When planning your route to enter Turkmenistan, your flight options are limited. There are no direct flights from any cities or capitals in the other 6 Stans, nor Iran which borders Turkmenistan to the south.
You can choose to fly from Istanbul or Dubai which have almost daily flights, or any other of the more unusual destinations Turkmenistan Airlines has direct flights to (like Frankfurt or Ho Chi Minh).
Alternatively, you can cross via land border into Turkmenistan. To the north, you can cross from Kazakhstan at the Temir-Baba border and to the south from the Mashhad border in Iran. Azerbaijan is very temperamental with the ferry use and if you are one of the lucky people who can score a ticket, you can also enter Turkmenistan from the Caspian Sea.
Uzbekistan: Shavat Border Crossing
To enter Turkmenistan through the Shavat border is pretty simple. In Khiva or Urgench you will need to find a taxi driver who can take you. Most will and you can expect to pay $20-$30 for the hour long drive.
We recommend arriving at 8:30am because although the border technically opens at 9am, a small line will form and often they open the border from the Uzbekistan side at 8:45-8:50.
Uzbekistan: Farap Border Crossing
You can easily get to the Farap border crossing from Bukhara. Again, no public transport is available so taxi is your best option. A taxi is likely to cost you $30 – $40. Entering via Fara is a good way to see more of the country and you can also stop at Mary and Merv on your way to or from Ashgabat!
Uzbekistan: Nukus Border Crossing
Currently, the Nukus border is closed for entry. However, it is possible to exit via the Nukus BP.
Kazakhstan: Temir Babu Border Crossing
It is possible to cross into Turkmenistan via the Temir-Baba border crossing. Please note there is a 2km neutral zone with no taxis or busses, so it is important you pack light!
Iran: Mashad Border Post
You can also transfer from Iran near Mashhad to the Gaudan-Bajigiran Border crossing. Taxis are cheap and easily arrange from Mashhad.
How To Enter Turkmenistan At A Border Post
An Uzbek/ Kazakh/ Iranian border officer at the gate will instruct when you can enter. They will check your passport for the relevant entry stamp and check your passport photo matches you. You will then proceed to the first building which is where you will scan your items through a conveyor belt X-ray scanner like you would at an airport. You may be asked to open your bag. After, you will proceed to the border security desk where you will receive your Uzbek/Kazak/Iranian exit stamp.
You will then continue and likely have your stamp checked one more time before boarding a bus to take you across the neutral zone. You can pay $1 USD or equivalent in Manat (15) or Som (12500).
Once you arrive at the Turkmenistan side, you should leave your bags in the waiting room and head into the small room where they will conduct a COVID test.
Before your visa can be processed, they will require a Turkmenistan fixer/ guide to help you. The fixer/ guide will help you with the rest of the paperwork including a customs form, providing an itinerary and will instruct you when and where to pay for your visa. You will receive a full page visa sticker for Turkmenistan.
Then you can proceed to another X-ray scanner for your bags and you will likely be instructed to open your bag for a routine check. Please ensure you don’t have any prohibited items with you including drones.
After a bag check, you will have one or two more passport/visa checks before you enter Turkmenistan!
Entering Turkmenistan by Ferry
Currently, you can enter Turkmenistan by the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan. However, the schedules for these are inconsistent, the departure areas are in strangely specific places, and the ferries are often delayed by hours or even days.
Important Notes:
At none of the borders mentioned above should you take photos of military and immigrations buildings or officers.
Please ensure you don’t have any items that are banned in Turkmenistan such as vapes and iqos, more than two packets of cigarettes, banned substances and medication and drones. If you bring any of these items you risk confiscation and/or arrest.
Your visa will not be processed without a Turkmenistan fixer. You cannot come to the border unannounced as you will not be granted entry.
What About Fake Eyelashes and Beards?
There are many internet rumors swirling in regards to appearances for entry to Turkmenistan. There are online rumors that you will be rejected from a border post or airport for the sole reason of having a beard, heavy makeup, fake eyelashes or fake nails. Having a very long, bushy beard may raise some eyebrows of officials not just in Turkmenistan but also in broader Central Asia. Here, long beards can be associated with Islamic fundamentalism and extremism which is a big fear for Turkmenistan authorities.
It is best to have a trimmed beard for your visa photo just in case, however many bearded people have been permitted for entry to Turkmenistan. At the border, same goes!
Other rumors surrounding the use of makeup such as Turkmenistan prohibiting fake eyelashes, fake nails and heavy makeup are not true. You may find that most local women do not particularly dress in this way, but it is no problem tourists to do so. In fact, many women from middle and upper classes have vibrantly painted nails.
Do you want to join YPT in Turkmenistan?
We can assist you with entering and exiting Turkmenistan by any of the aforementioned methods – just get in contact with us! You can check out our upcoming tours here.
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