Travel to CIS countries

Travel to Turkmenistan 

Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia with a population of about 5 million, and an area around half a million square km, a bit larger than California or almost the size of Spain.

It has a coast on the Caspian Sea, but is otherwise landlocked. Neighboring countries are Iran and Afghanistan to the South, and Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the North.

Overall it is a relatively poor desert country, although billions have been spent on the capital Ashgabat in post Soviet times. The traditional life of the Turkmen is that of nomadic shepherds, though some have been settled in towns for centuries. The country has extensive oil and gas reserves undergoing exploration and development.

Regions

The great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, occupies over 80% of the country in the West and center.

The Eastern part is a less desolate plateau.

The country shares a mountainous, or at least hilly, border with Iran.

 Cities

• Ashgabat, the capital
• Balkanabat (formerly Nebit-Dag)
• Daşoguz (formerly Tashauz)
• Merv
• Türkmenabat
• Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) - a Caspian port

Historically, most of these towns were oases along the Silk Road.

Get in

You will need a visa to visit Turkmenistan, however it recently has been possible to get this upon arrival in Ashgabat. Make sure you check this information well beforehand, as the requirements vary for different nationalities. As of 5 December 2007, Australian travel advice for Turkmenistan indicates that visas-on-arrival are no longer available, though it is not clear if this applies to all nationalities or only Australians.

This procedure can be greatly helped by travelling with a tour group, which is arguably the best (and most hassle-free) way to visit Turkmenistan.

According to available information, Turkmenistan has withdrawn from the Commonwealth of Independent States unified visa regime, so this potential visa-loophole is also closed now.

Bear in mind that you might well have to be met by a guide, regardless of how you enter Turkmenistan. This can be particularly important, especially if your inward journey is delayed as is possible when entering across the Caspian Sea by boat.

By plane

Turkmenistan Airlines has direct flights to Ashgabat from London and Birmingham, used predominantly by the British Sikh community as a transit point for further flight to India and Pakistan. Look out for the portrait of Sapamurat 'Turkmenbashi' Niyazov at the front of the cabin. Turkish Airlines flies to Ashgabat from Istanbul. Lufthansa also flies from Frankfurt to Ashgabat.

 By train

There is a railway connection to Russia.

 By car

 By bus

 By boat

There is an unreliable ferry between Baku (Azerbaijan) and Turkmenbashi about twice a week.