It’s cheaper to stay at home: new rules for crossing the borders of Uzbekistan, entry by rail in July 2021

Tightening requirements will not affect the popularity of the destination among tourists

According to tour operators, changing the rules for testing those entering from abroad will not affect the flow of tourists to Uzbekistan. The fact is that there have always been few people who wanted to visit the country in the summer. The most convenient time to travel is spring and autumn. The demand for tours in the summer has always been low, and it remains so today. Therefore, changes in entry requirements will not affect attendance.

Currently, the only way to get from Russia to Uzbekistan and back is by plane. The railway connection is still closed, the opening of land borders is being prepared, but how soon this will happen is not entirely clear.

Since June, two more flights have been added to the two flights from Moscow to Tashkent. Total 4 flights per week. It is planned to increase the number to 14 flights per week.

When will Russia's borders with Uzbekistan be open after quarantine in 2021?

There have been no official statements regarding the opening of flights from Uzbekistan to Russia. The entry of Uzbek migrants into Russia to work due to a new wave of the pandemic is limited. This has led to an acute shortage of “labor resources” especially in the construction industry. Therefore, the issue of allowing “spot” entry of Uzbek workers is now being considered, as reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Whether international flights from Russia to Uzbekistan will resume in December 2021 or in 2021 depends on the epidemiological situation in Russia.

For all questions regarding the return of citizens to the territory of the Uzbek Republic, please contact the following official contacts:

1. Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Uzbekistan: Consular Section phone number: (+998 78) 140 72 00; e-mail
2. Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Russian Federation: call center: +7-499 230-00-76, +7-499 238-36-20; Ambassador's reception: +7-499 230-00-78; e-mail.

Air traffic in June 2021: requirements for Russian tourists

Changing the rules for testing those entering from abroad will not affect the flow of tourists to Uzbekistan.
Air traffic with Uzbekistan has resumed without restrictions for all categories of citizens of both countries since April 2021. Flights are regular, six times a week.

Thus, Russian Aeroflot planes now fly between the capitals every Thursday and Sunday, and UzAirways - on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The entry regime for Russians into the Republic of Uzbekistan is visa-free if the duration of the trip is no more than 60 days.

Documents that travelers will need to have:

• Valid passport.
• Migration card.
• Medical insurance.

Foreigners who are not staying at a hotel are required to register for migration within 3 days.

The PCR test must be in English or Russian, indicating the method of studying the biomaterial. An expired test can be taken again at the airport of arrival.

Border points of Uzbekistan

Please note that although there are many border crossing points between Uzbekistan and neighboring countries, we provide only a list of checkpoints that foreigners are officially allowed to cross. For detailed information on visa requirements, see our Uzbekistan Visa page.

Entering Uzbekistan is much easier than in previous years - electronics and bags are rarely subject to further inspection, and border guards are polite and even helpful to tourists, resulting in a relatively quick and painless crossing. The complex declaration forms that used to be standard procedure for anyone entering or leaving the country are largely a thing of the past.

You can enter Uzbekistan by land from any neighboring country. Below you will find specific border information for each country.

1. Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan

2. Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan

3. Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan

4. Uzbekistan-Tajikistan

5. Uzbekistan-Afghanistan

Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan

Special information about boundaries:

It is expected that the Konsybaeva-Yallama border crossing point will be closed until mid-2021. As of January 2020, at the Gisht-Kuprik checkpoint (Chernyaevka), you can get additional information by calling +998 371 120-86-10.

Which checkpoints are the busiest?

Zhibek Zholy (Chernyaevka) is the most popular border crossing point for both local and international travelers. If you cross at the right time, the crossing will take 20-30 minutes.

Although this is not a universal rule, queues are more likely to appear when traveling from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan, and not vice versa.

What queues should I expect?

We recommend allowing up to 3 hours to cross the border of Uzbekistan, especially in the summer and on weekends, when long queues can take up to 3 hours to cross the border. However, this is rare, and recently people cross Chernyaevka (the Zhibek Zholy-Gisht Kuprik border) in 20-30 minutes.

What if I go by private car?

All checkpoints listed in the table above will allow you to cross the border in a personal vehicle. The longest wait to inspect a car will be at the Zhibek Zholy checkpoint (Chernyaevka).

How easy is it to find transport at each checkpoint?

Transport is easy to find in Zhibek-Zholy (Chernyaevka), where there are buses, minibuses and taxis that run 24 hours a day on both sides of the border to Shymkent and Tashkent respectively. Taxis with a set of passengers are also quite easy to find at the Tejen checkpoint for travel between Beyneu and Kungrad. To cross all other checkpoints, it is recommended to have your own car or arrange a transfer in advance. Of course, you can try your luck and hope to find a car or taxi at the border, but this can be a big problem.

Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan

Special information about boundaries:

The old Uchkurgan checkpoint was closed and a new Izboskan checkpoint opened 50 km to the east. As of January 2021, at the Dustlik-Dostyk checkpoint, you can get additional information by calling +998 or +998 595-202-43 29.

Which checkpoints are the busiest?

Dustlik is a very busy border crossing, although border guards usually allow tourists to move to the front of the line. Izboskan is relatively new and much less busy.

What queues should I expect?

At the Dustlik checkpoint, plan on 45 minutes to an hour and a half to cross the border in both directions. Izboskan is a small checkpoint with few people, so it can be completed in 30-45 minutes.

What if I go by private car?

Although Dustlik was previously closed to vehicles, passage has recently opened for buses and private cars. Izboskan is an exclusively pedestrian checkpoint.

