Airport Uzbek: from landing to leaving
The airport is the first and last stage of a trip, and it's often the most stressful place for travelers, especially in an unfamiliar language. This page gives you all the words and phrases needed at every stage of passing through Tashkent or other Uzbekistan airports — from landing to passport control, from collecting luggage to customs.
1. Main areas of the airport
From entering the airport to leaving it, you'll pass through several core sections. Knowing their names ahead of time helps you find signs faster and avoid getting lost:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| aeroport | airport |
| terminal | terminal |
| reys | flight |
| eshik (chiqish eshigi) | gate |
| ro'yxatdan o'tish | check-in |
| pasport nazorati | passport control |
| bojxona | customs |
| bagaj olish zonasi | baggage claim |
| kutish zali | waiting hall / lounge |
2. Checking in
Staff: Pasportingiz va biletingizni ko'rsam bo'ladimi?
Passenger: Mana, marhamat.
Staff: Yukingiz bormi?
Passenger: Ha, bitta katta chamadon.
Staff: Uni tarozига qo'ying, iltimos.
Passenger: Mana, marhamat. Bu qancha kilogramm?
Staff: Yigirma ikki kilogramm, bu ruxsat etilgan chegarada.
(Staff: Could I see your passport and ticket? — Passenger: Here you go. — Staff: Do you have luggage? — Passenger: Yes, one big suitcase. — Staff: Please put it on the scale. — Passenger: Here you go. How many kilograms is it? — Staff: Twenty-two kilograms, that's within the allowed limit.)
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| chamadon | suitcase |
| qo'l yuki | hand luggage / carry-on |
| og'irlik chegarasi | weight limit |
| o'rindiq raqami | seat number |
| bortga chiqish taloni | boarding pass |
3. Passport control
Staff: Pasportingizni ko'rsating, iltimos.
Passenger: Mana, marhamat.
Staff: Tashrifingizning maqsadi nima?
Passenger: Sayohat / Ish / O'qish uchun keldim.
Staff: Qancha muddat qolasiz?
Passenger: Ikki hafta.
Staff: Yaxshi, xush kelibsiz!
(Staff: Show me your passport, please. — Passenger: Here you go. — Staff: What's the purpose of your visit? — Passenger: I'm here for travel / work / study. — Staff: How long will you stay? — Passenger: Two weeks. — Staff: Good, welcome!)
At passport control, it's recommended to give short, clear answers to questions. If you're asked something you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask "Kechirasiz, tushunmadim, qaytarib aytib bera olasizmi?" (Sorry, I didn't understand, could you repeat that?).
4. Going through customs
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| bojxona deklaratsiyasi | customs declaration |
| e'lon qilinadigan narsa | item to declare |
| taqiqlangan buyum | prohibited item |
| valyuta | currency |
Customs officer: E'lon qiladigan narsangiz bormi?
Passenger: Yo'q, hech narsa yo'q.
(Customs officer: Do you have anything to declare? — Passenger: No, nothing.)
Bringing large amounts of cash into or out of Uzbekistan may require filling out a declaration — it's recommended to check the exact limits with official sources before your flight.
5. Collecting luggage
Passenger: Kechirasiz, bagaj olish zonasi qayerda?
Staff: To'g'riga boring, keyin chapga buriling.
Passenger: Rahmat.
(If luggage isn't found)
Passenger: Mening chamadonim yo'qoldi, nima qilishim
kerak?
Staff: Iltimos, u yerdagi ma'lumot stoliga boring va
arizangizni to'ldiring.
(Passenger: Excuse me, where's the baggage claim area? — Staff: Go straight, then turn left. — Passenger: Thanks. — (If luggage isn't found) — Passenger: My suitcase is missing, what should I do? — Staff: Please go to the information desk over there and fill out a claim form.)
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| yo'qolgan bagaj | lost luggage |
| ariza | claim form |
| ma'lumot stoli | information desk |
6. Going through security
Before entering the terminal, all passengers must go through security screening. This process is similar at most airports worldwide, but knowing the following words is useful:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| xavfsizlik tekshiruvi | security check |
| metall detektor | metal detector |
| cho'ntagingizni bo'shating | empty your pockets |
| noutbuk | laptop |
| suyuqlik | liquid |
Staff: Cho'ntagingizdagi barcha metall buyumlarni
chiqaring, iltimos.
Passenger: Xo'p, mana.
Staff: Noutbukingizni alohida qutiga qo'ying.
Passenger: Tushunarli, rahmat.
(Staff: Please remove all metal items from your pockets. — Passenger: Sure, here. — Staff: Put your laptop in a separate tray. — Passenger: Got it, thanks.)
