Money and payments
Cards and cash
Credit and debit cards are only accepted in big international hotels and banks in the bigger cities.
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Asia · Central AsiaOutline guideCountry in Central Asia
Photo: Stefan Krasowski, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistan) is one of the most isolated countries in the world and is dubbed as the "motherland of neutrality". Formerly a part of the Soviet Union, it is situated in Central Asia and is surrounded by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The country has been a thoroughfare for several empires and cultures; many of Turkmenistan's cities were main points of trade on the Silk Road, linking Eastern and Western civilizations. Three of its cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Turkmenistan.
Cards and cash
Credit and debit cards are only accepted in big international hotels and banks in the bigger cities.
Russian, Turkmen
The official language of the country is Turkmen. Turkmen is closely related to Azerbaijani and Turkish, sharing varying degrees of mutual intelligibility with each of those languages.
Mobile networks
Altyn Asyr
MTS TurkmenistanAvoid drinking tap water.
Medical supplies do not correspond to American or European standards. Bring the medicines you need for your personal use with you, as they will be unavailable outside of Ashgabat.
Apart from the police, Turkmens in general are friendly and hospitable, sometimes even to a fault.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital and largest city in Turkmenistan, with a million inhabitants as of 2022. Known for its dazzling, impressive white marble buildings, the city was completely razed to the ground by a massive earthquake in 1948. It sits about 15 miles north of the Iran-Turkmenistan border.
Balkanabat is a city in Balkan Province, Turkmenistan.
Daşoguz is a city in Dashoguz Province, Turkmenistan near the Uzbek border.
Mary is a city in Mary Province, Turkmenistan. Most travellers' main reason to visit it is to reach the ruins of the ancient city of Merv, which are 35 km to the east.
Türkmenabat is a city in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan.
a beautiful coastal city on the Caspian Sea. It serves as Turkmenistan's main access to the sea and has much of the country's oil refineries.
a multi-billion-dollar construction project near Turkmenbashi aimed at creating a "national touristic zone" of over 60 world-class hotels, shopping, and a new international airport. The government likens the project to Dubai, but there is little foreign investment thus far.
Probably Turkmenistan's single most famous site, at this spot near the former town of Darvaza, an oil rig accidentally struck a large pocket of natural gas in 1971. The rig collapsed into the cavern, resulting in a large crater filled with fire. It was decided to let the fire burn rather than let the poisonous gas escape into the nearby town. The fire burns to this day and it is popular for its Dantesque atmosphere.
Altin Depe is an archaeological site in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan.
Anau (Anew) is a city in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan.
Gonur Depe, or Gunar Tepe, is a city in Mary Province, Turkmenistan.
Mesolithic settlement on a sand dune in the Kara Kum desert, 30 km north of Ashgabat
with Erk Kala, Giaur Kala, Kyz Kala and Sultan Kala
one of the most important cities of the Parthian Empire, 19 km west of Ashgabat
Türkmenabat is a city in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan.
Konye Urgench (Turkmen: Köneürgenç and also written Konye-Urgench, Old Urgench, or Urganj) is a city in Dashoguz Province, Turkmenistan. The former capital of the historically-important region of Khwarezmia, today Konye Urgench is an impressive collection of ruins that haven't been restored.
Mary is a city in Mary Province, Turkmenistan. Most travellers' main reason to visit it is to reach the ruins of the ancient city of Merv, which are 35 km to the east.
Geok-tepe is a city in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan.
Balkanabat is a city in Balkan Province, Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan (Uzbek: Ўзбекистон Oʻzbekiston) is the most populous country in Central Asia and is rich in history, culture, and diversity. It has been a part of numerous empires and was once a key part of the Silk Road, making it an excellent destination for the history buff.
Kugitang Nature Reserve is in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan, near Kerki. The most striking feature of the Kugitang Nature Reserve is the Dinosaur Plateau with more than 400 footprints of dinosaurs, about 150 million years old.
Places in Turkmenistan on the World Heritage List.
Merv
Listed 1999
Köneürgenç
Listed 2005
Nisa
Listed 2007
Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor
Listed 2023
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The most populated region in the country and the starting point for most travel in Turkmenistan. The capital, Ashgabat, is quite close to the border with Iran.
The western province in the Caspian Basin.
Northern Turkmenistan, home to the historic city of Konye-Urgench.
The eastern province, largely empty, along the Amu Darya River and the border with Uzbekistan.
Turkmenistan's southeast is a principal destination for travelers to see the ancient Silk Road capital of Merv.
Public transport and paid services in Turkmenistan.
By train
Turkmenistan has at least one daily train between major cities in the country. Timetable here.
By bus
Turkmenistan has a well-developed intercity bus network, with regular services connecting most of the major cities and towns in the country.
By boat
The Amu Darya is an important inland waterway for Turkmenistan.
By plane
Internal flights are possible on Turkmenistan Airlines which flies daily between Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenbashi, Dashoguz and a couple of other destinations.
By car
The traffic culture in this country is markedly different from that of the West and poses a significant risk to both motorists and pedestrians.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Turkmenistan.
Finding apps for Turkmenistan…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ashgabat · International · ASB
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Ashgabat
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 8° | 10° | 16° | 22° | 28° | 33° | 35° | 33° | 28° | 22° | 14° | 9° |
| Avg. low | -3° | -2° | 3° | 8° | 15° | 20° | 22° | 21° | 15° | 9° | 2° | -2° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 16 | 29 | 38 | 32 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 22 | 16 |
| Humidity | 59% | 59% | 56% | 52% | 41% | 27% | 23% | 21% | 25% | 39% | 53% | 60% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$25
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$55
Per person, per day
Luxury
$140
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10 | $30 | $85 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $10 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $25 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is generally a safe destination for travelers. Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Turkmenistan is located in a seismically active zone. Review our information on Weather and Natural Distasters. Review our Travel Guidance for Turkmenistan to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator before travelling review your travel insurance policy for coverage before you travel monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Turkmenistan.
Travel tipsThis page aims to provide an overview of all the ferry services in the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesFor modern-day trade in China, see Shopping in China The Silk Road (丝绸之路 sī chóu zhī lù), also known as the Silk Route, is not a single road, but a network of historical trade routes across Asia from China to Europe.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesAlexander III of Macedon, more commonly known as Alexander the Great, was king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, which today is divided among three countries.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Mongols came to rule much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century, becoming the largest contiguous land empire ever, and second only to the British Empire in total land area.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureThe Cold Winter Deserts of Turan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of 14 deserts in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Wikivoyage
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