15 Things Nobody Tells You About Traveling in Uzbekistan (From Someone Who Lives Here)

The visa is easy. The trains are excellent. But there's a lot the guidebooks leave out. After years of living in Tashkent and running cultural tours, here's the unfiltered truth about visiting Uzbekistan. 1. Cash is Still King (But It's Changing Fast) International cards work at major hotels and some restaurants in Tashkent and Samarkand, but street vendors, bazaars, and smaller cities are cash-only. The good news? ATMs are everywhere now, and the som is stable. Bring dollars for exchange — crisp, new bills get better rates. 2. Everyone Will Feed You (Prepare to Say No) Uzbek hospitality is legendary — and relentless. Expect to be invited for tea that turns into a full meal. Saying "I just ate" won't work. The polite approach: accept graciously, eat a little, and compliment the plov. Refusing entirely can offend. 3. The Metro is World-Class (And Photography is Now Allowed) Tashkent's metro stations look like underground palaces — Soviet-era chandeliers, marble columns, and mosaic art. For decades, photography was banned for "security." Now? Snap away. A single ride costs about $0.15 and the trains run every 3 minutes. 4. Uzbek Time is Real When someone says "5 minutes," expect 20. When they say "tomorrow," it might mean next week. This isn't rudeness — it's a different relationship with time. Build flexibility into your schedule and you'll enjoy the country much more. 5. Summers Are Brutally Hot July and August temperatures regularly hit 40-45°C (104-113°F). Locals disappear from streets between noon and 4pm. If you must visit in summer, wake at dawn for sightseeing, rest midday, and explore again after sunset. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal. 6. Learn Five Words and Hearts Will Open "Rahmat" (thank you), "Salom" (hello), "Ha" (yes), "Yo'q" (no), and "Chiroyli" (beautiful). These five words will transform your experience. Uzbeks genuinely appreciate any effort to speak their language, even badly. You'll get bigger smiles, better prices, and warmer welcomes. 7. Bread Has Rules Never place bread upside down — it's considered disrespectful. Don't throw it away; give it to someone who needs it. When served lepyoshka (traditional round bread), break it by hand, never cut with a knife. At bazaars, you can watch bread being made in traditional tandoor ovens — it's still warm when you buy it. 8. Haggling is Expected (But Not Everywhere) Bargain at bazaars and with taxi drivers. Don't haggle in restaurants, supermarkets, or at clearly marked prices. Start at 50-60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Always smile — it's a social dance, not a battle. 9. The Afrosiyob Train is Incredible The high-speed train from Tashkent to Samarkand takes just 2 hours and costs $10-25. It's clean, punctual, and comfortable. Book online at railway.uz a few days ahead. This is genuinely one of the best train experiences in Central Asia. 10. Dress Modestly, But It's Not Strict Uzbekistan is secular. You won't need to cover your head (unless entering mosques), and Western clothing is fine in cities. That said, revealing clothes draw stares outside tourist areas. Comfortable, modest clothing — covering shoulders and knees — keeps you comfortable and respected. 11. The Food Goes Way Beyond Plov Yes, plov is the national dish and it's magnificent. But don't miss: shashlik (grilled meat), lagman (hand-pulled noodle soup), somsa (baked meat pastries), and non (traditional bread). For breakfast, try kaymak (clotted cream) with honey and fresh bread. Vegetarians will find options, but need to ask specifically. 12. Yandex Go is Your Best Friend Download Yandex Go before arrival. It's the local Uber equivalent and eliminates the need to negotiate with taxi drivers. Prices are fair, routes are tracked, and you can pay by card. Without it, agree on the fare before getting in the taxi. 13. The Silk Road Cities Are Just the Beginning Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are stunning — but Uzbekistan has more. The Aral Sea region tells an important environmental story. The Fergana Valley has the best craftsmanship. Nurata offers yurt stays and camel treks. Tashkent itself has incredible Soviet architecture, a massive bazaar, and a thriving food scene. 14. Wi-Fi is Actually Good Most hotels, cafes, and restaurants have decent Wi-Fi. Local SIM cards are cheap (around $5 for a month of data) and easy to get — just bring your passport to any Beeline, Ucell, or Mobiuz office. You can stay connected throughout your trip without issues. 15. You'll Want to Come Back Every visitor I've met says the same thing: Uzbekistan surprised them. The warmth of the people, the depth of history, the quality of the food, the pace of change — it's a country that gets under your skin. Two weeks isn't enough. You'll leave already planning your return. Ready to experience Uzbekistan like a local? CRAFTNCULTURE offers authentic cultural tours, artisan workshops, and traditional cooking classes in Tashkent and beyond.