Travel Vaccines and Advice for Turkmenistan

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Turkmenistan. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Turkmenistan: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, anthrax, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.

See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

A passport and visa are required for travel to Turkmenistan. Passports must have at least six months validity at entry.

Turkmenistan Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Turkmenistan?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Turkmenistan and U.S. State Department

Note, Turkmenistan has very different requirements for dual citizens and may deny exit. Be sure to consult with a Passport Health passport and visa specialist before your trip.

Turkmenistan’s climate is continental. April to June is the best time to visit with sunshine and cool temperatures. From September to November you will feel the summer heat. In December it’s important to stay warm. You will see snow in the desert if you plan to travel this time of year.

January is the coolest month with temperatures ranging from below freezing. The hottest month is July and the temperatures can reach the high-80’s.

People visiting Turkmenistan are not allowed to travel to “restricted zones” without permission. Iran, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan are places people are restricted from. Dashoguz, Dashoguz City, and some places along the coast of Caspian are not allowed as well. It usually takes 10 working days for the State Migration Service to process requests. People who plan to travel by Turkmenistan Airlines need to have proof of their permission to travel to the restricted zones.

Visitors to the country may be put under surveillance. Certain places or things may be monitored like hotel rooms, telephones and internet traffic. It’s important to keep your passport with you at all times because you don’t want to be detained. At night officers may be more aggressive in asking for your identity papers and they might ask for a bribe. If you’re unsure that the officer is official, you should ask for their identification to feel more at ease.

There aren’t many reports of violence. But, you should take precautions anyway. Don’t travel in the dark or in deserted or unfamiliar areas of Turkmenistan. Victims of a crime or victims of domestic violence should contact the embassy for assistance.

There is so much to see and do in Turkmenistan. If you’re interested in a real piece of history in nature, the Gates of Hell is the place to see. It is a 230 ft. wide crater that is located in the Karakum Desert and can be seen for miles. The crater is about the size of a football field and is approximately 20 meters deep. It has been on fire for more than 50 years and travelers can see the flames rising from the earth.

The people who live nearby this crater call it the Gates of Hell because of the glow that continues to come up from the pit. This place has become a popular tourist site, as travelers stay overnight to experience it. Visitors will experience the extreme heat if they stay near the crater.

Tourists can get to the Gates of Hell from Ashgabat on camel. A traditional yurt is what tourists will be able to stay in when they arrive at the Gates of Hell.

When you travel to Turkmenistan, there are some things you should take with you on your trip.

• Passport and Visa — You must have a passport that is valid for six months. A blank page on your passport is needed to get an entry stamp. A visa is also required to enter Turkmenistan.
• Money — Manat is the official currency of Turkmenistan. Credit cards can only be used in Ashgabat at big international hotels. In the capital you shouldn’t rely on credit or debit cards.
• Health and Safety — Travelers should pack all the medications you may need for your trip. Supplies to prevent illness or injury and a first-aid kit are recommended.

All Americans visiting Turkmenistan should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.

Once in Turkmenistan, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:

U.S. Embassy Ashgabat
9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street)
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Phone: (+99312) 940045

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