Tashkent Travel Forum

I have been invited to Tashkent in late August or early Sept. Can anyone comment on the security situation there for tourists please. I am male and travelling alone. Is there a decent hotel in the city center? Any advice appreciated.

Hello jakartamike,
I do not live in Tashkent, but frequently travel there. The security situation here is excellent, and hotels are plentiful. This is a great city to visit. You made a good choice. From my experience, you can stay at international hotels and pay near 100.00 per night, or private hotels that cost 30.00 including Russian breakfast. For my part, I always stay at private hotels in Uzbekistan.

Hi Gulom, Thanks for the informative reply. I have a EU passport. Do I need a visa and if so where do I get it? Not many Uz embassies.

We were in Tashkent last month, travelled all around Uzbekistan without a single worry. Felt both safe and comfortable the whole time. We stayed at the Le Meridien right in the centre - excellent. Our travel agent got us a very good deal - $80 double $70 single. If you stay there, ask for a room overlooking the opera house, definitely not one over the room where they hold wedding receptions!
You will need to get your visa before you go. Where do you live? There is an Uzbek embassy in London and you can download the visa form from the internet along with all the info you need.
Enjoy your trip. Tashkent is a very pleasant city.
leyle

Gulom, will you please contact me at rollsrazor@hotmail.com Thanks.

Yes, I am think here is safety...

I am a frequent traveler, and have visited more that 50 countries.
I could definitely say that Uzbekistan is the worst country I have visited till now from every respect.
The country is poor, tourists are not welcome, people do not speak English, hygiene is zero, food is bad and dirty, cities are dirty, security is zero to such an extent that your money could be stolen in day light in the street and you are beaten while police is looking.
Now imagine how is the sex business in this nasty country.
Let my explain it a little bit. First of all if your could not speak Uzbek or Russian, the possibility of finding a girl to come with you in public place or night club (if you could call it a club) is very low. In case you could find the girl you will be definitely captured by the police as will be bribed between 500 and 1000 USD. You may get surprise , but this is indeed the case, as all girls are in connection with the mafia and police, and as soon as they find a foreigner who is interested to take her to his place, will call the police by their mobile and police will invade your police and will ask you for 1000 USD, then this money will be divided between police and the girl (very profitable business). And just try not to give 1000 USD, this is nominally and Muslim country, and police could take you to police station and put you in the prison for 6 months. But even for not staying one night in the police station you will definitely be ready to pay 1000.
Last but not least : the girls in Uzbekistan are not that much beautiful, and they are not that much cheap as you may have in mind (around 100 USD for one night).

I am a frequent traveler, and have visited more that 50 countries.
I could definitely say that Uzbekistan is the worst country I have visited till now from every respect.
The country is poor, tourists are not welcome, people do not speak English, hygiene is zero, food is bad and dirty, cities are dirty, security is zero to such an extent that your money could be stolen in day light in the street and you are beaten while police is looking.
Now imagine how is the sex business in this nasty country.
Let my explain it a little bit. First of all if your could not speak Uzbek or Russian, the possibility of finding a girl to come with you in public place or night club (if you could call it a club) is very low. In case you could find the girl you will be definitely captured by the police as will be bribed between 500 and 1000 USD. You may get surprise , but this is indeed the case, as all girls are in connection with the mafia and police, and as soon as they find a foreigner who is interested to take her to his place, will call the police by their mobile and police will invade your police and will ask you for 1000 USD, then this money will be divided between police and the girl (very profitable business). And just try not to give 1000 USD, this is nominally and Muslim country, and police could take you to police station and put you in the prison for 6 months. But even for not staying one night in the police station you will definitely be ready to pay 1000.
Last but not least : the girls in Uzbekistan are not that much beautiful, and they are not that much cheap as you may have in mind (around 100 USD for one night).

So sad to hear that you got negative experience while travelling to Uzbekistan.
Yep, the situation, like u described above is not excluded.
On the other hand, there is some good things too (everything quite cheap).
You can be ''khan'' with 100,0-1000USD in the pocket.

If you have travelled to 50 countries, you should have learned how to stay out of trouble...
The ex-soviet republics are different from western countries in many ways. Tourism is sometimes viewed as a necessary evil.
Compared to Africa and the rest of Asia, Tashkent is not that bad. I love the shashliks and local food. If you eat only at western-styled restaurants, you may have problems in Uzbekistan, because I have not seen one western fast food outlet.
As in many countries, you must be carefull when meeting women. I also heard of people having bad experiences, and getting beaten up, or ripped off. Some women are really very attractive, however.
I am sorry that you had such a bad experience. I think that it does not happen that often.
I travel there as a business man, and dress conservatively. It is the safest way to stay out of trouble. Long hair and jeans do not please the people there, and could attract attention.
People should be warned that English is not universal in this country. Russian is. Most taxi drivers cannot understand English. The same with bar and restaurant staff.
Cheers,

how old are u?
in what night club you've been?
in what year you've been in Tashkent?
they made fun of you?
in this country you should be smart, i lived there for a 16 years and never been captured by police, i'm half russian half Uzbek, i live in USA now for last 2 years. I'm studying here. girls in tashkent are beautiful, but the girls who you met they are all prostitutes they work for police, and they are not getting paid for what they are doing. if you need a prostitute ask me i'll give you their numbers, of the best girls in tashkent, and it's not really expensive an hour with a thai message, is like 35 dollars, not 100. as like u saying. it's great city to visit but it's not great to live. just stay away from cheap night clubs and girls in night clubs. that's it and don't go to Chorsu it is the dirtiest and dangerous place in the city.

and as like cdnexpat said don't do anything crazy wear something casual, u can wear jeans, put some normal shirt or jacket or something, make a normal hairstyle. don't walk on the streets alone, and don't use any foreign currency on the streets . try to not talk to anybody on the street. don't eat in cheep cafes, go restaurant, and don't use public transportation, and don't stop street taxis which doesn't have a taxi signs on the car. try to order a taxi. Stay away from cheap night clubs!!! There is some good night clubs in downtown. Ask your Gide

Well i was also there in April, and that was my first trip to Tashkent,No doubt Tashkent is a best place, i don't have worlds for Tashkent.
Theres Good discipline and very nice peoples, every food is pure and better then other countries.
Some girls are cheaters there but not all coz they are pooor.
BR
Kashif Khan