Travel tips · Samarkand · Uzbekistan
Samarkand travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Registan_-_Gusjer.jpg : Gustavo Jeronimo from Aranjuez, Spain derivative work: MrPanyGoff, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Samarkand is a mainly Muslim city with a strongly secular Soviet legacy and a large Tajik-speaking population; Uzbek, Tajik and Russian are all heard daily. Hospitality is central: guests are offered tea, bread and fruit, and hosts take pride in feeding visitors well. Mausoleums and mosques such as Shah-i-Zinda and the Tomb of Daniel are active places of prayer and pilgrimage, not just monuments.
Key facts
- Language
- Uzbek, Tajik and Russian
- Currency
- UZS
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and hotels often…
- Emergency
- 102 police, 103 ambulance, 101 fire
Things to know
- Greet with 'Assalomu alaykum'; men often shake hands and place the right hand on the heart, while with women it is polite to wait for them to offer a hand.
- Cover shoulders and knees at mausoleums and mosques; women should carry a scarf for active shrines such as Shah-i-Zinda.
- Remove shoes before stepping onto carpets in mosques and onto the raised tapchan platforms in teahouses.
- Treat bread with respect: do not drop it, put it upside down or throw it away.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women and pilgrims at shrines.
- Use your right hand to pass or receive food, money and gifts.
- Carry cash in som for bazaars, taxis and small teahouses; cards are mainly accepted in hotels and larger restaurants.
Tipping
Restaurants usually add a service charge of about 10–15%. Where it is not included, rounding up or leaving about 10% is appreciated; guides and drivers are commonly tipped at the end of a tour.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Assalomu alaykum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Rahmat | Thank you |
| Qancha? | How much? |
| Xayr | Goodbye |
| Mazali | Delicious |
| Spasibo | Thank you (Russian, widely used) |
What to wear
Everyday dress in the city is casual and modest; light long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders work well for monuments and keep the summer sun off. Comfortable shoes help on Shah-i-Zinda's steps and uneven paving.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and hotels often provide it.
- Emergency number
- 102 police, 103 ambulance, 101 fire
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards with data are inexpensive and sold at the airport and in town; hotel and café Wi-Fi is common but can be slow.
- Time zone
- Asia/Samarkand
Samarkand is generally calm for visitors. The main issues are overcharging by street taxis and souvenir sellers, and heat exhaustion in summer; use ride-hailing apps, agree prices first and carry water.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Uzbekistan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Samarkand?
Restaurants usually add a service charge of about 10–15%. Where it is not included, rounding up or leaving about 10% is appreciated; guides and drivers are commonly tipped at the end of a tour.
+Can you drink the tap water in Samarkand?
Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and hotels often provide it.
+What plugs are used in Samarkand?
Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Samarkand?
Uzbek, Tajik and Russian.