Practical information Turkmenistan

1886058  sq.mi

Approximately 9 hrs 30 mins.

6000000 hab.

The Achkhabad airport is nearly four miles from the town-centre. The taxi fare for the journey is about 3 $.

Turkmenistan, like all other Central Asian countries is not really dangerous. The crime rate here is not as high as in most big western cities. However, watch out for your luggage; lock them and don't leave things in view in your room. Store your money and CB in a safe area.

Turkmen is the official language. Russian is widely used, somtimes more often than Turkmen.

European citizens who wish to visit Turkmenistan will need to get a visa. Your passport, valid for more than three months and your return ticket will be requested. A single-entry visa, costs 32 pounds for 10 days, 48 pounds for 1 month and 105 pounds for three months. The multiple entry visa, valid for three months, costs 161 pounds.

89% Muslism and 9% Christian Orthodox.

The currency is the Turkmen New Manat (TMT). 1 pound Sterling = 4.36861 manats. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted mainly in larger and mid-range hotels, car rental agencies and some shops, and you can only withdraw cash over the counter at a few banks. There are also a few cash machines in Achkhabad. For the time being, dollars are a better bet than pounds,but go for credit cards and cash rather than travellers cheques. Make sure you arrive at the airport with some dollars in small denominations to pay for the taxi and other small expenses. Banks are open during the week from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Flying is the most effective and relatively comfortable means to get to Turkmenbashi from Achkhabed. Travelling by train is long but isenjoyably folkloric and rich in discoveries, if you have the time. The same applies to coaches, which are faster and more practical than trains. You can always rent a local chauffeur-driven car, agreeing on the fare in advance, of course. Get information at the coach stations, train stations or your hotel. Or take shared taxis, making sure you agree on the fare before leaving to avoid any bad surprises. The fare often depends on the number of passengers on board. Misshapen roads, unmarked road works and abrupt changes in weather conditions require careful driving.
Useful numbers of the highway patrol force (spoken language: Russian and Turkmen).
General Department of the Highway Police Force at the Ministry of Interior in Achgabat: 00-993-12- 34.08.05. and 34.68.05
Department of the HPF in the Balkan region: (2.22) 4.45.60.
Department of the HPF in the Mary region:: (5.22) 3.31.81.
Department of the HPF in the Lepad region:: (4.22) 2.39.30.
Department of the HPF in the Dachoguz region:: (3.22) 2.33.11.

Vaccines. No mandatory vaccines. Speak to your doctor for basic vaccinations: DT Polio/Typhim/Hevac B. Some infectious diseases are widespread in the area : typhoid fever, hepatitises A and B, intestinal infections, tuberculosis, MST, brucellosis and diphtheria. Some cases of rabies. The vaccination against yellow fever is required for any citizens coming from a country affected by this disease.

It is recommended to drink mineral water in bottles if you are not sure of the quality of tap water. Avoid eating raw foods and respect the usual hygiene measures such as washing your hands before eating, for instance. In the desert, you should watch out for snakes and scorpions.

In case of health problems, contact your embassy, rather than going to any local hospital.

Useful numbers:
35 83 47/30 23 12.
In case of a hospitalisation:
Central Hospital, Mir 2/1 - International Business Center, Yunus Emre Street n° 1, Achgabat; tel.: 45.03.03.
International Medical Centre S.A. Nyazov, Berzengui/Achgabat (cardiology, general surgery) telephone: 51.90.06 and 51.90.08.

220 V. Same electrical plugs as the ones in France. Adapter needed.

300 000 tourists travelled to Turkmenistan in 1998.

unknown.

To call Turkmenistan from the UK: Dial 00 +993 + town code (Achkhabad : 12, Turkmenbashi : 243 + number you are calling.
From Turkmenistan to the UK: dial 8 +10 + 44+ number you are calling, without the initial 0.