Mid-Range Travel Guide: Samarkand

Accommodation

$35-85 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, boutique guesthouses, traditional courtyard hotels, B&Bs with private bathrooms

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Mix of local restaurants and tourist-oriented establishments, traditional Uzbek cuisine restaurants, hotel breakfast included

Transportation

$8-25 per day

Combination of taxis and public transport, occasional private transfers, ride-sharing apps when available

Activities

$20-50 per day

Guided tours of major sites, entrance fees to museums and mausoleums, cultural performances, handicraft workshops

Eat at local chaikhanas and street vendors instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared taxis rather than private taxis (saves 70-85% on transportation costs)

Visit mosques and outdoor historical areas which are often free, rather than paying for all museum entries

Shop for souvenirs at local markets instead of hotel gift shops (typically 40-70% less expensive)

Book accommodation outside peak tourist areas but within walking distance (usually 30-50% cheaper)

Travel during shoulder seasons when prices drop 20-40% across all categories

Join group tours rather than private tours (generally 50-75% less per person)

Only eating in tourist-heavy areas near major attractions (typically costs 100-200% more than local neighborhoods)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (can triple daily transportation costs)

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak season (often 40-80% higher than advance bookings)

Buying souvenirs at the first shop you see rather than comparing prices across multiple vendors (markup can be 200-300%)