CENTRAL ASIA TRAVEL BLOG
How to Get to Turkmenistan: Flights to Ashgabat & Land Borders from Uzbekistan
There are two ways into Turkmenistan: fly into Ashgabat, or cross overland from Uzbekistan near Khiva or Bukhara — and many travellers combine the two by flying into Uzbekistan first, where there are more flights to choose from. Here is how each route works in practice, from a local team that meets travellers at the airport and at both borders every week.
First Things First: Your e-Visa
However you arrive, you need a Turkmenistan visa before you travel. Since October 2026 tourists apply for an e-Visa online, and an invitation letter is no longer required. In practice we prepare the application for you once your route and dates are agreed: you check it, pay the visa fee and we submit it. Allow about two weeks for standard processing.
Everything about documents, fees and timing is in our Turkmenistan e-Visa guide.
Flying to Ashgabat
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) is the main international gateway to Turkmenistan. There are no non-stop flights from North America, Australia or Japan, and only a few a week from Western Europe, so most travellers connect through one hub: Istanbul or Dubai for most of the world, or one of the cities served directly by the national carrier, Turkmenistan Airlines.
| Hub | Airlines | Good for travellers from |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Turkish Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines | Europe, the UK, the Americas — the busiest route, with several flights a day |
| Dubai | flydubai (with Emirates connections) | Australia, New Zealand, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East |
| Abu Dhabi | Turkmenistan Airlines | Connections from the Gulf and beyond |
| Frankfurt, London, Milan | Turkmenistan Airlines | Europe — direct flights a few times a week |
| Seoul (Incheon) | Turkmenistan Airlines | Korea, Japan, Hong Kong |
| Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi | Turkmenistan Airlines | East and Southeast Asia, India, Australia |
| Ürümqi | China Southern | China and connections from East Asia |
| Moscow, Kazan | S7 Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines | Russia and the CIS |
Routes and frequencies change with the season. Always check the airline's current schedule before you book.
Which hub to choose from your country
- Europe and the UK: Istanbul is the easiest choice, with the most flights and good connections from almost every European city. Turkmenistan Airlines also flies direct from Frankfurt, London and Milan.
- USA and Canada: one stop in Istanbul or Dubai. Expect a long journey, so plan a rest day before your tour starts if you can.
- Australia and New Zealand: Dubai is usually the most convenient, with Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur as alternatives on Turkmenistan Airlines.
- Japan, Hong Kong and Korea: look at Seoul with Turkmenistan Airlines, or connect through Istanbul or Dubai.
Night arrivals are normal. Many international flights land in Ashgabat in the small hours. That is no problem: send us your flight number, and your guide and driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall whatever the time.
Arriving at Ashgabat Airport
Ashgabat's airport terminal, built in the shape of a flying falcon, is one of the most striking in Central Asia — and arriving is simpler than many travellers expect.
Show your passport and approved e-Visa. Arrival fees — the migration registration and medical check, about US$49 per person — are paid in cash at the airport.
Your guide and driver wait in the arrivals hall, help with your luggage and take you into the city.
Rest at the hotel or head straight out to explore the white-marble capital — day 1 is planned around your flight time.
See all our Turkmenistan tours from Ashgabat, from short Darvaza loops to week-long journeys across the country.
Overland from Uzbekistan
If you are already travelling the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, crossing by land is usually the easiest option. There are currently no direct flights between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the two main crossings are close to Khiva and Bukhara.
Shavat border — from Khiva
The Shavat–Dashoguz crossing is only about 60 km from Khiva, and it is the shortest way to the Darvaza Gas Crater. The border opens at 9 am, so most travellers leave Khiva at around 7:30. On the Turkmen side, your guide and driver are waiting right after the checkpoint.
Step-by-step details are in our Shavat border guide, and all routes that start here are on Turkmenistan tours from Khiva.
Farap border — from Bukhara
The Farap–Alat crossing is the southern gateway, near Turkmenabat. It is the natural start or end point for routes through Ancient Merv and Ashgabat, and many travellers use it to finish a Khiva-to-Bukhara journey across Turkmenistan. See Turkmenistan tours from Bukhara.
