Tajikistan

Brief History

The first railroad construction projects in Tajikistan emerged in the late 19th century, when the region was part of the Russian Empire. In 1888, construction of a section of railroad from Tashkent (now the capital of Uzbekistan) to Dushanbe (now the capital of Tajikistan) began. This was an important step in the development of the region's transportation infrastructure.

During the Soviet period, Tajikistan's railroads continued their development. In 1929, a railroad connecting Dushanbe to Chkalovskaya Station (now Kurgan-Tube Station) was opened. In 1931, railroad tracks reached the city of Kurgan-Tyube, which contributed to the development of transportation infrastructure in this region.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan became an independent state, which led to a number of economic and political challenges. During this period, the railroad infrastructure suffered from limited investment and obsolescence.

In recent decades, Tajikistan has actively attracted investment to develop transportation infrastructure, including railroads. Many projects have been implemented to improve and expand the railroad network in the country.

One example of modern projects is the construction of the Leninabad-Sherabad railroad, which aims to improve connectivity between the north and south of Tajikistan. This project provides a more efficient transport link within the country and with neighboring states, facilitating trade and economic growth.

Today, Tajikistan's railroads play a key role in the country's transport system, ensuring the transportation of passengers and cargo through Tajikistan and connectivity with neighboring countries in the region. Together with the sustainable development of transport infrastructure, the country continues to move forward rapidly, contributing to economic prosperity and improving the quality of life of its citizens.

General Information and Statistics

The main operator of railway transportation is the State Unitary Enterprise "Tajik Railway" (Tajik. Roҳi oҳani Toҷikiston). In 2015, "Tajik Railways" carried 424.8 thousand passengers. There are a total of 55 railroad stations in Tajikistan.

The length of public railroads in the country is 680 km 100% of traction is carried out by diesel locomotives.

What connections to other countries there are.

Tajikistan has train connections to Uzbekistan, Russia.

Are trains fast in Tajikistan in general? How much time to cross the country?

The trains in Tajikistan are generally not known for their high speed. The rail network in Tajikistan is not as extensive or advanced compared to some other countries, and the trains primarily serve as a means of transportation for passengers and freight within the country and to neighboring countries in the region.
Traveling from Dushanbe to Kanibadam will take about 23:04 hours and from Kulyab to Dushanbe 7h36 minutes.

What railway companies are available?

The main operator of railway transportation is the State Unitary Enterprise "Tajik Railway" , except for the narrow gauge railroad Proletarsk - Sulukta, owned by Jabbar-Rasulov Loading and Transportation Department, which is simultaneously the only electrified railroad in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

What train types are available in Tajikistan

The following types of trains are available on the Tajikistan railway network:

Long-distance passenger trains: Includes trains designed for long-distance passenger transportation, such as trains on the Dushanbe-Moscow, Kulyab-Moscow, Khujand-Moscow and Khujand-Saratov routes.

Local passenger trains: Provide short-distance passenger transportation within the country, including Dushanbe-Kanibadam, Kurgantyube-Kanibadam, Dushanbe-Kulyab, and Dushanbe-Shaartuz (with the opening of the Vahdat-Yavan line in 2016).

Suburban trains: Transport passengers between nearby communities, such as the Dushanbe-Pakhtaabad route.

Seasonal trains: Some routes, such as Khujand-Saratov, Dushanbe-Kanibadam and Kurgantyube-Kanibadam, may operate seasonally at certain times of the year.

Are there high-speed-trains available?

There are no high-speed trains in Tajikistan. Tajikistan's railroad network is not famous for high-speed rail service. Trains in the country mainly serve as a means of transporting passengers and cargo within the country and to neighboring countries in the region.

Most important train stations / hubs.

The main railway hubs in Tajikistan are Dushanbe ,Khujand,Kurgan-Tyube,Kulob,Vakhdat.

Websites to buy train tickets for Tajikistan?

http://eticket.railway.tj/

Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Tajikistan?

The "Билеты на поезд" mobile application offers the service of issuing and paying for e-tickets for a physical person.

Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Tajikistan?

You can buy a railroad ticket at a railway ticket office or at the station, but you should only contact the station employees with badges (ticket cashiers, station duty officers, hall duty officers, ticket agents).

Can I buy my ticket by phone?

There's no such opportunity.

Return the ticket.

Refund of unused e-ticket is made:
on the website in the client's personal cabinet;
at a ticket office in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, which carries out the return of tickets, upon presentation of the control coupon or number of the electronic ticket/order and the identity document of the passenger, whose number is indicated in the electronic ticket, in accordance with the established terms of return. Refund of unused e-ticket of international traffic (far abroad) is made only at international ticket offices.

Train ticket prices

The price of a ticket depends on how early you buy the ticket and, of course, on the distance you have to travel.

Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?

...

Where to find timetables.

Find train schedules on https://www.railway.tj/ru/passengers/schedule

Buying tickets in advance or right before the train

Long distance tickets are best bought in advance. If you are going to travel short distances, just go to the station, buy tickets and get on the train.

Types of tickets.

Tajik Railways usually offers the following types of tickets for passengers:

Regular ticket (Seat): A ticket that entitles you to a seated seat in a passenger car.

Platzkart ticket: A ticket for a seat in a platzkart carriage, which is an open sleeping carriage with several rows of beds.

Coupe ticket: A ticket for a seat in a compartment car, where the compartment is an enclosed cabinet car with a small number of seats (usually 4 or 2 beds) in each compartment.

Luxury ticket (SV): A ticket for a seat in a luxury carriage, which is a luxury carriage with one or more spacious compartments equipped with additional amenities.

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Country

Interrail/Eurail Passes are not available

Saver price.

Tajik Railway does not offer any special economy tickets.

Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?

Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.

