Elisha
Travelling to a new country like Uzbekistan comes with its own set of challenges. With a significant language barrier (English is not widely spoken there), being able to navigate your way around can be a little difficult at times. This is why I always recommend having data on your phone, so you can use Google Translate, order a Yandex taxi, find your hostel, or book a train ticket to the next city no matter where you are.
I used a Holafly eSIM during my trip to Uzbekistan which gave me unlimited data for the entire month I was there. My travel buddy opted to use a local SIM card, so it gave me an opportunity to compare both our experiences in the country. This article breaks down the differences between an eSIM and a local SIM card in Uzbekistan and how to buy or install one for your trip. Don’t leave for your Central Asia adventure without reading this honest guide, so you know which one will work best for you!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received a free eSIM and financial compensation for my partnership with Holafly in Central Asia, but all information provided in this post is true and based on my own personal experience.
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Is it Worth Getting a SIM card for Uzbekistan?
You don’t have to get a SIM card in Uzbekistan. Wi-Fi can be found at any hostel or hotel. However, it makes travelling easier and more convenient if you have data on your phone at all times.
You’ll be surprised how often you’ll need to be connected, from checking the metro map in Tashkent and using Yandex Go (Central Asia’s version of Uber), to booking train tickets to a new city, and sending a Whatsapp message to a friend or checking your bank account.
Having a SIM card or eSIM is definitely the best option. I always make sure I have data as soon as I land so I’m never disconnected, because it makes it much harder to get around and navigate a new country without internet access on your phone. Below I’ll explain which of the local cell phone operators are the best for Uzbekistan.
What is the Best SIM card for Uzbekistan?
There are only a few local mobile network companies in Uzbekistan, including Beeline, Ucell and Uzmobile. Each offers data packages and SIM cards to foreign tourists. Otherwise, there are also plenty of eSIM companies who offer eSIMs for Uzbekistan, including Holafly, Airalo, and Saily.
Beeline Uzbekistan
Beeline is the second largest mobile operator in Uzbekistan after Ucell and a popular choice for tourists. The tourist packages are generally 30 day options, though you can top up data if you need. Popular packages include:
- 100,00 UZS for 50GB 2000 minutes 1000 texts
- 60,000 UZS for 20 GB 1000 minutes 1000 texts
Ucell Uzbekistan
The state owned mobile network boasting to have the largest coverage, Ucell is a good option. Their SIMs have unlimited calls and varying data packages for 30 day visits. A couple of the popular packages include:
- 70,000 UZS for 70GB unlimited calls
- 90,000 UZS for 90 GB unlimited calls
Uzmobile
Uzmobile is not as popular but still a fine choice. They generally offer smaller data plans for 30 days, so it might not be as convenient if you’re someone who wants plenty of data.
How Much Do SIM Cards Cost in Uzbekistan?
A local SIM card will cost anywhere from US$5 to US$10 depending on the data package you choose. On the other hand an eSIM will certainly cost more, especially if you plan on staying longer than a week.
However, if you plan on using a lot of data, it can work out much more convenient, because eSIMs like Holafly’s are unlimited so you’ll never have to top up along the way. Whereas other eSIM companies and all local SIMs mostly have limited data options.
Here are some examples comparing eSIM companies:
- Holafly: US$27.50 for 7 days or US$47.50 for 14 days all with unlimited data
- Saily: US$32.99 for 30 days with 20GB
- Airalo: US$29.50 for 7 days with unlimited data
Use my discount code: BEYONDWILD for 5% off a Holafly eSIM and 10% off Holafly eSIM Plans for the first 12 months (automatically applied when you click on this link)
How to Buy a SIM Card in Uzbekistan
Depending on how you’re getting to Uzbekistan, you can purchase a SIM card in different ways. The easiest way if you’re flying into the country is to purchase straight away at the airport. Otherwise, some border crossings have SIM card booths, but it’s not always reliable.
If you’re going with an eSIM you can easily purchase it before you leave on your trip and activate it instantly on arrival. Here’s some more detail.
Getting a SIM Card At the Airport
The best and cheapest option is to buy your SIM card at the Tashkent International Airport, when you arrive in the country. You’ll find each of the cell operators just after the baggage claim area in the arrivals, where you can compare packages.
