How to get from Termez Airport to Termez Archaeological Sites

Arriving at Termez International Airport (TMJ), you’re only a short hop from some of Central Asia’s most atmospheric Buddhist and Silk Road ruins around Ancient Termez – here’s exactly how to get from the runway to the main archaeological sites with minimal stress.

At A Glance (Termez Airport to Termez Archaeological Sites)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚕 Taxi / Yandex Go (Airport → Archaeological Sites)	~35–45 minutes direct (or ~20m to city + 20–30m to sites)	Fastest, door-to-door, late arrivals
🟷️ Cost: ~40,000–120,000 UZS per car one-way (US$3–10) depending on haggling and stops; stay near the sites or in town via » hotels in Termez or compare with alt. deals
🚖 Pre-booked Private Transfer	~35–50 minutes door-to-door (flexible sightseeing en route)	First-time visitors, groups, language-free experience
🟷️ Cost: ~US$25–40 per car for custom transfers/day-hire; browse options on » GetTransfer Termez and, for bigger hubs like Tashkent, Welcome Pickups Tashkent as part of a wider Uzbekistan trip.
🚌 Marshrutka + Local Bus (via City Centre)	~1–1.5 hours including waiting and walk to the ruins	Budget travelers, those wanting a local experience
🟷️ Cost: ~4,000–8,000 UZS total (<US$1) for airport marshrutka + city bus; for longer intercity legs elsewhere try » Uzbekistan trains.
🚗 Rental Car / Car with Driver	~35–45 minutes driving (longer if you string several sites together)	Road trips, photographers, highly flexible schedules
🟷️ Cost: Roughly US$30–60/day for car rental in major Uzbek cities via » Booking.com Cars; hiring a local driver in Termez is often negotiated on the spot.

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest & most convenient: Go for the Taxi / Yandex Go option if you’ve just landed, it’s hot outside, or you’re arriving after dark. You’ll be at your hotel or the ruins in under an hour with minimal hassle.
• Most comfortable door-to-door: If you prefer to have everything pre-arranged (especially if you don’t speak Russian/Uzbek), book a private transfer. It’s ideal for families, older travelers or anyone carrying lots of luggage or camera gear.
• Cheapest / most economical: Confident, budget-minded visitors who don’t mind a bit of route-finding can use the marshrutka + local bus combo. It’s extremely cheap but requires more time and local know-how.
• Most scenic & flexible itinerary: If Termez is part of a longer road trip through Uzbekistan, consider self-drive or a car with driver. You can hit several archaeological sites, detour via viewpoints over the Amu Darya, and finish at your Termez hotel or back at the airport.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Flights into Termez: Check domestic and regional connections into TMJ on Booking.com Flights and the official schedules of Uzbekistan Airways if you’re routing via Tashkent or other Uzbek cities.
• Hotels near the airport or in town: Most visitors stay in Termez city and day-trip to the ruins. Compare properties close to the airport or city centre on Termez hotels or via Trip.com.
• Taxis & ride-hailing: Cash taxis are plentiful outside the terminal; for transparent fares, install Yandex Go, which works in many Uzbek cities and lets you see an upfront price and route before you ride.
• Pre-booked cars: For airport pickups or full-day archaeological circuits, compare private vehicles on GetTransfer. If you’re also spending time in Tashkent, services like Welcome Pickups can simplify transfers there too.
• Trains & wider transport planning: Many travelers arrive in Termez by train or continue north afterward. You can browse Uzbek train routes and timetables through 12Go’s Uzbekistan Railways listing and confirm details on the official Uzbekistan Railways site.
• Tours & guides: Archaeological sites around Termez are fascinating but often lightly signposted. Look for multi-day or private tours that include Termez and the Surkhandarya region on GetYourGuide or Klook if you prefer a guide and driver bundled together.
• Luggage and storage: If you’re connecting via Tashkent or another major city and don’t want to carry everything down to Termez, you can sometimes stash bags with your hotel or at private storage points listed on Radical Storage (check availability by city).
• Bike or scooter rental elsewhere on your route: Termez itself isn’t a big bike-rental hub, but if your Uzbekistan itinerary includes larger cities or nearby countries, you can compare scooters, motorbikes and bicycles on BikesBooking.
• Cash & language: Have small Uzbek soum notes ready; taxi drivers rarely take cards. A few key phrases in Russian or Uzbek, plus saving your destination in Cyrillic on your phone, will make negotiating much smoother.

