Is Uzbekistan Safe for Women? 2025–2026 Safety Guide for Solo Female Travelers
Is Uzbekistan Safe for Women? Here’s My Quick Answer
If you’re wondering if Uzbekistan is safe for women to solo travel, let me cut to the chase — yes, it absolutely is.
I’ve traveled extensively across Europe, the Middle East, South America, and beyond, and I felt safer in Uzbekistan than in popular tourist destinations like Paris, Rome, or Barcelona. As an American, I’d even argue I felt safer walking around Uzbekistan’s cities at night than I do in many large cities in the United States. I experienced no harassment, no catcalling, no unwanted attention.
And I’m clearly not the only one who felt that way — Uzbekistan was voted one of the safest countries in the world in the Gallup Global Law and Order Index, and number 1 on the Safety Perceptions Index in 2023, even ranking above many well-known European destinations.
Where I Traveled in Uzbekistan (and Why It Matters for Safety)
I visited Uzbekistan in 2025 independently as an Asian woman traveling with my elementary-aged son. While I’m well-traveled, this was my first time in Central Asia, and I wasn’t on a group tour. We used trains, ride-shares, and regular taxis, and walked everywhere — day and night. We stayed in local boutique hotels and family-run guesthouses with great reviews, not hostels or shared rooms.
💡Bonus tip: If you’re planning your own trip and want my exact route, train tickets, hotel list, tips, and safety notes in one place — I turned all of it into a downloadable Uzbekistan Travel Guide. Scroll down for the link, or click here to grab it now.
Why am I sharing all this? Because safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your experience as a solo backpacker, a mother, a non-Asian traveler, or someone who seeks nightlife may be different so it’s important you know who I am so you can place my experience within a realistic context.
If you’re still asking yourself “is Uzbekistan safe for women like me?” the answer depends a lot on how you travel.
Which Cities in Uzbekistan Felt Safe? (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva)
I spent time in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which are some of the most popular places for tourists in Uzbekistan. I did side trips to Karakalpakstan and visited Shahrisabz. I also crossed the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan land border, which is one of the places scams and safety issues tend to pop up.
Did I Visit Tashkent? No, But Here’s What I’ve Heard
I did not visit Tashkent, so I won’t pretend to speak for it. For what it’s worth, I haven’t heard or read other travelers reporting they faced issues in Tashkent so place as much or little value on that as you’d like.
I’m not here to make sweeping statements like “Uzbekistan is safe for everyone, always”. Travel safety depends on who you are, how you travel, and how people perceive you. I can only speak for myself, and for me, it was easy and calm.
Can Women Walk Alone at Night in Uzbekistan?
There’s something about major tourist cities in Europe that just attracts pickpockets and petty crime. I’ve had multiple pickpocket attempts in Paris (and one successful one), was almost scammed in other various European cities, and even had my phone stolen in plain sight in Barcelona. Those experiences taught me to stay on high alert anytime I’m in big-name tourist cities because scammers actively target visitors.
And in the United States, every woman knows the feeling of having to play defense whenever she walks alone at night (even in broad daylight, depending on where you are). Sometimes, heading one block too far can lead you to “the wrong side of town”.
Thankfully, my time in Uzbekistan was not like this at all.
Did I Ever Feel Watched or Followed?
I walked alone (well, with my young son) both day and night, through busy areas and quiet side streets, and never once felt watched, followed, or approached. No vendors hassled me. No men tried to grab my attention. No one even attempted small talk. It was almost too easy to walk around Uzbekistan compared to somewhere like Paris. For me, that alone answered the question: Is Uzbekistan safe for women walking alone at night? Yes.
Do Uzbek Men Stare or Catcall? My Honest Experience
In some major cities like Marrakesh or Istanbul, you can’t walk very far as a tourist without being invited (read: pressured) to “come check out my carpet shop.” In Cairo, you get approached by a dozen hustlers before you’ve even made it to the pyramids. It’s like every vendor has eagle eyes on tourists, ready to cut you a deal… or swindle you for more (hard to say which 😂).
In places like India or Bangladesh, men will stare openly at women travelers. I get it — we stand out. And in countries with more “macho culture,” there’s the inevitable catcalling. Maybe some men think we’re flattered, but I have yet to meet a single female traveler who enjoys being whistled at or proposed to by a complete stranger. The joys of traveling as a woman, right?
I’ve gotten used to tuning this stuff out. I know it’s part of the culture in some places. But it can be exhausting, especially if you’re not used to it.
So How Did Men in Uzbekistan Treat Me?
Uzbekistan was nothing like that.
