Buying a SIM Card at Tashkent Airport (TAS) in 2026
Arriving in Uzbekistan and wondering if you can buy a SIM card at Tashkent Airport in 2026? In this quick guide I will show you exactly what to expect on arrival, which mobile operators are available and whether it is worth buying a SIM card at the airport or better to wait.
I recently traveled to Uzbekistan and landed at Tashkent International Airport, where I checked out the SIM card options myself. This guide is based on my personal experience combined with the latest 2026 updates.
If you are traveling to multiple countries in Asia, you can also check my comparison of the best SIM cards for traveling in Asia. However, for Uzbekistan specifically, a local SIM card or airport option is usually the better choice.
Last updated: March 2026.
Quick recommendation:
You can easily buy a prepaid SIM card at Tashkent International Airport on arrival. SIM card shops are located in the the baggage claim area.
The best SIM card for tourist at Tashkent Airport is Ucell.
However, the available providers at the airport are limited and do not always include the best network in Uzbekistan.
Uzmobile, the best network for coverage, is not available at the airport.
If you want the best tourist SIM card for your trip, it is recommended to buy your SIM card in the city center at an official store.
For a full comparison of all providers, check my guide on the best prepaid SIM card for Uzbekistan.
Arrival at Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
Tashkent is probably one of the easiest to navigate airports. Uzbekistan is a very easy going country and so is the Tashkent Airport. There is free WiFi at Tashkent Airport and it is working pretty fine.
After you get off the plane you arrive in a huge hall, more like a hangar.
First you have to get through passport control, right behind passport control there are the luggage belts, SIM card shops, tourists information and ATM’s.
Then when you collect your baggage you go through a security check where they scan your luggage (no metal detectors) and before you realise you are standing outside.
Check out my vlog about arriving at Tashkent Airport and my experiences buying a SIM card for tourists in my YouTube video above.
Where to buy a SIM card at Tashkent Airport
At the Luggage Belts there are 2 SIM card shops. Both SIM card shops are in the Baggage claim area and can’t be missed. When you walk through passport control they are in the middle of the baggage claim hall.
There is a shop from Ucell and there is a tourist information / Beeline store. Both SIM card stores are open 24 hours and they accept USD and the local Uzbekistan currency Som, as well as Visa and Mastercard.
If you decide to buy a SIM card at Tashkent Airport then make sure to buy your SIM card before you go through the last baggage security check. Once you are outside there is no turning back anymore and outside there are no stores. You can’t go back into the baggage claim to buy a SIM card.
Prices prepaid SIM cards Tashkent Airport
Ucell
At the Ucell shop at Tashkent Airport they offer 4 prepaid SIM card plans for tourists. All prepaid tourist plans are valid for 1 month and they include unlimited social media apps: Instagram, Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp:
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls + 1,500 sms = 50,000 UZS (~$4 USD)
- 35 GB data + unlimited calls + 2,000 sms = 70,000 UZS (~$6 USD)
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls + 2,500 sms = 100,000 UZS (~$8 USD)
- 200 GB data + unlimited calls + 3,000 sms = 150,000 UZS (~$12 USD)
Ucell SIM cards are price-wise a great deal and the Ucell 4G/5G network is one of the best in Uzbekistan.
The big plus about Ucell is that they offer eSIMs for tourists. However, keep in mind they have a very limited 4G/LTE network.
Beeline
At the Beeline store they offer 6 different Uzbekistan SIM cards for tourists. All prepaid plans are valid for 1 month:
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls + 1,000 sms + 20 GB social media* = 80,000 UZS
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls + 1,000 sms + 40 GB social media** = 100,000 UZS (~$8 USD)
- 35 GB data + unlimited calls + 1,000 sms + 70 GB social media** = 130,000 UZS
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited sms + 100 GB social media** = 170,000 UZS
- 100 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited sms + 200 GB social media** = 190,000 UZS (~$15 USD)
- Unlimited everything = 230,000 UZS
As you can see Beeline SIM cards are much more expensive.
Best SIM card for tourists at Tashkent Airport
It is a SIMple conclusion that Ucell is the best SIM card at Tashkent Airport in 2026. When comparing Ucell and Beeline we see that the prices for Ucell SIM cards are much cheaper.
For my guide for the best prepaid SIM card for traveling in Uzbekistan I compared all the mobile internet operators. The conclusion is that Uzmobile has the best mobile network coverage in Uzbekistan but Ucell is very close and also very much recommended.
In some areas in Uzbekistan Ucell is even the best SIM card choice.
Traveltomtom’s least recommended SIM card for Uzbekistan is actually Beeline because of its much weaker network coverage.
Unfortunately there is no UZ Mobile SIM card shop at Tashkent Airport. If you really want a UZ Mobile SIM card you have to buy a SIM card in Tashkent city at a phone shop or at a UZ Mobile store.
eSIM for Tashkent Airport
If you want to be connected immediately after landing at Tashkent International Airport, using an eSIM is the easiest option. You can install it before your trip and have mobile data as soon as you arrive, without visiting a SIM card shop.
Popular eSIM providers for Uzbekistan include Airalo, Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly and Airhub. Prices are significantly higher than local SIM cards and typically range from ~$12 USD for 5GB to around ~$30 USD for 20GB.
Important to know: all these eSIM providers operate on the Beeline (Unitel) network. Based on the latest 2026 coverage data, this is the weakest mobile network in Uzbekistan.
All in all Traveltomtom recommends Airalo eSIMS for Uzbekistan. They are the best value in 2026.
This means that although an eSIM works perfectly fine in Tashkent and is ideal for getting online straight after arrival, it is not the best option if you plan to travel around the country or visit more remote areas.
A common strategy is to use an eSIM as a temporary solution on arrival, and then switch to a local prepaid SIM card in the city center. For the best network experience in Uzbekistan, choose Uzmobile or Ucell.
My experiences buying a SIM card at Tashkent Airport
When on arrival I saw that there was no UZ Mobile SIM card shop at Tashkent Airport I was disappointed. On my trip to Uzbekistan I was traveling around the country by train for almost 2 weeks so I wanted to be connected to the best mobile data network in Uzbekistan.
I chose therefore to buy a UZ Mobile SIM card the next day in Tashkent city center. However, to stay connected I ordered an eSIM with 1 GB data for 7 days through Airalo for just a couple dollar which I purchased using the free WiFi of Tashkent Airport.
I am sure some of the above tips on how to stay connected when traveling to Tashkent where helpful. If you have any additional questions then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media.
Curious what the road to 197 / visiting every country in the world looks like then head to my Instagram @traveltomtom and follow along.
Enjoy your trip to Tashkent!