Travel Answers

Turkmenistan

I am a banknote collector and i am planning to visit Turkmenistan .

Is there places like numismatic shops in Ashkabat where i can find some old and new currencies ?

Is it easy to exchange money on the city by banks ? I am looking for unused new manats especially ...

Any information could be helpfull for me ...

Hello,

I will be arriving late into Ashgabat Airport. What are the transportation options?

How much should a Taxi cost?

Thanks!

I will be in Ashgabat next week and am looking for a budget hotel/hostels in the city center. Any recommendations?

I plan to cross into Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan. I understand there is a long fence between these two countries. What is the best entry/exit point? I hope to enter Turkmenistan from Khiva in Uzbekistan.

Also, what is the situation with bringing 2000-3000 USD in cash to Turkmenistan? Will this raise eyebrows? There seems to be no other option for international banking as I will be entering Iran from Turkmenistan afterwards.

Any additional information about traveling in Turkmenistan would be appreciated, including tour guides, hotels, and interesting areas apart from Darwaze. Thanks.

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knows how to book domestic flights in Turkmenistan from outside the country? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, I'll be in Ashgabat next week with a couple of friends. We still haven't booked any hostels. Is this going to be a massive issue, or will it be all right to turn up somewhere cheap last minute. We really don't want to have to pay for the expensive hotels. Also, does anyone know of any good hostels or homestays which are likely to be available at such short notice? The ones we've called seemed to have changed their number from the one listed in our guidebook...

Thank you!

Hello,

I will be traveling to Ashgabat in May/June and would like to travel by train to Türkmenabat (near the Uzbek border).

Would I be able to obtain a train ticket the day before my travel date? Or do I have to get the ticket in advance? What would the price be for such a ticket?

Thanks!

I would like to take a plane from the US to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan and then travel by train to Uzbekistan.
Would it be possible to obtain a transit visa for such a trip?

I have heard that some people say that it is possible, while others have said that transit visas are only available to those traveling overland into Turkmenistan (i.e., are not available to those flying into Turkmenistan).

Does any one have information on this?

I wondered if anyone could tell me whether a LOI is required for transit visas to Turkmenistan. All the information I can find is contradictory, and the embassy isn't being great with replying to emails. If I do need one, do you have any recommendations on the best/quickest way to get one?

Thank you in advance!

I've been told Turkmenistan does not permit any foreign visitors during the month of October. I've also heard that, if you request a tourist visa months in advance, it will be granted and you will be allowed entry. Does anyone have any direct experience or knowledge they can share to help clarify the situation? Thanks.

Helo, Has someone expieriance with Turkmenistan Airways London or Frankfurt to Ashgabat. because it's the onely direct line between europe and Turkmenistan the same question for London or Frankfurt to tashkent planning to go in oktober Thanks for the advice Greets John Celis

Hi all, I am attempting to find a destination for a weekend away at some point (May-August) and the flights are perfect for Ashgabat, however I'm really confused about how I would obtain a visa. Do I really need a travel agent to do it for me? I only want to go for 2 days so would a transit visa be feasible? The internet is coming up with visa agency options but I've never used them before. Is that risky? There is a Turkmenistan embassy in the UAE so I could do it myself if necessary. Any ideas? PS. Is it worth visiting on my own for a few days? I have no more annual leave so a weekend is my only option. Thanks!

We have taken the plunge and are going to Turkmenistan next week. I'm trying to work out how much money we need to bring. We are doing a private tour so some meals and sightseeing are included, but what could we expect to pay for a hot drink/lunch/evening meal? We will be staying in Ashgabat and Mary. We don't drink and are not great fans of souvenir shopping. Thanks for any input.

Hello all My sister is moving to Ashgabat in October for work. Obviously she has done a lot of research but if someone has tips about where to rent a flat (and where to completely avoid) that woul dbe great. She'll be working near the French embassy and will have a limited budget. It seems rents are quite high in town, is it true? Thanks in advance! A

We have ve been interested in visiting Turkmenistan for a while (we have have visited several other central Asian countries previously). We have some free time at Christmas (my office shuts down for the duration and we don't have any particular family commitments), so were wondering about going to Turkmenistan then. We have checked that we can get flights and hotel and I understand that the temperature is likely to be pretty much the same as it would be at home in the UK. Are there any snags or downsides to visiting Turkmenistan at this time of year?

Hello everybody: Does anybody know about traveling by road from Gorgan (Iran) to Askhabad (Turkmenistan)?. If so, can you provide any practical details?. Is there any public transportation or ways to hire a private car with driver?. Difficulties or problems that you might know of?. Thanks

Hey Everyone, does anyone have experiences with taking the train from Ashgabat to Moscow? As I understand it takes three days, I'd be really grateful for more information i.e. does it happen that it suddenly takes 5 days, etc. Anyone remember a reliable source for prices and schedules? Thanks for the help Philip

Hello!Im moving to Ashgabad in 2 weeks (planning to stay there for 2 years), right now Im packing my luggage and Im wondering what to take with me. What are shopping possibilities in Ashgabad (clothes, prices, labels)? Weather (spring, summer, autumn, winter)? Any other suggestions? Thank you in advance!

