Turkmenistan Travel Guide

ENTRY CONDITIONS

Passports should have a minimum of six months’ validity from your date of arrival in Turkmenistan

1a. Visas Citizens of all foreign countries traveling to Turkmenistan require a visa.

To apply for a visa to enter Turkmenistan a letter of invitation (LOI) is required in advance. For your convenience, we will obtain the LOI on your behalf from the State Migration Services of Turkmenistan.
In order to obtain this, we require you to send us a copy of a valid international passport (the full page that clearly shows all text, photo, signature, and bar code) and an original color passport-sized photograph; photocopies or home-printed photographs are not acceptable. The whole photo page of the passport must be scanned, and to avoid any confusion, it is best if the scan simply shows all four edges of the page
The ‘Personal Information’ form sent with your confirmation documents must also be returned to us to accompany the LOI application. These must be sent to us no later than 5 weeks prior to departure. Applications can be submitted as early as 3 months prior to the scheduled departure date.
Your LOI will be sent to you in good time to obtain your visa prior to departure.

Once you have received your LOI, you can proceed with your visa application directly with the Turkmenistan authorities or by using a reputable visa processing company. The usual visa processing time from submission is 10 working days; an express service may be available at an additional cost.

Visas can be arranged on arrival at land borders with Iran (Bajgiran/Gaudan and Mashhad/Serags), Kazakhstan (Temir Baba/Garabogaz), Uzbekistan (Bukhara/Farab or Khiva/Shavat). Entry into Turkmenistan (and therefore obtaining a visa) at the Khodjeili land border post is not possible at the moment of writing.

Visa cost if obtained on arrival at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change)
UK nationals (up to 10 days’ duration) (70+45=) 115 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
All other nationals (up to 10 days’ duration) (40+45=) 85 USD per person (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
Plus 4 USD administration fee per person (or per LOI, if more people on 1 LOI)

UK nationals (11-20 days’ duration) (100+45=) 145 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
All other nationals (11-20 days’ duration) (60+45=) 105 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
Plus 4 USD administration fee per person (or per LOI, if more people on 1 LOI)

In case travelers come in via land borders with Iran, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan:

Visa cost if obtained on arrival at Turkmenistan land borders (subject to change)
UK nationals (up to 10 days’ duration) (70+15=) 85 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
All other nationals (up to 10 days’ duration) (40+15=) 55 USD per person (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
Plus 4 USD administration fee per person (or per LOI, if more people on 1 LOI)

UK nationals (11-20 days’ duration) (100+15=) 115 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
All other nationals (11-20 days’ duration) (60+15=) 75 USD (to be paid by each person, even if all arrive on 1 LOI)
Plus 4 USD administration fee per person (or per LOI, if more people on 1 LOI)

The cost of a visa at the Turkmenistan Embassy abroad is not known to us and should be checked in advance at the embassy directly. Turkmen Embassies can be found in Armenia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Germany, Georgia, France, China, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UAE, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey.
Check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for the most recent information, and contact the embassies prior to arriving there to collect your Turkmen visa, as there may be differences between various embassies in terms of visa cost and duration, and processing requirements and their duration.
On Turkmenistan LOI’s there is no indication about the location where the visa must be picked up (this is the case for Uzbek LOI’s). The visa can be picked up at a location of choice by each person listed on the LOI individually.

Applications for Turkmen LOI’s can be done as a group, but visa will be issued individually, in each person’s passport.

ARRIVAL
PROCEDURES and REGISTRATION At the time of writing, each arriving citizen must also take a rapid covid test at the airport of Ashgabat or a land border post. The cost of a rapid covid test is $ 33, and the waiting time for the results is about 1-2 minutes.

Meeting of the guide at Ashgabat airport: on arrival in Turkmenistan, a local representative will meet you. Having collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way out of the terminal building, through the main exit and look for the representative. They will have a white board with your name on.
The representative will issue you with any necessary documentation, accompany you to your vehicle for the transfer to your hotel and assist with your hotel check-in.

