Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is one of the world's least visited countries, and that is much of its fascination. The Darvaza gas crater, nicknamed the 'Door to Hell', still flickers in the Karakum desert, Ashgabat glitters with white marble, and the Silk Road cities of Merv and Konye-Urgench lie in ruins on the steppe. Nearly all visits are arranged through a licensed tour agency.
Overview
Around 70 per cent of Turkmenistan is Karakum desert, edged by the Amu Darya in the east and the Kopet Dag mountains along the Iranian border. Its rulers have built Ashgabat into a showpiece of white marble, gilded statues and wide, near-empty boulevards, while the desert holds some of Central Asia's great archaeological sites. Most trips are short and tightly scheduled: Ashgabat and Parthian Nisa, an overnight camp at the Darvaza crater, then north to Konye-Urgench and across into Uzbekistan for Khiva, or east via Merv towards Bukhara. Many travellers fold it into a longer Silk Road journey.
Travel here feels controlled and unusual. Most visitors move with a guide and driver arranged by an agency, itineraries are fixed in advance and document checks are common, so spontaneity is limited. Costs are higher than in neighbouring Uzbekistan because of these arrangements, though hotels and food are not expensive in themselves. Visitors are often struck by Ashgabat's eerie tidiness, the warmth of people in markets and villages, and the reverence for the Akhal-Teke horse, a national emblem. Spring and autumn are the times to come; summer heat regularly passes 40°C.
Map of Turkmenistan
Top 5 highlights
- 1Adventure
Darvaza gas crater
A collapsed gas-drilling site in the Karakum, roughly 70 metres across, said to have been set alight by Soviet geologists in 1971. Gas-capture wells have since cut the fire sharply, and by 2025 only scattered pockets still burned, so check its current state before planning a night there.
- 2History
Merv
Once among the largest cities on the Silk Road, Merv spreads across several walled sites near Mary, from Achaemenid-era ramparts to the 12th-century mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. Allow a full day with a guide.
- 3History
Konye-Urgench
Capital of medieval Khorezm until Timur sacked it in the 14th century, now a UNESCO site of turquoise-domed mausoleums and the 60-metre Gutlug Timur minaret, still a place of pilgrimage for Turkmen.
- 4History
Nisa
The earthen fortresses of Old Nisa, an early capital of the Parthian Empire, crown a hill just outside Ashgabat; excavations here uncovered celebrated carved ivory drinking horns. An easy half-day trip.
- 5Nature
Yangykala Canyon
Striped cliffs of red, pink and cream rock drop away towards the Garabogazköl basin in the remote west. Usually visited by 4x4 on longer tours from Balkanabat or Türkmenbaşy, with wild camping on the rim.
Biggest cities
Ashgabat
A surreal capital of white-marble ministries, fountains and monuments, holder of a Guinness record for marble-clad buildings. Visit the sprawling Altyn Asyr (Tolkuchka) bazaar for carpets.
Türkmenabat
A cotton-trading city on the Amu Darya near the Uzbek border, mainly a transit point between Merv and Bukhara; its market and riverside are worth an hour or two.
Daşoguz
A northern provincial city near the Uzbek border, used as a base for Konye-Urgench and as the crossing point towards Khiva rather than as a destination in itself.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Turkmenistan
Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Ashgabat
Festivals & events
- MarNowruz
The spring new year around 21 March is a public holiday, with family feasts, semeni sprouted-wheat pudding, folk performances and wrestling.
- AprTurkmen Horse Day
On the last Sunday of April, Akhal-Teke horses — the golden-sheened national breed — compete in races and beauty contests in Ashgabat.
- AugMelon Day
A national holiday on the second Sunday of August celebrates the Turkmen melon with markets, tastings and competitions for the biggest and sweetest varieties.
How much does Turkmenistan cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Plov
Rice slow-cooked in a cauldron with mutton, onions and carrots in plenty of oil; the centrepiece of weddings and family celebrations.
Dograma
Bread torn into small pieces and mixed with boiled mutton, onion and tomato, then soaked in rich broth; traditionally made on festive days.
Ishlekli
A round pie of minced lamb and onion sealed in dough and baked in the embers of a fire, a favourite of desert herders.
Getting around
Almost all travel is arranged by your agency, usually by car with a driver; hire cars are scarce for visitors. Cheap domestic flights connect Ashgabat with Mary, Türkmenabat, Daşoguz and Türkmenbaşy, and overnight trains cover similar routes slowly. Darvaza is three to four hours north of Ashgabat by road, with the final stretch by 4x4 across sand. City taxis are cheap; agree prices first.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF220V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 03 from landline
- 003 from mobile
- Fire: 01 from landline
- 001 from mobile
- Police: 02 from landline
- 002 from mobile
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +993
- Time zone
- UTC+5 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Guides and drivers expect a tip at the end of a tour; in restaurants, rounding up or adding around 10% is appreciated.
- Etiquette
- Ask before photographing people, and avoid photographing government buildings, the presidential palace, police or military sites. Treat bread with respect, never placing it upside down, and remove shoes in homes.
- Main airports
- Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), Ashgabat
Visas & entry for Turkmenistan
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan.
If you have the wrong visa or if you overstay your visa, you could be prosecuted and possibly imprisoned.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Turkmenistan
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 12 Dec 2026 | International Neutrality Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Spring Festival |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Spring Festival |
| Tue 23 Mar 2027 | Spring Festival (observed) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Constitution and State Flag Day |
| Mon 27 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
| Wed 6 Oct 2027 | Memorial Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Turkmen
| English | Turkmen | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Salam | sah-LAHM |
| Thank you | Sag boluň | SAG boh-LUNG |
| Please | Haýyş edýärin | hah-YISH ed-YAH-rin |
| Excuse me | Bagyşlaň | bah-ghish-LANG |
| How much is this? | Bu näçe? | boo NAH-cheh |
Know before you go
- Bring enough clean, undamaged US dollar notes for your whole stay; foreign bank cards are rarely accepted and ATMs seldom work with them.
- Internet access is heavily filtered and many apps and VPNs are blocked; download offline maps and translations before arrival. From a mobile, emergency numbers gain a zero: 003 for an ambulance.
- Arrange your trip with a licensed agency several weeks ahead and check the FCDO travel advice for current entry requirements; approved itineraries are hard to change.
Turkmenistan travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Turkmenistan?
The best time to visit Turkmenistan is generally Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, September and October. Average highs in Ashgabat range from 8°C to 38°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Turkmenistan cost per day?
Roughly £70 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £250+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan manat (TMT).
What plug type does Turkmenistan use?
Type C and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Turkmenistan?
Traffic drives on the right in Turkmenistan, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Turkmenistan?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Turkmenistan?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Turkmenistan before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkmenistan/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Turkmenistan?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
