Samarkand International Airport — Local services in Samarkand City

SKD Airport refers to Samarkand International Airport, located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. While Tashkent is the country's main hub through Tashkent International Airport (TAS), Samarkand's airport serves as a key point for visitors traveling to this historically significant city.

Key Features of Samarkand International Airport (SKD):

Location:

Situated approximately 6-10 kilometers (4-6 miles) from the center of Samarkand, making it easily accessible to travelers visiting the city's famous landmarks such as Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir, and Shah-i-Zinda.

Terminal and Services:

The airport recently underwent renovations, improving the terminal to provide more modern amenities. The new terminal, which opened in 2022, has enhanced facilities for both international and domestic travelers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, and improved passenger services.

There are basic facilities like ATMs, cafes, and comfortable waiting areas for passengers.

Flights and Airlines:

SKD offers domestic flights within Uzbekistan, including regular services to Tashkent. It also operates international flights to cities such as Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai, and others. Airlines like Uzbekistan Airways, Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, and a few others serve this airport.

Transportation:

Taxis and shuttle services are available to take passengers from the airport to the city center or nearby hotels. You can also arrange for private car services.

Future Developments:

Samarkand’s importance as a tourist destination is reflected in continuous improvements in its airport infrastructure, aiming to accommodate growing international tourism traffic, particularly in connection with its cultural and historical significance.

This airport plays a significant role in Uzbekistan’s tourism and connectivity, especially for travelers interested in exploring the historical Silk Road city...

There is no reason whatsoever for things to move so slowly at Samarkand airport. It’s a modern, attractive facility located very close to the city. There are very few scheduled departures and arrivals at this airport. When I departed, there were no other scheduled departures within an hour on either side. What makes things move at a snail’s pace at Samarkand Airport is the antiquated bureaucracy and processes. All passengers have their documents checked and bags scanned just to enter the building. On this current trip, I took 6 separate flights. The flight from Samarkand was the only one that did not allow online check-in (though the airline has this functionality and I used their online check-in for my flight into Uzbekistan). Instead everyone, whether they have checked luggage or not, has to queue in a long line for their documents to be checked. There was no line up at customs check , yet this was still the slowest customs process of my trip. (I carry a passport that did not require any visas or travel authorizations, so that wasn’t the issue.) Security also had no line up, but the actual scanning of bags took about 3 times longer than it would at a European or East Asian airport. My passport was checked 5 separate times from arrival at the airport to boarding. Travelling from Samarkand airport COULD be a pleasure because it’s compact and attractive. If only they would modernize their procedures to make this happen. Wifi access is another major problem. This is a basic amenity expected by international travellers. You cannot connect to Wifi without a functioning local SIM card that can receive SMS. Even then, sometimes you don’t...

Airport looks modern, clean and washroom is fitted with shattaf, thats it. All good things end there. Airport is mismanaged by staffs at all levels. While entering the country no big issues, but while exiting, it started from Wizz Air counter, the wizz air app failed to checkin and a message popped up that “issues with the app and you may check in at the counter free of cost”, luckily i took a screenshot of this message, the staff was insisting i didn’t check-in and asked me to pay a fee, i am showing him this screenshot again and again, after 10 minutes of arguing finally i decided to call Wizz customer care directly in front of them, then they left me from the hook and printed the boarding pass,

Next comes the emigration, be careful when you travel to uzbek, please ensure you collect a piece of paper from the hotel after check. I had stayed in five different hotels, one hotel, the first one didn’t even bothered to give us that paper, and one hotel said its all online so no need. At this counter this emigration officer insisted us to give this piece of paper. We explain to him it’s online, finally he asked us to call the hotel. We called atleast 10 times without the hotel answering. Finally he let us go.

Next the customs, again asked to remove shoes (nearly faced out from all the airport). Took my body spray again stating limit exceeded, commented about my cash (like you must be rich to carry many cards and cash

There’s a Lounge in the airport but with limited food options No currency exchange office...