Uzbekistan Packing List: All the Essentials, None of the Junk

We’ve all been there, right? Standing over an empty suitcase, wishing you were Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and could just magic the perfect things together for your trip. It’s hard enough trying to make sure you pack lightly enough, but not so lightly that you’re washing underwear in the hotel sink every night.

For an Uzbekistan packing list, it gets a little harder, too. It’s not an obvious type of holiday. You’re not going on a beach holiday or a city break, you’re going to a country where your days are going to be varied and travel is going to be long and bumpy.

In this post (a literal Laura’s Suitcase post), I’m going to walk you through everything you genuinely should bring with you to Uzbekistan, and be honest with you about the things you can skip. If you’re a vegan traveller, that adds another layer of challenge, and I’ve written a separate post on that for you.

What to Expect in Uzbekistan

If you’re at the very beginning of your Uzbekistan planning, I’d recommend going back to my destination page for Uzbekistan and checking out posts like my Uzbek itinerary or Uzbekistan for First Timers.

If you’ve got everything booked and you’re just ready to make your Uzbekistan packing list, then here’s what you need to know for your visit: Uzbekistan is a mostly hot country, especially in summer, but temperatures can swing. You’re likely going to have some long travel days, especially if you’re heading to places like Khiva, and you’ll almost definitely be visiting religious and cultural monuments.

Translated into an Uzbekistan packing list: Optimise for comfort, modesty, and climate.

You should also know that you’re not likely to stumble across many shopping malls. My favourite winter jumper is one I bought in Aarhus, Denmark because I was an idiot who didn’t pack enough warm clothes in December. You’re not going to get the same convenience in Uzbekistan. You don’t need to pack every item you own, but you do need to think about the things you need in advance.

And finally, you should know that cash is king. You can use cards in ATMs, and in some hotels/restaurants in bigger cities, but by and large, you’ll need cash on you – and specifically, Uzbek sum. You can’t pay in other currencies in the bazaars etc.

Clothing: What to Wear in Uzbekistan

Packing for Uzbekistan is less about bringing tons of outfits, and more about bringing the right ones. You’ll spend hours wandering around historic monuments and old town centres, long travel days, and temperatures that can range from blisteringly hot desert heat to surprisingly cool evenings.

Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics that you can layer and rewear, rather than packing an outfit for every day. I tend to go for a couple of neutral colours and use scarves or tops to make them a bit more interesting.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

• 2-3 bottoms in lightweight fabrics: Think linen trousers and flowy maxi skirts. Any gender needs their knees covered when entering mosques or religious sites, so optimise for longer lengths.
• 1-2 maxi dresses: Bonus points if they cover your shoulders, but they’re comfy, easy to throw on, and can be dressed up a bit for dinner etc.
• 4-5 breathable tops: T-shirts are fine, but I’d skip vest tops. You’ll need to cover your shoulders entering mosques and other religious sites, so save the space in your suitcase for tops that do the job.
• A lightweight long-sleeved shirt. One of the handiest things you can bring with you. It can act as sun protection on hot days and cover up shoulders for visiting mosques.
• A light jumper or fleece if you’re visiting in spring or autumn, when temperatures can drop after sunset.
• A scarf or shawl. You won’t need to cover your hair in most places, but a scarf is useful for extra sun protection, warmth on cooler evenings, or covering your shoulders if needed.
• A swimsuit. If your hotel has a pool, you’ll be so glad you brought this.

What to Skip

Unless you’re visiting in winter, you can skip bulky coats and thermal layers. Likewise, if your itinerary is only taking you to the main cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, you won’t need sports gear like hiking clothes.

If you’re wondering about shorts or short dresses, you’ll see them in the cities, but Uzbekistan still does tend to err on the conservative side. Given that most of the main attractions are historical and religious sites, they’re honestly more hassle than they’re worth. Save the space in your bag and opt for longer length clothes that cover all the bases.

