Packing list for Uzbekistan, travel insurance for Uzbekistan, and taking your belongings

What to take to Uzbekistan: brief

To pack and check

• Documents: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. For many nationalities, a visa-free stay or e-visa is possible for short tourist trips, but always check the current rules.
• Money: Uzbek som (UZS), with euros or US dollars as a backup if needed. You can withdraw cash in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Cash is the norm.
• Clothing: light, modest clothing for hot summers, supplemented with layers for cooler evenings in the desert and for spring and autumn. Modest clothing is useful for certain religious and tourist locations.
• Personal Care: sunscreen and lip balm. The sun is intense, especially in the desert areas. Tissues or wet wipes may also come in handy for bathroom visits.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sneakers, for the extensive walking in the old cities with lots of cobblestones and dust. Medicines and first-aid kit: ORS, painkillers, anti-diarrhea medication, and personal medication.
• Outdoors and practical items: reusable water bottle and possibly a hat or cap for sun protection.
• Technology and equipment: power bank; otherwise, the country uses the same plugs as the Netherlands and Belgium (types C and F).
• Transport: an international driving license can be useful if you rent a car outside the cities.

To consider

• A light scarf for sun and dust protection (and for visits to religious sites).
• Offline maps; distances between cities can be large.
• A little space in your luggage for carpets, ceramics, and textiles from bazaars.

What knowledge comes in handy when traveling to Uzbekistan?

• Uzbekistan has strict rules, including a registration system for foreign travelers. You are required to have your overnight stays officially registered by your accommodation provider. These registration documents (often digital or printed “registration slips”) can be checked upon departure from the country or during checks en route. It is therefore important to keep these safe throughout your trip.
• Traveling in Uzbekistan often involves long distances, where offline entertainment can be useful.
• Outside of tourist centers, English is not a given everywhere. Therefore, offline travel information, addresses, and reservations are handy.
• Additionally, bazaars and markets play an important role in daily life. Payment is still frequently made in cash.

Are there mosquitoes in Uzbekistan?

• Yes, especially in warmer and wetter areas during the summer. Fortunately, they are not a problem for most travelers.

Are there sandflies in Uzbekistan?

• Sandflies are found in dry, desert-like areas. So, there is a chance you might encounter them during your stay or hike in the Kyzylkum desert.
• Read more about sandflies.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents in Uzbekistan?

• Yes, mosquito repellent is readily available in cities and pharmacies.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Uzbekistan, or bring it with you to Uzbekistan?

• Cannabis is illegal in Uzbekistan. Use, possession, and import can have major, unpleasant consequences.