🚕 Option #1 — Taxi or Yandex Go (Fastest & Most Flexible)

Fast Door-to-door Works 24/7

• Overview: Step out of Termez International Airport and either hop into an official taxi or request a Yandex Go ride from the app. From the runway it’s about 15–20 minutes into Termez city, then another 20–30 minutes to the main archaeological sites such as Fayaz Tepe, Karatepa or the Zurmala Stupa.
• How it works: Outside arrivals, you’ll see a small taxi rank and freelance drivers. Agree your price before you get in. If you’re using Yandex Go, set your destination as either your Termez hotel or directly to a specific site (e.g. “Fayaz Tepe”), then confirm the quoted fare in cash with the driver at the end.
• Typical travel time: ~35–45 minutes airport → Fayaz Tepe / Karatepa area, depending on traffic and exact routing. If you stop at your hotel first, add 15–20 minutes.
• Price guide: Expect around 40,000–80,000 UZS for airport → city centre, and roughly 60,000–120,000 UZS to charter a taxi out to the archaeological zone and back, depending on your bargaining skills, language and how long the driver waits.
• Pros: Very fast, direct, and still inexpensive by international standards. Easy to combine several sites in a half-day. Great if you’re landing on a hot afternoon or in the evening.
• Cons: Mostly cash-only; almost no meters. Limited English, so you may need offline maps and screenshots of your destination to avoid confusion.
• Official info: For basic airport details (location, airlines, schedule) check the official Termez International Airport site and, for flights and airport services, Uzbekistan Airways.

Step-by-step: Taxi / Yandex Go from TMJ to the Archaeological Sites

1. Prepare offline: Before landing, download offline maps of Termez and save key places such as “Termez International Airport”, “Fayaz Tepe”, “Karatepa” and “Zurmala Stupa”. Having these ready makes it much easier to show drivers.
2. Exit arrivals: Clear immigration and customs, then follow signs out to the small forecourt. You’ll immediately see parked taxis and drivers offering rides.
3. Decide: street taxi or Yandex Go? If you already have a local SIM and data, open Yandex Go, drop a pin on your exact destination, and compare the app’s price with what drivers are quoting. Otherwise, negotiate directly with a taxi.
4. Negotiate a fair fare: For a one-way ride from TMJ to a city hotel, aim for the lower end of the price ranges above; for a direct run airport → archaeological sites (or a return plus waiting time), agree a slightly higher flat fee upfront.
5. Ride to the ruins: From the airport the driver will typically head through town and out towards the archaeological zone west or north-west of modern Termez. Use your offline map to make sure you’re generally following the expected route.
6. Plan your return: Either ask the same driver to wait (and agree how long, plus any additional fee) or arrange a pickup time and place. In some areas it’s easy to hail another taxi back into town, but coverage thins out the further you get into the countryside.

Getting to the main embarking points (Taxi / Yandex Go)

• Airport taxi stand: Walk straight out of the terminal; official taxis usually wait just outside the exit. If it’s quiet, you may need to accept a freelance taxi – just confirm the price and destination clearly.
• Yandex Go pickup spots: When ordering via the app, use the airport’s main entrance as your pickup point. Inside the city, set pickup at your hotel or a well-known landmark such as the railway station or a central square for easier driver navigation.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚖 Option #2 — Pre-booked Private Transfer (Fixed Price Comfort)

Stress-free Language-light Great for groups

• Overview: Arrange a car and driver in advance so someone is waiting with your name sign at arrivals. You’re driven either straight to your Termez hotel or out to the archaeological zone, with the option to keep the car for several hours of sightseeing.
• How to book (with price): Use platforms like GetTransfer to request quotes for airport pickups or half-day archaeological tours around Termez. Expect something in the range of US$25–40 for a simple transfer and more for multi-stop sightseeing. For other Uzbek cities (especially Tashkent) you can also check Welcome Pickups and join-the-dots with a domestic flight booked through Booking.com Flights.
• Pros: No haggling on arrival; clear meeting point; easier to communicate preferences and stops in English before you travel. Very comfortable for families or travelers with mobility issues.
• Cons: More expensive than local taxis; availability may be limited in Termez compared with major hubs, so book early and keep screenshotted confirmations handy.
• Official context: For safety and road regulations in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Transport provides the overarching framework; reputable transfer companies will respect local licensing and vehicle standards.

