Turkmenistan: main airports
Turkmenistan is served by Ashgabat International Airport, the country's only international airport.
The country, among the most closed and isolated in the world, offers the famous Darvaza 'Gates of Hell' gas crater and the monumental marble architecture of the capital.
Turkmenistan: recommended activities
Turkmenistan: visa and entry requirements
All visitors, regardless of nationality, need a visa: a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from an authorized Turkmen travel agency is generally required before applying.
The visa cost ranges from 50 to 150 USD depending on nationality and type, payable in cash in US dollars at the embassy, at the airport or at land border crossings, plus a 29 USD registration fee on arrival.
Turkmenistan: safety
Turkmenistan is generally safe for visitors in terms of crime, but is among the most closed and controlled countries in the world, with strong restrictions on movement, photographing government buildings, and internet access.
Independent tourists are rare: most visitors travel with organized tours and authorized guides. Always check your country's updated travel advisories.
Turkmenistan: health situation
Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B and typhoid are generally recommended; consult a doctor specializing in travel medicine in advance.
It is advisable to drink only bottled water; summer temperatures in the Karakum desert can be extreme.
Turkmenistan: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT). The official language is Turkmen, alongside Russian as a lingua franca.
Taxis have no published rates or working meters: always agree on the price in manat, in cash, before getting in.
