Turkmenistan Discussion

[747sp]

Thinking of going to fly into Ashgabat and out of Bishkek in September to visit the Stan countries. The usual option is Emirates but that could be a problem so the options are China Southern or Thai and Turkmenistan Airlines. Turkish Airlines also do it but is over 39 hours and is expensive.
Does anyone know any other options or have any suggestions?

 

[RooFlyer]

Ashgabat options. If you don't want the ME, its really only TK from IST or CZ from UMC.



Bishkek. CZ from several ports unless you take airlines like Scat, Tooway, Loong, Tezjet

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Who flies from ICN?

 

[odysseus]

For Bishkek, Tway Air - also fly to Sydney... so could be one stop for OP if based there.

https://www.twayair.com/app/main

For ASB, Turkmen air.

 

[elanshin]

I have heard that for Turkmenistan airlines, many things we take for granted for safety are only suggestions - like being seated and buckled in for take off and landing.

Also isn't the Visa quite coughbersome to get?

 

[Warks]

Kyrgyzstan looks amazingly scenic. I had a friend who worked there back in the mid 90s on agricultural projects (with a bit of missionary work as the ulterior motive) and it was a lot wilder back then. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan look like the standouts for me in the 'stans but I doubt I could ever lure Mrs Warks over there.

 

[RooFlyer]

Who flies from ICN?

Turkmenistan Airlines, like most of the destinations shown.

Also isn't the Visa quite coughbersome to get?

You can only get a tourist visa as part of an official tour ( unless more relaxed recently).

Kyrgyzstan looks amazingly scenic. I had a friend who worked there back in the mid 90s on agricultural projects (with a bit of missionary work as the ulterior motive) and it was a lot wilder back then. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan look like the standouts for me in the 'stans but I doubt I could ever lure Mrs Warks over there.

Each of the 5 Stans have their own points of amazement. If you want wild and mountainous, go Tajikistan

 

[Scarlett]

I really loved my four days in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Would have been even better if I’d caught the fast train and added Samarkand to my trip.

The real question for @747sp is not so much how you’re getting into Turkmenistan, as that is a fairly well trodden path these days, but more, how are you getting out? To the next ‘Stan? Doing a guided tour or organising the outbound yourself?

 

[markis10]

Turkmenistan operate into KUL, saw them yesterday.

 

[burmans]

You can only get a tourist visa as part of an official tour.

While my understanding is the same, I also believe there are some exceptions!

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