Uzbekistan is launching a high-speed train from Tashkent to the ancient city of Khiva by 2026. Travel time will be cut from 14 hours to just 7 hours and 40 minutes, making it much easier and faster for tourists to explore this Silk Road destination.

The 465 km rail line through Bukhara and Urgench is already electrified. Six new Hyundai Rotem trains from South Korea, fast, modern, and comfortable, will be used. Each train can carry about 400 passengers and reach speeds up to 250 km/h.

The line is expected to serve over 3 million people a year. It will also carry more freight, growing from 1 million to 6 million tons, helping Uzbekistan become a key transport hub in Central Asia.

For travellers, this means easier access to Khiva and better connections to other cities like Samarkand and Bukhara. It also supports eco-friendly travel and boosts local tourism.