Footwear

You’re going to be on your feet a lot in Uzbekistan. If you’re someone that wears high heels regularly, then first, teach me your ways because I have genuinely worn a Pitbull bald cap more times than my wedding shoes. And secondly, leave the heels at home (bald cap is your call).

When packing footwear, I would go for:

• One pair of comfortable trainers/running shoes. Go for shoes with good foot support and cushioning that can keep you going for 20k steps a day.
• One pair of comfortable sandals. My go-to for travel are a plain black pair of Tevas. You’re not going to see them down a Milan runway, but they’re bland enough that they blend with most outfits, and the ankle/foot straps give enough support to make them comfortable to walk in.
• A pair of socks for every day. It’s hot, you’ll get smelly, have clean socks. Just try not to wear them with the sandals.

What to Skip

Unless you’re planning a trip to the Tian Shan mountains or Zaamin national park, you will not need hiking boots. They’re heavy, take up a lot of space, and you’ll likely never take them out of the bag.

Ditto shoes for every outfit. If you really want a pair for the perfect outfit shot, bring one pair you can change into, but don’t take them at the sacrifice of the comfy shoes.

Same goes for heels. They’re impractical, and you’re almost definitely not going anywhere fancy enough to warrant them.

Health and Hygiene

When I was in Samarkand, I realised I had run out of toothpaste. I managed to find a corner shop on the same street as my hotel, and after miming brushing my teeth, I was handed a tube marked “VIP”.

Reader, it was not VIP.

It was pine flavour and it felt like someone had given my mouth a Lynx gift set for Christmas.

All of this to say that while obviously the people of Uzbekistan have toiletries, if there are certain brands or types that you’re used to, bring them with you.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

• Toothpaste. See my VIP comment above.
• Deodorant/Antiperspirant. As someone who is 5’2″ and therefore armpit height to most people on the Tube, I promise you that you need deodorant in a hot country.
• Sunscreen. Uzbekistan gets very high UV levels, pack your sunscreen and use it. I tend to have one spray on sunscreen I put on after a shower in the morning, and then a stick version for my day pack to top it up throughout the day.
• Any prescription medication. If you take regular medication, bring enough for your entire trip, plus a little extra in case of delays.
• A small first aid kit. A few plasters, painkillers and antiseptic wipes won’t take up much room but can be incredibly useful when you’re dealing with blisters or the occasional travel mishap.
• Hand sanitiser and tissues. They’re handy to have in your day bag, particularly if you’re using public toilets where I can’t promise you’ll always find toilet paper.
• Tampons / pads if you menstruate. Again, obviously these things aren’t alien to Uzbekistan, but better to have them and not need them than the other way round. Ask me how I know.
• Conditioner. If you use conditioner, bring a small bottle of it. Hotels will have shampoo and shower gel, but conditioner is hit or miss.
• Skincare. You don’t necessarily need a full 7-step routine, but after being out in the dry desert air, you’ll thank yourself if you at least bring a cleanser and moisturiser.

What to Skip

When I went to Uzbekistan, I did what I always did: Packed a full makeup bag and then wore nothing but mascara and sunscreen each day. Unless you’ve found the setting spray of the gods, you probably won’t need as much makeup as you think you do.

Don’t bring giant tubs and bottles of toiletries. Get one of those travel container kits or repurpose empty sample pots, and decant some into those. They take up less space, weigh less, and leave you with more room for the inevitable souvenirs you’ll convince yourself you definitely have space for.

Travel Logistics Essentials

Most of the things in this section aren’t exciting, but they’re the things that could ruin your day if you forget them.

