Plan · practical
Getting to Turkmenistan: flights, land borders and restricted areas — checked
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UK government advice: You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan.
UK government advice: On 1 October 2026 Turkmenistan introduced an electronic (e-visa) system for tourists …
UK government advice: You cannot apply for one of these visas directly. Your tour agency or event organiser will continue to act as a sponsor.
- your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Turkmenistan.
- Passport biographical page scan (valid ≥ 6 months from entry date)
Border officials may close Turkmen border crossings without notice.
The UK government's advice to British nationals: If you are a British national wanting to enter Turkmenistan from Iran, you will need special authorisation from the Government of Turkmenistan and confirmation of an onward flight.
Rules for your nationality may differ; ask your agency.
Before any route
UK government advice: You must have a visa to visit Turkmenistan.
UK government advice: You cannot apply for one of these visas directly. Your tour agency or event organiser will continue to act as a sponsor.
UK government advice: If you have the wrong visa or if you overstay your visa, you could be prosecuted and possibly imprisoned.
- your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Turkmenistan.
- Passport biographical page scan (valid ≥ 6 months from entry date)
UK government advice: You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
reported as “Travel documents must, at the time of entry, still be valid for at least six months beyond the requested stay and have at least two blank pages.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
Flights and airports
reported as “When crossing the state border by air: at the international airports of Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi.” by МИД России, Консульский департамент: «Туркменистан — Информация о стране»
reported as “Tickets on international routes can be bought online on the airline's official website.” by Türkmenistan awiakompaniýasy (Turkmenistan Airlines)
reported as “We can't be sure that maintenance procedures on aircraft used for internal flights are properly observed so if possible don't fly on airlines listed under the EU operating ban.” by Ireland DFA, Turkmenistan travel advice
reported as “We don't make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.” by Government of Canada, Turkmenistan travel advice
Licensed taxis are also available from Exit 2 of Ashgabat International Airport (outside Exit 2 of the terminal), although you should agree a price before getting in. Receipts are rarely provided. Alternatively, most upmarket hotels can arrange airport transfers.
UK government advice: A transit visa is not needed for layover flights where you will remain airside.
Timetable of international passenger flights from October 27, 2026 at Ashgabat International Airport
Land and sea crossings named by official sources
reported as “From Kazakhstan at the Temir-Baba checkpoint; from Uzbekistan at the Farap-Alat and Kunya-Urgench-Khodjeyli checkpoints; from Iran at Gaudan-Bajgiran and Serakhs; from Afghanistan at Serhetabat-Turgundi. … By sea: at the international port of Turkmenbashi.” by МИД России, Консульский департамент: «Туркменистан — Информация о стране»
- Crossing the border by sea and land transport, and the customs control that follows, takes place from 09:00 to 18:00.
- For entry from and exit to Iran, the Bajigiran, Serakhs and Tengli crossings are in principle open daily from 9 to 17.
reported as “Clearance at the border checkpoints can take several hours.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
reported as “Entry from and exit to Uzbekistan is possible directly only by land. There are no direct flights. … There is no regular cross-border passenger train service.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
- The border between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan is currently closed to traffic.
- Entry from and exit to Kazakhstan by land is possible; however, problems on entry or exit are to be expected, as the border crossings between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan occasionally close without notice.
Border officials may close Turkmen border crossings without notice.
Turkmen land border crossings can be subject to occasional and unannounced closures.
reported as “A ferry link across the Caspian Sea exists, but it is irregular and often brings delays of several days, at sea too.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
UK government advice: You will be charged up to 150 US dollars to bring a car into Turkmenistan by land or sea.
UK government advice: You'll need to have both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car.
reported as “The international "green" insurance card is not valid. Drivers must take out liability insurance at the border. Foreign drivers must also pay, in USD, a surcharge on the domestically subsidised fuel prices.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
Current hours of the Uzbek and Kazakh crossings.
No official source we read covers this; ask your agency.
Restricted border areas
Governments name different areas; each is shown with the government that names it.
- The borders with Afghanistan and Iran are particularly sensitive, with access to areas near these borders being tightly restricted.
- Areas bordering Iran, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, including the city of Dashoguz and areas of the Caspian coast, are restricted zones. You must obtain permission from the Government of Turkmenistan to travel to these areas.
- Certain parts of Turkmenistan have been designated as 'restricted' and special permits are required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to travel there. Check the situation with your local guide before travelling outside the capital.
- The visa does not cover restricted and border areas. Planned trips to border areas (for example Dashoguz velayat) and nature reserves (for example Repetek) must already be declared in the visa procedure. Special travel permits, issued by the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry for Nature Protection, may also be needed. When you book a trip with a travel agency, the agency normally obtains the permits needed.
- Visiting border zones (including the national tourist zone "Avaza" on the Caspian Sea) requires a special permit.
Government of Ireland advice: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises against all travel to the Turkmenistan/Afghanistan border area.
Government of Canada advice: You should not travel near or attempt to cross the border.
Avoid staying in the immediate border areas with Afghanistan and Iran.
reported as “The border crossings at Serhetabat (Russian: Kushka) and Imam-Nasar are in principle open. Using them needs the prior consent of the Turkmen authorities, which is hard to obtain.” by Turkmenistan: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
Who issues permits for these areas, and how long they take.
- Foreigners are forbidden to travel to “restricted zones” without special permission from the SMS. Restricted zones include border areas and along the Caspian coast.
- You must obtain permission from the Government of Turkmenistan to travel to these areas. Submit applications to travel to these areas at least 10 working days before your intended date of travel.
- Certain parts of Turkmenistan have been designated as ‘restricted’ and special permits are required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to travel there.
- In addition, special travel permits may be needed, issued by the Turkmen Foreign Ministry or the Ministry of Nature Protection. When a trip is booked through a travel agency, the agency normally obtains the required permits.
Rules for your nationality may differ; ask your agency.
Entering from Iran
The UK government's advice to British nationals: If you are a British national wanting to enter Turkmenistan from Iran, you will need special authorisation from the Government of Turkmenistan and confirmation of an onward flight.
The UK government's advice to British nationals: Authorisation can be facilitated by the British Embassy in Ashgabat by contacting the FCDO before you travel to the border … The authorisation process will likely take about 48 hours but may be longer.
Rules for your nationality may differ; ask your agency.
The Government of Ireland's advice to Irish citizens: If you are seeking to enter Turkmenistan from Iran, by land border, you must contact the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara, Türkiye or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, to facilitate this transit, which is subject to the approval of the Turkmen authorities.
Rules for your nationality may differ; ask your agency.
Transit only, not for a tour
UK government advice: If you will be travelling overland through Turkmenistan territory for fewer than 5 days, and the purpose of your stay is the transit rather than tourism, you may be eligible for a transit visa. The Turkmen State Migration Service is the sole sponsor of transit visas. You must secure the letter of invitation before you travel, and it can take up to a month for a letter of invitation to issue.
UK government advice: You cannot change your transit visa to a tourist visa, and you must enter and leave Turkmenistan using the border crossings specified in the letter of invitation.
UK government advice: You cannot buy a transit visa for Turkmenistan at Baku seaport.
Official advice: UK government (FCDO), updated · Government of Canada, updated · Ireland (DFA), updated — checked by us on .