Carry cash (small so'm notes) for Samarkand buses — don't count on tapping a foreign card; if staying longer, an ATTO card gets you the cheaper card rate vs cash.
Getting to the start
no metro in Samarkand — Registan Square; nearest bus stop 'Registan' (incl. lines No.1, No.2 from the railway station area)
Out-and-back course starting/finishing at Registan Square.
From Samarkand railway station, ~3.5-7km (~15-20 min) by taxi or city bus.
Getting to the finish
same as start — Registan Square
Course heads toward Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis/Silk Road Samarkand complex, turns around mid-course, returns to Registan.
More details
No organizer shuttle found;
foreign runners typically use taxi/Yandex Go rather than transit.
IC card
ATTO transport card
Sold at points of sale of JSC 'Toshshahartranshizmat' ticket offices and reportedly UzPost post offices;
exact Samarkand kiosk locations not confirmed.
Not accepted at the gates — get the local card above
More details
Bus fare is 3,000 UZS cash or 2,000 UZS via ATTO card/bank card per one official source,
and a Visa-partnered contactless pilot was announced for Samarkand in Jan 2025.
However, an independent traveler report describes Samarkand buses as 'definitely cash-only,' with no card tapping observed.
Given this conflict, treat contactless as unreliable for a tourist and default to cash.
No dedicated tourist day-pass found.
