Caravanistan

Also, there seems to be a bridge north of Turkmenabat - has anyone tried crossing on that bridge? Would be interesting to see if that's an alternative to the main $42 bridge toll...

Has anyone tried leaving Turkmenistan from a border other than the one stated on their transit visa?

If so, what was the outcome? Did they manage? Any "fines"?

Also, this is an email from the Vienna embassy of Turkmenistan. The second one seems to say that once approved, we can get the visa at the border. Dear Sir, Madam, To apply for a transit visa (5 days) for Turkmenistan we need to receive the following documents: 1. Request in written form (by e-mail ...

Steven,
are you sure that's accurate?

We've applied through a visa-processing company and they've told us we can apply for the visa at the border (coming from Iran and into Turkmenistan) and have the visa issued on the same day.

They are getting us a "Transit visa LOI" to facilitate this.