Are you in search of up-to-date and accurate information for your journey from Samarkand to the Panjakent border crossing? Let us help you with that!
Having navigated this journey ourselves, we will take you through each step required in this easy guide from Samarkand, Uzbekistan to the Tajikistan, Panjakent border crossing.
Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing in 5 Easy Steps
When it comes to border crossings, the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing is pretty straightforward, however, there was one unexpected step that could have really cost us a lot in fines, so be sure to pay close attention to that information!
Without further adieu, let’s get started with our easy travel guide to the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing.
Step #1 of the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
For the first step of the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing you will have to travel from your accommodation in Samarkand to Kaftarkhona Bus Station on the east outskirts of Samarkand.
The easiest and cheapest way of getting to Kaftarkhona Bus Station from your accommodation in Samarkand is via the Yandex Taxi app – (the equivalent to Uber).
Now, we rarely recommend getting taxis while travelling and usually opt for the more budget friendly option of public transport. However, in Uzbekistan this taxi app is so cheap that you would be crazy not to take advantage.
We paid 1000 SOM which is 70 cent altogether through Yandex for the 4 kilometer (2.5 miles) from our hotel near Registan Square to Kaftarkhona Bus Station.
We may be budget travellers but we are also smart travellers and know great value when we see it!
An alternative option is to take the #41 marshrutka for 1,300 SOM per person from the Registan Square – we will leave you figure out which is the smartest travel option!
Make sure to download the Yandex Taxi app in your home country, or else the app will be in Russian. You will also need an Uzbekistan SIM card to complete the set up on Yandex. SIM cards in Uzbekistan are available at a very low price and offer great value.
If you are not a budget traveller, then it is also possible to take a Yandex directly to the Tajikistan border from Samarkand. This option will cost you around 200.000 SOM, around 15 Euros.
Step #2 of the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
Congratulations, you have completed step#1 to Kaftarkhona Bus Station. Don’t expect a fancy bus station, more a road and car park full of Marshrutkas, taxis and a lot of shouting! The distance from Kaftarkhona Bus Station to the Tajikistan border is now only 40 kilometers away (25 miles).
Sadly it is time to say goodbye to the easy and convenience of the wonderful Yandex taxi APP and welcome back to the world of haggling. Here is what we know about the price of the marshrutka from Kaftarkhona to the Panjakent crossing at the Tajikistan border:
We read the actual honest price is 10.000 SOM. We arrived and as you can expect people we trying to charge us 50.000 SOM EACH. Luckily we did our research so simply laughed at this ridiculous attempt to scam tourists and walked on.
We got the price down for 15.000 SOM per person which equates to 1.10 Euro. For a 40 kilometer drive we thought this was fair, even if it was a still a little higher than the honest price. A good tip is to have your 15.000 SOM per person ready, and act like you know what the actual price is, which you do anyway!
These marshrutkas leave when full but you won’t be waiting long, we were on the road within minutes.
You will drop off people along the way. In fact, we were the only two left in the bus upon arriving at the Uzbekistan border. From Kaftarkhona Bus Station to the Tajikistan border took only 40 minutes.
Step #3 of the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
With step #2 completed You have now arrived at the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing.
We were immediately approached asking if we needed a private car once we crossed the border, we simply pointed to the marshrutka we piled out of and said “no thank you” and kept walking.
Be aware that from this point no photos are allowed and these will be deleted from your phone if you are seen taking photos.
You will approach the first office where you will be asked to show your passport – easy.
Now this is the bit that gets interesting, or terrifying, depending on how prepared you are!
At the next stage, where you get stamped out of Uzbekistan, you can get asked for you registration in Uzbekistan.
This is where we were unprepared and stood confused “Our what?!” so read carefully and learn from our mistakes.
Uzbekistan Registration
Supposedly whilst visiting Uzbekistan we were to obtain a “registration” from each accommodation stayed at. We had read something about this online but also read that it was no longer needed so we didn’t think much more about it.
At this point, we were asked to step aside and wait for a higher-ranking officer to arrive. Fortunately, this officer was the very first one we encountered who initially checked our passports, and Kevin ended up having a bit of football banter with him (because Kevin De Bruyne has the same first name!) this may have been the only thing to save our ass, well that’s what we are going with anyway!
After some in depth discussions between the officers, as well as some failed attempts to contact the accommodations we stayed in, the senior officer just gave us the green light to get stamped out with no repercussions.
We were half expecting this officer to be waiting outside to receive a payment for his actions, but no. There was no sign of him.
We’ve since heard from other travelers that they weren’t asked for this registration at all. There are also rumors that failing to have it could result in fines up to $1,000 per person. So, whether we were lucky for not getting a fine or unlucky for seemingly being the only ones to be asked, who knows. We’ll go with the lucky part being from Ireland and all!
Step #4 of the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
Now that the tricky part is over, you are literally halfway through the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing.
You will then proceed to the next office to hand over your passport and get stamped in. Welcome to Tajikistan!
Next, you’ll pass your bags through a scanner manned by an officer who may appear to be quite disinterested and more preoccupied with enjoying their lunch or playing on their phone.
Although we got held up a bit due to the registration issues, we were still through the Uzbekistan to Tajikistan border crossing within 30 minutes.
Step #5 of the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
Once again welcome to Tajikistan, and to step #5 and the final stage in this easy travel guide of the Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing.
Immediately upon leaving the border gate you will be approached by drivers offering to bring you to Panjakent from the border. More than likely they will offer you a private car. There is no need for this.
Simply ask for a shared taxi, it’ll be the same car going to the same destination, only a lot cheaper!
For the 25-minute drive from the Uzbekistan border to Panjakent we paid 20 Tajikistani Somoni which is 1.70 Euro per person. Probably a bit more than what locals pay.
There were two other passengers in the car and we had a pleasant journey chatting with our new Tajiki friends.
Money Exchange at the Samarkand to Panjakent Border Crossing
It was at the Uzbekistan – Tajikistan border where we exchanged Uzbekistani SOM for Tajikistani Somoni.
If you have a Uzbekistan SIM card, this will no longer be functional. Be prepared by taking a screenshot of the exchange rate for the Uzbekistani SOM to prevent getting ripped off.
We always refer to XE.com for a general estimate of what to expect. In this case, the money exchanger offered us a fair rate that matched with our expectations.
Watch our entire Samarkand to Panjakent border crossing in the video below:
Where to Stay in Panjakent
The following information is very important for your visit to Tajikistan:
If your Tajikistan holiday is over 10 days, you will need to get registration.
Additionally, a GBAO permit (Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast) is necessary for any travel through the Pamir region.
Once we arrived to Panjakent, we stayed in this accommodation, and the lovely host accompanied us, and literally walked us through the entire process of obtaining both our registration and GBAO permits at the local police station.
Make sure to read our article on everything you need to know for your Tajikistan Holiday so you are fully prepared.
Enjoy Tajikistan!
There you have it, our 5 easy steps to the Samarkand – Panjakent border crossing.
We hope this travel guide helps you feel more prepared for this Uzbekistan to Tajikistan border crossing and that you continue on to have a wonderful holiday in Tajikistan.
Take a moment to explore the costs of a dream adventure to Tajikistan, there’s no reason to delay so begin your planning today!
If we have left anything out please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
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