I experienced zero harassment in Uzbekistan. No catcalling. No men staring at me. No vendors chasing me down or begging me to enter their shops. I didn’t even get invited to tea, which some travelers describe as a big part of Uzbek hospitality. Personally? I was totally fine with that. I prefer being left alone.
For the most part, locals just kept to themselves. The only times anyone approached me were at the Registan in Samarkand. A guard asked if I wanted to go up a minaret for the viewpoint (which I actually did want to see). Elsewhere, a group of school kids asked to take photos with me.
So yes, I clearly looked like a tourist, but never once did I feel like a target. If you travel with a calm energy and aren’t looking for attention, you’ll likely find Uzbekistan just as low-key and hassle-free as I did.
Is Public Transport and Yandex Taxi Safe for Women in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has several transport options for travelers: trains, buses, marshrutkas (shared minibuses), regular taxis, and ride-share services like Yandex (Uzbekistan’s version of Uber). I even saw tuk-tuks in Bukhara.
Because Yandex taxis are so inexpensive, I didn’t see a point in using buses or marshrutkas. I used Yandex most of the time, took regular taxis when Yandex wasn’t available, and used the train for longer routes. I never had a single issue with Yandex and highly recommend it as the most efficient way to get around cities in Uzbekistan.
Can Women Safely Use Yandex Taxi Alone in Uzbekistan?
Yes, I felt completely safe using Yandex taxis as a woman traveling alone (with my son).
They were inexpensive (often under $2 per ride across town), required no small talk, and arrived within minutes. Even hotel staff told me, “Just use Yandex” when I asked them to call a taxi. I take that as a strong sign that locals also consider it a safe and trusted option.
Not once were drivers openly chatty (once they realized I couldn’t speak Russian, that was the end of the convo 😂), ask personal questions, or take a weird detour. I had straightforward, no-drama rides.
Are Taxi Scams Common at the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan Border?
Yandex taxis don’t operate at the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan land border, so your options are private taxis or marshrutkas (shared taxis where you pay per person).
Because that’s your only option, taxi drivers tend to quote inflated prices.
For example: One driver quoted me three times the normal price to go from the border to Samarkand. I knew it was inflated because I had taken a Yandex taxi earlier that day for one-third of the cost from Samarkand to the border.
So, is it a scam? Or just a driver testing your negotiation skills? Truth be told, you ought to expect taxi drivers you hail outside of the Yandex app to quote you a higher price whether you’re at the border or not, and it’s up to you to negotiate it down:
- Expect the first offer to be high.
- Negotiate politely.
- And if you end up overpaying a bit? Don’t beat yourself up — it’s standard taxi hustle, not a safety threat.
What Should Women Wear in Uzbekistan? Do You Need to Cover Up?
Uzbekistan is a Muslim-majority country, but it’s not as conservative as places like Yemen or Saudi Arabia. Think “modest but modern.” Local women wear everything from jeans and blouses to long dresses and headscarves. As a traveler, you don’t need to cover head-to-toe.
What is the dress code for Uzbekistan?
Here’s the simple dress code I followed (and never had an issue):
✅ Shoulders covered
✅ Knees covered
✅ Nothing skin-tight or low-cut
❌ No short shorts, spaghetti straps, or crop tops
A t-shirt + wide-leg pants or a long skirt + loose top can be your Uzbekistan travel staples. If you want an easy packing formula:
- Lightweight wide-leg pants
- Loose-fitting dresses that cover shoulders
- Flowy skirts that fall below the knee
- A scarf for entering mosques (that’s pretty much the only time you’ll need it)
- A regular crew-neck t-shirt (not a cropped baby tee)
Do you need to cover your hair in Uzbekistan?
Only when entering mosques or religious sites. Some mosques or religious sites also have scarves you can borrow but it’s nice to have your own. You don’t need to wear a headscarf while walking around cities.
Weather Tip:
- Summer is scorching. Pack lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or rayon.
- Spring and autumn are perfect for layers.
- Winter can get be freezing, so cover up and bring a winter coat.
Can you shop for clothes locally?
Yes, Uzbek markets are full of colorful scarves, silk pants, loose dresses/skirts, and flowy tunics. Shopping at the markets and picking up silk goods is one of the things I recommend doing in Uzbekistan, too. I bought wide-leg silk pants in Khiva that were so wide they’re easily mistaken for skirts! What’s even better is that they kept me cool when it was hot out!
What About Shoes?
You don’t need hiking boots unless you’re actually hiking. Sneakers or sandals are perfectly fine for Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.
💡Bonus tip: When entering mosques and madrassas, visitors should take their shoes off. As such, wearing shoes that you can easily slip on or off is preferred! Also, wear socks if you’re not a fan of walking around barefoot.
