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.
