Tashkent International Airport

Tashkent Airport is one of the largest and most connected ones in Central Asia, where you can get to Europe, the Middle East, or China fairly easily. There was also a Priority Pass Lounge, which has decent snack-y food and alcohol

Tashkent International Airport (TAS). Tashkent International Airport, the busiest airport in Uzbekistan, offers a functional but somewhat dated infrastructure. While recent renovations have improved parts of the terminal, certain areas still reflect an older design with limited seating and compact waiting zones. However, efforts have been made to enhance traveler comfort through improved lighting, air conditioning, and expanded check-in counters. VIP and business lounges provide more spacious and quiet environments for those with access. The airport staff are generally courteous and cooperative. English proficiency among personnel is growing, especially at immigration and airline desks, though some language barriers may still exist. Security and customs staff tend to be serious but professional. Assistance for elderly travelers and families is available upon request, and airport guides are usually ready to help with directions or boarding procedures. Flight punctuality at Tashkent Airport has seen gradual improvement, though occasional delays still occur, especially during peak travel times. Coordination between airlines and ground services has become more efficient in recent years, contributing to better time management. Security screening is thorough, with several stages including passport control, customs checks, and baggage inspection. While this process may take time, it reflects the airport’s strong commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Tashkent Airport is clean and functional but not exceptional. The facilities are modern enough, and staff are generally polite, though lines at security and passport control can be long. There are a few cafes and shops, but limited seating and spotty Wi-Fi. Getting to the city is easy by taxi, and the airport is close to downtown. Overall, it’s an average airport that works fine but could be more efficient and comfortable

I recently took a flight from here and everything was a bit slow right from check-in to immigration to security. There is a lot of room for improvement. The airport looks new from inside and it looks good. All prices are in USD or EUR.

Tashkent International Airport is neat, clean, and well-organized. It’s a medium-sized airport, so the check-in and immigration process is usually smooth and quick—you won’t face much hassle getting inside. One thing that stood out during security check was that all passengers are required to remove their shoes for scanning, regardless of the type. Usually, only leather shoes are checked more closely at other airports, but here all footwear goes through the scanner—something to keep in mind. Inside, the airport has a good variety of shops, including souvenir stores, food stalls, lounges, and more. The interior is nicely decorated and some areas are inspired by traditional Samarkand-style architecture, which adds a cultural charm to the space. Overall, it’s a pleasant airport experience and a nice gateway to Uzbekistan.

After 20 years married to a lovely Uzbek and having the embassy loose her passport while trying to get her visa, I finally decided to come and visit. Arrived and my wife’s family greeted me. I was pleasantly surprised of how nice people are in the country. It is of course a country that is growing and still trying to erase the remains of the Soviet union. Don’t be mistaken, it is still an authoritarian country and you clearly see it. While leaving I was called and taken to a room. My crime, I had a 249g mini drone that I use for work in Turkey (I had just come into the country and was not told anything). They treated me like a criminal and took my drone. They even took all the accessories. I guess that’s a cheap way to acquire them. I nearly missed my flight and was constantly threatened. I was even forced to sign a document written in Russian that of course I couldn’t understand so I have no idea what I was forced to sign. Needles to say that I will never be back there. I’m happy to have visited and happier that I left. Again the food was great and people I interacted with were warm and friendly. Such a shame to have these types of situations in a modern world.

The currency exchange is located AFTER the simcard stands ( or spend 20mins at the one near airside arrival that never opens :( The exchange at departure hall was busy - one booth and long queue - would rather exchange in the city. Apart from lack of signage, the other procedures were smooth. Got straight through from check-in 2hrs before flight time to CAN, passport control and x-ray also no queue. Tasteful village design at the duty-free if you still have cash left.

If you have a nostalgic longing for Soviet-era dysfunction or a desire to experience the security protocols of a 2011 Sanaa checkpoint, Tashkent International is the destination for you. Having spent 35 years in the security industry, I can confidently state that this is the most decidedly, proudly stupid environment I have encountered in decades. The "Security" Theater of the Absurd - The security staff here don’t just lack training; they seem to view ignorance as a badge of office. Expect to watch a grown man in a pressed uniform stare at a hairbrush with the suspicion one might reserve for an unexploded ordnance. Every bristle is scrutinized. Every charging cable is viewed as a relic from a future they don't understand. They dump bags out not to find threats, but because the act of making a mess is the only way they know how to look "diligent." Belts and shoes are rotated and inspected like rare diamonds. They have magnetometers and wands, but they are purely decorative. The process isn't about safety; it’s about a performative, animalistic display of authority where grunting replaces communication. A "New" Airport That Doesn't Function - The facility looks new, likely funded by foreign interests to look the part of a modern hub, but it is a hollow shell. It is a "Potemkin Village" for the 21st century. The ATMs: Brand new, yet empty of cash. The SIM Card Offices: Shiny kiosks that lack the capability to actually process a payment. The Infrastructure: There are no lounges, no functional stores, and the "coffee shop" operates via desperate sign language. The Technology: It is 2026, yet electronic devices are treated like alien technology. Credit card machines exist only to fail. The Atmosphere: Soviet Shadows - The "service" culture here is a throwback to the worst days of the USSR. Competence is rarer than a snow leopard. There are no signs, no flight information displays, and no airline personnel to be found once you've cleared the gauntlet. The staff: from the bumbling parking lot security to the information desk, seem to have been hired specifically for their antisocial tendencies. If you ask a question, expect a grunt and a pointed finger. They view passenger comfort as a threat and information as the enemy. Verdict: Tashkent Airport is a systematized failure. It is a place where appearances matter more than function, where the least educated are given the most power, and where the traveler is treated with a level of distrust that borders on harassment. It is a "show" for visiting delegations that falls apart the moment a real passenger tries to use a credit card or carry a hairbrush. Advice to Travelers: Avoid it. If you must go, prepare to be transported back to a time where the only thing thinner than the service is the logic of the people in charge.