How easy is it to find transport at each checkpoint?

You will have no problem finding a taxi or traveling to the Dustlik border, which sees a non-stop stream of travelers day and night. There are sufficient numbers of minibuses and taxis running from the border to Andijan and Osh. Izboscan shouldn't pose a problem for travelers who don't have a pre-arranged transfer, but since there are fewer cars and less competition, tourists will need negotiating skills to negotiate a good price with drivers.

Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan

When entering Turkmenistan, you will need to fill out a declaration form in two copies. You will be provided with one copy, which should be retained until your departure, and will need to be presented again at Customs, regardless of whether you are leaving by land, air or sea.

Special information about boundaries:

At the Alat-Farap checkpoint, you need to take a couple of minibuses between the two border crossing points, which cost about $1 per person; the alternative is to walk about 2 kilometers between checkpoints.

As of January 2021, the following border points can be contacted for additional information: Alat +998 65-221-63-22; +998 65-221-63-23 Shavat +998 95-602-18-71 Khojeyli +998 95-601-35-03

Which checkpoints are the busiest?

Alat Farap is the busiest of the three crossings, with Shavat following behind. The Khodjeyli border is the least crowded, although due to thorough searches this does not guarantee a quick border crossing.

What queues should I expect?

At checkpoints in Turkmenistan, the delay does not arise from the number of people, but from the level of control under which guests are checked at customs and passport control. Typically, you should allow between 1 and 3 hours to cross the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border.

What if I go by private car?

Traveling through Turkmenistan in a personal car is only possible if you enter on a transit visa, but in this case you will need to exit through a third country. You can enter or leave Turkmenistan in a personal vehicle through any checkpoint. Keep in mind that you will need to pay numerous fees for insurance, taxes, and more, which could add up to more than $200.

How easy is it to find transport at each checkpoint?

Despite the fact that you can easily find transport at each of the three checkpoints between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, taxi drivers will inflate prices. To avoid unnecessary expenses, try to share the trip with other people passing through the border. However, check the price everyone will pay and be prepared to wait until the car is full of passengers.

Uzbekistan-Tajikistan

Special information about boundaries:

The Gulbahor checkpoint near Termez is a new international border that opened in 2021. The Jartepa checkpoint, connecting Samarkand with Penjikent, also reopened in 2021 after being closed for several years. As of January 2021, border posts can be contacted at the following numbers for additional information: Oybek: +998 97-132-48-05 Sariasia: +998 95 502-30-12 Jartepa: +998 66 230-42- 42, +998 66 230-48-33

Which checkpoints are the busiest?

Border crossings between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan generally do not experience as much traffic as other crossings in the region. Sariasia is usually the busiest, followed by Oybek and Jartepa. The Andarkhon checkpoint and the newly opened Gulbahor checkpoint are more remote and thus have relatively little traffic.

What queues should I expect?

Long queues at Central Asian border crossings are now virtually invisible on the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Each of the checkpoints listed above can usually be completed in an hour or less, and on a good day you can get through both checkpoints in just 20-30 minutes. Please note that at the Gulbahor checkpoint you will need to take a short minivan ride between two checkpoints and may face a wait in line for this short transfer.

What if I go by private car?

You can drive through the border checkpoints of Oybek, Jartepa, Sariasia and Andarkhon by private car. When entering Tajikistan in a personal vehicle, you will be required to pay import tax at the border.

How easy is it to find transport at each checkpoint?

Taxis or minibuses can be easily found and organized at the checkpoints of Oybek, Jartepa, Gulbahor and Sariasia. At the Andarkhon checkpoint, taxi options may be limited from the Tajikistan side, but a bus or minibus to Khujand should be launched soon. On the Uzbek side, even public transport may not be available 24 hours a day, so it is recommended to arrange a transfer in advance.

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan

Special information about boundaries:

You need to walk approximately 1 km between the border points of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. As of January 2021, it was possible to contact the Hairatan checkpoint for more information by calling +998 95 502-30-11.

How busy is the Hairatan checkpoint?

This border crossing rarely sees crowds and even fewer tourists, but be prepared for the process to be slow due to extensive checks if you are entering Uzbekistan from Afghanistan.

What queues should I expect?

The transition to Afghanistan is usually much easier than the return to Uzbekistan. When entering Afghanistan, you will likely experience few lines at all, but expect the entire trek to take between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours. When entering Uzbekistan, the process is much slower, as Uzbek authorities will carefully examine your luggage and electronics. Crossing the border in this direction usually takes 2-3 hours.

What if I go by private car?

The Hairatan border crossing is open to pedestrians only and does not allow vehicles to pass through.

How easy is it to find transport at the Hairatan checkpoint?

When entering Afghanistan, taxis will be waiting outside the border. Often border guards are ready to help you organize a transfer to Mazar-i-Sharif, but if not, then it’s not that difficult to negotiate with a taxi driver on your own (you may just have to agree to a slightly higher price). Taxis are also available outside the border post on the Uzbek side, so you should have no problem arranging a quick transfer to Termez.

Residents of Uzbekistan were sent home from Russia by rail

As the press service informed, on June 28, the Moscow-Tashkent train departed from the Russian capital. The flight was organized specifically to transport Uzbek citizens who remained in the Russian Federation due to the pandemic. In addition, on June 25, another train was organized on the route “Volzhsky - Tashkent”

Electronic ticket sales were introduced for these flights on the website e-ticket.railway.uz, and in Uzbekistan, relatives of citizens in Russia were able to buy tickets for them by providing copies of identification documents of future passengers.