Uzbekistan · Region
Urgench
Urgench is the unglamorous but essential gateway to Khiva, a modern Soviet-built city in Uzbekistan's Khorezm oasis that most travellers pass through rather than linger in. Its low-rise streets and administrative feel are a deliberate contrast to the walled old town of Khiva just down the road, which most visitors treat as the real destination.
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Frequently asked questions about Urgench
How do I get to Urgench?
Most travellers arrive by air at Urgench International Airport (UGC), which has domestic connections to Tashkent and a growing number of regional and international routes, or overnight by train from Tashkent or Bukhara on Uzbekistan Railways services into Urgench station. From either the airport or the station, Khiva is a short onward taxi or transfer ride of roughly 30 minutes.
How many days should I spend in Urgench?
Urgench itself rarely needs more than a few hours as a stopover or transit point, since visitors typically base themselves in nearby Khiva for 1 to 2 days to see its old town.
What is Urgench known for?
Urgench is the unglamorous but essential gateway to Khiva, a modern Soviet-built city in Uzbekistan's Khorezm oasis that most travellers pass through rather than linger in. Its low-rise streets and administrative feel are a deliberate contrast to the walled old town of Khiva just down the road, which most visitors treat as the real destination.