Many travelers traveling through Central Asia by land often include Kazakhstan in their itinerary, and how to get to Aktau becomes a key point for those looking to cross the Caspian Sea and continue on to Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, or even Eastern Europe. This port city, located in the far west of Kazakhstan, is a kind of geographical hinge between Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Getting to Aktau from Uzbekistan may seem complicated at first, but it's not so difficult if you know which routes to take, which borders to cross, and which modes of transportation to use. In this guide, I'll tell you about my personal experience, what options are available, and what to keep in mind if you're planning this stretch of your Silk Road adventure.
If you want to know the route I took in Uzbekistan, you can read my two-week travel itinerary through the country.
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How to get to Aktau from Khiva (my step-by-step experience)
My journey to Aktau began in Khiva, and although it seems far away and somewhat remote, the trip is entirely possible with proper planning. Below, I'll give you a step-by-step account of my experience:
1. From Khiva to Urgench (shared taxi)
Khiva doesn't have a train station directly connected to international routes, so the first step was to take a shared taxi to Urgench, which is only 35 km away. It's a short and inexpensive ride; shared taxis depart frequently from just outside the Old Town and usually take no more than 45 minutes.
You may be interested in reading the Guide I wrote for visiting Uzbekistan on your own, with all the information you'll surely need to get around the country.
2. Train from Urgench to Beyneu, Kazakhstan
From Urgench, I took a direct train to Beyneu, a Kazakh city near the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. This train is an excellent option for those looking to cross the border without complicated procedures: the crossing is done on the train itself, without having to get off or change vehicles.
The route passes through Nukus (capital of Karakalpakstan) and then continues north, crossing into Kazakh territory. Border control is done on board, and while it may take a while, everything is kept fairly orderly.
Important: The train runs only once or twice a week, so you should try searching on the Uzbekistan Railways website for several days to check when and at what time it passes through Urgench or any of the cities on the same route (departing from Tashkent). In the “from” field, write Urgench (Ургенч) and in the “to” field, write Beyneu (БЕЙНЕУ).
Before and after crossing the border, train guards collect all passports and hand them over to border officials from each country, who conduct immigration procedures and check them individually to verify that everything is in order and whether or not a visa is required.
This stretch is long (more than 17 hours), but it's a cheap and direct way to advance your journey. Make sure you have your visa (if applicable) as they check them at the crossing.
Stop in Nukus
While the main objective of the journey is to reach Aktau, some travelers take advantage of passing through Nukus, as the train crosses this city before reaching the border. Nukus isn't usually included in most itineraries, but it is home to one of the most striking museums in Central Asia: the Igor Savitsky State Art Museum.
This museum is famous for its collection of Soviet avant-garde art, many of which were banned in their time, as well as archaeological artifacts and traditional art from Karakalpakstan. If you have time, it's well worth stopping by and spending a few hours exploring.
3. From Beyneu to Aktau in Kazakhstan: final stretch to the Caspian Sea
Beyneu is a small border town that functions more as a transit point than a tourist destination. There isn't much to do, but it does its job: from here you can take a direct train to Aktau, the key port city for crossing the Caspian Sea.
There are generally several daily trains connecting Beyneu with Aktau, although schedules can vary depending on the season. It's best to check directly at the station upon arrival or check online if you have access. The journey takes between 10 and 12 hours, crossing the vast, arid landscapes typical of the Kazakh steppe.
The ticket is purchased at the station itself. When I traveled, they didn't accept credit or debit cards, so I had to pay in cash. Fortunately, there is at least one ATM in downtown Beyneu if you need to withdraw local currency.
In any case, I recommend bring Kazakh cash (tenge) in case the ATM doesn't work or there are connection problems, something quite common in remote villages.
This stretch may be long and somewhat rustic, but it has an air of adventure that fits perfectly with the backpacking spirit of traveling through Central Asia overland. Once you reach Aktau, you're just a step away from crossing the sea and entering the Caucasus.
Conclusion: a long but entertaining journey
Although the journey from Uzbekistan to Aktau may seem long and intense—around 27 hours between trains and transfers—it actually becomes one of those adventures worth taking. The journey crosses desert landscapes, crosses unfamiliar borders, and immerses you in an authentic travel experience, far from the traditional tourist routes.
Plus, there are virtually no tourists on these stretches, so it's very easy to attract attention. Most of the people traveling on the train are locals, and they tend to be very friendly and curious about foreigners, which leads to conversations, gestures of hospitality, and moments that are hard to forget. If you enjoy traveling overland, with a backpacker and open-minded spirit, this journey is undoubtedly an enriching experience.