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✅ Packing & dress code cheat sheet for women
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What’s the Real Secret to Staying Safe While Traveling? Don’t Be an Idiot.
Overall, Uzbekistan is safe for women to travel. But that doesn’t mean you chuck all common sense out the door.
As with any country, there are good people and bad people everywhere. So use the same travel safety precautions you’d use anywhere else in the world.
What safety precautions do I always follow?
Here’s what I always do — in Uzbekistan or anywhere:
- Make sure someone at home has your itinerary
- Share your live location with a friend or family member
- Never tell anyone you’re traveling solo — even if you are
- Don’t call attention to yourself with flashy jewelry or designer bags
- Be polite, but don’t be afraid to say “no” if you’re not interested
- Ask locals (or your host) about any areas to avoid once you arrive
- Don’t carry large wads of cash — and personally, I skip purses to avoid pickpockets altogether
Basically, use your common sense in Uzbekistan and you’ll be fine. If you’re planning to party hard, stumble back drunk at 2am, or bunk with strangers in hostels, I can’t speak to how safe that will be for you. What I can say is: If you travel responsibly, respectfully, and with awareness, Uzbekistan will feel very safe.
Who Will Feel Safe Traveling in Uzbekistan and Who Might Not?
I can only speak from my experience but I believe that Uzbekistan is one of the safer countries women can travel to. Still, just like in any other country in the world, your experience may vary based on who you are, what you look like, and how you move through the country.
When I travel, I am never looking for trouble. I’m not out super late. I’m not looking to party. I’m there to see the sites, linger in cafes, get a little lost in the cities, and take a ton of photos (my guilty pleasure). I try to be as respectful as possible, too.
If that resonates with your travel style, you should feel safe traveling to Uzbekistan whether you’re part of a group tour or traveling independently as a woman.
If you’re going to Uzbekistan and hoping to find the party scene, backpack through the country, or hitchhike Central Asia, you should look for other travelers who did that and read their accounts of how safe they felt.
So… is Uzbekistan safe for women? For solo female travelers? For families? For Americans?
Based on my experience, yes! But safety isn’t just about where you go. It’s also about how you carry yourself.
If you travel respectfully, modestly, and with basic awareness, I genuinely believe you’ll find Uzbekistan just as safe and welcoming as I did.
🚀 P.S. If you’re ready to plan your own Uzbekistan trip and don’t want to piece everything together yourself — my downloadable Uzbekistan Travel Guide has my full itinerary, train routes, driver contacts, packing list and safety notes. Grab it here and get 20% off any tours you book with my recommended guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still wondering “is Uzbekistan safe for women overall?” That’s exactly why I included this FAQ section — to answer the most common safety questions directly:
Yes. I walked around both cities at night (with my son) and never felt unsafe. I stuck to the tourist areas and well-lit streets, and nobody bothered me. That said, ask your guesthouse or hotel host if their specific neighborhood is safe to walk at night — they know the local nuances best.
Yes — if you’re comfortable using ride-share apps like Uber at home, Yandex will feel the same. I used it constantly and had no uncomfortable driver behavior, no questioning, no detours. Just straightforward rides at under $2 each.
Technically, yes — especially in Tashkent. You will see younger locals wearing shorts or short sleeves in bigger cities. But out of respect, I still recommend dressing more modestly in general. If you do wear shorts, bring something to cover your knees before entering mosques or religious sites.
Absolutely. Long, loose dresses are one of the most comfortable and practical options, especially in summer. Just make sure the dress covers your shoulders and knees. As a bonus, you’ll blend right in with many Uzbek women, who also wear flowy dresses regularly.
No, you do not need to cover your hair while walking around cities or tourist sites. The only time you’ll be asked to cover your head is when entering mosques or religious sites. Some places provide scarves at the entrance, but it’s easier to bring your own lightweight scarf just in case.
Yes. As a Chinese woman, I never experienced discrimination or harassment. I stuck to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, and the only stares I got were from school kids who were curious and then asked for photos afterward. It felt more like curiosity than anything negative.
Yes. As an American, I never felt unwelcome or unsafe. In fact, locals didn’t care where I was from. There was no political weirdness, no negative comments, no “United States?” reactions. Just politeness.
Yes, if you dress modestly and travel respectfully, you won’t stand out in a negative way. Uzbekistan is conservative in values, but most people just go about their day and ignore tourists. Nobody hassled me, stared at me, or questioned why I was alone.
In my experience, absolutely. If you’ve dealt with persistent vendors or aggressive touts in Marrakech, Istanbul, or Cairo, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Uzbekistan is far more low-key. No one chased me down, tried to “guide” me for money, or pressured me into entering shops.