Step-by-step: Using a Pre-booked Private Transfer

1. Request quotes online: A week or two before arrival, enter “Termez International Airport” as your pickup and either your hotel or a specific archaeological site as the drop-off on GetTransfer. If you want to visit multiple sites, describe your ideal route in the “notes” field.
2. Confirm details: Check vehicle size, air conditioning, luggage capacity, and whether the driver speaks basic English or Russian. Save the provider’s contact details and confirmation voucher offline.
3. Meet your driver: After landing at TMJ, follow the instructions on your voucher – usually you’ll meet in the arrivals hall or just outside the terminal with a name sign.
4. Agree stops and timing: Clarify which archaeological sites you want to see (Fayaz Tepe, Karatepa, Zurmala Stupa, Ancient Termez, etc.) and how long you’d like at each. This is the moment to adjust your itinerary if energy or weather demand it.
5. Pay as agreed: Some services require full prepayment online; others take cash at the end. Confirm the currency (USD vs UZS) and whether tolls/parking are included.

Getting to the main embarking points (Private Transfer)

• Airport arrivals hall: Most drivers will wait in the small arrivals area with a sign; if you don’t see yours, step outside but stay visible and connected via Wi‑Fi or local SIM if possible.
• Hotel pickup: For your return to the airport or onward legs, it’s usually easiest to have the driver collect you from your hotel reception in Termez city rather than at a random street corner.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #3 — Marshrutka + Local Bus (Cheapest Local Experience)

Very cheap Local flavour More time & walking

• Overview: From the airport, take a marshrutka (shared minibus) into Termez, then transfer to a city bus heading towards Fayaz Tepe / Ancient Termez. You’ll usually be dropped near the main road, then walk the final stretch to the ruins.
• Typical route: Many travelers report marshrutka routes from TMJ into town (routes and numbers can change; ask airport staff or other passengers). In the city, look for buses or marshrutkas heading towards Ancient Termez or the Fayaz Tepe turn-off – drivers and conductors are generally helpful if you show the name of your destination written down.
• Travel time: Around 1–1.5 hours total, depending on how quickly your marshrutka fills, wait times when changing vehicles, and how far you walk.
• Price guide: Local buses and marshrutkas in Uzbekistan typically cost in the region of 2,000–3,000 UZS per ride. Expect to spend roughly 4,000–8,000 UZS in total for airport → city → archaeological sites.
• Pros: By far the cheapest way to travel and a good way to see everyday life in Termez.
• Cons: No English signage; routes can change; services are less frequent early morning or late evening. Not ideal with heavy luggage or in extreme summer heat.

Step-by-step: Marshrutka + Local Bus

1. Ask about current marshrutka routes: At the airport exit, ask staff or fellow passengers which marshrutka number is currently running to the main bazaar or central bus station in Termez. Route numbers can change over time.
2. Ride into town: Pay the conductor in cash when you board or shortly after. Keep small notes handy and don’t expect change for large bills.
3. Change to a bus towards the ruins: In town, look for buses or minibuses heading towards Ancient Termez / Fayaz Tepe / Karatepa. Show the name of your destination on your phone; locals will usually point you to the right vehicle.
4. Walk the final stretch: Most buses stop along the main road; from there, follow signs or your offline map 10–20 minutes to reach the actual ruins or ticket office.
5. Returning to Termez: Walk back to the main road, flag down a bus or marshrutka going towards the city, then change again if necessary for the airport.

