Travel Essentials

Turkmenistan: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Turkmenistan?

Police: 02 (mobile 002), Ambulance: 03 (mobile 003), Fire: 01 (mobile 001)

Plugs: Types C and F, 220 V. Emergency: Police 02 (mobile 002), Ambulance 03 (mobile 003), Fire 01 (mobile 001). Tipping: Not expected; rounding up in restaurants or for drivers is a polite gesture. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Turkmenistan Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and F, 220 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	02 (mobile 002)
Ambulance	03 (mobile 003)
Fire	01 (mobile 001)

Tipping

Not expected; rounding up in restaurants or for drivers is a polite gesture.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid; rabies and hepatitis B for some travelers.
Malaria: None

Apps To Download Before You Go

Yandex Go: Available in Ashgabat for ordering taxis; otherwise cars are flagged on the street.
Turkmenistan Airlines: Domestic flights are the fastest way between Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat and Dashoguz.
IMO: One of the few messaging apps that reliably works, since WhatsApp and Telegram are often blocked.
Maps.me: Offline maps are essential because mobile internet is slow and filtered.
Demir Yollary (TDY) railway: Check timetables for the slow but cheap trains across the country.
TMCELL app: Manage the local SIM from the state carrier, which tourists can buy with a passport.
Rysgal / Senagat bank apps: Local card payments; foreign cards rarely work, so bring cash in US dollars.
Google Translate (offline pack): Download Turkmen and Russian packs before arrival; online services may not load.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A handshake between men is standard; men should wait for a woman to offer her hand. Titles and formality are valued, especially with officials.

Photography restrictions. Photographing government buildings, military sites, and some monuments in Ashgabat is restricted or forbidden; ask before photographing people.

Modest dress and behavior. Dress modestly, particularly for women; public criticism of the government or president should always be avoided.

Safety And Scams

Turkmenistan has very low street crime, especially in Ashgabat, but the state is highly authoritarian: independent travel is restricted, movement is monitored, and travelers should avoid any political discussion or criticism of the government.

Official/bureaucratic overcharging. Visa and registration processes involve various fees; use a registered tour agency to avoid confusion or being asked for undocumented payments.

Currency exchange issues. The official exchange rate is far worse than informal rates; arrange currency exchange through your tour operator rather than random street offers.

Women travelers. Solo women are treated respectfully but face informal restrictions, such as reports of not being allowed in the front car seat with unrelated male drivers; avoid going out alone late at night.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Sex between men is illegal (Article 135) with penalties of imprisonment, and there is no legal protection or visibility for LGBTQ+ people; travelers should be extremely discreet.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	TMT 16 (espresso)	$4.60
Local bus or metro ride	TMT 1-2	$0.30-0.60
Mid-range restaurant meal	TMT 60-90	$17-25
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	TMT 35	$10
Mid-range hotel (night)	TMT 245	$70
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	TMT 350-500	$100-140

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) have the mildest weather; summer is best avoided as desert temperatures can exceed 40-50°C.

Phrases

Basic Turkmen phrases · Basic Russian phrases