Public Transport
Start by going to the Shakhriston metro station in Tashkent. Just a few meters from the metro exit, you’ll find a bus stop (check Google Maps). From here, the #169 bus regularly departs for the Zhibek Zholy border checkpoint. The bus will drop you off right at the customs area. You can check the schedule on Yandex Go.
At the border, you’ll first clear Uzbek customs and then Kazakh customs. After crossing, you’ll find plenty of currency exchange booths on the Kazakh side with reasonable rates .
From there, private minibuses can take you to Shymkent for 2000 tenge. These minibuses are parked in the lot across from the exchange booths and leave as soon as all the seats are filled.
Typically, these minibuses will drop you off in the Kolos district of Shymkent.
Train
The train ride takes around 6–8 hours. Uzbek ticket websites do not accept international cards (I couldn’t pay with my Turkish Visa card). Instead, I asked a hotel receptionist to purchase a ticket for me in exchange for cash. You’ll need a local card for online payment or can buy tickets at the train station.
Bus
The official website lists two buses per day, though the accuracy of this information is uncertain.
Plane
Flying is an option, but ground transportation is much simpler.
That’s all the ways to get from Tashkent to Shymkent. Have a great trip!
