Dare to travel to Uzbekistan? - we answer 17 questions

Do you dare to travel to Uzbekistan? We sometimes get asked that question, and the short answer is YES, without a doubt. Uzbekistan is a generally safe and secure country, while still feeling a bit exotic and exciting. Here we expand on the text, with answers to various questions you may have.

Dare to travel to Uzbekistan?

As I said, the short and simple answer to whether one dares to travel to Uzbekistan is YES. People in Uzbekistan are generally fantastically friendly, humble, curious and generous and we have during both our trips to the country always felt very safe.

However, as Uzbekistan is a country that not everyone knows a lot about, it's natural to have different concerns. We'll do our best to answer anything you might be wondering!

1. How to get to Uzbekistan?

There are no direct flights from Sweden to Uzbekistan, but you can fly reasonably easily with one change. We flew with Turkish Airlines, with a stopover in Istanbul. This journey took about 4 + 4.5 hours and was relatively comfortable. It is also possible to fly via Riga or Warsaw.

You can travel on your own, but if you prefer to buy a guided package tour, that option is also available. Several different travel agencies organise trips to Uzbekistan such as Rolfs Flyg & Buss, Albatros, Temaresor, Läs & Res, Iventus and Världens Resor.

2. Are the entry rules complicated?

Swedes and other Nordic nationals can travel visa-free to Uzbekistan for up to 30 days. Please note that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure. Many other nationalities can also travel to Uzbekistan without a visa, as the country has been working on this as part of its strategy to welcome tourists.

3. can you get by in English?

The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, but it is also common to speak other Turkic languages, Tajik or Russian. The older generation often does not speak English, but today there is a strong focus on English in schools and universities. This means that you can often speak English with young people, especially in the cities, and of course with people working in hotels or in the tourist industry.

If you want to shop at a market or similar, smiling, pointing and gesturing will often work. If you want to go on an excursion into the countryside, it's probably easiest to travel with a local guide.

4. How does it affect me that the country is Muslim?

Most people living in Uzbekistan are Muslims, but there is freedom of religion, so travelling in the country is easy even for non-Muslims. Pork is not usually served and alcohol is drunk to a limited extent. However, many restaurants and bars serve beer, wine and spirits, and we visited both beer breweries and wine cellars.

When it comes to clothing, it is usually a bit more 'dressy' than in Europe and women usually dress to cover their shoulders and knees, while most men wear long trousers. Particular care must be taken when visiting religious sites, such as mosques and mausoleums, as women must also cover their hair with a scarf.

5. Can you travel as a single woman?

We have travelled in Uzbekistan in groups and with guides, so we cannot say for sure what it is like to travel as a single woman. From what we have seen, we don't think there are any problems at all. We have seen many women travelling alone or in groups in the city and when I (Helena) went on my own small errands (e.g. to ask for the ATM at the train station and the like) I did not experience any weirdness at all.

6. Is there a risk of crime?

Uzbekistan is generally a safe and secure country to travel in. The risk of crime is no greater than anywhere else. Of course, you should always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in markets and other crowded places.

In our company we accidentally lost things (a handbag for example) on more than one occasion, but nothing got lost but was left where we accidentally left it ... At major attractions there are often so-called "tourist police", who are there to help tourists.

7. is it poor? Is the standard ok?

The average salary in Uzbekistan is significantly lower than in Sweden, especially in rural areas. However, we saw virtually no poverty of the kind that hurts the soul, even though we travelled around the country a lot. On the contrary, we were surprised by how nice and well-kept it looks everywhere. Only on one occasion did we see beggars in a market.

As a tourist, you mostly experience good standards, which of course can vary depending on the price tag of hotels and the like. Toilets are often of Western design, but in simpler or more local places it is relatively common with "hole in the floor" models and if you get far out into the countryside, these can be of outhouse character.