Getting to the main embarking points (Marshrutka + Bus)

• Airport marshrutka stop: Shared minibuses typically wait near the airport exit or stop by on their way into town. Ask for “bazar” (market) or “avtovokzal” (bus station).
• City bus stops: In central Termez, main streets and bazaars have clusters of bus stops. Watch where people are queueing and always confirm the destination with the driver.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚗 Option #4 — Rental Car or Car with Driver (For Road Trips)

Maximum freedom Great for photography Driving confidence needed

• Overview: If you’re planning a broader Uzbekistan road trip, you might arrive in Termez with a rental car picked up in Tashkent, Samarkand or Bukhara, or arrange a local driver for a full day. This lets you link multiple archaeological sites (Fayaz Tepe, Karatepa, Zurmala Stupa, Jarkurgan Minaret and more) into one flexible itinerary.
• How to book (with price): International-style car rentals are easiest to arrange online in larger cities via Booking.com Cars, usually from around US$30–60 per day depending on season and car class. Once in Termez, many travelers simply negotiate day rates with local drivers through their hotel reception.
• Route & time: Driving time from TMJ to the main archaeological zone is typically 35–45 minutes, but if you string together several sites and photo stops, allow at least a half-day.
• Pros: Complete flexibility; easy to revisit favourite sites for sunrise or sunset; handy if you’re traveling with tripods or lots of camera equipment.
• Cons: Road signs can be limited in English; you’ll share the road with slow agricultural vehicles; parking may be informal near some ruins. Driving after dark on unfamiliar rural roads is not recommended.
• Official info: Check national road-safety and transport updates via the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan before long drives.

Step-by-step: Driving from TMJ to the Archaeological Sites

1. Collect your car: If you’ve arranged a formal rental, pick it up at your city of arrival (often Tashkent) and drive south to Termez, or have a local driver meet you at TMJ. Double-check fuel, tyre condition and that you have the insurance papers you need.
2. Navigate around Termez: Use offline navigation (Google Maps, Yandex Maps or Maps.me) to reach Termez city, then follow directions towards Fayaz Tepe / Ancient Termez. Key sites are scattered around the outskirts and countryside.
3. Plan a logical loop: Many drivers visit Fayaz Tepe and Karatepa in one loop, then continue towards Ancient Termez and the Zurmala Stupa before circling back to the city or airport.
4. Fuel & food stops: Top up fuel in Termez before you head out; small roadside shops can be handy for water and snacks, but don’t rely on them for full meals.
5. Return and park: On your way back, allow extra time to return the car, refuel if required by your contract, and reach the airport check-in desk in good time for your flight.

Getting to the main embarking points (Rental Car / Car with Driver)

• Airport parking & pickup: Agree in advance where your driver or rental agent will meet you at TMJ. The terminal area is compact, so it’s usually right outside arrivals.
• City hotels as base: Many visitors base themselves at a Termez hotel and drive out to the ruins from there. You can compare central options on Termez hotels or Trip.com.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Termez Airport to Termez Archaeological Sites)

What is the easiest way to get from TMJ to the main archaeological sites?
The simplest and most reliable option for most travelers is taking a taxi or Yandex Go directly from the airport. You’ll reach either your Termez hotel or the archaeological zone in under an hour, and the cost is modest by international standards.

Can I visit several sites (Fayaz Tepe, Karatepa, Zurmala Stupa) in one day from the airport?
Yes. If your flight lands in the morning and you arrange a private car or use a rental car / car with driver, it’s realistic to see 2–3 major sites plus the Termez Archaeological Museum in a single day, with time for a lunch stop in town.

Is there really public transport from the airport to the ruins?
There are local marshrutkas and buses between TMJ, Termez city and the outskirts near the archaeological zone, but routes change and signs are rarely in English. Only choose the marshrutka + bus option if you’re comfortable asking for help in Russian/Uzbek and don’t mind extra time and walking.

Is it safe to travel around Termez and the archaeological zone?
Termez is a quiet, low-tourist city and most visitors find it safe and welcoming. Normal big-picture travel advice for Uzbekistan applies: carry your passport, respect restricted border areas, and use licensed or reputable drivers. Check your government’s current travel advisories and the official Uzbek tourism site for updates.

Do taxi drivers accept cards or foreign currency?
Most local taxis expect cash in Uzbek soum. Change some money at the airport or in town, and keep small notes for marshrutkas and buses. For anything paid online (flights, hotels, tours via platforms like Booking.com, Trip.com, GetYourGuide or Klook), use a card as normal and then pay on the ground in cash.