You just landed in Tashkent. You want to drive to Samarkand, maybe Bukhara after that. You open Google, type "carrental" β and run into a wall of websites that know nothing about Uzbek roads, the specifics of local insurance, or the fact that GPS maps here are sometimes two years behind reality.
This text exists because we rent out cars in Uzbekistan every day and see the same problems again and again.
Why rent a car at all?
Intercity public transport works. The Tashkent-Samarkand high-speed train takes two hours. But it runs on a strict schedule and doesn't stop in Shahrisabz, at the Aral Sea, or on the mountain roads near Chimgan. On top of that, train tickets are often sold out 3 months in advance.
With a rental car you'll see the part of Uzbekistan that tourist buses and trains skip. The ceramic workshops near Rishton. The roadside plov centers between Jizzakh and Samarkand, where the food is better than in any restaurant in the capital.
If your trip is only Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara, the train works fine. If you want to follow your own route, you need a car.
What to check before signing
There are three things more important than price.
Insurance coverage. Some international aggregators sell policies that don't actually work in Uzbekistan. The local insurance market has specific requirements β your insurance must cover civil liability under Uzbek law. InRent includes this in every rental, but if you're comparing offers, ask directly: "Is this policy valid in Uzbekistan?"
Fuel. Uzbekistan has both petrol and methane (CNG) stations. Most local cars run on methane because it's cheaper β about 1,500 sum per cubic meter of gas β but all of our cars run on petrol because it's safer.
Road conditions. The M39 highway from Tashkent to Samarkand is fine. The mountain roads around the Kamchik Pass are winding but paved. Smaller roads in the Fergana Valley range from good to "you'd better have higher ground clearance." Ask the rental company which routes are realistic for the car you're taking.
Popular routes that work for a road trip
Tashkent β Samarkand β Bukhara β Khiva. The classic loop. Around 1,200 km in total. Asphalt the whole way, though the Bukhara-Khiva section through the Kyzylkum desert is long and flat β so fill up before leaving Bukhara.
Tashkent β Fergana Valley. The Kamchik Pass, then Kokand, Fergana, Margilan. The pass sometimes closes in winter. Check the conditions before the trip.
Tashkent β Chimgan β Charvak. A day or weekend trip. Mountain roads, lake views. The distance is about 80 km, travel time 1.5-2 hours depending on the season.
How pricing works
Most rental companies in Uzbekistan charge by the day. Plan on $25-70 a day depending on the car β a 9, 5, or 6 in the lower range, while SUVs and newer sedans cost more. Mileage limits vary; some charge extra after 300 km a day, while we have a 300 km daily limit.
A deposit is standard. The amount depends on the car β usually $200-500. Some require a cash deposit, others place a hold on a card, or work without a deposit at all for repeat customers.
InRent publishes its rates on inrent.uz with no hidden fees. The price includes insurance and basic roadside assistance.
What people often miss
They book the cheapest car without checking whether it's automatic or manual. Most budget cars in Uzbekistan have a manual gearbox. If you haven't driven a stick shift in a long time, or never have, ask before booking. At InRent all cars are automatic.
The second mistake: not having offline maps on your smartphone. Google Maps works here, but mobile internet between cities can be unstable. Download an offline map of all of Uzbekistan before leaving Tashkent. It takes about 400 MB and saves you from wrong turns. The offline maps app is called Maps.me. Online maps work better with Yandex, so you can also download Yandex Navigator. We also recommend downloading the Kontrakam app so you know where the speed cameras are.
InRent β car rental across all of Uzbekistan. inrent.uz