Samarkand

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster in the old city, within a 10-minute walk of Registan Square. The pocket between Registan and Bibi-Khanym Mosque is the practical choice: Siab Bazaar is steps away, the main sites are walkable, and you avoid the taxi fare that comes with staying out near the train station.

Getting around

• Take the Afrosiyob high-speed train from Tashkent instead of a shared taxi or slow train. It covers the route in roughly two hours, arrives at a proper station, and costs far less than most guesthouse transfer packages.
• Siab Bazaar, right beside Bibi-Khanym Mosque, sells non flatbread, dried apricots, and walnuts at prices locals actually pay. The stalls within sight of Registan charge two to three times as much for the same goods, so walk the extra five minutes.
• At Registan, buy the combined entry ticket at the main booth rather than paying each of the three madrasahs individually. It covers Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori for less than the sum of separate admissions.

When to go

December through February brings the lowest hostel prices and the fewest crowds. April, May, September, and October fill up quickly, with a noticeable spike around Navruz in late March.