Getting to the border on the Uzbek side is not part of the Turkmenistan tour, but we can arrange it with our local partner and time it with your tour. See border transfer options and prices.
Fly into Uzbekistan, then cross overland
Uzbekistan has far more international flights than Turkmenistan, including direct flights from Europe and low-cost airlines, so it is often easier to fly into Uzbekistan and cross into Turkmenistan by land. From Europe and Turkey it is frequently cheaper too; from North America the difference is smaller, and Ashgabat can even work out cheaper. Compare both options for your dates. Three combinations work especially well:
- Urgench → Shavat. Urgench is the airport for Khiva, about 30 km away, with flights from Istanbul, Tashkent and other cities. From Khiva it is a short drive to the Shavat border — the quickest way to Darvaza.
- Bukhara → Farap. Bukhara's airport has flights from Istanbul and connections through Tashkent. From Bukhara you cross at Farap and start a route through Merv and Ashgabat.
- Tashkent → train. Tashkent is the country's main hub. Fast trains run from Tashkent to Bukhara and to Khiva, so you can see the Silk Road cities on the way to the border.
Whichever airport you choose, remember that you will cross by land, so your Turkmenistan e-Visa still needs to be approved before you set off.
Which Way In Is Best for You?
Many of our routes enter one way and leave another, so you never have to backtrack. Here are the most common combinations:
| Your plan | Enter | Leave | A good fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| A short trip, flying in and out | Ashgabat airport | Ashgabat airport | 3 days: Darvaza & Ancient Merv |
| Already in Khiva, short on time | Shavat | Shavat | 2-day Darvaza trip from Khiva |
| Travelling Khiva → Bukhara | Shavat | Farap | 3–5 day routes compared |
| Fly in, continue to Uzbekistan | Ashgabat airport | Shavat (Khiva) | 7 days from Ashgabat to Khiva |
| Start in Bukhara, fly home | Farap | Ashgabat airport | 3 days from Bukhara to Ashgabat |
Combining Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan fits naturally into a Silk Road trip through Uzbekistan. The simplest plan is an open-jaw ticket: fly into Ashgabat and home from Tashkent or Samarkand — or the other way round — and cross between the two countries overland at Shavat or Farap. You see both countries without retracing your steps, and the crossing itself becomes part of the journey.
Not sure how to fit it together? Our Turkmenistan itinerary guide shows the best 3, 5, 7 and 9-day routes.
Not sure which way in?
Send us your flight plans or your Uzbekistan itinerary, and we'll suggest the easiest way to fit Turkmenistan in.
Ask us on WhatsAppHow to Get to Turkmenistan: FAQ
Are there direct flights to Turkmenistan?
Yes, to Ashgabat from a number of cities, including Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Seoul, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, Ürümqi, Moscow and Kazan. From most of Europe, the Americas, Australia and Japan you will need one connection, usually in Istanbul or Dubai.
Are there flights between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan?
Not at the moment. Travellers cross overland instead, at the Shavat border near Khiva or the Farap border near Bukhara.
Is it cheaper to fly into Uzbekistan instead of Ashgabat?
From Europe and Turkey it often is. Uzbekistan has many more international flights, including direct flights from Europe and low-cost airlines, to Tashkent, Bukhara and Urgench (the airport for Khiva). From North America the difference is smaller, and Ashgabat can be the cheaper option. From Uzbekistan you cross into Turkmenistan by land at Shavat or Farap. Fares change all the time, so compare both for your dates.
Can I enter Turkmenistan by land and leave by plane?
Yes. Many of our routes start at the Shavat or Farap border and finish at Ashgabat airport, and others work the other way round.
Do I need my visa before I travel?
Yes. Your e-Visa must be approved before you travel, whether you fly in or cross by land. We prepare the application for you once your route and dates are agreed.
What if my flight lands in the middle of the night?
That's common and no problem. Send us your flight number, and your guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals hall whatever the time.
Which border is closest to the Darvaza Gas Crater?
The Shavat border near Khiva. It is the shortest way to the crater from Uzbekistan, which is why our 2-day Darvaza trip starts and ends there.