Is Uzbekistan Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
If you’re considering a trip as a solo female traveller in 2025, we highly recommend Uzbekistan.
Despite it not being an obvious destination for Western travellers in the past, Uzbekistan has opened up hugely to tourists over the last few years and is now a budget-friendly and very safe country to visit.
We ran a female only tour to Uzbekistan in October 2023 and felt far safer (as a group of females) than in other countries, such as North Africa or Middle East. In fact, there are no specific safety concerns for solo female travellers visiting Uzbekistan.
Deemed a ‘safe’ country to visit, females should approach a trip to Uzbekistan in the same way they would any other country – taking appropriate precautions to enhance their general safety.
Below are some top tips and general advice on visiting Uzbekistan as a female tourist, based on our own experience.
Introduction to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, nestled in the heart of Central Asia, is a country that has (until recently) flown under the tourism radar.
However, thanks to reforms introduced by the current Uzbek government, the nation has become increasingly open and is now overwhelmingly proud to welcome international visitors. These changes have not only boosted the economy and tourism sector, but have also contributed to a safer and more enjoyable experience for travellers.
If you’re planning to visit Uzbekistan, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the local authorities, customs, and safety regulations. Entry requirements can vary depending on your nationality, so check whether you need a visa and ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
If you’re considering exploring the country by car (although I’d definitely advise you make use of the incredible train network), you’ll need an international driving permit.
Travel insurance is – of course – a must for any trip and Uzbekistan is no exception.
Make sure your policy covers overseas medical costs, medical evacuation and any unexpected incidents that could arise during your travels. By staying informed and prepared, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the rich culture, stunning architecture and warm hospitality that Uzbekistan has to offer.
Practical Tips for Exploring Uzbekistan as a Solo Female Traveller
As mentioned above, although Uzbekistan is a safe country to visit as a solo female tourist, there are still ways to reduce your risk of being a victim of crime, or encountering any other issues whilst there.
1. Secure Luggage to Avoid Pick Pockets
As with any city, there’s always a risk of pick-pockets and Uzbekistan is no different (although petty crime is – amazingly – incredibly low). Pickpocketing is more likely to occur in crowded places, such as busy markets or transport hubs – something to keep in mind when touring its beautiful underground stations.
During our time in Uzbekistan, we were encouraged to ensure both our hand luggage and hold luggage was secure, particularly as we were travelling by train a lot while in the country. If you’re travelling by Metro in Tashkent, this is probably where you want to be on highest alert – and we recommend using a money belt or keeping your backpack on your front for any journeys.
2. Dress Conservatively
As Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, we recommend dressing conservatively as a solo female traveller in the country.
Having said that, however, Uzbekistan is still incredibly relaxed and – as our guide told us – it’s a country that puts people first over religion. This means that we saw female tourists (and locals) dressed in really varied ways – particularly in Tashkent.
If you are visiting during Ramadan or entering religious sites, particular care should definitely be taken to avoid offending local customs. We saw some Russian ex-pats dressing in shorts and crop tops, and the reaction was a little iffy.
However, a reminder that if you visit any of Uzbekistan’s grand mosques or holy sites, women are expected to cover their head with a scarf – and ensure their shoulders and ankles are also covered.
If you’re unsure what to wear, we recommend our guide to what to pack as a female traveller to Uzbekistan for more guidance.
3. Buy an E-Sim that Works in Uzbekistan
One of the best things I did before travelling to Uzbekistan was buying an e-sim ahead of the trip.
It was really easy to use and ensured I was able to keep in touch with my husband and daughter while I was far from home. If you’re a solo female traveller, ensuring you can use your phone while in Uzbekistan is an incredibly important way to ensure better connectivity.
4. Plan Your Currency Carefully
The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani sum and is a closed currency. This means that you’re not able to withdraw the currency until you’re in the country and will need to bring dollars with you, in order to exchange.
A top tip – you should only change money at official exchange booths to avoid any issues, and they’re also more likely to be able to give you a more diverse range of note sizes. We found that the majority of these more official kiosks were inside the larger, international hotels.
The current exchange rate is 1 dollar to every 25 SUM, and with high inflation, be prepared to carry a lot of notes on you. US dollars are widely accepted for exchange at official locations, but not for everyday purchases. The Uzbek som is the only legal tender accepted and any foreign currency above a certain threshold has to be declared upon entry.