Entry: land border crossing procedures (approximate description)
Exit the building. When people are gathering in one spot, they are waiting for a shuttle bus to take them (partially) across the no-man’s territory to the Uzbekistan side of the border. Keep some pocket money in either local currency or USD cash to pay for the shuttle bus. It may occur that no shuttle bus service is available, and you will have to walk the distance. In case of the Farab border post, this is a significant stretch of desert territory without trees or other form of shade. Be sure to have a comfortable portable suitcase or backpack, and carry sufficient water with you.
Arrival at gate of the border post (fenced terrain with buildings)
Upon entering the border post gateway, a uniformed border official may ask to see your passport
Walk across the terrain to (usually the right side of) the border post building (just follow the flow of other people going there). Toilets are available in a separate structure. Smoking is strictly forbidden.
At the time of writing (January 2024) passengers must take the rapid covid test upon arrival at the border post. The cost of the test is 33 USD, the waiting time for the results is about 15 minutes. In case you have booked guide services also for your border transfers, the guide will aim to meet you here in the building, and assist you with the below passport, visa and customs procedures.
Hand your passport(s) and print copy of the Letter of Invitation (LOI) to the passport official (please put the passport in the same order as on the LOI in case of groups; please gather all passports together, instead of passing passport control one by one).
Passport officer will check and start issue of visa(s) and hands you a receipt with instructions to go pay the bill.
Pay for visa(s) and migration tax at the cashier’s counter, which is located next to the passport officer’s desk.
Put all your luggage through security check (x-ray machine)
Fill in a customs declaration form (2 copies to be sure; usually they will let you keep the second copy). For groups, you can usually fill in one form for all group members, and write at the top of the paper “JOHNSON+5” for example.
Upon departing from Turkmenistan you will not be asked for such a declaration filled in at the point of entering Turkmenistan
Driver will be waiting at the car park in front of the border gate and hold a sign with your (company’s) name on it (he is not allowed in the border post area).

Exit: land border crossing procedures (approximate description)
Arrival by Nomads Life company vehicle at gate of the border post (where all vehicles, taxis, minibuses gather)
Driver will park the car in front of the border gate and say farewell (he is not allowed in the border post area).
Upon entering the border post gateway, a uniformed border official will ask to see your passport
Walk across the terrain to (usually the right side of) the border post building (just follow the flow of other people going there). Toilets are available in a separate structure. Smoking is strictly forbidden.
Fill in a customs declaration form (2 copies to be sure; usually they will let you keep the second copy). Fill this declaration also when you have not filled out one upon arrival by plane at Ashgabat Airport. Upon departing from Turkmenistan you will not be asked for such a declaration filled in at the point of entering Turkmenistan.
Put all your luggage through security check (x-ray machine)
Show your passport to the passport official (these usually speak little English); he will return the passport to you after having stamped your exit stamp in your passport; your Travel Pass is sometimes returned to you and sometimes not.
Exit the building. When people are gathering in one spot, they are waiting for a shuttle bus to take them (partially) across the no-man’s territory to the Uzbekistan side of the border. Keep some pocket money in either local currency or USD cash to pay for the shuttle bus. It may occur that no shuttle bus service is available, and you will have to walk the distance. In case of the Farab border post, this is a significant stretch of desert territory without trees or other form of shade. Be sure to have a comfortable portable suitcase or backpack, and carry sufficient water with you.

Please note:
In case some or many other people are in front of you at the border post, the above procedures can take up quite some time. Our Uzbek/Iranian partner understands this, and your driver and/or guide (if you booked such services) will never leave the border post before he has met you; he/she knows that sometimes delays can be significant. There is no reason to be nervous if you see that you are getting delayed. In case the plane departure is delayed, or the arrival process takes longer than usual, our driver is in contact with our office staff and they in turn with the Uzbek/Iranian partner company. He will never leave the airport before he has met you.

On the morning after your arrival, the Turkmenistan Tourist Registration Office (TRO) will begin a registration process. For such purpose, our staff will ask for your passport. The TRO will register you and place a stamp in your passport. Passports will be returned once the full registration process is complete.
On some occasions, the process can be slightly delayed and therefore we recommend that you carry an extra copy of your passport with you.

3. HEALTH Sunstroke and dehydration are the two main risks to your health in the Turkmen sunshine. A head cover and drinking sufficient fluids (water, juice, soda, tea, soup, etc.) will largely protect you against these risks.
The Turkmen diet is varied, and includes both meat dishes and soups, and as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, it is advisable to bring sachets of ORS, travel tablets and anti-diarrhea tablets with you.

In Turkmenistan there are plenty of pharmacies, and many are open 24/7. Yet, for particular personal health matters, it is better to bring your own medication from home. In case you are carrying medication on prescription, it is recommended that you bring a copy of your doctor’s prescription, in case customs officials request to see such.
Turkmenistan has good regional hospitals and an impressive variety of specialist hospitals in the capital. SOS medevac procedures are in place.

3a. Immunization At the time of writing (January 2024) passengers must take the rapid covid test upon arrival at the border post. The cost of the test is 33 USD, the waiting time for the results is about 1-2 min. Payment for the test can be made in cash only.
Please contact your doctor or travel clinic for advice about other inoculations before departure. There are no other compulsory inoculations required for entry into Turkmenistan, although protection against diphtheria, polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A is advised.

