Uzbekistan

Asia > 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

The city by city Car or no Car advice for Uzbekistan can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Uzbekistan;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Uzbekistan?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

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💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Uzbekistan?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

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🏙️ Main Cities in Uzbekistan

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Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 is one of Central Asia’s most rewarding destinations, thanks to its restored Silk Road cities and improving transport. With that in mind, should you rent a car in Uzbekistan is a fair question, especially because trains now connect most major sights so smoothly. You can drive here, but most travellers find that they don’t need to.

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Getting Around by Train 🚄

The Afrosiyob high-speed trains link Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, and regular services reach Khiva. These trains are fast, comfortable, and affordable, which makes them the best way to move between cities. They also remove almost all of the stress of navigation.

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Buses and Shared Taxis 🚕

For shorter trips, shared taxis and minibuses operate frequently. They leave when full, move quickly, and cover destinations that trains miss. Although they can feel a bit hectic, they’re reliable and very cheap.

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Renting a Car 🚗

You can rent a car in Tashkent, but the supply is limited and prices vary. Driving standards fluctuate and some rural roads still feel rough. GPS also becomes less accurate once you head into remote areas. Confident drivers can manage, but it’s not the easiest introduction to Central Asian road travel.

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When a Car Helps 🏜️

A rental car becomes genuinely useful only if you want to reach:

• The Ustyurt Plateau,

• The desert forts and landscapes of Karakalpakstan,

• Remote villages towards the Tien Shan foothills.

Public transport rarely reaches these spots, so having your own vehicle makes a huge difference.

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When a Car Isn’t Needed 🕌

If your itinerary focuses on Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, a car adds hassle without giving any real benefit. Trains and taxis handle everything effortlessly.

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Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Uzbekistan?

Mostly no. 🚆✨ Trains and shared taxis make travel easy, affordable, and enjoyable.
But yes, for remote desert and mountain regions if you’re confident and want maximum flexibility.

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🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary brings together taxis*, how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation. *Taxis act as a hybrid between private cars and public transport, so they aren’t counted in the overall public-transport or non-car scores. 🚕  This site is planned for full launch on 1st January 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.