Uzbekistan Border Crossings: Your Guide to Overland Travel in Central Asia

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities make a natural starting point for a journey through Central Asia. Overland routes connect its historic centres with the mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the landscapes of Kazakhstan and the desert routes of Turkmenistan.

Uzbekistan shares land borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Choosing the right checkpoint helps you build a practical itinerary and coordinate visas, transfers and sightseeing.

Information reviewed: 1 October 2026. This guide covers selected crossings relevant to travellers. Checkpoint access, operating arrangements and entry requirements must be reconfirmed before departure.

Main Uzbekistan Border Crossings

Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan

Navoi–Kaplanbek: Also listed as Zangiota–Kaplanbek, this crossing connects the Tashkent region with southern Kazakhstan.

Yallama–B. Konysbayeva: Another crossing to consider for travel between the Tashkent region and southern Kazakhstan.

Gisht-Kuprik–Zhibek Zholy: Also known as Chernayevka, this crossing serves the Tashkent–Shymkent direction. Reconstruction has affected its operation, so confirm reopening before including it in your itinerary.

Daut-Ata–Tazhen: Located on the route between Karakalpakstan and western Kazakhstan. Confirm current passenger and vehicle access before departure.

Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan

Dustlik–Dostuk: Connects the Andijan region with the Osh region. It is a key crossing for itineraries combining Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley with southern Kyrgyzstan.

Uchkurgan–Kensay: Connects the Namangan region with Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. Check current passenger and vehicle arrangements when planning this route.

Uzbekistan–Tajikistan

Jartepa–Sarazm: The crossing associated with travel between Samarkand and Panjakent, including extensions to Sarazm and the Seven Lakes.

Oybek–Fotekhobod: Serves the route between Tashkent and Khujand in northern Tajikistan.

Sariasiya–Bratstvo: Connects the Denau area of southern Uzbekistan with the route through Tursunzade towards Dushanbe. It is also relevant to itineraries involving Termez.

Andarkhon–Patar: Connects Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley with the Konibodom area and onward routes towards Khujand.

Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan

Alat–Farap: Connects the Bukhara region with Turkmenabat. It is relevant to journeys continuing towards Mary, ancient Merv and Ashgabat.

Shavat–Dashoguz: Connects the Khiva and Urgench area with northern Turkmenistan. It suits itineraries including Dashoguz, Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza and Ashgabat.

Khodjeyli–Kunya-Urgench: Relevant to routes involving Nukus and Kunya-Urgench. Published travel guidance lists it for entry into Uzbekistan from Turkmenistan only, so the permitted direction must be confirmed.

Uzbekistan–Afghanistan

Ayritom–Hairatan: The Friendship Bridge connects the Termez area with Hairatan in Afghanistan. At the time of review, UK government guidance describes this crossing as officially closed to foreigners. It should not be included as an available tourist route without specific confirmation.

Checkpoint names may appear with different spellings. Always confirm access for your nationality, travel date, direction and transport type before finalising your journey.

Names and spellings vary between maps, legal lists and travel documents. A checkpoint’s inclusion here does not confirm unrestricted tourist access.

Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Border Crossings

Tashkent and Southern Kazakhstan

For journeys between Tashkent and southern Kazakhstan, Navoi–Kaplanbek and Yallama–B. Konysbayeva are alternatives to consider. Kazakhstan’s official announcement of the reopening of Kaplanbek specifically included pedestrians, passenger cars and buses.

The familiar Gisht-Kuprik–Zhibek Zholy crossing, also known as Chernayevka, requires particular attention. A report dated 28 September 2026, citing Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee, placed its planned return to operation in the fourth quarter of 2026. Earlier announcements referring to a September reopening should therefore not be treated as confirmation that it is available.

For a Tashkent–Shymkent itinerary, confirm the operating checkpoint before arranging your transfer.

Daut-Ata–Tazhen: The Western Route

Daut-Ata–Tazhen is the crossing associated with travel between Karakalpakstan and western Kazakhstan, including routes towards Beineu and Mangystau.

Published guides continue to flag renovation restrictions. Normal passenger operations could not be confirmed for this guide, so check access for both travellers and vehicles before including it in your itinerary.