3b. Drinking water Never drink from the taps, whatever category of hotel you are staying in. Drink only bottled water and check the seal is secure when you receive it. There is no need to take water purification tablets, as it is easy to buy bottled water.
In larger hotels, you will often find flasks of water. In the bigger city hotels, ice is generally made from purified water and is safe to drink. However, ice in smaller restaurants and hotels may not be. Always check if you are unsure.

3c. Food Avoid eating and drinking local products from street vendors and restaurants with suspect hygiene or refrigeration practices. We recommend avoiding salads (washed in water) and peeling all fruit before eating it, to avoid any illness. Uncooked fish / seafood and vegetables are best avoided.

3d. Swimming pool safety It is advisable to be aware of whether or not there is a lifeguard and / or the availability of assistance when you wish to use the pool.
We strongly recommend that you check the layout and depth of the pool before you first use it. Diving restrictions should be observed, and you should be aware that tiles around the pool may be slippery. Please familiarize yourself with what to do in the case of an emergency.

3e. Beach safety We strongly advise that you check if there are lifeguards and a flag warning system in place when swimming in the sea. Please ensure you are aware what the flags mean, especially those that tell you when and where it is dangerous to swim. Be aware of local conditions; tides, winds and, in particular, currents, which can make even the safest beach hazardous.

3f. Medicine If you are taking medicine for conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, make sure you carry the necessary medicines in your hand luggage at all times, in case your main luggage is delayed.

Note on personal medicine use
ANY medications containing tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other similar constituent component that may be considered as narcotic drug, which is widely used as pain medication in a number of countries worldwide, have been prohibited from import into Turkmenistan or transfer across the territory of the country, except when a doctor’s prescription and pharmaceutical passport can be shown, that clearly indicates that the specific person requires this specific medication. Both documents must be in English language, and must be signed and stamped by the relevant medical authority in the country of the person’s origin

Please see a Drug List prohibited for import into Turkmenistan in separate file

3g. Illness Please advise your guide or driver if you are feeling unwell at any stage of your holiday. They will then be able to offer assistance and arrange for any medical attention necessary.

3h. Contact Lenses If you use contact lenses we recommend that you refrain from using them and wear glasses where possible. This is due to the fact that Turkmenistan is a desert country and therefore wind and sand can affect them and lead to irritation.

4. LOCAL REPS & EXCURSIONS

Nomads Life legal responsibility to you is limited to the original booking you make with us before departure and excludes anything else you may book in Turkmenistan with any third party. Your legal redress in relation to such bookings will be against the third party with whom you made the booking and are likely to be subject to Turkmenistan law and jurisdiction.

5. TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN When travelling to new destinations, it may take time for children to become accustomed to the unfamiliar sights, sounds and tastes experienced.

We do advise to take extra care while away and to ensure that you supervise your children at all times. You and your children should take particular care around balconies, playgrounds and swimming pools. In some destinations, medical assistance may not be available at the hotels or may be some distance away.
Nomads Life vehicles do not have child car seats. Children can travel only on a rear seat:
and wear an adult seat belt if they’re 3 or older
without a seat belt if they’re under 3

6. LANGUAGE Turkmen is the official language. Russian is widely spoken.

7. FOOD Turkmen cuisine is varied and influenced by both Russian and other central Asian nations such as Uzbekistan. It includes meat dishes, soups as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables. Most cafes and restaurants offer a large list of salads and side dishes (rice, fried potatoes, pasta, and mashed potatoes). Food is not often heavy on spices, but herbs such as parsley, coriander, basil and dill are frequently added. Bread is a must for every meal, often a piece of fresh Turkmen flat round bread baked in clay ovens known as churek.

Other traditional dishes include chorba, a meat and vegetable soup; plov, rice with mutton, onions, carrots, spices, raisins, peas or quinces; manty, steamed dumplings filled with lamb; qu’urma, lamb cooked in its own fat; ichlekli, a meat and onion pie and gutap, a pie filled with meat, potatoes, spinach and pumpkin.

7a. Food prices Any meals additional to those stated in your meal basis need to be paid for at the end of each hotel stay using USD cash or credit cards. In the smaller hotels and at lunch stops, normally payment must be made in local currency.
Hotels will demand payment in USD for certain services. Please remember to check the exact amount and currency used in service listings as well as payment methods available prior to using any hotel services.
As a general guideline, a meal purchased in a hotel will be between US$ 20-30 per person and in a local restaurant US$ 15-20 per person.