Before visiting Uzbekistan, we had absolutely no idea that Tashkent was home to some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Built during the soviet era, Tashkent’s metro stations are a nod to the country’s rich cultural heritage and history and serve as far more than just transit points for travellers. Hidden underground, we discovered mini living museums that each tell their own story through unique design and style.
Until 2018, it was actually prohibited to photograph the metro stations in Tashkent because it was also used as a nuclear bomb shelter (!) This meant that the station’s beauty and intricacy remained a mystery to a lot of the world. Thankfully, nowadays, Uzbekistan has opened up to tourism and travellers are invited to explore and photograph Tashkent’s beautiful metro stations.
Our tour of Tashkent’s metro stations was actually one of our (unexpectedly) favourite experiences in the city, as well as our city food tour and historical tour. It was so interesting learning about each unique station and enjoying the metro, which is incredibly civilised, cheap and fascinating to ride.
So, if you’re planning on visiting Tashkent and would like to know which are the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent, then read on. Below is everything you need to know about the city’s metro system and some of the most photogenic stops along the way.
The Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Tashkent
1. Alisher Navoi Station – Celebrating Uzbek Heritage
Alisher Navoi Station is an artistic gem in Tashkent’s metro.
Its design draws inspiration from Uzbek literary greatness and feels particularly regal and civilised. We were welcomed by beautiful mosaic domes, with intricate gold patterns that mirror the mosques and madrassas found throughout the country. Everywhere we looked, we were met with intricate tile work, with the walls featuring stunning mosaics celebrating Alisher Navoi’s poems.
In fact, far from a metro station, it felt like we’d stepped foot into the entrance of a palace, with the blue domes making the metro feel incredibly spacious and calming.
2. Kosmonavtlar Station: A Journey to the Stars
Ahead of our tour to Uzbekistan, we were researching the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent and came across images of Kosmonavtlar Station. Wow.
Kosmonavtlar Station felt like stepping into a cosmic dream. Its space-themed design stands out with rich blue hues and starry motifs. The station honours Soviet space exploration achievements and opened in 1984 to celebrate Soviet cosmonauts, such as Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova.
This was probably our favourite stop and by far one of the most beautiful metro stations of Tashkent. What’s not to love about looking up at the “milky way” on the ceiling of your metro station while you wait for your train to arrive.
3. Paxtakor (on the Chilonzor Line)
Another for your list of the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent is Paxtakor. This station opened in November 1977 and translates to “cotton picker”, which makes a lot of sense when you see the intricate murals.
Uzbekistan was once one of the world’s leading producers of cotton producers, until a decree in 2018 in Uzbekistan ordered the end to forced labour, and in turn, the cotton picking industry. Uzbekistan has come a long way since then, now turning to tourism as its major source of income.
As one of the oldest stops on the metro station, this is definitely one of the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent and well worth a visit.
4. Mustaqillik Maydoni
Another of the earliest metro stops in Tashkent, Mustaqillik Maydoni (Independence Square) is named after the central square of the city that’s located just above the metro stop. Both the metro stop and the square were once called ‘Lenin’ but the name was changed after the downfall of the USSR in September 1991.
Built from almost entirely marble, this stop is one of the most lavish metro stations in Tashkent and we were in awe of just how much time and effort has been put into something as simple as an underground station stop. The huge chandeliers above travellers heads are complimented by tiled stars on the floor and are another nod to the country’s cosmonauts.
5. Yunus Rajabiy
This metro station was built in 2001 and is named after a famous Uzbek singer. This was a busier metro stop on our tour, as it acts as the interchange station between the Cholinzor (red line) and Yunusobod (green line). It is also connects to the Amir Temur station.
This is another grand metro stop with imposing marble pillars and a beautiful sweeping staircase in the middle of the platform.
6. Bodomzor
This deliciously almond themed metro stop in Tashkent is probably one of the favourites. Although you wouldn’t say its quintessentially beautiful like some of the others, its design and palette are a delight to look at.
Image credit: валентин паршин, CC0 Wikimedia Commons
Translated to ‘Almond Grove’, Bodomzor has a beautiful white ceiling with geometric blue patterns, and futuristic looking ‘almond’ lamps.
7. Hamid Olimjan
Hamid Olimjan metro station opened in 1980 and is named after one of the country’s most renowned poets. On station platform 9, you’ll find the most beautiful ornate glazes, as well as 9 luminaire made of white marble.
8. Chilonzor
Chilonzor was the very first district in Tashkent and is decorated with beautiful, brightly coloured murals, as well as huge chandeliers that look more like giant crowns.
