Travel to Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan: travel information, diplomatic representations

How to get to Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan Airlines (T5) has flights to Ashgabat from London, as well as connections to Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Karachi. Lufthansa (LH) also flies to Ashgabat regularly.

Travel in the country

Bus

There are bus connections to all major cities and the capitals of neighboring countries.

Roads

The total length of the country roads is around 24,000 km, of which around 19,490 km are asphalted. There are roads to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and to Mashad and Tehran in Iran. The main road runs parallel to the railway line. There is also a road from Ashgabat to the north through the Karakoram Desert. The route through the desert is 500 km long and leads to Tashaus and Kunya-Urgench.

Rental

Cars Rental cars can be rented from some major hotels.

Taxis and chauffeured cars are available in all major cities. The majority have no license; the fare should definitely be negotiated beforehand. Since many street names have changed since independence, the destination should be given with the new and the old name.

Rail

The total length of the rail network is around 2,440 km. The Trans-Caspian Railway runs from Turkmenbashi via Ashgabat and Mary to Tschardschau and on to Bukhara (Uzbekistan). There are two night connections from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat, one train continues to Dashgouz, another via Mary to Gushgy.

For safety reasons, the compartment should be locked during night train journeys.

Ferry connections

There are connections from Turkmenbaschi to Baku in Azerbaijan and occasionally to Astrakhan in the Russian Federation via the Caspian Sea.

Flight connections

Turkmenistan Airlines (T5) flies to Ashgabad, Dashgouz, Mary, Tschardschau, Turkmenabat and Turkmenbaschi as well as Kerki and Balkanabat once a day. Air tickets must be paid for in Turkmen currency.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, Turkmenistan’s international license plate is:

TM

Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Turkmenistan embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Turkmenistan in Germany

The building of the embassy of Turkmenistan is located on Langobardenallee near Theodor-Heuss-Platz in the Berlin district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. One can reach the embassy with the underground line 2 via the underground station Theodor-Heuss-Platz. From there it is a few 100 m to the embassy via Pommernallee. The underground line 2 runs between the stations “Pankow” and “Ruhleben”.

Embassy of the Republic of Turkmenistan in Berlin

Langobardenallee 14

14052 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 30 10 24 52

Email: info@botschaft-turkmenistan.de

Web: www.botschaft-turkmenistan.de

German representation in Turkmenistan

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ashgabat

Hotel “Ak Altyn”

74 40 00 Ashgabat

Tel: 0099 – 312 – 36 35 15

Email: info@aschgabat.diplo.de

Austrian representation in Turkmenistan

Embassy

The embassy in Kazakhstan is responsible.

Representation of Turkmenistan in Austria

Embassy of Turkmenistan in Vienna

Argentinierstraße 22/Stg. II/EG

1040 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 503 64 70/-72

Swiss representation in Turkmenistan

Embassy

The embassy in Azerbaijan is responsible.

Representation of Turkmenistan in Switzerland

Turkmenistan does not have any diplomatic missions in Switzerland.

Entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

The visa required to enter Turkmenistan will only be issued if an invitation has been received from a private or official body in Turkmenistan. Some travel agencies in Germany offer the collection of invitations and visas as a special service. Transit visas are usually only available with the support of a (Turkmen) travel agency. The Turkmen embassy in Berlin can provide information on the current visa requirements, regulations for bringing foreign currency and duty-free quotas.

Import and export of foreign currency

  • Local currencyThe import and export of the local currency is only permitted for Turkmen citizens.
  • Foreign currenciesThe import of foreign currencies is unlimited, but must be declared. The export is only possible up to the amount declared upon entry.

Import and export of goods

Goods for personal use may be imported.

When entering the country, however, a customs declaration must be filled out, which must be presented upon departure.

Travel medicine, vaccinations and warnings

Infectious diseases

In Turkmenistan, the following infectious diseases, which are rarely or rarely widespread in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:

  • Malaria: There is a very low risk of malaria in the country. Almost all infections are caused by tertian malaria.
  • Cholera – an infection risk exists only for those travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • tetanus
  • Rabies – only applies to people who can come into contact with infected animals.
  • Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to Turkmenistan are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:

  • Cholera – among travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or food.
  • Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Rabies – only applies to high-risk travelers who may come into contact with the vector animals.
  • Typhoid – only for travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Malaria prophylaxis

If the side effects of malaria prophylaxis seem questionable (especially since the risk of infection is low), you should consider carrying a “stand-by preparation”.

Compulsory vaccination There are no vaccination regulations.

Current warnings

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizen Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

Turkmenistan: currency, shopping

The local currency of Turkmenistan:

Turkmenistani manat (TMM) = 100 tenge.

Shop

Shop opening times

  • Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Closed Saturday and Sunday.

The bazaars open at the beginning of dawn.

Inexpensive or country-specific goods, souvenirs

At the Sunday market in Ashgabat you can buy the famous Bukhara carpets, which are made in Turkmenistan and not, as one might think, in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Turkmen handicrafts, silver and items of clothing such as the sheepskin hats typical of the country are popular souvenirs. In the central bazaar, food and various curios are offered.

Travel to Turkmenistan