Getting Around Turkmenistan
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use shared taxis and minibuses in Ashgabat. Rural: Rent a car for desert and Caspian exploration. Remote: Join organized tours for Karakum. For convenience, book airport transfers from Ashgabat to your destination.
Train Travel
Turkmenistan Railways
Limited but reliable network connecting Ashgabat to major cities like Mary and Turkmenbashi with daily services.
Cost: Ashgabat to Mary 10-20 TMT, journeys 4-8 hours across vast distances.
Tickets: Buy at stations or through agents, cash only, advance booking recommended for sleepers.
Peak Times: Avoid weekends for better availability, services infrequent outside main routes.
Rail Passes
Multi-journey tickets available for frequent travelers, around 50-100 TMT for 3-5 trips within the network.
Best For: Extended stays visiting multiple regions, savings for 4+ journeys.
Where to Buy: Main stations in Ashgabat or Mary, or via local tour operators for foreigners.
International Connections
Trains link to Uzbekistan (Tashkent) and Iran (Tehran), with border formalities adding time.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead, visas required, costs 20-50 TMT plus international fees.
Main Stations: Ashgabat Central for domestic, Bereket for international routes.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Necessary for independent desert travel. Compare rental prices from $50-100/day at Ashgabat Airport and hotels.
Requirements: International license, passport, deposit, minimum age 25 with experience.
Insurance: Full coverage essential due to road conditions, often included but verify.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 110 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal, some checkpoints require small fees (5-10 TMT).
Priority: Yield at roundabouts, watch for livestock on rural roads.
Parking: Free in most areas, guarded lots in cities 10-20 TMT/day.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel cheap at 1-2 TMT/liter for subsidized petrol, stations sparse outside cities.
Apps: Use Maps.me for offline navigation, Google Maps limited in remote areas.
Traffic: Light overall, but potholes and sand drifts common in Karakum Desert.
Urban Transport
Ashgabat Minibuses
Marshrutkas cover the city, single ride 1-2 TMT, frequent on main routes.
Validation: Pay driver upon boarding, exact change preferred, routes marked in Russian/Turkmen.
Apps: Limited, use local advice or hotel concierge for schedules.
Bike Rentals
Limited options in Ashgabat hotels or tour agencies, $10-20/day with basic bikes.
Routes: Flat terrain suitable, but extreme heat limits summer use.
Tours: Guided bike tours for Darvaza Crater, combining adventure with safety.
Buses & Shared Taxis
Intercity buses from Ashgabat to Mary or Turkmenbashi, 20-50 TMT for long trips.
Tickets: Buy at bus stations, cash only, departures early morning.
Local Taxis: Shared rides common, negotiate 5-10 TMT within cities.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near Ashgabat center for transport, outskirts for desert access.
- Booking Timing: Book 1-2 months ahead for spring (April-May) and fall (Sept-Oct).
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for tour-linked stays.
- Amenities: Check for AC, WiFi, and English-speaking staff before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G in cities like Ashgabat, spotty in rural and desert areas.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, roaming alternatives limited.
Local SIM Cards
MTS Turkmenistan and Altyn Asyr offer prepaid SIMs from $10-20 with urban coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, telecom shops, passport and visa registration required.
Data Plans: 3GB for $10, 10GB for $25, top-ups via apps or stores.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels and some cafes, restricted access to social media.
Public Hotspots: Limited to main squares and airports with registration.
Speed: 5-20 Mbps in cities, use VPN for unrestricted browsing.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT), UTC+5, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Ashgabat Airport 7km from city, taxi 20-50 TMT (10 min), or book private transfer for $30-50.
- Luggage Storage: Available at hotels and bus stations (10-20 TMT/day), limited options.
- Accessibility: Urban transport basic, many sites require stairs; plan for challenges.
- Pet Travel: Restrictions strict, not recommended on public transport or into country.
- Bike Transport: Possible on trains for fee (5-10 TMT), check with operators.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Turkmenistan
Ashgabat Airport (ASB) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Ashgabat International (ASB): Primary gateway, 7km from city with taxi access.
Turkmenbashi (KRW): Caspian hub 20km from town, bus or taxi 10-20 TMT (30 min).
Mary (MYP): Regional airport for eastern routes, limited flights, local transport available.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for spring travel (April-May) to save 30-50% on fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) often cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into Baku or Tashkent and overland to Turkmenistan for savings.
Budget Airlines
Turkmenistan Airlines and Flydubai serve regional connections from Ashgabat.
Important: Include visa fees and baggage in total costs, limited low-cost options.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior, airport processes can be lengthy.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Limited to cities, fees 5-10 TMT, carry USD as backup for exchanges.
- Credit Cards: Visa accepted in hotels, cash preferred elsewhere, no Amex widely.
- Contactless Payment: Rare, use cash or cards in tourist areas only.
- Cash: Essential for transport and markets, keep $100-200 in small USD bills.
- Tipping: Not customary, small amounts (1-2 TMT) for exceptional service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid unofficial changers.