To get a local SIM card, you’ll need to give your passport for registration but otherwise, the staff will set it all up and activate the SIM for you instantly.
Getting a SIM Card At Border Crossings
If you’re crossing via a land border to Uzbekistan, then you may be able to purchase a local SIM card after clearing customs. Some border crossings have cell phone stalls where you can get a local SIM activated for you. However, this varies depending on the border post, so it’s not always reliable.
For example, if you’re planning on crossing at the popular Dostyk Border Crossing from Osh in Kyrgyzstan to Andijan in Uzbekistan like I did, then you won’t find any “official” money changers or SIM card stalls on the Uzbekistan side.
However, if you’re crossing at another border crossing like the Oybek one from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan, you will find some SIM card stalls on the Uzbek side.
If you’re planning on crossing a land border, I’d highly recommend getting an eSIM like I did with Holafly. This is way more convenient and it means that you don’t have to rely on stalls being open at the border crossings, just in case they aren’t. It meant that I was able to connect as soon as I passed through immigration, so I could navigate my way from the border to Tashkent using public transport.
Buying a SIM At a Phone Store
If you cross the border or exit the airport without getting a local SIM, you can still get one at a local cell operator store in any town or city. It’s the same process as anywhere else, and the price tends to be similar. They’ll still need your passport for registration.
Pros and Cons of eSIMs: Are eSIMs Worth It?
Still unsure whether you should get a local SIM or an eSIM for your Uzbekistan trip? They both have pros and cons. I used a Holafly eSIM for my one month trip in Uzbekistan and it worked incredibly well.
My friend who I travelled with used a local SIM, so it means I can make a good comparison based on both our experiences.
Pros of Holafly eSIM
- Unlimited data with Holafly eSIMs unlike local SIM cards which have limited data packages that need topping up when you run out
- Purchase and setup before departure so it’s ready to go
- Instant activation on arrival so you can have your eSIM working as soon as you land or cross the border
- No swapping out physical SIM cards and risking losing your home SIM
- 24-hour customer service in case something happens
- Most convenient option, especially if you’re crossing a land border
- Purchase an eSIM for the exact amount of days that you need, instead of a 30 day package if you don’t need it
- Always On feature means you get a backup 1GB of data per month at no extra cost (even after your eSIM expires!)
Cons of Holafly eSIM
- It’s more expensive than a local SIM card
- You don’t get a local phone number (unless you use Holafly Plans which is a global monthly data eSIM)
- It had good coverage in all major cities, but not in more remote regions, including sometimes having no signal on stretches of train travel (but this can happen with some local SIMs too)
Travelling Through Asia or to Multiple Countries?
If you’re planning a longer Central Asia trip or perhaps backpacking around the world, then Holafly also offers long term travel options that work out better for multi-country trips.
- Regional eSIM: Holafly offers regional plans if you’re travelling to several countries in one region of the world. For example, you can purchase an Asia eSIM which includes 16 countries (although Uzbekistan is not one of them, so in this case it would not be ideal)
- Global eSIM: You can also opt for an eSIM that covers the world for any amount of days that you need, including 142 countries (Uzbekistan is included for this one)
- Holafly Plans: A new monthly Global Plan option which is perfect for people travelling for a long time. You can select between a Light Plan which includes 25GB of data for US$49.90 per month or an Unlimited Plan for US$64.90 per month
Read more about Holafly Plans in my review here.
Final Thoughts
Getting a SIM card for Uzbekistan is incredibly easy. However, whether you go for a local SIM or an eSIM from a company like Holafly depends on your budget and how much you value convenience.
If you’re backpacking on a tight budget, then a local SIM will certainly be the preferred option as it’s significantly cheaper. However, if you prefer a more convenient option that means you’re never disconnected, then an eSIM is definitely the best option.
If you’re someone who uses a lot of data and doesn’t want to rely on Wi-Fi, then I highly recommend getting a Holafly eSIM which have unlimited data. Don’t forget you can get 5% off Holafly eSIMs or 10% off Holafly Plans (for the first 12 months) with my code: BEYONDWILD.
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