Khujand to Dushanbe - fly or overland?

[Zhivko]

Hi,

I will be in Khujand on the 9th, for 1 night only, and I need to get to Dushanbe on the next day.
Flights are cheap - 33 euro, but I prefer to do it overland.
Is there any recent information on how long does the taxi ride take and how good the new highway is? I was told it takes about 4-5 hours, but is it reliable enough?

Best,
Zhivko

[steven]

Hi Zhivko,

I just did it 3,5 times past month, so consider this up to date. The road is almost perfect, the Anzob tunnel is still scary as shit but otherwise it is an easy-going ride, some nice scenery. It takes 5 hours, but take an extra hour because taxis don't fill up very quickly: taxi drivers would rather have 5 taxis half-full waiting rather than help each other out to get going. Pretty stupid.

We paid 80 somoni per person. Standard is 100, up to 150 for a front seat in a jeep.

[olig]

You could also trust hitch-hiking, I think you would be very unlucky if you don't reach Dushanbe after a whole hitch-hiking day... but of course if you "have to" be in Dushanbe in one day, it might look less risky to use public transportation (:

[Zhivko]

Hi Zhivko,

I just did it 3,5 times past month, so consider this up to date. The road is almost perfect, the Anzob tunnel is still scary as shit but otherwise it is an easy-going ride, some nice scenery. It takes 5 hours, but take an extra hour because taxis don't fill up very quickly: taxi drivers would rather have 5 taxis half-full waiting rather than help each other out to get going. Pretty stupid.

We paid 80 somoni per person. Standard is 100, up to 150 for a front seat in a jeep.

Thanks for the response, Steven! That's great news! I am kind of looking forward to the Anzob tunnel, looks like an experience! Fares sound good as well.
Is there a specific location where taxis to Dushanbe depart from?

[Zhivko]

You could also trust hitch-hiking, I think you would be very unlucky if you don't reach Dushanbe after a whole hitch-hiking day... but of course if you "have to" be in Dushanbe in one day, it might look less risky to use public transportation (:

Hi Olig,
I believe hitch-hiking is a good option too, but I prefer using public transportation as I really have to be in Dushanbe on the next day.