Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva by private car: 3 days
- Distance~800 km
- Drive time3 days
- Pricefrom $340
The western half of the Silk Road in one booking: Samarkand to Bukhara, a day in Bukhara with the car, then the long desert drive to Khiva — three days with the same car and driver. The price is per car and includes all three days, fuel, the driver’s lodging and meals, and the driver’s empty return from Khiva.
Your ride is performed by a licensed partner carrier in Uzbekistan; we arrange it and stand behind it.
Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva by private car: 3 days: price per car
| Car | Per car for 3 days, driver’s lodging included | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Chevrolet Malibu / Kia K5 or similar | $340 ≈ 4,080,000 sum | $170 | $113 | — | — |
| Minivan up to 6 Hyundai Staria / Kia Carnival or similar | $490 ≈ 5,880,000 sum | $245 | $163 | $123 | $82 |
| 4x4 up to 4 Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado | $600 ≈ 7,200,000 sum | $300 | $200 | $150 | — |
| Sprinter up to 16 Mercedes Sprinter or similar, up to 16 seats | $860 ≈ 10,320,000 sum | $430 | $287 | $215 | $143 |
English-speaking driver +$15 (transfers) / +$20 a day. Prices updated 20 October 2026.
- Day 1 Samarkand → Bukhara (280 km, 3.5–4 h of driving) with stops at the Rabat-i Malik caravanserai and the Gijduvan ceramic workshops; evening at Lyabi-Hauz.
- Day 2 Bukhara: the old town on foot; the car takes you to the sights outside the centre — the Sitorai Mohi-Khosa summer palace, the Bahauddin Naqshband complex and the Chor-Bakr necropolis.
- Day 3 Bukhara → Khiva across the Kyzylkum (455 km, 6.5–8 h); drop at your hotel in Khiva or at Urgench airport.
The road
About 800 km in three days: the Zarafshan valley and the Malik steppe on day 1, short drives around Bukhara on day 2, and 455 km through the Kyzylkum desert along the Amu Darya on day 3.
Worth stopping
- Rabat-i Malik caravanserai portal and the Sardoba cistern.
- Gijduvan ceramic workshops (45–60 min).
- Amu Darya viewpoint on the way to Khiva.
Good to know
- Price per car: sedan $340 (up to 3), minivan $490 (up to 6), 4x4 $600 (up to 4), Sprinter $860 (up to 16). It is our Silk Road day rate × 3 days plus the driver’s return — the same formula as our 7-day trip.
- Honest comparison: if you do not need a car in Bukhara, two one-way transfers are cheaper — Samarkand → Bukhara $110 plus Bukhara → Khiva $150 = $260 for a sedan. The 3-day booking adds the car and driver for your Bukhara day and one driver for the whole leg.
- Starting in Tashkent? Add Tashkent → Samarkand ($110 sedan) the day before, or look at the 7-day Silk Road trip.
- Confirmed with a 30% deposit; free cancellation up to 24 h before day 1 under our terms. Hotels, tickets and meals are not included.
Included
- Private car and driver, fuel, road fees and parking
- Meet & greet with a name sign at airports and stations, 60 min free waiting after landing
- Stops on the way where you ask (up to 1 h in total on transfers)
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
- Transfers: pay the driver in cash (USD or sum) — no prepayment
Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva by private car: 3 days: questions
How much is a private car from Samarkand to Bukhara and Khiva?
For three days with the same car and driver: $340 sedan, $490 minivan, $600 4x4, $860 Sprinter, per car, including the driver’s lodging and return. Two separate transfers without the Bukhara day cost $260 / $380 / $470 / $660.
How long is the drive from Bukhara to Khiva?
About 455 km, 6.5–8 hours with a lunch stop. Leave by 8:00 to arrive for sunset.
Can we end at Urgench airport?
Yes, at the same price. Urgench airport is about 35 km from Khiva.
Can we add a guide?
Yes, a licensed local guide is +$100 per day; the driver is not a guide.