to almost all attractions inside. You can\u2019t enter the main gate without a ticket but you can via the back gate if you simply want to wander around inside.<\/p>\n The two Khiva attractions<\/a><\/strong> not included in the ticket are Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum (an extra 50 Uzbek Som and well worth it) and climbing Islam Khodja Minaret (an extra 100 Uzbek Som and not really worth it in my opinion).<\/p>\n Where to stay<\/strong>: the best hostel is Central Park Hostel<\/strong> <\/a>with a social feel and a generous breakfast. The main guy is lovely and can help organise Aral Sea tours. His parents own the restaurant next door where you can take a cooking class for $50 (split between up to three people). We had fun making and eating the typical Khiva dishes.<\/p>\n What & where to eat in Khiva<\/strong>: typical dishes include shivit oshi (green noodles infused with dill) and dumplings stuffed with pumpkin or egg. Some atmospheric rooftop restaurants to watch sunset include Sultan, Arxi Terrace and Terrassa. Don\u2019t miss Gulshan Market for a local vibe, fresh fruit and epic cakes for bargain prices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although it entails a lot of driving, I valued the chance to visit the fascinating site of one of the world\u2019s worst ecological disasters. The Aral Sea was once our fourth-largest lake, providing a livelihood for thriving fishing communities.<\/p>\n When the Soviet Union diverted feeding rivers to power cotton factories (the most important export of the era), the Aral Sea shrank by 90% within 40 years. Eerie abandoned ships now sit on dry land miles from water.<\/p>\n How to visit the Moynaq ghost ships<\/strong>: travel from Khiva to Nukus by bus or shared taxi. From here, you can take a bus to Moynaq and return the same day.<\/p>\n How to visit the remainder of the Aral Sea<\/strong>: as you need a 4\u00d74, it\u2019s only possible to visit as part of a 2-day tour. I booked one from Nukus for $170pp (based on three people sharing), including Moynaq ghost ships and sleeping in a yurt on the banks of the sea. Expensive but worth it!<\/p>\n I booked this at Central Park Hostel in Khiva where I met some other solo female travellers to split the costs with. The hostel organised a transfer from Khiva to Nukus for us, where we stayed in a hostel the night before the tour.<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong> \u2013 allow time in Nukus to visit the State Museum of Art<\/a><\/strong>, home to 82,000 works of Russian avant-garde art (the world\u2019s second-largest collection with a fascinating story)<\/em>.<\/p>\n The third city I visited in Uzbekistan is just as stunning as Khiva and Samarkand. <\/p>\n Highlights of the UNESCO-protected city include the Ark of Bukhara (a ticket is valid all day, so come back to watch sunset from the terrace), Kalan Minaret (the only original building untouched after Genghis Khan\u2019s raids), Po-i-Kalyan (the main square) and Bolo Hauz Mosque.<\/p>\n Another gorgeous spot is Labi Hovuz where old madrasas circle a peaceful lake. There are outdoor restaurants here but they\u2019re pricey and poor quality, so I recommend just grabbing an ice cream or coffee and eating elsewhere.<\/p>\n On opposite ends of town, you\u2019ll find Chor Minor Monument featured on the front of the Lonely Planet book, and Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the intricate resting place of the Samanid Empire\u2019s king. A quirky find is Bukhara Photo Gallery down a small side street, run by a local family. The bustling, colourful Central Bazaar is also worth a visit. <\/p>\n The Bukhara monuments don\u2019t offer much information, so I recommend doing a free walking tour (find these via GuruWalk) to add context.<\/p>\n Where to stay<\/strong>: I stayed at Derwish Hostel <\/a><\/strong>and can confirm it\u2019s a comfy base with female dorms, a kitchen and excellent breakfasts. Getting there: by fast train, Bukhara is as little as 1.5 hours from Samarkand, 3 hours from Khiva and 4 hours from Tashkent (longer with the cheaper, slow train).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Samarkand is similar to Bukhara and Khiva with its Silk Road heritage, stunning blue architecture and ancient madrasas (Islamic schools teaching maths, science, astronomy, etc).<\/p>\n Registan Square at the heart of the city is simply stunning. A ticket lasts all day so I suggest visiting in the morning or evening (or both) and sitting outside to watch the impressive evening light show. Another place not to miss<\/a><\/strong> is Shah-i-Zinda necropolis (pictured above) with stunning tombs thought to be the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad\u2019s cousin.<\/p>\n The Amir Temur Mausoleum\u00a0is also very impressive, although a bit of a walk from the other Samarkand attractions. Luckily, you can use the Yandex taxi app to get between attractions quickly and cheaply.<\/p>\n Another fun excursion was taking a village tour <\/strong>with Old Radio Hostel (if you stay elsewhere, book it online<\/a><\/strong>). We visited the home of our guide\u2019s uncle, where we saw how locals preserve food for the winter, such as pickling vegetables and making cherries into jam and compote. After sunset on the farm, we had a home-cooked dinner. I also got to ask loads of questions about the culture. <\/p>\n Samarkand is an essential stop if you\u2019re crossing the border to Tajikistan <\/strong>next. I\u2019ll be posting about my adventures there soon.