Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Ashgabat (ASB): 4 km from city.
• Full list of airports in Turkmenistan with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are regular flights connecting Ashgabat, Balkanabat, Chardzhou, Dashoguz, Kerki (far east), Mary, Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) and Turkmenabat. Flight times from Ashgabat to Mary is 1 hour, and to Chardzhou is 90 minutes.

The Trans-Caspian Railway runs from Turkmenbashi in the west, through Ashgabat and Mary to Chardzhou in the east before continuing to Bukhara in Uzbekistan. There are also overnight trains from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat (one continuing to Dashgouz), between Ashgabat and Gushgi via Mary, and between Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi.

Turkmenistan has a reasonable road network, including a route that runs north from Ashgabat to Tashauz and Kunya-Urgench before crossing into Uzbekistan. This road traverses 500 km (311 miles) of the Karakum desert. The main road in Turkmenistan runs along the route of the Trans-Caspian Railway. Self-drive car hire is available from a few large hotels.

Cheap buses, taxis and chauffeur-driven cars are available within all the major towns. Comfortable and modern long-distance buses also operate from Ashgabat to Mary, Dashgouz, Turkmenabat and Turkmenabashi. Taxis are often unlicensed and travellers should always agree a fare in advance. It should be noted that as many street names have changed since independence, it's a good idea to ask for both the old and the new names when taking a taxi or when simply seeking directions.