Samarkand International Airport is about 6 km from the city center, and transport costs are remarkably low by international standards. Here is what to expect in 2026.
Taxi fares from SKD airport
A negotiated taxi from the airport to central Samarkand — the Registan area, most hotels — costs 30,000-50,000 Uzbek som ($2-4 USD). The range depends on your negotiation skills, the time of day, and how many drivers are competing for fares.
Drivers waiting at the terminal often start high, quoting 80,000-100,000 UZS to international travelers. This is a known markup. A fair price for the city center is 30,000-50,000 UZS. Stand firm or use Yandex Go for a transparent fare.
Yandex Go pricing
Yandex Go, the ride-hailing app used across Central Asia, typically quotes 20,000-35,000 UZS ($1.50-3 USD) for the airport-to-center route. This is the cheapest reliable option. You need the app installed and mobile data — either from a local SIM (available at the airport) or Wi-Fi.
The app shows the fare upfront, the driver is tracked, and you can pay in cash or by card linked to the app.
Pre-booked private transfers
A pre-booked transfer from SKD to central Samarkand costs $10-20 USD, depending on the provider and vehicle type. This is significantly more than a local taxi in percentage terms, but in absolute numbers, we are talking about a $10-15 difference.
What you get for that premium: a driver waiting with your name, no negotiation, flight delay monitoring, and typically a more comfortable vehicle. For travelers arriving from international flights without a local SIM, this removes the friction of figuring out local transport on arrival.
Costs to other destinations
- Samarkand railway station: 25,000-40,000 UZS ($2-3 USD)
- Shah-i-Zinda complex: 30,000-45,000 UZS ($2-3.50 USD)
- Afrosiyob (outer areas): 50,000-80,000 UZS ($4-6 USD)
- Bukhara (intercity): Not practical by taxi; take the Afrosiyob high-speed train instead
Currency and payment
Taxi drivers accept only Uzbek som in cash. ATMs and currency exchange are available inside the terminal. The Uzbek som has been relatively stable in recent years, but check current rates before your trip.
Some pre-booked transfer services accept international credit cards for online payment, which simplifies things if you have not yet exchanged money.
Bottom line
Samarkand is one of the cheapest airport transfers you will encounter anywhere. Even the most expensive option — a pre-booked private transfer — is under $20. The question is not really about cost but about convenience: do you want to negotiate with a driver in a language you may not speak, or have someone waiting for you with a sign?