A guide to exploring the beautiful and unique Tashkent Metro!
History of the Tashkent Metro
The first Tashkent Metro line was opened in 1977 linking the city centre to the surrounding neighbourhoods. The Soviet Union, which ruled Uzbekistan until 1991, was known for its grand metro systems such as in Moscow, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Tashkent Metro is one of the most beautiful examples of Soviet metro systems. Each station is decorated in a unique and ornate way, representing an element of Uzbek culture or history.
In the past, the Tashkent Metro doubled as a bomb shelter, offering a safe retreat during times of unrest. During this time you weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the Tashkent Metro because of its military importance.
Today, the Tashkent Metro has grown significantly becoming an essential part of daily life for the locals. Since 2017, photography is allowed inside. Some of the guards still seem a little suspicious and locals seem confused when tourists take a lot of photos, but we were never told to stop.
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Tashkent Metro opening times
The Tashkent Metro is open every day from 5 am until midnight. The busiest peak times are from 7:30am until 9:30am and from 5pm until 7pm. During off-peak times the Tashkent Metro is not very busy at all.
The best time to explore the different stations of Tashkent Metro is during the day. Not only do you avoid the crowds, you can also escape the hot weather outside, particularly important if you are visiting Uzbekistan in summer.
Buying tickets for the Tashkent Metro
You can buy tickets inside each metro station at the “Kassa” or cashier window. As of recently you can also tap on and off using your credit card. A single journey ticket costs 2000 som.
If you plan on travelling around on the Tashkent Metro for the day to see the most beautiful stations, you can use the same ticket as long as you don’t leave each station. This means you can spend hours exploring the most beautiful Tashkent Metro stations for around 25 cents USD making it an affordable and fun way to spend time in Tashkent.
The most beautiful stations of the Tashkent Metro
There are many beautiful stations along the Tashkent Metro that are worth a visit. I spent almost a week in Tashkent exploring the city and managed to see a lot of the stations just by catching the metro from A to B.
For more ideas for things to do in Tashkent, read my 3 day Tashkent itinerary.
My final day in Tashkent was spent catching the metro around to see the Tashkent Metro stations that I had missed. If you want to see the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent, set aside around 4-5 hours.
You can view the updated Tashkent Metro map here and plan your trip accordingly.
Here are some of my favourite stations along the Tashkent Metro system.
Paxtakor
Paxtakor station was opened in 1977. The word “Paxtakor”, means ‘cotton picker’ in English. Paxtakor station represents the important role that the cotton growing industry has played in Uzbek history.
The station is decorated with vibrant green and blue mosaics of cotton plants. Although less grand than some other stations on the Tashkent Metro, the mosaics and colour palette give Paxtakor station a vintage charm making it worth a visit.
O’zbekiston
O’zbekiston station was opened in 1984 and is relatively simple in design. Apart from its beautiful and grand light fixtures, the station feels vast and strong.
Inside O’zbekiston station you really get the sense of how it was once used as a bomb shelter, albeit one of the nicest bomb shelters on earth!
Kosmonavtlar
Kosmonavtlar is definitely one of my favourite Tashkent Metro stations. Opened in 1984, Kosmonavtlar station is a tribute to the legendary cosmonauts of the Soviet Union.
Everything about this station screams that it was built in the 80’s. The psychedelic walls and pillars, and the elaborate ceiling that reflects the light like stars reminded me of a David Bowie music video.
The walls of Kosmonavtlar station celebrate iconic space pioneers like Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.
Alisher Navoi
The Alisher Navoi station was opened in 1994. Its domed ceilings and turquoise murals make it one of Tashkent’s most beautiful metro stations!
This metro station is named after a 15th Century Uzbek poet, Ali-Shir Nava’i, who is considered the national poet of Uzbekistan. Along the walls of Alisher Navoi metro station you can find murals that represent scenes from his most famous poems.
Mustaqillik Maydoni
Mustaqillik Maydoni is one of the grandest of Tashkent’s metro stations and also happens to be one of the oldest. Opened in 1977, its marble pillars and imposing chandeliers would feel completely out of place in most metro systems around the world. Such is the appeal of the Tashkent Metro.
This station was originally named after Lenin, but with the fall of the Soviet Union, the station was renamed Mustaqillik Maydoni (Independence Square in English).
Bodomzor
Bodomzor is one of the newest stations on the Tashkent Metro.
Opened in 2001, Bodomzor station is simple compared to other stations. There are cute toadstool-like seats and lighting and geometric patterns on the ceiling that make it feel cartoon-ish and childlike.
Abdulla Qodiriy
Also opened in 2001, Abdulla Qodiriy station stands in contrast to Bodomzor station. While Bodomzor feels modern, Abdulla Qodiriy station feels like stepping back in time.
The station is named after an important Uzbek writer who was executed as an enemy of the people in 1938. Today he is remembered more fondly for his contributions to Uzbek literary culture and influence on Uzbek writers that followed him.
Where to stay in Tashkent
Budget – Our first time in Tashkent we stayed at Humo Family Home. It was spotlessly clean and located walking distance to a major shopping centre. The owner lives next door and is super friendly and helpful (and speaks perfect English).
Mid-range – The Hotel Uzbekistan is grand and imposing. If you’ve done any research on visiting Uzbekistan, you are sure to have come across pictures of this Uzbek icon. We decided to stay there for a few nights to check it out. While it certainly isn’t what it used to be, I do think it is worth staying there if you are interested in Soviet-era history. It could do with a bit of an update, but I think it was more than made up for by the touches of old-world charm like the grand piano serenade at breakfast.
High-end – The Mirzo Boutique Hotel is located a short walk from Chorsu Bazaar in a building reminiscent of an Uzbek palace. The perfect location and impeccable reviews, if this is in your budget it is the perfect place to stay in Tashkent.
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