According to naturegnosis, Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistan) is a country in Asia bordering Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Turkmenistan has been independent from the former Soviet Union since 1991. The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabat (Ashgabat). A number of major cities in Turkmenistan are: Daşoguz, Türkmenbaşy and Serdar.
Turkmenistan is known for its style of clothing, carpets, camels and horse racing. The landscape is mostly determined by desert areas and a stretch of coast. Some impressive buildings in Turkmenistan are the presidential palace, the parliament building, the Ertugrul Gazi mosque and the National museum. See 3rjewelry for other cities and countries as well as geography in Asia.
Where is Turmenistan located?
Travel information of Turmenistan
Official name: Turkmenistan
Continent: Asia
Area: 488,100 km²
Capital: Ashgabat (Ashgabat)
Country code: TM, TKM
Population: 5,528,627 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic (one-party state)
Highest point: 3,139 m (Aýrybaba)
Distance (Amsterdam – Ashgabat): 4,351 km
Flight time: approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: All non-essential travel to the border with Afghanistan is discouraged.
Current color code: Yellow and orange.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Turkmenistan. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Turkmenistan?
Weather and climate
Turkmenistan has a continental climate. The temperatures are around 30 to 40 degrees during the summer months and around 0 to -15 degrees during the winter months.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Turkmenistan can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Turkmenistan can be found at Climate info.
Best time
March, April, May, September and October are the best months to travel to Turkmenistan. In these months the temperatures are most pleasant.
Language
Turkmen is the official language in Turkmenistan. Russian and Uzbek are also spoken.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is still valid when you leave Turkmenistan.
A visa is required. You can apply for this in person at the embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Russia (also for Turkmenistan):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Turkmenistan: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Turkmenistan it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency
In Turkmenistan people pay with the Turkmen new manat (TMT).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
There are no ATMs in Turkmenistan.
Price level
Prices in Turkmenistan are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -37% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (43% cheaper), food (37% cheaper), imported beer in catering (21% cheaper), cigarettes (16% more expensive) and public transport (96% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Turkmenistan it is customary in tourist areas to tip approximately 10%.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 3 hours later in Turkmenistan.
During our winter time it is 4 hours later in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan has no difference between winter time and summer time.
Find the local time, date and time zone for Turkmenistan on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Turkmenistan you have to drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Turkmenistan, you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Turkmenistan.
Electricity In Turkmenistan you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Turkmenistan can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 03
– Fire: 03
– Ambulance: 03
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Turkmenistan can be found on Google news.
An overview of newspapers from Turkmenistan can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Turkmenistan end in.tm.
Turkmenistan official website: turkmenistan.gov.tm.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Turkmenistan is 00993 or +993.
If you want to call the Netherlands from Turkmenistan dial 8 (wait for dial tone) 1031.
(If you are using a country code, you must omit the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Turkmenistan.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Turkmenistan.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Turkmenistan can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotel), restaurants and destinations in Turkmenistan, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Turkmenistan?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Turkmenistan. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Turkmenistan can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Turkmenistan can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Turkmenistan? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported from Turkmenistan.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Turkmenistan.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.33.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed for men (imprisonment up to 10 years), allowed for women.
Did you know that…
…Approximately 80% of the country consists of desert?
…Turkmenistan is known worldwide for its rugs?
…Water, gas and electricity is free for all Turkmen?
…Turkmenistan has one of the largest gas reserves in the world?
…Nearly 90% of Turkmen work for the government?