• Your passport. It sounds obvious, but check you have enough validity remaining. Depending on your citizenship, you may also need a visa. This website allows you to do a quick check.
• A bank card and a backup card. Even though you’ll mostly need cash anywhere, some places do take card, and you’ll need one to get money out of the ATM. If you’re UK-based like me, I use Monzo and Revolut, and both let me withdraw money abroad without charges. Uzbek sum is also a hard currency to find at most bureau de change counters, so having a card on hand means you can withdraw a small amount of money in the airport. (Save the big withdrawals for the city)
• Travel insurance. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but if your luggage goes missing or you end up needing medical treatment, you’ll be glad you have it.
• Offline maps. Download your maps before you leave your hotel each morning. Mobile signal is generally good in cities, but it’s always reassuring to know you can find your way back to your accommodation without relying on data.
• An e-sim or local sim card. Trust me, it’s much cheaper to use a local network than your roaming data. I used Airalo while I was in Uzbekistan and found the coverage good.

Electronics

You don’t need to pack your entire home office for a trip to Uzbekistan. Unless you’re working remotely or creating content (and even then, cop onto yourself – you don’t need a full rig in front of Registan), a few essentials will cover almost every situation.

Here’s what I’d bring:

• Your phone and charger. Sounds obvious, but it’s going on the list because you’ll need it.
• A battery bank. You’ll spend long days exploring, taking photos and using Google Maps.
• A travel adapter. Uzbekistan uses Type C and Type F plugs, the same as much of mainland Europe.
• Charging cables. Pack one for each device, plus a spare if you have room. Charging cables seem to have a habit of breaking at the least convenient moment.
• Headphones. Perfect for long train journeys between cities, blocking out aeroplane noise or listening to a podcast while wandering around a park in the evening.
• Your camera. If you already own one, you’ll kick yourself for not bringing it. Uzbekistan is ridiculously beautiful and there are so many great shots waiting to happen. If you don’t already have one, your phone camera is perfectly fine – don’t let social media convince you you need to drop 5k on a pro camera for one trip.
• An e-reader or tablet. I always load up my Kindle with books, and my iPad with netflix shows before I go, and that does the job for me.

What to Skip

• Drones. Unauthorised drones are illegal in Uzbekistan and may be confiscated in the airport. Leave this one behind.
• Ring lights or any big camera set ups. Unless you take photos or create content professionally, you don’t need all the gear. You’ll also be visiting public, historic, and religious places so a big setup can be obtrusive to other visitors.
• Laptops. I took my laptop with me to Japan, and my poor husband had to cart it across the Shimanami Kaido. Be smarter than me, leave it at home.

Seasonal Packing in Uzbekistan

One of the trickiest things about making an Uzbekistan packing list is that the weather varies wildly depending on when you visit. Summer temperatures can climb well above 40°C, while spring and autumn often bring warm days and much cooler evenings. I’m not going to rehash the entire Clothing section here, but there’s some extras you may want to swap in or out depending on the season.

Spring

Everything in the Clothing section still stands, but I’d also add:

• A lightweight fleece or outer layer. The temperatures can drop at night, and you’ll be glad of it if you need it.
• A lightweight waterproof jacket. I have one of those that rolls up super small into a little bag – something like that is perfect, spring showers aren’t unheard of.

Summer

Summer is hot, take my advice on optimising for comfort and flowy layers, and then I’d also add:

• Sunglasses. It’s sunny, it’s bright, wear sunglasses.
• A hat. The sun gets intense in the middle of the day, and you’ll feel your forehead burning. Protect yourself with a hat.
• Extra sunscreen. Make sure you top it up throughout the day.
• A reusable water bottle. I have a stainless steel Chilly’s one that keeps water cold all day, it’s a godsend in hot countries.
• Comfortable sandals for particularly hot days

Autumn

Autumn is another great time to visit. September can still feel like summer, while October and November become progressively cooler.

Pack like you would for spring:

• Layers
• A light jumper
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light jacket for evenings or a lightweight waterproof jacket.

Winter

Winter often surprises people. While Uzbekistan has plenty of sunshine, temperatures can drop below freezing, especially overnight. It’s also not unheard of for certain parts of Uzbekistan to see snow, especially in the mountains.

