Last updated: November 11, 2026
Quick answer: For a trip through Central Asia, the easiest option is one eSIM that covers Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan together, so you don't need a new SIM at every border. The OVOSIM Caucasus plan covers all four, plus Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, most of Europe, the UAE and the US: 51 countries on one eSIM. 12GB for 30 days costs €14.99. Validity starts when you install it, so install the day before you fly.
Central Asia eSIM: the key facts
- One plan for the whole Silk Road. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on a single eSIM, from €14.99 for 12GB.
- Your stopover is covered too. Most travellers fly in through Istanbul or Dubai. Turkey and the UAE are on the same plan.
- Combine it with the Caucasus. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are included, so one plan works for a Tbilisi plus Samarkand trip.
- No registration. Local SIMs need your passport at a shop or airport kiosk. The eSIM doesn't.
- Hotspot is allowed, handy if you travel with a partner or share data with a guide.
- Plan offline for the mountains. Cities and main roads have 4G, but treks in the Tian Shan and the Pamirs often have no signal at all.
Which plan for which trip?
| Your trip | Best plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan Silk Road circuit, 1 to 2 weeks | Caucasus 12GB, 30 days | €14.99 |
| Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan | Caucasus 12GB, 30 days | €14.99 |
| Almaty, Bishkek and Issyk-Kul | Caucasus 12GB, 30 days | €14.99 |
| Three or four countries, 3 to 4 weeks | Caucasus 24GB, 30 days | €29.99 |
| Central Asia plus Georgia, Armenia or Turkey | Caucasus 24GB, 30 days | €29.99 |
| Several trips to the region in a year | Caucasus 30GB, 365 days | €42.99 |
Staying in one country only? Check the Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan pages for single-country plans. Use code OVOSIM15 for 15% off.
Uzbekistan: what to know
Uzbekistan is the most visited country in the region, mostly for the Silk Road cities.
- Tashkent: strong 4G across the city. Yandex Go is the easiest way to get a taxi.
- Samarkand: good coverage around the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda and the hotels in the centre.
- Bukhara and Khiva: good 4G in the old towns.
- Between cities: the Afrosiyob high-speed train links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, with signal for most of the route. Roads across the desert towards Khiva have long gaps, so download offline maps.
Book train tickets early in spring and autumn, when the trains sell out. Having data on your phone means you can book and check tickets from anywhere.
Kyrgyzstan: what to know
Kyrgyzstan is the adventure stop: mountains, lakes and yurt camps.
- Bishkek: good 4G across the city. Yandex Go works for taxis.
- Karakol and Issyk-Kul: good coverage in towns along the lake.
- Osh: good coverage in the city, the usual crossing point to Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley.
- Song-Kul, Ala-Kul and the Naryn valley: little or no signal. Message your yurt camp or guide before you leave town, and save the details offline.
Kazakhstan: what to know
Kazakhstan is the most connected country in the region.
- Almaty: strong 4G and 5G in the city. Yandex Go is the standard taxi app.
- Astana: strong coverage across the new city centre.
- Day trips from Almaty: Big Almaty Lake, Shymbulak and Medeu have coverage near the main roads and resorts. Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes are further out, with weaker signal.
- The steppe: very long distances with patchy coverage. Download offline maps before any road trip.
Tajikistan and the Pamir Highway
Tajikistan is on the plan too. Dushanbe and the bigger towns have 4G, but most of the Pamir Highway has little or no signal. Treat your eSIM as something for the towns, and plan the drive offline.
Classic routes
Uzbekistan Silk Road (10 to 14 days): Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. 12GB is enough for most people.
Almaty and Bishkek (7 to 10 days): two capitals a few hours apart by road, plus Issyk-Kul. 12GB.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan (2 to 3 weeks): the Silk Road cities, then Osh, Bishkek and the mountains. 12GB, or 24GB if you film a lot.
Caucasus and Central Asia (3 to 5 weeks): for example Tbilisi and Yerevan, then a flight to Tashkent or Almaty. 24GB on the same eSIM.
At each border the eSIM switches to the local network by itself. It can take up to a minute.
How much data do you need?
| Use | Per day |
|---|---|
| Maps and navigation | about 100MB |
| Yandex Go and other apps | about 50MB |
| WhatsApp and Telegram | about 100MB |
| Social media | about 300MB |
| Browsing and bookings | about 100MB |
| Total | about 650MB to 1GB |
For two weeks, 12GB is comfortable. If you film, make video calls or work remotely, take 24GB.
eSIM vs local SIM in Central Asia
| OVOSIM eSIM | Local SIM per country | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Online, about 2 minutes | At a shop or kiosk, with your passport |
| Coverage | All four countries on one plan | One country per SIM |
| Phone number | Your home number stays active | New number in each country |
| Price | From €14.99 for 12GB | Cheap, especially for long stays |
If you're staying a month or more in one country, a local SIM can be cheaper. For a trip across borders, an eSIM is the easiest.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one eSIM for Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan?
Yes. The OVOSIM Caucasus plan covers Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, plus the Caucasus, Turkey and most of Europe. 12GB for 30 days costs €14.99.
Does Yandex Go work with an eSIM?
Yes. It only needs mobile data. It's the most common taxi app in Tashkent, Almaty and Bishkek.
Will I have signal in the mountains?
In towns and on main roads, usually yes. On treks in the Tian Shan, at Song-Kul or on the Pamir Highway, often not. Download offline maps and save your bookings before you go.
Does it work on my stopover in Istanbul or Dubai?
Yes. Turkey and the UAE are included in the same plan.
Can I use it in Georgia and Armenia too?
Yes. The same plan covers Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. See our Caucasus eSIM guide.
When does the plan start?
When you install the eSIM. Install it the day before you fly, not weeks earlier.
Is hotspot allowed?
Yes, you can share data with other devices.
The bottom line
For a Silk Road trip, one eSIM for the whole region is the simplest option. The OVOSIM Caucasus plan covers Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, plus Turkey and the Caucasus, from €14.99 for 12GB. Install it the day before you fly and you're online when you land in Tashkent, Almaty or Bishkek.
More guides: Caucasus eSIM · eSIM for Tbilisi · eSIM for Yerevan · eSIM for Baku · Uzbekistan plans · Kazakhstan plans · Kyrgyzstan plans