Uzbekistan has rapidly emerged as a budget-friendly international getaway for Indians, offering a 7-day Silk Road itinerary under Rs 60,000. With an easy online e-visa for USD 20, short direct flights from Delhi, affordable guesthouses, and meals often under Rs 300, travellers can explore Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara comfortably within a modest budget.
A few years ago, Uzbekistan barely registered on the average Indian traveller's radar. These days, mention Samarkand or Bukhara at dinner and someone at the table will already have an opinion about which city has the most beautiful madrasah. The country has quietly become one of the most talked-about additions to the affordable international travel circuit, and once you actually sit down and map out the costs, it is easy to see why. Between a painless visa process, short direct flights and food that rarely crosses Rs 300 a plate, a full week tracing the Old Silk Road can realistically be done for under Rs 60,000, with a little room left over for souvenirs.
Return flights: Rs 25,000 – Rs 28,000
Visa: Rs 1,680 (USD 20)
Accommodation, 6 nights: Rs 9,000 – Rs 11,000
Internal transport (trains and taxis): Rs 5,000
Food and water: Rs 7,000
Sightseeing and miscellaneous: Rs 5,000
Total: Rs 54,680 – Rs 57,680
Of all the logistics involved, the visa is the part travellers tend to worry about most, and it is also the part that turns out to be the least stressful. As per the Indian Embassy in Tashkent's own visa guidance, Indian citizens can apply for a single-entry electronic tourist visa entirely online through Uzbekistan's official e-visa portal, paying the USD 20 government fee (roughly Rs 1,680) by card at the time of application. According to the embassy's guidelines, applicants are advised to apply at least three working days before travel, and the approved e-visa arrives by email rather than requiring a trip to a consulate or a stack of physical documents.
Keeping the whole trip under budget starts with the flight, and the good news is that Delhi to Tashkent is a short journey rather than a long-haul flight. According to Skyscanner, direct flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Tashkent take around 2 hours 55 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the airline. Uzbekistan Airways and Centrum Air operate most non-stop flights, while Air India and IndiGo also offer direct services on selected days.
According to ixigo, return fares usually range between ₹24,500 and ₹28,000 if you book a few weeks in advance and avoid peak travel periods.
According to listings on Tripadvisor, budget rooms in Tashkent start from around Rs 1,750 (USD 21) a night and Samarkand from around Rs 1,900 (USD 23), which lines up with the Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,200 range most travellers should budget for a clean, well-reviewed guesthouse or budget hotel room, with prices tending to run lowest in Samarkand and Bukhara, where family-run guesthouses compete directly with each other for reviews. Split between two travellers, that works out to roughly Rs 750 to Rs 1,100 per person per night.
Local food halls, often called Chorsu or Milli Taomlar, offer some of the best-value meals in Uzbekistan. According to Uzbekistan's National Statistics Committee (stat.uz), a serving of plov in Tashkent costs around ₹210 to ₹215, while prices in other regions are generally lower. Tour Central Asia reports that a meal at a local restaurant, including non bread and green tea, usually costs between ₹250 and ₹340.
A daily food budget of around ₹800 to ₹1,200, combined with free guesthouse breakfasts and fresh fruit from local bazaars, is usually enough for most travellers.
Days 1–2: Tashkent
Start your trip in Uzbekistan's capital. Visit Chorsu Bazaar, explore the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro, and see the Hazrati Imam Complex. Book your Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand in advance, as seats sell out quickly.
Days 3–4: Samarkand
Take the high-speed train to Samarkand, home to the iconic Registan Square. Visit the Shah-i-Zinda complex and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, all within easy reach of the city centre.
Days 5–6: Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, where most attractions are within walking distance. Explore the Ark of Bukhara, admire the Kalyan Minaret, and spend the evening around Lyabi-Khauz.
Day 7: Return to Tashkent
Head back to Tashkent by train. Pick up souvenirs like spices, dried fruits and ceramics before leaving for your flight home.
Note: Flight fares, hotel rates, and food prices listed above are estimates based on current listings and government data. They may vary depending on the season, the rupee-som exchange rate, and how far in advance you book.