Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VISAS¨FOR¨TURKMENISTAN
All foreigners require a visa to enter Turkmenitan and transit visas are the only visas is-
sued without a letter of invitation (LOI). Prices for visas vary enormously from embassy to
embassy.
As a general rule, plan on getting a visa at leat six weeks ahead of entry to Turkmeni-
tan, as the process (even for transit visas) is lengthy. Ideally work through a Turkmen
travel agent with experience in the ield. On entry every visa holder will need to pay an ad-
ditional US$12 to US$14 fee for an entry card that will lit your exit point in Turkmenitan.
Tourit or business visas on arrival are hassle free these days, and are processed quickly
at Ashgabat airport (around US$100), as well as being available at the Farab border cross-
ings. For people arriving by boat from Azerbaijan the visa is available on arrival in Turkmen-
bashi (by arrangement with the consul, who needs to be present), but the Azeri authorities
will not let a person without a valid Turkmenitan visa board the ferry in Baku.
For information on regitration, see p402; for travel permits, see p403.
Transit¨Visas
The only visa that allows unaccompanied travel for tourits is the transit visa. Relatively
easy to come by, they are normally valid for three days, although sometimes for ive days
and in rare cases, more. Turkmen embassies in Europe (as opposed to those in Central
Asia or Iran) are more likely to grant longer visas. Transit visas can be obtained at any Turk-
men consulate, although if you apply without an LOI, the application will need to be for-
warded to the Minitry of Foreign Afairs in Ashgabat, meaning a processing time of around
10 to 14 days.
No transit visa is extendable, save in the case of serious illness. The penalty for over-
taying a transit visa is US$200, and you may be taken back to Ashgabat and deported on
the next available light at your expense.
Your route will normally not be indicated on the visa, but your entry and exit point (un-
changeable) will be, and you may therefore run into trouble going anywhere not obviously
between the two points, though document checks on the roads are few and far between
these days. Transit visas are usually not valid if you are dealing with a Kazakh routing, a
double-entry Uzbekitan visa or even an air ticket out of Ashgabat. Turkmen embassies
regularly refuse transit visa applications, so don't count on getting one.
Tourit¨Visas
Tourit visas are a mixed blessing in Turkmenitan. While they allow the visitor to spend a
decent amount of time in the country (up to three weeks as a rule), they require accompa-
niment by an accredited tour guide, who will meet you at the border and remain with you
throughout your trip.
8
Getting¨There¨&¨Away
ENTERING TURKMENISTAN
Entering the country overland tends to invite
more scrutiny than arriving by air. Baggage
checks can be very thorough at lonely border
posts, while the understafed airport in Ash-
gabat seems more interested in processing
people quickly rather than pawing through
your underwear. You'll need to pay your arrival
tax and collect your Entry Travel Pass if you're
travelling on a tourist or business visa.
AIR
The only international airport in Turkmenistan
is Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Airport (p383) in
Ashgabat. For information on lights in and out
of Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Airport, see p383.
LAND
Visitors with visas can enter Turkmenistan
from all bordering countries, although the
borders with Uzbekistan and iran are the most
frequently used. There are no international
train or bus services to or from Turkmenistan.
All land borders are open from 9am to 6pm
daily.
To/From Afghanistan
Serkhetabat (formerly known as Gushgi) is the
border town with Afghanistan. Crossing here
is now a fairly hassle-free prospect, although
be prepared to be thoroughly searched by both
Turkmen and Afghan border guards. if you
arrive late you'll need to overnight with a local
family as there are no hotels in town.
