When visiting Uzbekistan, visitors should observe local customs and practices. Some common courtesies and customs are as follows:

Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling.

A handshake should only be initiated by ladies. The traditional greeting or salam resembles a handshake with both hands or with right hand but without the grasp.

It is polite to call before visiting a home

Shoes must always be removed when entering Uzbek home.

Tea is generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept.

The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or giving and receiving objects.

The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons.

Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and mausoleums.

Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask permission beforehand.

Distance to Uzbekistan

London, United Kingdom to Tashkent :.............................................. 3163 miles (5091 km)
Paris, France to Tashkent ..................................................................3045 miles (4900 km)
Rome, Italy to Tashkent :.................................................................. 2590 miles (4169 km)
Stockholm, Sweden to Tashkent :..................................................... 2467 miles (3970 km)
Berlin, Germany to Tashkent : ...........................................................2592 miles (4171 km)
Madrid, Spain to Tashkent :..................... ......................................... 3475 miles (5593 km) 
New York, USA to Tashkent :............................................................. 6810 miles (10960 km)
Vienna, Austria to Tashkent :.............................................................2051 miles (4026 km)
Vancouver, Canada to Tashkent :..................................................... 5362 miles (8630 km)
Beijing, China to Tashkent : ..............................................................3454 Miles, (5559 km) 
Delhi, India to Tashkent : ..................................................................1638 Miles, (2637 km)
Moscow, Russia to Tashkent :........................................................... 2011 Miles, (3237 km)
Seoul, South Korea to Tashkent : ............ .........................................3342 Miles, (5379 km)
Istanbul, Turkey to Tashkent : ...........................................................1532 Miles, (2467 km)
Tokyo, Japan to Tashkent : ................................................................3891 Miles, (6262 km)
Tel - Aviv, Israel to Tashkent :........................................................... 1745 Miles, (2808 km)

Currency
The unit of currency is Uzbek Sum indicated as Soum and is equal to 100 tiyins. USD1 is roughly equivalent to 1200 soum. Coins with value of 5, 10, 25, 50 Soums as well as bank notes of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 Soums are in circulation. Foreign currency can be converted at exchange offices. At the same time paying by credit cards is becoming widely spread in the big stores, hotels etc.

Banking Services and Hours
Uzbekistan banks work with physical clients from 9.00 to 18.00 on weekdays, and some banks work until 15.00 on Saturdays. 
Foreign currency (dollars, euro) may be exchanged practically in all banks as well as exchange offices in the city, hotels, supermarkets, stations and airports. Exchange rate is fixed by the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Most exchange offices in Tashkent work round the clock in hotels, and others in the city work until 18.00 - 20.00 p.m. Prior to traveling to small oblast centers it is recommended to have stock of cash in Soums because it is impossible to exchange the currency during evening time. 
Money transfers may be transmitted via Western Union, Money Gram.

Post Offices
Open from 9.00am to 6.00pm daily except Sundays and public holidays.

Time
Five hours ahead of GMT all year round.

Electricity
Voltage is 220 � 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 2-pin continental plugs.

Weights and Measures
Uzbekistan follows the metric system in weights and measures.

Working hours of stores

Most food stores, supermarkets and minimarkets start working at 9 - 10 and close at 20 - 21. Stores selling industrial goods usually open at 10 and close at 19 - 20. All shops and large shopping centers works without breaks and days off.

Best time to travel
Travel is the most pleasant from the brief spring that dusts the desert with floral colour until early June and from September to early November, when tree-lined streets shine in autumnal glory.

While preparing for a trip to Uzbekistan or to any of the Central Asian countries medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, should be taken care of.

The question of vaccinations is completely at one's own discretion since Uzbekistan and other Republics of Central Asia require no vaccinations.

The strictest attention must be paid to the local food and especially to the quality of tap water. The former has special ingredients such as local spices and a lot of grease while the latter has an unusual flavour and is full of chlorine. When tea, boiled and bottled water are unavailable, purify tap water with iodine tablets.
Among the other distinctive features is the high risk of sunstroke, thus precautionary measures must be taken while under the sun.

Medical kit: aspirin, paracetamol, tylenol, diarrhoea pills, dehydration powders, iodine tablets, antiseptic cream/wipes; plasters.

In large cities of Uzbekistan telephone numbers are seven or six digit, in medium cities they are usually six-digit and in small cities telephone numbers are five-digit.
Information on the order of dialing, codes of cities and prices for telephone calls may be found in the telephone reference books in the hotel room.
In order to call to Uzbekistan one should dial Uzbekistan�s country code + 998, then the area (city) code, and then the subscribers telephone number.

City codes:

In order to call to the country, one should dial first 8, then 10, then code of necessary country, city code and telephone number.

Calling from the hotel is expensive, so it would be more efficient to use the services of international taxophones, whose telephone cards are usually sold in the subways.