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The three tiled madrasahs surrounding Registan Square in Samarkand
Uzbekistan · Destination guide
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
CurrencyUzbekistani som (UZS)
Plug typesC, F · 230 VCheck adapter →
Time zoneAsia/Samarkand (UTC+5)
Emergency number112 (emergency services), 103 (ambulance), 101 (fire), 102 (police)
Destination guide

A first look at Samarkand

Samarkand’s great sights reward a slower look: the three madrasahs of Registan, Gur-e-Amir’s ribbed dome and the close-set tiled mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda. Pair Bibi-Khanym Mosque with bread and halva at neighbouring Siyob Bazaar, and split the monuments across two days if heat or long walks would make one continuous route tiring.

Explore our Samarkand guides

Weather guide

Weather in Samarkand

Summers are hot and very dry; winters can bring frost, snow and slippery paving. Spring has more showers, while early autumn usually offers a comfortable balance for open squares and mausoleum visits. Check the forecast for heatwaves or cold spells before packing.

19–23°C

Mild days and chilly evenings

October · representative month, not a forecast
Evenings
4–8°C
Rain
Showers possible
Daylight
Plan unfamiliar walks and stairs in daylight
See weather details →

What this means for packing

A light jacket over a long-sleeved top suits monument walks, with a warmer jumper for dusk at Registan. Carry a rain shell and closed shoes for changing autumn weather. Use this list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities tailored to your actual dates, trip length, weather, preferences, luggage and plans.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Packing bands are approximately 2°C either side of the rounded WMO/Uzhydromet monthly mean maximum (21.1°C) and minimum (6.0°C); monthly precipitation is 24.0 mm. The series was submitted on 14 May 2001 but does not state its averaging period or wet-day threshold. It is an older seasonal reference, not a modern normal or a forecast. Cold spells and heatwaves can fall well outside these bands. JMA’s Samarkand monthly normals were also checked for the seasonal pattern; use the current forecast before packing.

Reviewed 2026-10-23

WMO/Uzhydromet — Samarkand historical monthly climatology · Japan Meteorological Agency — Samarkand monthly normals

About the climate in Samarkand

Summers are hot and very dry; winters can bring frost, snow and slippery paving. Spring has more showers, while early autumn usually offers a comfortable balance for open squares and mausoleum visits. Check the forecast for heatwaves or cold spells before packing.

Packing guide

What to wear in Samarkand in January.

An example packing list for Samarkand in January

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

  • Underwear
  • Bras (if worn)
  • Socks
  • Sleepwear
  • Breathable tops
  • Trousers or long skirt
  • Comfortable closed walking shoes
  • Warm jumper
  • Warm coat
  • Gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Scarf for religious-site coverage (if required)

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash or soap
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Personal hygiene products (if used)

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Travel tickets and booking confirmations
  • Wallet and payment cards
  • Cash in Uzbekistani som
  • Phone
  • Charging cable and charger
  • Travel adapter (if needed)
  • Medication (if needed)
  • Glasses (if used)
  • Secure day bag
  • Sunglasses
  • Saved accommodation directions
  • Drinking water
  • Compact rain shell
Monthly weather and packing notes

A warm coat, jumper, gloves and grippy closed shoes suit Registan’s exposed square and the stairs at Shah-i-Zinda. Keep outdoor visits shorter during cold spells and use the Afrasiab Museum as a separate indoor break. Use this list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities tailored to your actual dates, trip length, weather, preferences, luggage and plans.

Daytime
4–8°C
Evenings
-6–-2°C
Rain
Rain or snow possible
Daylight
Plan unfamiliar walks and stairs in daylight
Packing style
Warm coat and insulating layers

Packing bands are approximately 2°C either side of the rounded WMO/Uzhydromet monthly mean maximum (6.2°C) and minimum (-3.6°C); monthly precipitation is 43.9 mm. The series was submitted on 14 May 2001 but does not state its averaging period or wet-day threshold. It is an older seasonal reference, not a modern normal or a forecast. Cold spells and heatwaves can fall well outside these bands. JMA’s Samarkand monthly normals were also checked for the seasonal pattern; use the current forecast before packing.

Outfit ideas for your outings

January Registan and Gur-e-Amir outing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Warm coat
  • Secure day bag

Shah-i-Zinda steps and mausoleums

  • Grippy closed shoes
  • Scarf (if required)
  • Warm outer layer
  • Drinking water

Bibi-Khanym and Siyob Bazaar

  • Secure day bag
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Weather-appropriate jacket
  • Small cash for food purchases

What to leave behind

  • Only flimsy sandals: monument stairs and uneven paving need supportive footwear.
  • Specialist mountain equipment solely for an old-city itinerary; bring activity-specific kit only for a separately planned excursion.

Reviewed 2026-10-23

WMO/Uzhydromet — Samarkand historical monthly climatology · Japan Meteorological Agency — Samarkand monthly normals

Transport guide

Getting around Samarkand

Walk within the old-city monument area, but allow separate transfers for the railway station, Ulugbek Observatory or Konigil. Yandex Maps has a Samarkand public-transport map for routes and stops; use its mobile app or website to check direction and any available live information. It plans the journey rather than selling a valid city ride, and live coverage varies by vehicle. Samarkand’s transport authority describes electronic payment with ATTO transport cards, supported bank cards or a single-use ticket. ATTO’s official app manages a transport-card balance and tariff plans; buy and top up a physical card through an authorised outlet such as UzPost, then tap the onboard validator and check that payment succeeds. Confirm current local single-use ticket arrangements before boarding if you do not have a working card. Foreign-card acceptance and phone-only account eligibility are not guaranteed, so establish a usable payment method before your first ride. ATTO’s intercity ticket services are separate from local bus and tram travel; Samarkand has no metro.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language
Uzbek
Calling code
+998
Useful essentials for Samarkand
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Seasonal layers
  • Clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Secure day bag
  • Drinking water
  • Saved accommodation directions

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Things to do in Samarkand

Find a guided walk or an attraction visit to fit around your plans in Samarkand.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: AXP Photography / Pexels