Uzbekistan–Tajikistan Border Crossings

Jartepa–Sarazm: Samarkand to Panjakent

Jartepa–Sarazm is the crossing to consider when combining Samarkand with Panjakent. It provides a useful connection for extending an Uzbekistan itinerary into Tajikistan.

A suggested programme could follow:

Samarkand → Jartepa–Sarazm border → Sarazm → Panjakent → Seven Lakes

Allow enough time for the border transfer and sightseeing. A longer extension can be developed around your interests and the time available.

Oybek–Fotekhobod: Tashkent to Khujand

Oybek–Fotekhobod serves the Tashkent–Khujand direction. It is useful when northern Tajikistan forms part of your Central Asia itinerary.

Confirm the exact meeting point if separate drivers handle the Uzbekistan and Tajikistan sections.

Sariasiya–Bratstvo: Southern Uzbekistan to Dushanbe

Sariasiya–Bratstvo connects the Denau area with the route through Tursunzade towards Dushanbe. It is relevant to programmes combining Dushanbe with southern Uzbekistan, including Termez.

For a Fergana Valley itinerary, Andarkhon–Patar is another crossing to assess for travel towards Konibodom and Khujand.

Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Border Crossings

Dustlik–Dostuk: Andijan to Osh

Dustlik–Dostuk connects Uzbekistan’s Andijan region with the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan. It is a key crossing to consider when linking the Fergana Valley with southern Kyrgyzstan.

A suggested journey could include:

Tashkent → Kokand → Fergana Valley → Andijan → Dustlik–Dostuk border → Osh

This route creates an opportunity to combine several destinations without returning to Tashkent before entering Kyrgyzstan.

Uchkurgan–Kensay

Uchkurgan–Kensay links the Namangan region with Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. It appears in Uzbekistan’s official list as an international crossing. Nevertheless, confirm current passenger and vehicle arrangements before selecting it for your trip.

Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan Border Crossings

Alat–Farap: Bukhara to Turkmenabat

Alat–Farap is the crossing to consider for journeys between Bukhara and Turkmenabat. From there, a Turkmenistan programme can be designed to continue towards Mary, ancient Merv and Ashgabat.

Shavat–Dashoguz: Khiva to Northern Turkmenistan

Shavat–Dashoguz suits itineraries connecting Khiva with northern Turkmenistan. A suggested extension could include Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza and Ashgabat.

Khodjeyli–Kunya-Urgench

This crossing is relevant to the Nukus area, but published travel guidance lists it for entry into Uzbekistan from Turkmenistan only. Do not assume that the reverse direction is available.

For tourist travel to Turkmenistan, arrange visa support and the approved Letter of Invitation in advance. Confirm the selected checkpoint and where your visa will be issued before travelling.

Uzbekistan–Afghanistan Border: Termez–Hairatan

The Friendship Bridge connects the Termez area with Hairatan in Afghanistan.

At the time of review, UK government guidance states that this crossing remains officially closed to foreigners. It should not be presented as an available tourist route without specific confirmation from the relevant authorities.

Visiting Termez is a separate itinerary choice and does not require crossing into Afghanistan. Some attractions close to the border require permission or an organised visit, so access should be checked when preparing the sightseeing programme.

Documents and Practical Arrangements

Visa requirements depend on your nationality, passport type and length of stay. Uzbekistan offers visa-free entry to many nationalities and electronic visas to eligible applicants, but eligibility should be checked against the official requirements.

Before an overland journey:

-Confirm entry requirements for both countries.
-Check whether your visa permits another entry if you will return to Uzbekistan.
-Keep your passport, visa and transfer details accessible.
-Ask your accommodation provider to confirm your Uzbekistan registration.
-Agree on meeting points and luggage arrangements with your drivers.
-Check additional documents if travelling in your own vehicle.

Uzbekistan’s entry guidance also advises travellers to check their permitted stay, obtain an entry stamp and keep a complete accommodation registration record.

Leave flexibility around the crossing day. Avoid arranging a tight flight or train connection immediately after immigration and customs formalities.