7. Transit and connecting flights
If your flight transits through Tashkent, the following words will help you get to your next flight:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| tranzit | transit |
| ulanish reysi | connecting flight |
| qayta ro'yxatdan o'tish | re-check-in |
| tranzit zali | transit hall |
Passenger: Mening ulanish reysim bor, qayerga borishim
kerak?
Staff: Tranzit zaliga o'ting, u yerda yo'nalishlarni
ko'rasiz.
Passenger: Ulanish reysigacha qancha vaqtim bor?
Staff: Ikki soatingiz bor, yetarli vaqt.
(Passenger: I have a connecting flight, where should I go? — Staff: Go to the transit hall, you'll see the signs there. — Passenger: How much time do I have until my connection? — Staff: You have two hours, that's enough time.)
8. Special assistance and amenities
If you need physical assistance (wheelchair, help for children, etc.), don't hesitate to ask airport staff:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| nogironlar aravachasi | wheelchair |
| yordam kerak | need assistance |
| bolalar xonasi | children's room |
| onalar xonasi | mothers' room |
Most airports, including Tashkent International Airport, offer free assistance for passengers with special needs — you can request this before your flight or upon arrival at the airport.
9. Asking about flight information
For information about delays or cancellations, it's always recommended to confirm with the electronic board (schedule) or service staff:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| Reys kechikyaptimi? | Is the flight delayed? |
| Reys bekor qilindimi? | Is the flight cancelled? |
| Qaysi eshikdan chiqamiz? | Which gate do we depart from? |
| Bortga chiqish qachon boshlanadi? | When does boarding start? |
10. Airport services
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| valyuta almashtirish | currency exchange |
| SIM karta do'koni | SIM card shop |
| bojxonasiz do'kon | duty-free shop |
| kafe | cafe |
| taksi bekati | taxi stand |
At Tashkent International Airport, all the main services — currency exchange, buying a SIM card, calling a taxi — are available right in the arrivals area, which is very convenient for first-time travelers.
11. Reading your boarding pass
A boarding pass shows several key pieces of information — understanding them helps you avoid getting lost:
| Uzbek | English |
|---|---|
| reys raqami | flight number |
| eshik raqami | gate number |
| o'rindiq raqami | seat number |
| bortga chiqish vaqti | boarding time |
| guruh (bortga chiqish tartibi) | boarding group |
Don't forget to be at the gate at least 30-40 minutes before boarding, since some flights may start boarding earlier than scheduled.
12. Full scenario: from landing to leaving
To picture all the stages as a whole, let's walk through a typical international passenger's path through the airport from start to finish.
Once the plane lands, passengers are first directed to passport control. There's a separate window here for foreign citizens, where staff check your passport and (if required) visa, and ask a brief question about the purpose of your visit. This process usually takes a few minutes.
After passport control, the passenger heads to the baggage claim area, checking the electronic board to see which carousel their flight's luggage is on. Once the bag arrives, they collect it and move to the customs section — if there's nothing to declare, you can go through quickly via the "green lane."
After customs, the passenger enters the airport's general arrivals area, where services like currency exchange, buying a SIM card, and calling a taxi are available. This is where the "official" part of the trip ends and the journey to your hotel or next destination begins.
Knowing this scenario in advance, especially for those traveling internationally for the first time, makes the process much less stressful and easier to understand.
13. Frequently asked questions
Can airport staff speak English?
At Tashkent International Airport, most staff know basic English phrases, especially at passport control and check-in. However, knowing a few Uzbek phrases makes the process faster and more comfortable.
What should I say if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Ask staff at the information desk questions like "Reysim kechikdi, nima qilishim kerak?" (My flight is delayed, what should I do?) or "Keyingi reys qachon?" (When's the next flight?). They'll give you information about alternative options.
How early should I arrive at the airport?
For international flights, arriving at least two to three hours early is recommended; for domestic flights, one to one-and-a-half hours. On holidays or busy times, it's wise to add some extra time.
Can I get a visa at the airport?
This depends on your citizenship and travel purpose — for citizens of some countries, Uzbekistan offers a visa-on-arrival option at the airport, while others require getting an e-visa in advance. It's recommended to check the exact requirements with official sources before your flight.
14. Conclusion
Going through the airport is often much smoother with advance preparation. Knowing the core words and phrases above lets you move through check-in, passport control, security, and baggage claim with confidence. Having phrases ready for each stage helps you stay calm even in unexpected situations.
15. Next steps
Once you're out of the airport, it's time to check into your hotel:
- Hotel Uzbek — phrases for check-in and room requests.
- Travel Phrases — general phrases for taxis and transport.
- Emergency Phrases — critical phrases.
🗣️ Want to practice with a real person? Reading is a great start, but nothing builds real fluency like actual conversation. Find a native Uzbek tutor on italki and book a lesson at a time that works for you.