The ancient Silk Road — the network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean through Central Asia — was the backbone of global commerce for over a millennium. Today, a new chapter is opening not along camel trails but through airports. And the visa policies are finally catching up.
Uzbekistan: The Sleeping Giant Awakens
Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent. These names carry the weight of centuries of history. Since 2019, Uzbekistan has opened visa-free access to over 90 nationalities, including the EU, US, UK, Canada and Australia (30 days, extendable). Tourist arrivals have more than tripled.
Three airports stand out: TAS (Tashkent) as the main international gateway, SKD (Samarkand) with direct connections to several European cities, and BHK (Bukhara) for lovers of mud-brick architecture and ancient bazaars. Remember: hotel registration is mandatory in Uzbekistan.
Georgia: 365 Days Without a Visa
Georgia has implemented one of the world's most generous visa policies: citizens of 95+ countries, including all EU member states, the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay for up to 365 days without a visa. Tbilisi (TBS) has become a hub for digital nomads and food-focused tourists. Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Flydubai now serve TBS with affordable connections from across Europe.
Kazakhstan: Building for the Future
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country. With visa-free access for 60+ nationalities and Air Astana's growing network from Almaty (ALA) and Astana (TSE), the country is positioning itself as a premium ecotourism and business destination.
The Caucasus Triangle: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia
The three Caucasus countries form a natural multi-country circuit. One important note: Azerbaijan and Armenia have closed borders — visiting both in a single trip requires routing through Georgia. Plan your itinerary accordingly and always check your nationality's specific visa requirements.
The world's most underrated travel region is finally opening its doors. Central Asia's Silk Road cities are waiting.