<\/p>\n Where to stay<\/strong>: <\/strong>choose Old Radio Hostel<\/a> <\/strong>for dorms with aircon and privacy curtains, plus 2-course daily breakfasts. They organise excursions like the village tour mentioned.<\/p>\n Where to eat<\/strong>: one of my favourite restaurants is this hidden gem pictured below. Ibrahim Xoja Restaurant<\/a><\/strong> is located in a local\u2019s garden (follow the Google pin linked). For around $5, I had a feast of lagman (beef noodles), a manti dumpling, sides and tea. <\/p>\n For a heathy\/vegetarian meal (something you don\u2019t get much of in Central Asia), don\u2019t miss Samarkind Cafe<\/a><\/strong>. They do great coffee and cakes, too. For an upscale restaurant with the best rooftop views in town, I suggest Emirhan<\/a><\/strong>. I met a fellow blogger friend here for a catch-up. We spent about $25 each (a lot for Uzbekistan) but it was a lovely night with tasty food.<\/p>\n My average daily spend was about $45 a day based on staying mainly in hostels, eating local food, cooking occasionally (usually for health reasons: shopping at supermarkets can be more expensive than eating at modest restaurants) and traveling by train.<\/p>\n Here are some average prices (USD) based on my trip. It\u2019s worth noting I visited in June, just outside of peak season, so your costs may be higher from March-May.<\/p>\n Here are the places I personally stayed and can vouch for\u2026<\/p>\n By train <\/strong>\u2013 this is your main option. There are fast trains and slow trains at different price points, best booked on the Uzbekistan rail website<\/a><\/strong>. If you have any trouble booking, try 12go<\/a><\/strong> instead.<\/p>\n Most of my journeys were in cabins with bunk beds, apart from the 1.5-hour ride from Bukhara to Samarkand which was a fast train with seats rather than bunks. <\/p>\n All my journeys cost around $15, although one was 15 hours and one was 1.5 hours, but I think this was because I had bought the lowest class for one and a fast-train ticket for the other. Generally, I booked my tickets a few days before and bought whatever was available. In peak season, you may need to book further in advance. <\/p>\n Taxi<\/strong> (within cities) \u2013 the Yandex app is a godsend! A 20-minute ride costs around $1.50. <\/p>\n Metro <\/strong>(Tashkent) \u2013 not only is this beautiful but it\u2019s very efficient. You don\u2019t need to buy a travel card; simply tap your bank card to pay. Each journey costs around 12 cents. A bonus is that it has aircon, which is heavenly in the hot summer months. <\/p>\n In smaller cities, I mainly walked everywhere. I saw local buses but never needed to use one. Overall, its very easy to navigate around Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Uzbekistan has the cheapest and most generous data plans I have seen in my life (well, until I got to Kyrgyzstan). I got a package of 180 GB at the airport with Ucell. It was an eSIM but you can opt for a physical SIM if you prefer.<\/p>\n Other networks include Beeline and Uzmobile. However, I can only vouch for Ucell, which worked well for me.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think having a pre-bought eSIM is especially worth it here, but if you do want one for any reason, I always recommend Airalo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Of course! Even though Uzbekistan is a safe country, travel insurance is the one thing I\u2019ll never scrimp on. You could have a health emergency or accident anywhere.<\/p>\n I recommend\u00a0True Traveller<\/strong><\/a> which I use myself. I pay around \u00a330 (\u20ac40) a month when getting a year\u2019s plan. As well as pre-existing health conditions, they\u2019ll cover you if you\u2019re already travelling and\/or don\u2019t yet have your flight home booked.\u00a0The claim process is easy; I\u2019ve done it twice and received the money within days. Click to get a quote<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n True Traveller is just for European residents (including the UK) so, for other nationalities, I recommend\u00a0Hey Mundo<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest\u00a0Safety Wing<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wheregoesrose.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Khiva-blue-architecture-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIs Uzbekistan safe for solo female travel?<\/h2>\n
What about if it\u2019s your first time travelling solo?<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest things about visiting Uzbekistan <\/h2>\n
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Any downsides?<\/h2>\n
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Any scams to be aware of?<\/h3>\n
Best season to visit Uzbekistan <\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhere to go in Uzbekistan <\/h2>\n
Tashkent<\/h3>\n
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Khiva<\/h3>\n
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Side trip to the Aral Sea<\/h4>\n
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Bukhara<\/h3>\n
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Samarkand <\/h3>\n
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Cost of Uzbekistan travel<\/h2>\n
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Recap of the best hostels in Uzbekistan<\/h2>\n
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Getting around Uzbekistan<\/h2>\n
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Staying online with SIM cards<\/h2>\n
Do you need travel insurance?<\/h2>\n