When travelling solo as a female in Uzbekistan, you’ll want to consider where you’ll have opportunities to withdraw money – and ensure you withdraw a modest amount.
Another quick tip – international credit cards are not widely accepted outside major cities, so plan accordingly and get some money out before you travel.
5. Be Aware of Current Laws in Uzbekistan
Same sex relationships are still classed as a crime in Uzbekistan – and can be punishable for up to 3 years in prison.
Please bare this in mind if travelling as a couple, as public displays of affection could attract unwanted harassment from locals – and even lead to being arrested.
We recommend using Equaldex for further information on LGBTQ+ rights in Uzbekistan.
6. Carry Your Passport with you at All Times
According to UK Gov travel advice, tourists visiting Uzbekistan must carry their passports with them at all times. I must admit, as we had a tour guide, I didn’t realise this but know he did have our passports at all times during the tour.
They were often asked for at supririsng times, such as on a train, or before entering one of the country’s large historical sites, so just be sure you have it to hand.
Health and Medical Care in Uzbekistan
When it comes to health and medical care, Uzbekistan is making steady progress, but decent healthcare can be patchy outside of the larger cities – like Tashkent.
The country’s system is still influenced by its Soviet past and while medical personnel are generally well-trained, medical facilities may not always meet international standards.
To stay healthy during your trip, take sensible precautions: drink only bottled or filtered water, avoid undercooked food and carry a doctor’s prescription for any medications you bring with you. As a tour group in Uzbekistan, we experienced a few dodgy tummies here and there – but nothing that cut our trip short or caused us too much grief (and nowhere near as bad as the food poisoning we succumbed to in Morocco).
The Uzbek government is working (hard) to improve healthcare infrastructure, but for peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is – as ever – essential.
What are the Safest Cities in Uzbekistan?
During our week visit to Uzbekistan, we completed the ‘golden triangle’ itinerary – visiting Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand. These are all cities on the ancient Silk Road Route, and are easy to get to by high speed train.
These cities are the main tourist areas in Uzbekistan and are generally considered the safest for visitors. As such, it’s likely a route you’ll also take as a solo female traveller in Uzbekistan – and one we’d definitely recommend.
Tashkent
Tashkent feels the most modern and cosmopolitan of the three cities we visited – and to be honest, felt no different to many European cities. The city has a low crime rate and is extensively policed (although this hasn’t always been the case).
The country did once have a reputation for an extremely corrupt police force, but things have long since changed since the arrival of the new President in 2016. Police officers are also now much more professional and focused on crime prevention.
Since then, tourism has been a huge focus for the country, and as a result, the police force – who once saw tourists as an easy way to make a little money – now have 78 new laws to govern them by.
This has vastly improved the safety of tourists in the city, especially if you’re a female tourist in Uzbekistan.
We didn’t feel uncomfortable at all exploring the city, even at night, when the bustling streets were well lit and safe. Violent crime is rare in Tashkent, which also obviously contributes to its reputation as a very safe city. In fact, we felt like any other group of locals or ex pats enjoying the city – happily joining the huge melting pot of different cultures that now call this city home.
Bukhara
Bukhara is a very different vibe to Tashkent, feeling far more like a dusty, desert oasis.
Despite the contrasting setting, however, Bukhara also felt incredibly safe and its compact nature meant it was easy to navigate as a solo female traveller. As it was a smaller city, we found locals particularly friendly and more than happy to support with directions or enquiries.
A police and tourist information centre is located in the heart of the city, which is very useful. These ‘tourist police’ can now be found in the country’s most visited cities, as a result of the new President and his focus on tourism – and are there to look specifically after tourists, which is very reassuring. They can help out with things like directions, translations (most speak brilliant English), preventing petty crime, emergencies, embassy contacts and lost documents.
Keep your eyes peeled for them – they wear blue uniforms and often have a large ‘tourism police’ badge.
A little tip – when exploring, avoid taking photographs near police stations to prevent misunderstandings or issues with authorities.
