After successfully reaching the summit of Big Chimgan, I didn’t waste any time in Tashkent and went straight to Samarkand. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to book the fast train called "Afrosiyob", but I managed to get a ticket for the ‘slow’ train called "Sharq". In this post, I will share useful information about the train ride from Tashkent to Samarkand by Uzbek Railways!
Buying Tickets of the Sharq Train from Tashkent to Samarkand
There are two ways to book your train tickets - online and from the train station directly. Securing the tickets should be your priority because the demand is so high and the seat availability is all fast fast-moving. I dare say, book the tickets online right away instead of waiting last minute (like me lol).
All Aboard! Book Your Train Tickets with Uzbek Railways Today! 🚂🎟️
Buying Tickets Online
I booked my tickets online (two days before the trip) with the help of the receptionist at Safarov Hostel and managed to secure a seat on the Sharq Train. I asked for help for the following reasons:
- Uzbek Railways website needs a higher bandwidth. Both my cellular data (in Uzbekistan) and the hostel’s Wi-Fi take forever to load thus I keep losing my seat and connection to the website. So make sure you book it somewhere with a stable connection.
- During the payment stage, I’m paying with my UAE credit card and I need an OTP. The OTP is being sent as SMS on my UAE number and the delay is turtle-slow due to the poor reception as well.
It could be a rare case but consider these factors when booking your tickets to secure your seats. How did the receptionist help me if you ask, he let me pay using his Uzbek credit card to secure my seat and I paid him directly with no additional cost. Yep, he did give me an extra mile of service! I forgot his name though 🙁
Lucky me, I managed to book my seat (finally) on the Sharq Train and I received the following confirmation along with my tickets!
As you can see, all the necessary details can be found such as date and timings, journey duration, seat allocation/number, and ticket cost. The actual ticket cost from Tashkent to Samarkand on the Sharq Train by Uzbek Railways is UZS89,590.00 which is equivalent to $7.2 only! Such a steal!
NOTE: The ticket says you have to ‘check-in’ an hour before the train departure and it ends 30 minutes before departure. However, I did not do any 'check-in' and boarded the train 20 minutes before departure. Still, I suggest you arrive early because, on another note, I had a roommate in Samarkand who missed the train and took a taxi from Tashkent to Samarkand.
Buying Tickets from the Train Station
A Filipina I met in Uzbekistan (Samarkand) bought her tickets directly from the train station (Samarkand) though. She said tickets are available and you just pay and go, but of course, the availability is still a hit and a miss.
Train Station in Tashkent: South Station (Tashkent Yuzhniy)
Once your tickets are ready, check your ticket to which train station are you heading.
There are TWO train stations in Tashkent namely - North (Stantsiya Tashkent Pass Tsentr.) and South (Tashkent Yuzhniy/Tashkent Janubiy). This post is ONLY about the South Station and please refer to the location map below:
Train Station Location
Unfortunately, the train station is not connected to any metro station as it is somehow outside the vicinity of the city center. There were bus stops nearby but I wasn't able to figure out the bus routes either. I ended up booking a car from Yandex (from Safarov's Family Hostel) and I paid UZS36,000.00 which is equivalent to $2.9.
Train Station Facilities
While I wasn’t able to fully explore the train station during my departure (from Tashkent to Samarkand), I saw how nice it was during my return trip (from Samarkand to Tashkent).
There were enough seats in the waiting area, some stores selling snacks and beverages, toilets, and a ticketing counter as well. It’s not extravagant and as beautiful as Samarkand’s train station but it’s not lacking in any way.
Train Platform
A little surprising (at least to me), the train platform can be accessed from a different entrance gate. Not sure if I missed a step or something but the entrance gate to the platform is on the right side of the train station.
The bags are inspected at the entrance through a machine and right after is the train platform already. And the train platform is exactly at the back of the train station’s main building. Not sure if I did it correctly, to be honest.
The Sharq Train from Tashkent to Bukhara (stopping at Samarkand)
Another first time for me, a first train ride on a carriage with seating rows! My other train experiences so far are on a sleeper train (Kupe) from Baku to Tbilisi and on an open carriage with bunk beds (Platzkartny) from Tbilisi to Yerevan. Without any bias, the Sharq Train looks very decent albeit not very modern looking or new.
The whole carriage is clean. I've got a mini-table in front of me, an overhead luggage space, and an ample leg room. My backpack fell from the overhead storage (because I didn't push it enough) so I kept it next to me and it just fit right there with enough space for me.
With that being said, take note of the following:
- NO Wi-Fi on board. There's a TV with local shows but it's not Netflix.
- There are certain seats with USB plugs but not everywhere.
- A vendor passed by once to sell snacks but the options are few so bring your own if you must.
- I heard there are toilets but I didn't see it with my own eyes.
My Sharq Train Experience with Uzbek Railways
Despite not being able to book a seat on the Afrosiyob Train, the ride from Tashkent to Samarkand on the Sharq train of Uzbek Railways was a breeze. There were no delays, straightforward and it was such a decent mode of transportation between the two cities (and other cities). Not to mention that it is affordable for a budget traveler like me. What are you waiting for? Book your tickets now!
All Aboard! Book Your Train Tickets with Uzbek Railways Today! 🚂🎟️
