Travel guide
Urgench airport to Khiva: every option
Khiva has no airport of its own. Flights land in Urgench, about 35 km away, and the last half hour of your journey is by road.
Short answer: the drive from Urgench airport to Khiva takes 30–40 minutes. A pre-booked private transfer is $25 per car, with your driver waiting at arrivals. A street taxi is cheaper if you negotiate well; the trolleybus is the cheapest but slowest.
The options at a glance
| Option | Time to Khiva | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | 30–40 minutes | $25 sedan, $55 minivan, per car | Name sign at arrivals, drop-off at your hotel or the nearest Ichan-Kala gate |
| Taxi from the airport | 30–50 min | Negotiated in som | Agree the fare for the whole car before you leave |
| Trolleybus | Over an hour | Lowest | Runs between Urgench and Khiva; you first need to get from the airport to the line |
The trolleybus
Urgench and Khiva are linked by Uzbekistan's last trolleybus line, about 33 km long. In 2026 the line began getting new battery-equipped trolleybuses (Urban Transport Magazine), and a route linking the airport with Khiva railway station has been announced. It is a fun local experience with light luggage, but slow, and you need to check where the nearest stop is on the day.
Taxis
Drivers wait outside arrivals. Fares are negotiated, and the first quote is usually high. Agree the price in som for the whole car (not per person) and the exact drop-off point before you load the bags. Many Khiva hotels are inside the old-town walls, where cars are restricted.
A pre-booked transfer
Add your flight number when you book so we can follow your arrival time. Your driver waits at the exit with your name and takes you straight to your hotel or the nearest gate of Ichan-Kala. It is the simplest option for late flights and groups. See Urgench airport to Khiva transfer.
What it costs per person
| People | Vehicle | Per vehicle | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedan | $25 | $25 |
| 2 | Sedan | $25 | $13 |
| 3 | Sedan | $25 | $9 |
| 4 | SUV | $35 | $9 |
| 5 | Minivan | $55 | $11 |
| 6 | Minivan | $55 | $10 |
| 7 | Minivan | $55 | $8 |
| 10 | Microbus | $70 | $7 |
| 16 | Microbus | $70 | $5 |
From Khiva onwards
- Khiva to Bukhara by car, 6–7 hours, or read train vs car across the Kyzylkum.
- The desert fortresses: Ayaz Kala, Toprak Kala and Kyzyl Kala by car.
- Khiva to Nukus for the Savitsky Museum and the Aral Sea.
Updated 4 October 2026. Sources: Urban Transport Magazine: Urgench–Khiva trolleybus (2026), President.uz: Urgench–Khiva transport, Eurasia.travel forum: Khiva travel experience.