From Osh to Samarkand and Bukhara

If the "Dostuk" border crossing (between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) is open, you can get to Andijan first. From Andijan, there’s a train option:

• To Bukhara, the journey takes almost a full day.
• Or head to Tashkent first, then take a 3-4 hour train to Samarkand.
  If you’re after speed, taxis are the fastest after flights—and often one of the cheaper options as well.

The Osh border crossing is known for big crowds. Budget at least four hours to get through. Here’s a breakdown of the route:

• From the border to Andijan: About 40 minutes by taxi.
• Andijan to Tashkent: 5.5–7 hours by taxi, depending on stops.
• Tashkent to Bukhara: Take an overnight train.
• Bukhara to Samarkand: The morning train at 8 AM is ideal, takes about 3 hours.

What’s the best time to cross the border at Osh to avoid delays and ensure I can get to Tashkent (or Andijan) on the same day?

The earlier, the better. The border opens at 8 AM. Plan to be there as soon as it opens to allow enough time for your onward journey to Tashkent.

Thanks for the info! I’ll book my tickets soon. Hopefully, a week will be enough to visit Samarkand, Bukhara, and maybe even another place, then return to Osh.

Good day! I had similar questions and went through this route myself, so I’ll break it down—it might help someone:

1. From Osh to Dostuk Border Crossing:
   Take a taxi (Yandex) for around $1,5-2 USD. After crossing the border on foot, grab a taxi to Andijan ($10–15 USD).

2. From Andijan to Tashkent:
   If you book train tickets in advance, it costs about $15 and takes 6 hours.

3. From Tashkent to Samarkand:
   The train ride costs around $10 and takes 2 hours. This is the most time- and cost-efficient route, especially in winter.

4. Other Options:
   If you prefer a taxi from Andijan to Samarkand, it costs around $100. However, it depends on road conditions—especially on the mountain pass. On my trip, it took 10 hours because of snow delays. You might even get stuck for several hours or find the pass completely closed in winter.

A tip: Avoid flights from Fergana Valley cities (Fergana, Osh, Andijan) during winter. Fog and low cloud cover often cause delays and cancellations. I had a flight canceled from Fergana to Samarkand and ended up taking a taxi instead.

Wishing everyone safe travels—hope this helps!

@pr0fy Thanks! That’s super helpful. Question: how is the night train experience in Uzbekistan? Are the trains comfortable?

Night trains in Uzbekistan are a good experience if you pick the right class. "Luxe" or "Kupe" compartments are comfortable for overnight journeys. They’re clean, and you get linens and a bit of privacy. The "Platskart" (economy) is cheaper but can be noisy and crowded.

Also, I recommend booking your tickets as early as possible, especially in summer or around holidays. Trains sell out fast!