Turkmenistan re-opening Q&A

[Niubi]

if you pay massive fees to some so called "travel agencies", you can

Hello everyone,
I'm planning of crossing Turkmenistan from Iran to Uzbekistan by car this summer. I counted on the transit visa but seeing the current situation do you think it's completely impossible ?

So basically we need a tour even for 4 days transit... do you have ideas of actual prices for this kind of things ? I don't know how to get to Uzbekistan in any other way right now...

[tr8lina]

It is definitely true that transit visa = tourist visa

On the website of the Turkmen embassy in Belgium it is stated:
"Transit-Tourist Visa Information for Turkmenistan
We would like to inform esteemed visitors that the application procedure for a transit visa now aligns with the process for obtaining a tourist visa."
https://belgium.tmembassy.gov.tm/en/con ... ansit-visa

The Turkmen embassy of Berlin says the same and gives a list of agencies to contact to get a LOI (most of the websites linked do not exist, though).
"To get an invitation letter for tourist and transit visas please contact the tourism companies below:"
https://germany.tmembassy.gov.tm/index. ... an/tourism

I also got the following answer via email from the Turkmen embassy in Vienna:
"You can obtain a transit or tourist visa for Turkmenistan through various tour agencies within the country. It's advisable to contact these agencies directly to understand the specific requirements and process for obtaining your transit or tourist visa.
They will provide you with the most current information and assist you with your application.

For example: https://turkmenportal.com/en/catalog/to ... rkmenistan"

[Alac]

Hi! my plan is to cross from Iran to Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan during late april - early may 2024. I go alone. I would have loved having 5 days around the country in a transit visa, but anything letting me get through is fine I guess. Sebhoff I may be open to join (despite schedules are a bit different) but the prices listed are terrible.. (who quoted them to you?) I just sent an email to Saada travel, let's see what they answer

We keep in touch!

I was quoted the following prices for a 3-day transfer from the Falap border (near Bukhara) via Turkmenabat, Mary and Ashgabat to the Iranian border, travelling by train:

- $1045 for 2 people.
- $1415 for 3 people.
- $1875 for 4 people.

This includes one night at a hotel in Mary, and one night on the train to Ashgabat. It doesn't include the visa ($75 + $4 per person).
Considering how far you can get with $500 in countries like Uzbekistan, this is certainly not cheap. But as long as the transit visa isn't reintroduced...

I might consider looking for 2-3 people to join me around the 1st of April next year. Let's see...

[Alac]

Hi,

I wrote to saada travel, they confirmed that there are no transit visas anymore. The prices offered for a two day visit to Ashgabat and Merv are:

* 980 USD for 2 people.
* 1390 USD for 3 people.
* 1790 USD for 4 people.
* 1990 USD for 5 people

Slightly cheaper than what sebhoff posted, probably because it is a bit shorter...

Later, by suggestion of Caitlyn I found a better one, Yorga Travel, three days and cheaper!

916 USD for 2 people
1209 USD for 3 people
1500 USD for 4 people
1800 USD for 5 people

Despite being terrible and unfair, I think I'm in with something like that, because otherwise I have to go via azerbaijan/caspian/kazakhstan etc.. and it is an important change of plans for me.

If somebody wants to join for the early may dates, let me know

best.

[liberspirita]

i hope you won't backup such scam ?

[lucas2552]

Hi,
I'm planning the same trip this summer, going by car from iran to Uzbekistan (from Switzerland). Do you have any news on your trip ? Have you ever planned to go through Afghanistan ?

Hello everyone,
I'm planning of crossing Turkmenistan from Iran to Uzbekistan by car this summer. I counted on the transit visa but seeing the current situation do you think it's completely impossible ?

[liberspirita]

i'll cross through Afghanistan from Tadjikistan to Iran

[gmanski]

@liberspirita:
You will be using a military escort when going trough Afghanistan and the shortest way will be 870km, right?

[Alac]

Hi @Lucas, @Gmanski, @Sebhoff! if the dates (around the 6-10th of may) are fine with you, we would already be four. We can try to find cheaper options by looking for more tours... I won't go through Afghanistan for more than obvious reasons. Let me know!

[liberspirita]

@liberspirita:
You will be using a military escort when going trough Afghanistan and the shortest way will be 870km, right?

No escort, and 1600 kms tour via Kabul and Kandahar