Flexible tickets.

Flexible tickets are not available.

Rules of boarding.

When boarding a long-distance train, a passenger is obliged to present a duly issued boarding coupon of an e-ticket and an identity document on the basis of which the e-ticket was purchased, indicating the passenger's surname and the number of the identity document.

Discounts for group travel.

Discounts for group travel are provided from the total cost of travel:
When traveling for organized groups of 10 or more people on a group travel document in the amount of:
- 20% of the total cost of travel when the number of the group is from 10 to 24 paid adult passengers;
- 30% of the total fare for groups of 25 or more people who have paid for the travel of adult passengers.

Age groups and discounts.

A passenger has the right to carry one child under the age of five free of charge in the train without a separate seat. If more than one child under the age of five is traveling with the passenger, one of them is carried free of charge, the rest - with a 35% discount from the fare with a separate seat. Children aged from five to ten years are also entitled to a 50 percent discount from the fare with a separate seat. Children over the age of 10 must purchase travel tickets as adults.

Age limitations for minors.

From the age of 10, children can travel unsupervised on Tajikistan's internal trains.

Handicapped passengers.

Tajikistan has no separate services to assist persons with disabilities on trains.

Seat reservations in trains in Tajikistan.

When you purchase your ticket you choose the seat you will be traveling in, this is included in the ticket price.

Comfort classes on the trains.

Types of comfort classes in Tajikistan trains include:

Plackart (P) - open carriage with seats for lying down.
Coupe (K) - closed compartment car with seats for lying down.
Lux (L or SV) - luxury car with spacious compartments and additional amenities.
Sitting (S) - a car with seating without sleeping places.
Passengers can choose a suitable comfort class depending on their preferences and budget.

Food and drink in Country trains / train restaurant.

Tajik Railways provides dining cars on some long-distance and long-haul routes. A dining car offers passengers the opportunity to purchase food and beverages during the journey. It is usually a comfortable place where passengers can relax, enjoy pleasant surroundings and have a snack while traveling.

Dining cars on trains offer a varied menu including hot meals, sandwiches, drinks and snacks. The quality and variety of food may vary depending on the type of train and route.

Night trains in Tajikistan?

Tajikistan has night trains, which offer passengers the opportunity to travel during the night and arrive at their destination in the morning. Night trains are especially popular on long-distance and long-haul routes so that passengers can comfortably spend time during the journey and avoid losing daylight hours.

Important train routes in Tajikistan.

Dushanbe - Kanibadam / 23:04 hours
Kanibadam - Dushanbe/ 21:02 hours
Kulyab - Dushanbe/ 7:36 hours
Dushanbe - Kulyab / 7:56 hours
Dushanbe - Pakhtaabad / 2:20 hours
Pahtaabad - Dushanbe / 3:00 hours

International train routes.

Tajikistan has train connections to Uzbekistan, Russia

Tourist / scenic routes in Tajikistan.

Dushanbe-Gissar-Tursunzadeh Tourist Route by Train: This route provides an opportunity to travel by train from Dushanbe to Gissar and Tursunzadeh to get acquainted with the historical and cultural sights of these cities. Tourists will visit the Gissar Fortress Reserve and the Sharshara Cultural and Entertainment Complex, as well as familiarize themselves with the Park of Culture and Recreation and the Central Museum of Tursunzade.

Fishing tourist route Dushanbe-Levakant-A. Jami - Dusti-Dusti-Dushanbe: This itinerary is for anglers who will go fishing in the neighborhoods of Dushanbe, Levakant, A. Jami and Dusti, enjoying the beautiful nature and unique fishing spots.

Dushanbe-Darwaz-Vanch-Dushanbe Hunting Tourist Route: For hunting enthusiasts, a route is provided to go hunting in the areas of Darwaz and Vanch, enjoying beautiful views and hunting experience.

Mountain Goat, Partridge and Pheasant Viewing Tourist Routes: These three routes offer travelers the opportunity to observe wild animals such as mountain goats, partridges and pheasants in different areas of Tajikistan such as Karatag, Ramita and Varzob.

Dushanbe Garden Festival Tourist Route as a National Tourism Brand: This itinerary provides an opportunity to participate in the Garden Festival, which is a national tourism brand of Tajikistan. Participants can immerse themselves in the traditions and culture of this festival.

Luggage information.

Carriage of hand baggage
Each passenger has the right to carry free of charge on 1 travel document (ticket), except for small items, hand luggage weighing no more than 36 kg (for cars with 2-seat compartments (SV) - 50 kg), the size of which does not exceed 180 cm in the sum of 3 measurements.
Rules of luggage transportation
One travel document (ticket) issued for one passenger, including one travel document (ticket) issued under the tariff for transportation of children with a seat, accepts no more than three pieces of luggage with the sum of three measurements of each piece not exceeding 180 cm, the weight of each piece not exceeding 75 kg and the total weight not exceeding 200 kg.

Bicycle on the train.

There are no prohibitions on transporting a bicycle on the official website.

Ski or snowboard on the train.

There is also no prohibition on transporting sports equipment.

Luggage lockers on the stations in Tajikistan.

There is a storage room at the Dushanbe Railway Station. There is no information on other stations.

Lost and Found Items.

There's no official confirmed information.

Pets on the trains.

Small pets, dogs and birds can be carried on Tajikistan trains in excess of the established carry-on baggage allowance, provided that they have a veterinary certificate. Dogs are transported in the non-working vestibule of a rigid carriage or in a separate compartment of a compartment carriage, while small animals and birds are transported in special containers. Transportation is charged according to weight and type of train. There is no charge for the transportation of guide dogs of disabled persons. However, transportation of wild animals and rodents is not allowed. Transportation is subject to the availability of appropriate veterinary documents.