Rail links may connect Astana and Samarkand.
New international railway routes will connect Astana and Samarkand. A meeting took place in Astana between the leadership of "Passenger Transportation" and "Uzbekistan Railways Passenger Services."
https://kun.uz/ru/news/2025/01/13/astanu-i-samarkand-mogut-svyazat-jyeleznodorojnyye-reysy2025-01-14 08:51:13
As a result of the negotiations , an agreement was signed to launch tourist trains, and a working group was established to implement joint projects. One of the first steps was the launch of the Jibek Joly tourist train.
Additionally, at Uzbekistan's suggestion, the schedule for train No. 1/2 "Almaty-Tashkent" was revised, making the departure and arrival times more convenient for passengers.
Train No. 1/2 "Almaty-Tashkent" transported over 72,000 passengers last year, highlighting the high interest in this route. The length of the route is 988 km.