Overview
Turkmenistan is one of Central Asia's most intriguing and least-visited countries, and getting there rewards a bit of planning. This is a land of Silk Road ruins, the vast Karakum Desert, the famously flaming Darvaza gas crater and the surreal white-marble capital, Ashgabat. Almost every visitor travels on an organised programme with a visa letter of invitation, and the team at Seven Zones Travel can help line up both the flights and the paperwork.
Best time to fly to Turkmenistan
Aim for April to June or September to October, when days are warm and dry and the desert is at its most comfortable. High summer (July and August) regularly pushes past 40C in Ashgabat and the desert, while winter nights are cold and short-lived. For how fares move through the year, see the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), with its distinctive falcon-shaped terminal about 10km from the centre, is the main entry point for UK travellers. Regional airports at Turkmenabat, Turkmenbashy on the Caspian coast, Mary and Dasoguz mostly handle domestic flights, handy for reaching Merv or Konye-Urgench.
Airlines and routes
There are currently no scheduled direct flights from the UK. Turkmenistan Airlines has operated London Heathrow to Ashgabat in the past, so it is worth checking current schedules with us. Most travellers connect: Turkish Airlines via Istanbul from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh; flydubai with Emirates via Dubai; or Azerbaijan Airlines via Baku. A one-stop journey from London usually takes around 12 to 15 hours in total, and a little longer from Manchester with the extra leg. A direct flight, when it runs, is roughly 7 hours from London.
Popular places to visit in Turkmenistan
- Ashgabat: a gleaming city of white marble, gold domes and monumental fountains, holder of several Guinness World Records.
- Darvaza Gas Crater: the burning "Door to Hell" in the Karakum Desert, best seen after dark.
- Ancient Merv: a UNESCO-listed Silk Road city near Mary, once among the largest cities on earth.
- Konye-Urgench: UNESCO-listed medieval monuments and the tallest minaret in Central Asia.
- Yangykala Canyon: dramatic pink, red and white cliffs near the Caspian coast.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Turkmenistan
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheaper travel windows before you commit.
- Travel in the spring or autumn shoulder season, but avoid UK school holidays for lower fares.
- Compare the Istanbul and Dubai routings, as connection times and prices vary widely.
- Book a few months ahead and stay flexible on your departure day, as midweek flights are often cheaper.
Travel essentials
Nearly all UK passport holders need a tourist visa supported by a letter of invitation, arranged through a licensed Turkmen tour operator before departure; the visa is then typically issued on arrival at Ashgabat. A short transit visa is an alternative for overland trips. The currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT); bring clean US dollar notes in cash, as foreign cards and ATMs are frequently unreliable. Book several months ahead for the best choice, and check the charts above for timing.
