Overview
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is Central Asia's largest city and the natural gateway to the Silk Road treasures of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. It's a city of tree-lined boulevards, palatial metro stations, domed bazaars and turquoise-tiled mosques, with a warm welcome and prices that still surprise UK visitors. Direct flights from London make it more accessible than many travellers expect. For up-to-date fares, check the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Tashkent
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are ideal, with warm days, cool evenings and clear skies for sightseeing. Summer (June to August) is very hot, regularly 35 to 40C. Winter is cold, sometimes dipping below freezing with occasional snow, but flights and hotels are noticeably cheaper. The Navruz spring festival falls around 21 March. See the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Uzbekistan Airways operates the only nonstop service, flying from London Heathrow to Tashkent several times a week, with an eastbound flight time of around seven hours. From Manchester and other UK airports you'll connect through a hub: Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Emirates or flydubai via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, or Air Astana via Almaty. Allowing for the layover, expect roughly 11 to 15 hours door to airport from Manchester. Connecting itineraries from London are often cheaper than the direct flight.
Things to do in Tashkent
Tashkent rewards a couple of days before you head on to the desert cities. Highlights include:
- Khast Imom Complex: the spiritual heart of the city, home to the 7th-century Uthman Quran, one of the oldest in the world.
- Chorsu Bazaar: a vast market under a blue-tiled dome, piled high with spices, bread, dried fruit and plov.
- Tashkent Metro: some of the most beautiful underground stations anywhere, each individually themed and decorated.
- Amir Timur Square: a leafy central square and museum honouring Uzbekistan's national hero.
- Museum of Applied Arts: silk suzani textiles, ceramics and woodcarving in a former imperial mansion.
At Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
The airport lies just a few kilometres south of the centre, making it one of the closest capital-city airports anywhere. A metered or app-booked taxi reaches most hotels in 15 to 25 minutes. The Yandex Go app is widely used and gives a fixed, fair price; if you flag a car down, agree the fare before setting off. We can also arrange a private transfer when you book.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Tashkent
- Book roughly two to four months ahead; seats on the Heathrow direct flight climb sharply close to departure.
- Fly midweek and avoid UK school holidays and the Navruz period.
- Compare the Heathrow nonstop against one-stop routings via Istanbul or Dubai, as the connection often wins on price.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to spot cheaper departures.
Travel essentials
British passport holders can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days; carry a passport with plenty of validity remaining. The currency is the Uzbekistani so'm, and while cards are widely accepted in Tashkent, carry some cash for markets and taxis. There are no mandatory vaccinations for most travellers, but check the latest NHS TravelHealthPro advice before you go and stick to bottled water.
