Comparison · Samarkand vs Tbilisi · Uzbekistan / Georgia
Samarkand vs Tbilisi
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Registan_-_Gusjer.jpg : Gustavo Jeronimo from Aranjuez, Spain derivative work: MrPanyGoff, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Samarkand for Registan, Timurid architecture and a short break; choose Tbilisi for Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, nightlife and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,875 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,875 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Samarkand
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Tbilisi
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Samarkand | Tbilisi | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Uzbekistan | Georgia |
| Known for | Registan, Timurid architecture and Gur-e-Amir | Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress and Qvevri wine |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$140 | $70–$140 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 34°C (93°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 13 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SKD | TBS, KUT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Samarkand for…
Registan, Timurid architecture and a short break. Samarkand was Timur's capital in the late 14th century, and the turquoise domes he and his heirs built still define the city: the three tiled madrasas of the Registan, the ribbed dome of Gur-e-Amir, the vast Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the street of mausoleums at…
Choose Tbilisi for…
Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, nightlife and free sights. Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, sits in the valley of the Mtkvari River beneath the walls of Narikala Fortress. Its Old Town packs domed sulphur baths, carved wooden balconies, Orthodox churches, a mosque and a synagogue into a few hilly blocks, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Samarkand | Tbilisi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registan | Narikala Fortress |
| 2 | Gur-e-Amir | Abanotubani sulphur baths |
| 3 | Shah-i-Zinda | Bridge of Peace and Rike Park |
| 4 | Bibi-Khanym Mosque | Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) |
| 5 | Siab Bazaar | Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) |
Food compared
| Samarkand | Tbilisi |
|---|---|
| Samarkand plov | Adjarian khachapuri |
| Samarkand bread | Khinkali |
| Tandir somsa | Mtsvadi |
| Shashlik | Badrijani nigvzit |
Which is cheaper?
Samarkand and Tbilisi cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $70–$140 in Samarkand and $70–$140 in Tbilisi (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Samarkand on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,875 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Samarkand or Tbilisi cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $70–$140 in Samarkand and $70–$140 in Tbilisi (estimates).
+Is Samarkand or Tbilisi better for a first trip?
Pick Samarkand for Registan, Timurid architecture and a short break, or Tbilisi for Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, nightlife and free sights.
+How far is Samarkand from Tbilisi?
About 1,875 km in a straight line.