If you’re visiting in winter, swap the linen for warmer layers:

• A proper winter coat
• Thermal base layers
• Gloves, hat and scarf
• Waterproof shoes or boots if snow is forecast

The Nice to Haves

An old colleague of mine once walked the Camino de Santiago with all of his worldly possessions in a Tesco Bag for Life (basically a large plastic grocery bag). As much as this article has been about packing the essentials, I am not quite “Bag for Life” level minimalist yet.

While I do want to de-influence you from thinking that you need to buy a whole new wardrobe or tote everything you own across the Silk Road, it’s also important that you’re comfortable and have fun on your travels. If you’ve got the space, these are a few things that definitely aren’t necessary but made my own trip better:

• An outfit you feel good in. I’ve said many times on this blog that Uzbekistan’s mosaics and tilework were what drew me in in the first place. When I was planning my first time in Uzbekistan, I bought a dress in a kind of teal mosaic-like pattern purely because I wanted some photos by the iconic buildings. Was it essential? Absolutely not. Did it make me happy every time I wore it? Absolutely. If you’ve got a favourite outfit that makes you feel confident, throw it in.
• A reusable shopping bag. You’ll almost certainly pick up a few souvenirs, snacks or bits and pieces from local markets, and a foldable tote barely takes up any room. I also like to have a tote on hand for the airplane or trains – stick in your water, snacks, iPad, whatever you’ll use on the journey, and stow your backpack.
• A notebook or travel journal. I keep a travel journal for all my trips, and I buy a new one for any big or particularly meaningful trips. Even if you’re not a major writer, it’s a nice way to wind down the end of the day and catch the little details you might even forget. My travel journalling is actually what led me to start a blog in the first place, so you never know!
• A deck of cards or a travel game. Ideal if you’re travelling with friends or a partner and have a long train journey ahead of you. One of my favourite memories from a recent trip to Thailand was playing chess with my husband on the night train.
• A small pouch for souvenirs. I always seem to come home with magnets, ceramics or other fragile treasures. Having somewhere safe to stash them saves a lot of nervous suitcase unpacking.

What to Skip Packing for Uzbekistan

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably realised that an Uzbekistan packing list isn’t about bringing nothing, it’s more about being selective. Here are the things I’d happily leave at home.

• Too many clothes. You don’t need a new outfit for every day. Laundry services aren’t hugely popular, but you can still pack things you can mix and match and keep the bag light.
• Bulky toiletries. Decant your favourite into travel sized bottles. Skip shampoo and shower gel, unless you’re partial to a particular brand.
• Uncomfortable shoes. Those cute sandals that give you blisters after 20 minutes can stay on your shoe rack.
• Fancy clothes. Unless you already know you’re going somewhere very swish, you’re almost definitely not going to need fancy outfits.
• Just in case items. You know that old Coco Chanel adage about taking off one accessory before leaving the house? Same applies to packing. You don’t need bulky sweaters in August, and you don’t need that chiffon dress you wore to your cousin’s wedding. If you won’t realistically use something more than once, it hasn’t earned its place in your suitcase.

Zipping up the Suitcase on the Uzbekistan Packing List

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this Uzbekistan packing list, it’s that you don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. You need comfortable clothes, supportive shoes, a few well-chosen essentials and enough room in your suitcase for the things you’ll inevitably bring home.

I can’t be the only one who envisions a new, better, more stylish version of myself abroad, but the reality is that while Imaginary Laura looks impossibly glamorous in her holiday photos, Reality Laura is sweaty, tired and wishing I didn’t bring that extra pair of shoes.

Uzbekistan isn’t a destination where you’ll be dressing up every night or going to chic rooftop bars and daytime boozy brunches. It’s a place where you’re going to get lost in the history of the Silk Road, wandering down the winding alleys of Khiva or exploring the bazaar in Tashkent. Pack for that, not Imaginary You who has three costume changes in an afternoon.

If you’re still planning your trip, don’t forget to check out my other Uzbekistan guides, and most of all, I hope you have the best time.