8. Is there a risk of civil unrest?

Uzbekistan is a safe and calm country to travel in, and there are currently no specific risks of terrorism or other unrest. The world is, of course, a changing place, and it is always wise to read up on the current world situation when travelling for a longer period. For example, you can download the 'UD Resklar' app and follow the general news coverage.

9. What is the relationship with Russia?

Uzbekistan became an independent country in 1991, after being part of the Soviet Union. Today, Uzbekistan is very proud of its independence and has no desire to rejoin Russia. However, we understand that it has contacts with Russia, including for trade.

When we asked how people viewed the war in Ukraine, we were told that Uzbekistan is a neutral country and is in favour of peace. Some people, who shared their personal views with us, expressed strong support for Ukraine.

10. Isn't Uzbekistan close to Afghanistan?

Uzbekistan has a short border with Afghanistan in the south-eastern part of the country. However, tourists have no reason to travel in this area. Uzbekistan is a large country in terms of surface area, and none of the usual tourist destinations are located at this end of the country.

11. How do you get around the country?

In Uzbekistan, there is a very modern high-speed train, named Afrosiyob, which has been purchased from Spain. The train is very comfortable and offers a very smooth way to travel between different cities in the country. On board you can, for example, charge your mobile phone and buy snacks.

In cities, for example, you can take a taxi, and in the capital Tashkent there is a stunningly beautiful metro. Of course, you can also rent a car and book various guided excursions.

12. How does the internet work?

The internet generally works well. As travelling to this part of the world usually involves high roaming charges, it is advisable to either buy a local SIM card, which you can do for a cheap price at the airport, or use e-sim. WiFi is also available in most hotels and restaurants.

13. Is there vegetarian food?

During our last trip to Uzbekistan, we had two vegetarians in our group, so we were able to familiarise ourselves with the vegetarian options in the country. In fact, there is a lot of vegetarian food to choose from: salads, vegetable soups, noodle dishes, dumplings/pies stuffed with potatoes, spinach or pumpkin as well as fruit, nuts and much more. The national dish, plov, should also be an excellent vegetarian dish with chickpeas and dried fruit, but without meat.

However, we found that many restaurants are so unfamiliar with the concept of vegetarian, so the staff can get stressed and nervous when you ask, and several times there were misunderstandings about this. Maybe it's sometimes better to order what you want, without saying the word "vegetarian" ...?

14. Is there a risk of getting sick or food poisoning?

Of course, you can always get sick while travelling, but the risk is no greater in Uzbekistan than anywhere else. Choose bottled water and be careful with unwashed fruit and vegetables sold in markets.

15. What is the health care system like?

We have not had to test the healthcare system in Uzbekistan, so we have no first-hand experience of it. According to UD Resklar, the standard of medical care can be low outside the capital area. Of course, as always when travelling, it is important to have insurance.

16. How do you pay?

In hotels and fine restaurants you can pay by card. You will also need cash to buy small items, shop at markets, give tips and so on. The local currency is called which, and 10,000 Uzbek, which is currently (May 2024) equivalent to approximately 8.5 Swedish crowns.

You can withdraw from an ATM and it may also be a good idea to bring euros or dollars to exchange. Note that it is best to spend all your cash in local currency before you go home, as it can be difficult to exchange the currency back outside the country.

17. Is there anything you should avoid doing?

Do not photograph military sites or objects, and do not bring drones without permission. (We brought drones, but this required paperwork a month in advance, and we were only allowed to use it with local guides and guards.)

Be careful about showing your love in same-sex relationships. Same-sex relationships are not allowed under Uzbek law, and only to a limited extent accepted in the population.

Do not do criminal things. The penalties for drug and currency offences, for example, are harsh, and you probably don't want to spend time in prison.

To sum up: Dare to travel to Uzbekistan?

So, what is our answer to the question "Dare you travel to Uzbekistan?". Without hesitating for a second, the answer is YES. Of course, when travelling, you should always use a little common sense, try to keep track of your stuff and have a decent insurance. But seriously, in this particular Uzbekistan we have felt safer than most places in the world!