Uzbekistan Border Crossings

Please note that while there are many border crossings between each country, we only provide a list of the border control points that foreigners are officially allowed to cross. For detailed information on visa requirements and limits on the amount of cash you’re allowed to carry in/out, please see our Uzbekistan Visa Requirements Page.

Uzbekistan is much easier to enter than in prior years - electronics and bags are rarely searched, and border guards are polite and even helpful towards tourists, resulting in a relatively quick and painless crossing. The complicated declarations forms, which used to be standard procedure for anyone entering or exiting the country, are now a thing of the past.

It’s possible to enter Uzbekistan by land from any of its neighboring countries. Scroll below for border- specific information.

Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan

Border-Specific Information:

The B. Konsybaeva/Yallama crossing is expected to be closed through mid-2020.
As of January 2020, the Gisht Kuprik (Chernayevka) border checkpoint can be contacted for further information at +998 371 120 86 10.

What are the busiest crossings?

Zhibek Zholy (Chernayevka) is by far the most popular crossing point for both local and international travelers, although if you cross at the right time, it’s possible to breeze through in 20-30 minutes now.
Although not a universal rule, lines are often longer going into Kazakhstan from Uzbekistan than vice versa.

How long of a queue should I expect?

We recommend allocating up to 3 hours for an Uzbekistan border crossing, particularly during summer and weekends when major crossings can take longer to cross because of long queues. This is on the extreme side, however, and in recent times people have been known to cross the Chernayevka border (a.k.a. Zhibek Zholy-Gisht Kuprik) in under half an hour.

What if I want to cross in a private vehicle?

All of the border crossings listed in the chart above will allow you to cross with a private vehicle. Expect the longest wait for car inspection at the Zhibek Zholy (Chernayevka) crossing.

How easy is it to find transportation at each crossing? 

Transportation is easy to arrange at Zhibek Zholy (Chernayevka), which has buses, vans and taxis that run 24/7 on both sides of the border to Shymkent and Tashkent, respectively.
Shared taxis are also quite easy to obtain at the Tejen crossing for travel between Beyneu and Kungirot.
It’s recommended to have your own vehicle or pre-arranged transportation for the remaining crossings listed. While this doesn’t meet you won’t be able to arrange a taxi at these borders for onward transportation, it could be a challenge.

Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan

Border-Specific Information: 

The old Uchkurgan border crossing has been permanently closed and replaced by Izboskan, located some 50 kilometers to the east.
As of January 2020, the Dustlik/Dostyk border checkpoint can be contacted for further information at +998 595 202-43-28 or +998 595-202-43 29.

What are the busiest crossings?

Dustlik is a very busy crossing, although tourists are usually shoved to the front of the line by the border guards.  Izboskan is relatively new and much less traveled.

How long of a queue should I expect?

At Dustlik, plan for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to cross the border from either direction. Izboskan is smaller and less crowded, so you can usually zip through in 30-45 minutes.

What if I want to cross in a private vehicle?

Although the Dustlik border was closed to vehicles for many years, it was recently re-opened for both buses and private vehicles.
Izboskan is currently only open to pedestrian traffic.

How easy is it to find transportation at each crossing?

You’ll have no difficulty finding a taxi or hitching a ride at the Dustlik border, which sees a nonstop flow of travelers day and night. Marshrutkas heading to Andijan and Osh can also be procured here.
Izboskan should not present a problem for onward travelers who haven’t pre-arranged transportation, but as there are fewer cars and less competition here, well-honed bargaining skills will come in handy if you hope to negotiate with the drivers for a good price.

Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan

When entering Turkmenistan, you’ll be required to fill out a declarations form. You’ll be given a copy which must be kept until your departure, when you’ll need to present it again at Customs regardless of whether you exit by land, air or sea.

Border-Specific Information:

At Alat-Farap, you’ll need to take a couple of marshrutkas between the two border crossings that cost 1 USD or less; the alternative is to walk approximately 2 kilometers total in between the checkpoints.
As of January 2020, the following border checkpoints can be contacted for further information:
Alat +998 65-221-63-22; +998 65-221-63-23
Shavat +998 95-602-18-71
Khodjeyli +998 95-601-35-03

What are the busiest crossings?

