Five Countries, No Flights: How to Travel Across Central Asia by Train

But over the past few years, transport links have been gradually restored: international trains have returned, new bus routes have opened between border cities, and rail travel is once again becoming a viable alternative to flying. This raises an obvious question: is it possible to see all five countries without taking a plane?

Today, it is.

All five Central Asian countries use the 1,520 mm railway gauge – a common standard inherited from the Soviet era. Technically, this allows trains to cross borders without changing wheelsets. However, direct passenger services are still far from available between all five countries.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: The Easiest Route

The most convenient section runs through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. You can start your journey in Almaty and travel to Tashkent, stopping in Turkistan along the way. From there, the route continues through Uzbekistan, where the country’s flagship high-speed train, Afrosiyob, takes over.

The journey from Tashkent to Samarkand takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes. An economy-class ticket costs 311,000 soums (about $25). The trip to Bukhara takes around four hours, with tickets priced at 509,000 soums (about $40). These fares have been in effect since the price increase on February 1, 2026.

Another advantage of travelling by train is the location of the stations: there is no need to spend time getting to the airport, going through check-in and then travelling from the airport into the city.

From Tashkent to Dushanbe

From Uzbekistan, the journey can continue to Tajikistan. The 2026 timetable of Tajik Railways includes direct train No. 302 from Tashkent to Dushanbe. It departs on Tuesdays at 16:15 and arrives in Dushanbe at 09:33 the following day. In the opposite direction, train No. 301 departs on Mondays, with the journey taking around 17 hours.

To Kyrgyzstan – By Bus

The route to Kyrgyzstan looks different. There is currently no regular direct train between Tashkent and Bishkek, so this leg can be covered by bus.

Buses from Tashkent depart daily at 18:00 and 19:00 from the Tashkent Bus Station near Almazar metro station and arrive at Bishkek’s Western Bus Station. The journey takes around 9 hours and 40 minutes, with tickets costing between 350,000 and 465,000 soums, depending on the service.

There is also a shorter route between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: Osh–Andijan. Minibuses No. 777 leave Osh Bus Station every 20 minutes, with services also running from Andijan to Osh. The fare is 100–120 som (around $1.1–1.4).

Turkmenistan: Get to the Border First, Then Take the Train

Turkmenistan is the hardest country to incorporate into such a journey. Its domestic railway network is operational, with trains connecting Ashgabat with Turkmenabat and Dashoguz, as well as separate services between Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi.

However, there are currently no regular international passenger trains from neighbouring countries. In addition, foreign nationals must obtain a visa in advance to enter Turkmenistan. This means that travellers coming from Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan first have to reach the border by road – for example, via the Alat–Farap crossing – and then continue their journey by domestic train after entering Turkmenistan.

A New Railway for the Region

The region’s railway network is continuing to develop. Construction is currently under way on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. For now, the line is primarily being developed as a freight corridor, but it could eventually open up new passenger routes.

So, travelling across Central Asia without flying is already possible – but for now, it means combining trains with buses and road journeys.