I am planning on visiting Uzbekistan and want to visit Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan for a few days from Uzbekistan, but I want to do it independently without a tour guide. It seems that the only visa that allows you to travel without accompaniment by a guide in Turkmenistan is the transit visa. However, I believe you have to indicate your entry and exit point upon applying for the visa. So if I indicate Khojeli as my entry & exit point, it looks obvious that my purpose is sightseeing instead of transit... In this case, the visa is little likely to be granted, I guess? Any idea? Does anyone have any experience visiting Konye-Urgench or any part of Turkmenistan with the transit visa from Uzbekistan? Has anyone applied for visas to Turkmenistan at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Washington, D.C? Do I have to go there in person to apply for the visa?? I would appreciate any input you may have. Thanks!

What documentation is necessary to come into Turkmenistan across the Caspian Sea with a private car and driving on across the country to Uzbekistan? Is there a Turkmen travel agency that could assist with the documentation and travel arrangements in the country? Tanks for an answer Wilhelm Klein

I am a Canadian born Citizen and my wife currently lives in Ashgabot with our daughter. We were married 3 years ago in Moscow. I am still waiting for her and our daughters residency visa for Canada. Should be ready any week now. Do I require a visit visa to go to Ashgabot. I would like to travel there to visit her and meet her family. Jim

Hi, my friend and I are a couple of young Canadians looking to travel across Asia overland. We were wondering if it's possible to get a Visa for Turkmenistan in either Baku (Azerbaijan) or Tehran (Iran)? If so, how long would this process usually take?

Hello, I will travel one month this summer as I do it to 2-4 different countries every year. Turkmenistan is inside my plans. Is it uncomfortably hot in July and August there? Could you please write me some sample costs in Turkmenistan in USD please? Mostly in Ashgabad and other towns like Turkmenbasi, Bayramali in general. A cheap meal in a cafe A good meal in a restaurant but not luxury one A local beer in a bar A local spirit in a bar or club A cheap but clean single room in a guesthouse or pension or hotel A small, central apt to rent Enterance to a museum A botle of water in market A bus or train drive for 5-6 hours Thanks a lot :) Alper

Hi friends, I am planning to make a big trip through Central Asia next summer and would like to cover all 5 ex SU countries. Did anyone make a trip like this? I plan to travel by myself on budget. Maybe a stupid question but how much money should I plan for spending in 6 weeks? I have to make it a cheap trip. What are the best means of travelling? bus? Where should I start and where should I end? I am very grateful for all kinds of advices! Thanks a lot, Silvia

hello fellow members .. anyone knows how to get a visa support to Turkmenistan? any recommendations?

I would appreciate input about traveling to Ashgabat. 1-Is it possible to rent an apartment and if yes how to go about it ? 2- Any recomends for budget hotels in Ashgabat. 3- For how long can one get a visa being a US citizen. 4- Any reliable local contacts as I have read on the blogs that it is very helpful to have a local contact ( friend/s ) . 5- Do's and Dont's . Would greatly value the advise. Sy

I would appreciate input about traveling to Ashgabat. 1-Is it possible to rent an apartment and if yes how to go about it ? 2- Any recoomends for budget hotels in Ashgabat. 3- For how long can one get a visa being a US citizen. 4- Any reliable local contacts as I have read on the blogs that it is very helpful to have a local contact ( friend 0. 5- Do's and Dont's . Would appreciate the advise. Sy

I plan on travelling to Ashgabat - Turkmenistan this coming summer 08. Could any one please guide me on : 1-HOW and from Whom (reputable agency )to get an invite for at least a month or more visa ? 2- Name of Budget hotel or can one rent an Apartmnet to stay and where to find info on such ? 3-Places and people to avoid. 4-budget eating places 5- other useful tips such as medical care, police traps, custom and Immigartion dealings , Night life and Hookers . I would appreciate input and guidance from all you wonderful fellow travelers. Thank you

Hi Everyone, Can anyone help me with this: I am planning a trip to turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, arriving in Ashgabat and travelling to Uzbekistan by the road. I want to know if anyone has already taken the road from MARY to KHIVA in Uzbekistan with a border crossing arround DASHOGUZ ? how is the road and how is the border checkpoint ? many thanks Orhene

Anyone headed to Turkmenistan in mid-June? Would like to join an organized tour, but can't afford to travel on my own in Turkmenistan. Preferably i'd like to start in Ashgabat, and end at the Uzbek border near Bukhara. Should i try for a transit visa instead? Unfortunately, plan on flying into ASB. Would it be possible to pick up the transit visa at the airport after arranging it prior to arrival in ASB? Thanks!