Samarkand
Samarkand is the destination capital of Uzbekistan and the city welcomes and accommodates tourists with little issue. If you’re travelling as a solo female, you’ll blend in with the other groups of tourists, and the city’s many restaurants/cafes are geared towards the tourist trade.
Like Bukhara, Samarkand also has tourism police that are easily accessible, should you require any support.
Is Public Transport Safe to Use in Uzbekistan for Female Travellers?
I would say that the public transport in Uzbekistan, including the metro in Tashkent, felt far safer than cities such as London or other European cities. As such, public transportation in Uzbekistan is generally safe and reliable for solo female travellers.
First off, the metro system of Tashkent is incredibly beautiful, with every metro stop offering Soviet designed stations that will take your breath away.
Furthermore, the metro is incredibly orderly and calm, and we felt not issue in travelling on it alone as females. It also in no way features the crushing crowds of other cities, and is actually pretty relaxed to travel on.
A quick tip – photography is restricted near metro stations due to security regulations (a hang over from the Soviet period).
On the mainland trains themselves, we also encountered efficient, orderly travel. There were plenty of tourists on all of the trains and we didn’t feel out of place or at risk in any way as female travellers.
Our 3-4 hour train journeys between cities were actually incredibly relaxing, with high speed rail providing comfy seats, free meals and even a bar. During our trip to the onboard bar, the staff even danced with us and played music: an all-round life affirming experience.
An interesting quirk that we didn’t know before we got to Uzbekistan: many of its buses and taxis run on compressed natural gas, so it’s wise to choose modern vehicles and licensed taxis for safety. Unofficial taxis are common, but it’s best to avoid them where possible.
What’s the Dress Code for Female Travellers in Uzbekistan?
As mentioned above, we recommend dressing conservatively as a solo female traveller in Uzbekistan.
This is less to do with the fact the country is predominately Muslim – as this is a country based on its people not religion – but just to avoid any general unwanted attention. In all cities, but particularly Samarkand, women were wearing a huge variety of clothing and there didn’t appear to be an expectation to cover up, unless visiting a religious site.
Personally, however, I think dressing conservatively just generally helps stop any unwanted attention. This means covering your shoulders and knees – and having a pashmina ready to cover your head at any religious sites.
Read our full guide to what to pack as a female travelling to Uzbekistan for more information
What are Public Toilets Like in Uzbekistan?
We found the toilets in Uzbekistan to be a real mix of Western and Asian design.
In our hotel rooms, we found your more ‘traditional’ western toilets, but public toilets were generally squat toilets. As a female traveller, you may want to bear this in mind in terms of changing period wear while travelling. Despite being squat toilets, they did all feel safe and were separated from the male toilets.
We highly recommend, however, that you bring your own toilet roll for public toilets as this was lacking in a lot of places.
Our Experience: Visiting Uzbekistan as Female Travellers
Our all-women tour to Uzbekistan turned out to be one of the most memorable and rewarding journeys we’ve taken: a definite highlight of our adventures.
From the moment we arrived, we were met with warmth and genuine hospitality that completely exceeded our expectations. The locals welcomed us with big smiles and we immediately felt at ease, even in unfamiliar surroundings.
Uzbekistan’s cities, from the grandeur of Samarkand to the charm of Bukhara, offered not just beauty and culture, but a genuine sense of comfort and safety.
Having led female-only tours across the world, we can confidently say that Uzbekistan stands out as one of the safest destinations we’ve experienced — both as travellers and as women. At no point during our trip did we feel unsafe or unwelcome. Whether walking through bustling markets, visiting ancient sites, or riding local transport, we were met with respect, kindness and genuine curiosity.
The people of Uzbekistan are incredibly accommodating and proud to share their culture and traditions. Many were eager to help, engage in conversation and offer assistance; even with the obvious language barriers. However, I would say that learning a few words of Uzbek or Russian can definitely make communication much easier.
The presence of Tourism Police in key areas added an extra layer of reassurance (although we never found ourselves needing their help).
For solo female travellers or women considering exploring Uzbekistan, we’d definitely recommend it as a destination. It’s a country where tradition meets modernity, where travellers are truly valued, and where women can explore confidently and freely.
Given that the government is dedicated to continuing to improve its safety, security and infrastructure – the experience for visitors is also only going to get better and better.