Tajikistan has a two separate railway networks that are not interconnected. The northern line runs from Khujand to Uzbekistan, the southern network connects Dushanbe with Kulob, southern Uzbekistan and border with Afghanistan in Nizhnij Pyanj.
Last updated: 03.08.2024
Before Union Soviet collapsed Tajikistan railway sections had previously been part of an integrated long-distance network. After Tajikistan gained independence they were now separate branch lines that could only be connected by making a circuitous transit through Uzbekistan.
In 1999 Tajikistan Railways opened extending of southern section of the railway eastward from Bokhtar to Kulob (132 km).
On 30 August 2016 new railway line Vakhdat–Yovon was opened. The line connected the central and southern sections from Dushanbe to Qurghonteppa. The line was built thanks to Chinese loans and Chinese contractors. The construction of the line made it possible to run trains from Dushanbe to Kulob.
The same year Uzbekistan opened Angrew-Pap railway and stopped using northern section of railway network in Tajikistan, which in Soviet-era served train traffic between between Djizzak and the Fergana Valley in present-day Uzbekistan. After collaps of Soviet Union trains Uzbek trains had to pass through
Tajikistan.
Currently the railway network of Tajikistan consists of 682 km of broad gauge (1,520 mm) non-electrified single-track.
Train travel in Tajikistan – current situation
Train travel in Tajikistan is limited to a few domestic and international trains. Tajik Railways are primarily focused on freight traffic. Both passenger and freight trains are operated by Rochi Ohani Tochikiston (Tajik Railways), founded in 1994.
Timetable and information on Tajik Railways website
According to the official timetable there are following trains:
Dushanbe – Kulob (once a week)
Dushanbe – Konibodom (once a week or only in summer via Uzbekistan)
Daily trains from Dushanbe to Pakhtaabad in fact run to town of Tursunzoda near the border with Uzbekistan.
Beautiful train photos from Tajikistan (Facebook)
International trains
Dushanbe – Tashkent (once a week)
Khujand – Volgograd (once a week)
In 2017 was inaugurated international train from Dushanbe to Astana, but shortly afterwards the train was suspended.
Due to engineering works train Moscow – Dushanbe runs only to Volgograd.
In 2022 train from Dushanbe to Tashkent ran once a week but was suspended. Current status is unknown. Check the timetable.
Trains in Tajikistan are slow and rolling stock, except diesel multiple brought from Estonian Railways and some of new passenger cars is old. Tajikistan is a mountainous country and views from train windows are breathtaking. Tickets for domestic routes are extremely cheap. Train travel in Tajikistan is dangerous because local kids throw stones on trains.
There is a plan to build a link railroad link over a mountain pass to connect Dushanbe with northern section of railway network.
Related articles:
