I crossed the border on 12.06.2019 from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan. While writing this I realized how much I forgot about the crossing (was it the incredible impressions of Ashgabat? )
My experiences:
The taxi drivers will tell you, that there is no other option than taking a taxi...
From the bus terminal in Bukhara near the bazaar ("shared taxis to turkmen border" on maps.me) I took a shared taxi to Alat. This was about 15.000 Sum. This involved a lot of discussions... But 2km from there away from Bukhara is the place, where marshutkas leave to Alat. Should be cheaper (on maps.me "Marshrutka and shared taxi to Alat").
In Alat I was dropped off in front of a shop. They told me I need to pay all 6 seats in the minibus to the border, because nobody wants to go there and there will be no one today. At the end I think i accepted at double the normal price (1/5th of the first offer) and then people came from all directions. After we stopped at another house the bus was full...
When leaving Uzbekistan I was told to skip the line. And then there was a 1,5km walk. But there was also a van, which can be used.
After crossing the border you need to take a lift in the old military van. If you have Manat it's just 1 Manat I think. If you just have $, play confused
In the building I had to to fill out a customs declaration (room on the left), but the guy there helped me.
The passport check, it gets a bit rough and crowded. But somebody yelled "tourist" and took my passport and gave it to the immigration officers. Then I had my priority lane. On the right there is a counter to pay the visa fees.
After crossing the border I was told, that nobody goes to Turkmenabad and I would have to pay 5$ for a taxi. After discussions again, someone took me in a shared taxi for 1$.
I think that was it. But: I'm not exactly sure about the way from Bukhara to Alat. But as I said: There are shared taxis and there are marshrutkas - I saw them, when passing by with the shared taxi.
Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
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Thank you!
Before asking a border crossing question, make sure you have read the relevant article about the country. Overview page: http://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/
Before submitting a crossing report or question, have a look first to see if a topic already exists. Existing forum topics are linked to from the border crossing pages on the site.
Thank you!
Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
15 of us, a tour group from NL crossed the border from Farap (TM) to Alat (UZ) on 25 June 2019.
We left our hotel in Mary at 7am in a private bus with a local guide. The road was bumpy but the driver was fast. With one stop about 30 minutes, we reached the first military border control around 11:15am. Road was closed with a barrier for both sides. Small Soviet style old van was transporting people in and out from there to the real border which was about 500 meters away.
The gate was crowded with about 200 locals. The tiny van can take max 10 fax per time. After checking the passports by soldiers, people are allowed to proceed further in the van. Apparently walking is not allowed or nobody was walking. While we stayed inside the bus the local guide talked with the soldiers with our information list. After checking the document, they allowed us to proceed further in our own bus even without checking the passports. (Special privilege for tourists).
500 meters further was the main border control of TM. We had to walk about 150 meters to the building with our bags. Again the building was very crowded with locals. First the bags were scanned. It was disorganized and chaotic with many bags going through the scanner same time. Locals continue to push their bags before others. Your bags will never arrive in the other side of the scanner, unless you push it inside the scanner. Custom declaration forms already completed by our local guide for us. We were told to enter a modest amount of cash we are taking with us (like 500$) in the form to avoid unnecessary checks and delays.
I was asked if I have a camera in my backpack. I said no and showed them my headphones. All were good.
Next counter was the passport check by immigration. Two counters, overcrowded by locals, no line, no order. Our guide was shouting “Tourista”. And the officers agreed to check our passports before the locals in one counter. It was not easy to go near the counter because of many locals around it.
Next was to travel in a small van about 1 km in the No-mans land in the TM side, up-to the UZ border. First we were wondering how to take our big bags in that tiny van. About 50 locals were waiting for the van which was running up and down. Again the local guide came to save us and made a deal with the van driver to take our group first and separately from the locals. We were asked stay separated from the locals under the hot sun in a different spot for few minutes and van came directly to us. The driver knew how to pack the bags and without much problem many of our bags and 9 of us were in the van. Instead of the usual 1 manat we had to pay 1 $ per each. It was definitely worth than fighting with locals to get the ride.
Again after more passport checks by soldiers, the next 1 km was in another small van in OZ side of the no-mans land. Since we were the only one waiting there it was not difficult. Driver wanted 2000 sum per person and we had only 1000 with us. So he was not happy and refused money for the ride.
From the van stop we had to walk about 200 meters to the border control building in a cemented pavement. First the passports check by soldiers, then again by the immigration and finally bag screens. Then walk again to the car / bus park. UZ side was much easier than leaving TM side.
The whole process took about 2 hours before we finally in our next bus to Bukhara from the border.
We left our hotel in Mary at 7am in a private bus with a local guide. The road was bumpy but the driver was fast. With one stop about 30 minutes, we reached the first military border control around 11:15am. Road was closed with a barrier for both sides. Small Soviet style old van was transporting people in and out from there to the real border which was about 500 meters away.
The gate was crowded with about 200 locals. The tiny van can take max 10 fax per time. After checking the passports by soldiers, people are allowed to proceed further in the van. Apparently walking is not allowed or nobody was walking. While we stayed inside the bus the local guide talked with the soldiers with our information list. After checking the document, they allowed us to proceed further in our own bus even without checking the passports. (Special privilege for tourists).
500 meters further was the main border control of TM. We had to walk about 150 meters to the building with our bags. Again the building was very crowded with locals. First the bags were scanned. It was disorganized and chaotic with many bags going through the scanner same time. Locals continue to push their bags before others. Your bags will never arrive in the other side of the scanner, unless you push it inside the scanner. Custom declaration forms already completed by our local guide for us. We were told to enter a modest amount of cash we are taking with us (like 500$) in the form to avoid unnecessary checks and delays.
I was asked if I have a camera in my backpack. I said no and showed them my headphones. All were good.
Next counter was the passport check by immigration. Two counters, overcrowded by locals, no line, no order. Our guide was shouting “Tourista”. And the officers agreed to check our passports before the locals in one counter. It was not easy to go near the counter because of many locals around it.
Next was to travel in a small van about 1 km in the No-mans land in the TM side, up-to the UZ border. First we were wondering how to take our big bags in that tiny van. About 50 locals were waiting for the van which was running up and down. Again the local guide came to save us and made a deal with the van driver to take our group first and separately from the locals. We were asked stay separated from the locals under the hot sun in a different spot for few minutes and van came directly to us. The driver knew how to pack the bags and without much problem many of our bags and 9 of us were in the van. Instead of the usual 1 manat we had to pay 1 $ per each. It was definitely worth than fighting with locals to get the ride.
Again after more passport checks by soldiers, the next 1 km was in another small van in OZ side of the no-mans land. Since we were the only one waiting there it was not difficult. Driver wanted 2000 sum per person and we had only 1000 with us. So he was not happy and refused money for the ride.
From the van stop we had to walk about 200 meters to the border control building in a cemented pavement. First the passports check by soldiers, then again by the immigration and finally bag screens. Then walk again to the car / bus park. UZ side was much easier than leaving TM side.
The whole process took about 2 hours before we finally in our next bus to Bukhara from the border.
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Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
2 cyclists. Took about 2h, no fees. According to locals and truckers border closes at 6pm!!!!! Not at 8pm.
2 x
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Alat to Farap border crossing - prices and process
This is current as of Aug 5, 2019 and requires some proficiency with haggling:
EXITING UZBEKISTAN
From Bukhara old city to the bus stop for shared taxis to Alat by taxi: 5000 UZS
From bus stop to Alat in shared taxi: 10,000 UZS
From Alat to the Uzbek border by shared taxi: 8000 UZS
In Alat they will strenuously insist there are no marshrutkas. I don't know if that is true; I found some locals to share the ride with and did not wait around.
After the Uzbek immigration, you can walk the 1.5 kms to the actual border with Turkmenistan or take a van. Cost of van: 1000 UZS
ENTERING TURKMENISTAN
From border to Turkmen immigration, again walk the 1.5 kms or take the van. Cost: 1 TMT
At immigration, stop at the office on left to fill out a declaration form.
Take the form to the banking window to pay the entry fee: 14 USD, payable in USD only
Then backtrack to the immigration window and get stamped in. I had a sticker visa so no idea re the approval letter.
Once done, have your bags scanned and answer questions from the customs nd walk out.
From immigration to the fence where taxis congregate: 1 TMT
Shared taxi to Turkmenabat: taxi drivers will insist on 5 USD but locals pay 10 TMT. Strenuous argument later, I paid 3 USD.
EXITING UZBEKISTAN
From Bukhara old city to the bus stop for shared taxis to Alat by taxi: 5000 UZS
From bus stop to Alat in shared taxi: 10,000 UZS
From Alat to the Uzbek border by shared taxi: 8000 UZS
In Alat they will strenuously insist there are no marshrutkas. I don't know if that is true; I found some locals to share the ride with and did not wait around.
After the Uzbek immigration, you can walk the 1.5 kms to the actual border with Turkmenistan or take a van. Cost of van: 1000 UZS
ENTERING TURKMENISTAN
From border to Turkmen immigration, again walk the 1.5 kms or take the van. Cost: 1 TMT
At immigration, stop at the office on left to fill out a declaration form.
Take the form to the banking window to pay the entry fee: 14 USD, payable in USD only
Then backtrack to the immigration window and get stamped in. I had a sticker visa so no idea re the approval letter.
Once done, have your bags scanned and answer questions from the customs nd walk out.
From immigration to the fence where taxis congregate: 1 TMT
Shared taxi to Turkmenabat: taxi drivers will insist on 5 USD but locals pay 10 TMT. Strenuous argument later, I paid 3 USD.
1 x
Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
2 Germans. Crossed the border from Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan on 04.10.2019.
Crossing the border went smooth and as described in previous posts. After arriving on the Uzbek side, the "Mafia man" said minimum to Bukhara would be 30$, we offered 10 for both of us, which he and all other drivers refused. After some waiting and watching on how the Uzbeks would be doing, we decided to take one of the minibuses that are going to Alat and check public transport from there. Once we joined a group of very friendly old ladies inside one of the minibusses the taxi drivers finally agreed to 10$. Obviously they got afraid of losing some Dollars!
In Alat we had to change the taxi (without paying the first one) and 2 more people would join us. The taxi driver drove us directly to our destination in Bukhara.
Crossing the border went smooth and as described in previous posts. After arriving on the Uzbek side, the "Mafia man" said minimum to Bukhara would be 30$, we offered 10 for both of us, which he and all other drivers refused. After some waiting and watching on how the Uzbeks would be doing, we decided to take one of the minibuses that are going to Alat and check public transport from there. Once we joined a group of very friendly old ladies inside one of the minibusses the taxi drivers finally agreed to 10$. Obviously they got afraid of losing some Dollars!
In Alat we had to change the taxi (without paying the first one) and 2 more people would join us. The taxi driver drove us directly to our destination in Bukhara.
1 x
Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
Cross from UZ -> TK, March 2024.
2 people, we travelled from Bukhara (Buxoro) to Alat (Olot) and crossed to Farap. I'll try to address in particular details in the border crossing guide which were not accurate for us.
Travel to the Border
We travelled from Bukhara to Alat by taxi. The guide and previous persons have quoted a price of 100,000 UZS. In practice, this appears impossible to achieve now. We obtained a number of quotes for the benefit of the community, listed here in descending order with their provenance:
In the end we secured a ride using Yandex, which I highly recommend. The price was 180,000 USZ. This was possible even at around 6 AM, when we left our hotel.
This obviously comes with its risks, as if you want to cross early in the day but no one accepts your ride, you'll be stuck. But I recommend getting an extremely early start for the 1.5 hours drive so that if you cannot get a Yandex taxi, you have time to find an alternative.
Contrary to the guide, it was possible for the taxi to drive all the way to the gate where we disembarked and began the crossing on foot - it was simply a matter of ensuring we marked the correct location on Yandex.
In Bukhara, when we asked we were told that the border is open 24/7 rather than from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. This appeared to be correct, as we were already through the gate on foot at around 7:45 AM.
Process at the Border
On the Uzbek side, the process is very swift.
You show your passport (we also showed our letters of invitation) at the gate.
Inside the first building we scanned our luggage, went through immigration (passport check and stamping), a short walk to another building and gate where our passports were checked again, then onto the marshrutka.
The driver asked for 5,000 USZ per person. The pair in front of us (also tourists) paid 10,000 total. We only had 7,000 in small notes, which the driver shrugged and accepted without issue.
A short drive later and we were at the Turkmen border. Entering the gate to this stage took 40 minutes.
At the first stage of the Turkmen border, our passports we taken and briefly checked. We then had the PCR test (as noted in other threads, it's test-and-go, no wait for the results).
We then hopped in a second marshrutka, manned by a Turkmen soldier, who asked for the same price. We managed to break some large Uzbek notes with passengers going the other way and paid 10,000 this time.
Inside the building, the real bureaucracy began.
At border control, we first went to the payment counter to pay $45 each for: $10 migration tax; $29 PCR test; $6 receipts tax.
We then completed the customs declaration form, which is given to you inside a small room only after you've paid the above and shown your receipts. They sometimes have multiple languages available, but we only had Turkmen forms. There are translations on the wall, take a picture of your relevant language and fill it out by reference.
My advice here is do not complete the section declaring how much currency you are bringing in. A Turkmen soldier indicated this to me as well, no one fills it in. If you declare, they will want to inspect it later on and will charge you for the pleasure of doing so.
We then waited at the migration services window to be assisted. They took our passports, but there was a delay as our driver did not know we had arrived - if you can get a message to your driver while you are still in Uzbekistan, do so! There is no phone signal near the border, my advice is to try to send a message or email when you are near Alat and have signal.
When our driver arrived, things got moving again. We now had to return to the cash desk to pay the visa fee. My friend paid $55, as a UK citizen I was charged $85 (which was news to me).
We paid an addition $4 each (which we were told was more receipts tax). After a scrum at this point, assisted by our driver, we finally received our receipts from the cash desk and got our passport stickers back at the migration desk.
After an uneventful x-ray scan of our bags, we rushed out before anyone else tried to apprehend us further. Total time from start to finish, 2 hours 45 minutes.
Any questions, please let me know.
2 people, we travelled from Bukhara (Buxoro) to Alat (Olot) and crossed to Farap. I'll try to address in particular details in the border crossing guide which were not accurate for us.
Travel to the Border
We travelled from Bukhara to Alat by taxi. The guide and previous persons have quoted a price of 100,000 UZS. In practice, this appears impossible to achieve now. We obtained a number of quotes for the benefit of the community, listed here in descending order with their provenance:
- 1.2 million USZ (Western hotel brand 1)
- 900,000 USZ (Western hotel brand 2)
- 700,000 USZ (Western hotel brad 2, better price from another driver)
- 600,000 USZ (first price from our hotel, in person)
- 400-500,000 USZ (second price from our hotel, via online request)
- 350,000 USZ (first price from a street taxi)
- 300,000 USZ (price from a driver friend of a helpful Uzbek lady)
- 250,000 USZ (negotiated price from street taxi)
In the end we secured a ride using Yandex, which I highly recommend. The price was 180,000 USZ. This was possible even at around 6 AM, when we left our hotel.
This obviously comes with its risks, as if you want to cross early in the day but no one accepts your ride, you'll be stuck. But I recommend getting an extremely early start for the 1.5 hours drive so that if you cannot get a Yandex taxi, you have time to find an alternative.
Contrary to the guide, it was possible for the taxi to drive all the way to the gate where we disembarked and began the crossing on foot - it was simply a matter of ensuring we marked the correct location on Yandex.
In Bukhara, when we asked we were told that the border is open 24/7 rather than from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. This appeared to be correct, as we were already through the gate on foot at around 7:45 AM.
Process at the Border
On the Uzbek side, the process is very swift.
You show your passport (we also showed our letters of invitation) at the gate.
Inside the first building we scanned our luggage, went through immigration (passport check and stamping), a short walk to another building and gate where our passports were checked again, then onto the marshrutka.
The driver asked for 5,000 USZ per person. The pair in front of us (also tourists) paid 10,000 total. We only had 7,000 in small notes, which the driver shrugged and accepted without issue.
A short drive later and we were at the Turkmen border. Entering the gate to this stage took 40 minutes.
At the first stage of the Turkmen border, our passports we taken and briefly checked. We then had the PCR test (as noted in other threads, it's test-and-go, no wait for the results).
We then hopped in a second marshrutka, manned by a Turkmen soldier, who asked for the same price. We managed to break some large Uzbek notes with passengers going the other way and paid 10,000 this time.
Inside the building, the real bureaucracy began.
At border control, we first went to the payment counter to pay $45 each for: $10 migration tax; $29 PCR test; $6 receipts tax.
We then completed the customs declaration form, which is given to you inside a small room only after you've paid the above and shown your receipts. They sometimes have multiple languages available, but we only had Turkmen forms. There are translations on the wall, take a picture of your relevant language and fill it out by reference.
My advice here is do not complete the section declaring how much currency you are bringing in. A Turkmen soldier indicated this to me as well, no one fills it in. If you declare, they will want to inspect it later on and will charge you for the pleasure of doing so.
We then waited at the migration services window to be assisted. They took our passports, but there was a delay as our driver did not know we had arrived - if you can get a message to your driver while you are still in Uzbekistan, do so! There is no phone signal near the border, my advice is to try to send a message or email when you are near Alat and have signal.
When our driver arrived, things got moving again. We now had to return to the cash desk to pay the visa fee. My friend paid $55, as a UK citizen I was charged $85 (which was news to me).
We paid an addition $4 each (which we were told was more receipts tax). After a scrum at this point, assisted by our driver, we finally received our receipts from the cash desk and got our passport stickers back at the migration desk.
After an uneventful x-ray scan of our bags, we rushed out before anyone else tried to apprehend us further. Total time from start to finish, 2 hours 45 minutes.
Any questions, please let me know.
2 x
Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
Thank you , that is very useful. Can I ask, what address did you specifically put in the Yandex ride request
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Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
Thank you for the updated information for Alat - Farap border crossing. I am taking it today in 2hrs time and yandex quoted me 155k som but I really want to know which point will direct you to the border.
0 x
Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
Can I ask best place to stay on Uzbekistan side for an early crossing ?
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Re: Farap - Alat (TM - UZ) border crossing updates
Update: 155k som was the initial quote from yandex but it is a bit far from the border itself so we paid additional 100k. But if you pin the right location which is "Olot kontrol noktası" its around 200k.
It took us around 6hrs for everything. There are lots of people in the border and they are under staff on the turkmen side. Be sure to print your daily schedule in turkmenistan as they will base it for your visa and fees i suppose.
Be sure to have a good and crisp USD with no visible fold in the center as they will not accept it!
Fees:
Covid test: 29 usd
Visa fee(PH, US,AU passport holders) : 55 usd
Other fees: 20 usd
Total: 104 usd
Exchange rate:
Official: 1 USD = 3 TMT
BlackMarket: 1 USD = 14-19 TMT(depends where)
I exchange just outside of the uzbek border on the shops and using Uzbek som and it was 14 TMT per USD(already converted my uzs to usd for easy conversion)
My guide is willing to exchange it for 16TMT per USD. Never seen any which is more than 16TMT.
Goods:
Berk2 beer cost 18 TMT in supermarket
meal : usually cost 50-100 TMT dpends where and what
It took us around 6hrs for everything. There are lots of people in the border and they are under staff on the turkmen side. Be sure to print your daily schedule in turkmenistan as they will base it for your visa and fees i suppose.
Be sure to have a good and crisp USD with no visible fold in the center as they will not accept it!
Fees:
Covid test: 29 usd
Visa fee(PH, US,AU passport holders) : 55 usd
Other fees: 20 usd
Total: 104 usd
Exchange rate:
Official: 1 USD = 3 TMT
BlackMarket: 1 USD = 14-19 TMT(depends where)
I exchange just outside of the uzbek border on the shops and using Uzbek som and it was 14 TMT per USD(already converted my uzs to usd for easy conversion)
My guide is willing to exchange it for 16TMT per USD. Never seen any which is more than 16TMT.
Goods:
Berk2 beer cost 18 TMT in supermarket
meal : usually cost 50-100 TMT dpends where and what
1 x
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