Alat-Farap is the busiest of the three crossings, with Shavat trailing closely behind. The Khodjeyli border sees the fewest people, although due to the meticulous inspections, this doesn’t guarantee a quick crossing.

How long of a queue should I expect?

At Turkmenistan crossings, it’s not the number of people but the level of scrutiny with which they process guests that causes delays. As a general rule, you should allocate 1 to 3 hours for the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border crossings. 

What if I want to cross in a private vehicle?

Driving through Turkmenistan in your private car is only possible if you’re on a transit visa, but if this is the case, it’s possible to enter or exit Turkmenistan in a private vehicle at each of the crossings listed in the chart above. Be aware that you will need to pay numerous fees for insurance, taxes, etc., which could total more than 200 USD.

How easy is it to find transportation at each crossing?

Although they will try to grossly overcharge you, finding a taxi for onward transportation is easy at each of the three Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border crossings. To avoid being overcharged, try to share a ride with local travelers (and confirm the price that they’re paying for the taxi ride) and be willing to wait until the car fills up.

Uzbekistan-Tajikistan

Border-Specific Information:

The Gulbakhor crossing near Termez is a new international border which opened in 2018. Jartepa, connecting Samarkand with Penjikent, also re-opened in 2018 after being closed for several years. 
As of January 2020, the border checkpoints listed below could be contacted at the following numbers for further information:
Oybek: +998 97-132-48-05
Sariasiya: +998 95-502-30-12
Jartepa: +998 66-230-42-42, +998 66-230-48-33 

What are the busiest crossings?

The Tajikistan/Uzbekistan border crossings generally do not see as much foot traffic as other crossings in the region. Sariasiya is usually the busiest, followed by Oybek and Jartepa. The Andarkhon and recently opened Gulbakhor crossings are more remote and thus receive comparatively little traffic.   

How long of a queue should I expect?

The dreaded long lines at Central Asia’s border checkpoints are currently less of an issue between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Each of the crossings listed above can usually be completed in an hour or less, and on a good day you could find yourself through both checkpoints in just 20-30 minutes.
Note that at the Gulbakhor crossing you’ll need to take a short van ride in between the two checkpoints, and you could face a wait time for this transportation. 

What if I want to cross in a private vehicle?

It’s possible to cross in a private vehicle at the Oybek, Jartepa, Sariasiya and Andarkhan crossings.
If entering Tajikistan in a private vehicle, you’ll be required to pay an import tax at the border.

How easy is it to find transportation at each crossing?

Taxis, buses and/or marshrutkas can be easily arranged at the Oybek, Jartepa, Gulbakhor and Sariasiya crossings.
At the Andarkhon checkpoint taxis options may be limited on the Tajikistan side, but a bus or marshrutka to Kokand should be running. On the Uzbekistan side, even public transportation may not be available around the clock, so it’s advised to arrange onward transportation in advance.

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan

Border-Specific Information:

You’ll need to walk approximately 1 kilometer in between the Uzbekistan and Afghanistan border checkpoints.
As of January 2020, the Airtom/Hairatan border checkpoint could be contacted for further information at +998 95-502-30-11.

Is the Termez checkpoint a busy crossing?

This crossing rarely sees a crowd, and even fewer tourists, but expect the process to be slow if you’re entering Uzbekistan due to meticulous checks.

How long of a queue should I expect?

Crossing into Afghanistan tends to be a much easier process than the return trip into Uzbekistan. When entering Afghanistan you’ll likely have little to no queues, but expect the entire crossing to take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
When crossing into Uzbekistan, the process is much slower as the Uzbek authorities will thoroughly examine your luggage and electronics. Crossing in this direction generally takes 2-3 hours.

What if I want to cross in a private vehicle?

The Termez/Hairatan border crossing is open only to pedestrians and does not permit vehicles to cross.

How easy is it to find transportation at the border?

When entering Afghanistan, there will be taxis waiting outside the border. Often the guards are willing to help you arrange one, but if not, it’s not too difficult to manage on your own (you may just have to settle for a slightly higher price).
Taxis also idle outside the border crossing on the Uzbekistan side, so you should have no issue arranging one for the short drive to Termez.