9. Pushkin
Finally, on my list of the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent is Pushkin.
Pushkin Station is part of the city’s Chilonzor Metro Line and is one of the Uzbek capital’s most elegant underground landmarks. Opened in 1980 and named after the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, the station combines a pleasing mix Soviet-era grandeur and more delicate designs. Its interior features dark marble, bronze candelabras and a ceiling filled with hexagon patterns.
FAQs about Tashkent Metro System
If you’re looking for a little more information on the Tashkent metro station, I’ve put together a FAQ sheet for you with all of the commonly asked questions.
1. Brief History of Tashkent’s Metro System
The Tashkent Metro, located in Uzbekistan’s capital, is one of the most beautiful subway systems in the world. It opened on the 6th November, 1977, and was actually the first metro system in the whole of Central Asia.
In 1966, Uzbekistan experienced an earthquake that devastated the country, and the city had to undergo a complete redevelopment, which included modernising the city with a metro line. This was to also accommodate a huge population surge at the time, with a modernisation plan of the city urgently required.
The metro was designed, therefore, not just for convenience for its fast growing population but also as a symbol of the Union’s resilience and fight for growth and progress. This definitely makes sense when you see the metro stations, which are nothing like I’ve ever seen before.
Each station is a piece of art and decorated uniquely to represent the culture, people and history of Uzbekistan. For example (and as mentioned below), stations like Kosmonavtlar, Paxtakor, and Alisher Navoiy reflect the country’s culture, science, and literature.
Who designed the Tashkent Metro’s interior decorations?
Quite amazingly, every station on the Tashkent metro was designed by an individual artist. Every station is unique and honours a different aspect of the country’s past, including its culture, history, art and science. This really makes Tashkent’s metro incredibly unique and a joy to explore as a tourist in the country.
It actually ended up being one of our favourite activities while in Tashkent, where we explored an underground world of huge chandeliers, high ceilings and intricate designs.
2. Practical Information about the Tashkent Metro
Now you know which stations in Tashkent to explore, here’s some more practical information about travelling on the city’s metro. We travelled as a group of 18 women and had no issues at all on the metros – they’re an easy and incredibly cheap way to get around the city.
1. How long would it take to see all of the metros in Tashkent?
Although we only had a whistle stop tour of the metros in Tashkent, if you’re committed to seeing all of the metro stations in the city, you’d need to carve out a good 5 hours (this takes into account heading up and out of the underground to see some sights). As we were pushed for time in Tashkent, we instead asked our guide to pick his favourite stops and we enjoyed a more condensed 1.5 hour tour.
2. How much does a Tashkent Metro ticket cost?
A single metro ticket in Tashkent costs 1400 Uzbek Sum, which is just 11p in British Pounds. This is if you’re buying your ticket by card. Oddly, if you’re buying your ticket with cash, a single ticket costs more at 18p.
If you want to do a tour of the metro system in Tashkent, therefore, then you’ll only need to buy the single ticket if you’re planning to tour in one go. This means you only need to spend 11p in order to experience 3-4 hours viewing some of the most beautiful stations in the world.
What a bargain.
To buy a metro ticket in Tashkent, simply head to your chosen station where you’ll find a yellow sign saying “kassa”, where you can buy your QR ticket.
3. Is it safe and easy to use the metro in Tashkent?
Absolutely! We found the metro in Tashkent to be surprisingly calm and organised and didn’t feel particularly vulnerable as both tourists and women. Our guide did warn us that, like on any public transport system, we should be careful of pickpockets and to keep our bags secure.
Uzbekistan is actually regarded as one of the safest countries to visit in the world and I can confirm we felt completely at ease and welcomed in the country.
4. What are the most popular stations for tourists to visit?
Some of the most popular stations in Tashkent for tourists are Kosmonavtlar Station for its starry, space theme, Paxtakor for its dazzling mosaics and Bodomzor for its quirky, modern design that’s a little different to the traditional Soviet designs.
5. How many lines and stations does the Tashkent Metro have?
The Tashkent Metro has 4 official lines: Chilonzor (red), Ozbekiston (blue), Yunusobod (green) and the Circle (Halqa) Line, (which is either yellow or a light blue). The metro in Tashkent is so easy to navigate – even I, who could get lost in my hometown, found it really easy to find my way around in.
The Tashkent runs from 5am – midnight everyday, and trains run every 5-7 minutes.
6. Can you take photos on the Metro in Tashkent?
As mentioned above, you can can now freely take photographs of Tashkent’s metro stations and we highly recommend it!
Pin for later: The Prettiest Metro Stations in Tashkent
