Communication & Packing List

Language

Uzbek is the official language (Turkic language, in Latin script since 1993). Russian is widely spoken as a second language — especially among the older generation and in Tashkent. In Samarkand and Bukhara, many also speak Tajik. English is common among young people in Tashkent, but rare in rural areas. Google Translate (download offline packages for Uzbek and Russian!) is your best friend.

Useful Words

German	Uzbek	Pronunciation
Hello	Assalomu alaykum	As-salómu alejkum
Thank you	Rahmat	Rachmat
Please	Iltimos	Iltimós
Yes / No	Ha / Yo'q	Há / Jok
How much does this cost?	Bu qancha?	Bu kantschá?
Delicious!	Mazali!	Masalí!
Goodbye	Xayr	Chair

Internet & SIM Card

Buy a local SIM card at the airport or in the city — EU roaming does NOT work in Uzbekistan. Providers: Beeline, Ucell, or UzMobile. A SIM with 10 GB of data costs about 2–3€. You need your passport for registration. The 4G network is good in cities, patchy in rural areas.

Packing List

Spring/Autumn:

• Light clothing for daytime (T-shirt, loose pants) + jacket/sweater for evenings
• Scarf/shawl for mosque visits (women: cover shoulders)
• Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones in old towns!)
• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+
• Water bottle (reusable, refill at bazaars)
• Travel pharmacy (gastrointestinal remedies, electrolytes)
• Copy of your passport (always carry the original)
• Power adapter: Type C/F — German plugs fit!

Summer (Additionally):

• Lightest possible clothing (linen, cotton)
• Second sun hat / scarf to protect the neck
• Electrolyte powder (dehydration!)

Winter (Additionally):

• Warm jacket, fleece, thermal underwear
• Hat, gloves, scarf
• Warm shoes (cold comes from below — mosques and mausoleums have cold stone floors)