Central Dushanbe is compact and walkable. Most of the main sights cluster along Rudaki Avenue and the streets around Dousti Square, and you can cover them comfortably on foot in a day.
Marshrutkas (minibuses) run along fixed routes throughout the city — cheap and frequent but confusing for first-time visitors. Regular taxis and Yandex Go (the regional ride-hailing app, which works in Dushanbe) are more practical for visitors. Agree on a fare before getting in any unmarked taxi. Prices are low by international standards.
Shared taxis to destinations outside the city — Hisar, the Varzob Gorge, and onwards to Penjikent or the Pamirs — depart from a few central points; the main long-distance shared taxi stand is near the north bus terminal. For the Pamir Highway, private drivers are the practical option; many guesthouses can arrange this.