The state railway company Uzbekistan Railways is one of the largest in Central Asian region. It was established in 1994.
Nowadays Uzbekistan Railways fully meets the country’s needs for transportation of cargo and passengers. At present Uzbekistan has 3986 kilometres of a ramified network of railway lines for general use. The railway lines are being continuously renovated and reconstructed. More than 16 million passengers are transported annually. Uzbekistan Railways takes an active part in the international transportation of passengers and cargo.
Due to increasing popularity of Silk Road tourism of special importance is so called Central Asian transport corridor, which links by railroads such countries as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey. A considerable part of this route runs through the territory of Uzbekistan – “The golden section of the Great Silk Road”
The local railway trips have gained high popularity during the recent years. Since 2004 there has been operating between Tashkent and Samarkand an express electric train Registan introduced by Uzbekistan Railways. The train departs from Tashkent railway station at 7.00 and comes back in the evening. The time between the rides is quite enough to have sightseeing at unique historical and architectural monuments of Samarkand. The carriages feature VIP and business-class compartments with modern conveniences (computers and video systems with monitors, air conditioning) and wide panoramic windows to enable passengers fully enjoy Central Asian landscapes unfolding past the windows.
Since 2005 one more legendary city, Holy Bukhara has been linked with the country’s capital city by a fast train Sharq, which covers the distance in 8 hours. In terms of comfort business-class and economy class passenger cars of Sharq train are not inferior to Registan express train.
Since october 08, 2011 started to run high-speed train “Afrosiyob”. Train is produced by Spanish Company “Talgo” between Tashkent and Samarkand for more convinience and comfort. Now you can reach Samarkand in 2 hours and safe your travelling time.
Silk Road Railway tourswill be forever etched in travellers’ hearts and minds; they give a unique opportunity to immerse in fascinating history and culture of Uzbekistan’s most alluring ancient cities and to explore their glorious monuments.