Tashkent

Where to stay

Most hostels cluster in the central district within walking distance of Amir Timur Square, or in the old city around Chorsu Bazaar, where you can get on the metro quickly and reach most of the city without paying for a cab. Both areas put you close to food, markets, and the main historical sites without any real commute.

Getting around

• Use Yandex Taxi instead of flagging street cabs. The fare is set before you get in, and it runs cheap, which removes the negotiation most visitors lose.
• Bring USD in small bills and exchange them at official exchange offices near the center. Foreign cards work inconsistently at ATMs, and everything from bazaars to guesthouses runs on local sum.
• Eat at the small teahouses and canteen-style spots near Chorsu Bazaar rather than the sit-down restaurants near Khast Imam or the main squares. A bowl of lagman or a fresh samsa costs very little, and the food is often better than what you pay three times as much for closer to the tourist corridor.

When to go

Prices are lowest and beds easy to find from December through February. April, May, September, and October fill hostels fast as tour groups move through the Silk Road circuit in the mild weather.