Most visitors to Samarkand follow the same script. Arrive on the Afrosiyab train from Tashkent, spend a day or two in the old city visiting the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, the Gur-Emir mausoleum, and Ulugbek's observatory, then return to Tashkent. It's efficient. It covers the highlights. But Samarkand offers more if you're willing to venture beyond the main squares.
With a rental car, the region opens up. The surrounding attractions are close enough for day trips β 40 to 90 kilometers away β but too scattered for public buses that run on informal schedules.
What's Around Samarkand
Shahrisabz (90 km, 2 hours).
The birthplace of Timur. The palace of Ak-Saray was one of Central Asia's greatest structures. Only the gateway remains, a 38-meter-high arch of layered brick and tile, but it still commands attention. The road crosses a mountain pass and is narrow in places, with proper asphalt. Winter driving (DecemberβFebruary) can be risky due to ice.
Penjikent (70 km, 1.5 hours).
Just across the border in Tajikistan. A Sogdian city from the seventh century, now ruins, with fragments of original frescoes still visible in the adobe walls. Some pieces ended up in the Hermitage. The border is open to tourists with a valid passport. One of Central Asia's best archaeological sites if you have time.
Urgut (40 km, 45 minutes).
A mountain town known for its Sunday bazaar. Knives, suzani (embroidered textiles), dried fruits, and nuts spread across the main square. The bazaar draws locals and tourists. Without a car, you're dependent on marshrutkas (shared vans) that depart when full, not on schedule.
Aydarkul Lake (120 km, 3 hours).
A saline lake in the desert with yurt camps offering overnight stays. The last 30β40 kilometers are unpaved. Organized tours from Samarkand cost $100β150 per person. A rental car gives you flexibility β arrive when you want, stay as long as you want, pay only for fuel.
Vineyards of Urgench and Samarkand Province.
Uzbekistan has a wine tradition reaching back centuries. A handful of small vineyards welcome visitors. Visiting by taxi is awkward; you're better off with your own vehicle for a relaxed half-day excursion.
How Car Rental Works in Samarkand
InRent delivers cars to your hotel, the train station, or Samarkand Airport (SKD). The airport serves flights from Tashkent, Moscow, and Istanbul β you can pick up a car on arrival.
Rates match Tashkent: from $25 per day for a Cobalt, $35β45 for a Lacetti. No Samarkand surcharge. You can return the car in Samarkand or continue to another city β Bukhara, Tashkent, or Khiva. One-way rental is available; confirm the cost when booking.
Roads Around Samarkand
Samarkand to Tashkent (M39 highway): Well maintained, four lanes for most of the route, new asphalt, divided median. Straightforward driving.
Samarkand to Bukhara (270 km, 4β5 hours): Two-lane highway with heavy truck traffic and occasional roadwork. Not dangerous, but tiring. The town of Navoi, roughly halfway, has cafes and rest stops.
Samarkand to Shahrisabz (90 km): Narrow mountain road with switchbacks. Good asphalt, but slow going. Winter ice can be a problem.
Samarkand to Urgut (40 km): Straightforward. The only real challenge is finding a parking spot at the Sunday bazaar during peak season.
Practical Details
Fuel. Fill up in Samarkand before longer trips, especially heading toward Bukhara. Gas stations exist between cities, but distances are long β don't run low.
Speed cameras. The city has automated traffic cameras at entry points and major avenues. Speed limit is 60 km/h. Fines are issued automatically.
Parking. The Registan fills up by mid-morning in peak season. Shah-i-Zinda has parking across the street. Gur-Emir has parking directly opposite. Overall, parking in Samarkand is easier than Tashkent β the city is more compact.
Navigation. Google Maps works. Offline maps are useful for rural roads. Stock your phone with Uzbek contact numbers in case of breakdown.
When You Don't Need a Car
A one-day visit focused on the Registan doesn't require a car. Take a taxi from the station (15,000β20,000 som) or use Yandex Go. The main monuments are within walking distance of each other. A car rental adds cost and complexity for what a guided tour or local taxi can cover.
A car makes sense if you want to explore beyond the city center. Shahrisabz, Urgut, Aydarkul, and the vineyards are nearby but inaccessible without transport. They're also worth the detour β each offers something the central squares don't.
InRent β rent a car in Samarkand with delivery to the train station or airport. inrent.uz