Turkmenistan Info
Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 12
Home Country: turkmenistan
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 Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:41 am Post subject: GETTING AROUND IN TURKMENISTAN / TURKMENISTAN TRANSPORTATION |
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GETTING AROUND IN TURKMENISTAN
BY AIR
Turkmenistan Airlines runs regular flights between Ashgabat, Chardzhou, Dashoguz, Mary, Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat, and once daily flights to Kerki (far east) and Balkanabat. All flight tickets have to be paid for in local currency.
Flights are subsidised, and due to fuel costs, extremely cheap. Prices are around US $5 for a flight from Ashgabat to Mary or Dashoguz. Turkmenistan Airlines operates with a new fleet of Boeing 737s, purchased in 2001. Be aware that you might not be able to photograph freely in and around the airport, though this is not unheard of elsewhere.
BY RIVER/ LAKE
The Amu Darya is an important inland waterway for Turkmenistan.
BY RAIL
There is a daytime and overnight train between Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi; two daily overnight trains to Turkmenabat, one continuing to Dashgouz; and a daily overnight service between Ashgabat and Gushgi via Mary (although Gushgi is off limits due to its border with Afghanistan). The Trans-Caspian Railway runs from Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) in the west, through Ashgabat and Mary to Chardzhou in the east before continuing to Bukhara in Uzbekistan.
Journeys are, however, slow (up to 16 hours from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi). So unless you have a specific interest, plane travel is the best way to get around the country.
BY ROAD
Traffic drives on the right. Conditions can be dangerous. The main road in Turkmenistan runs along the route of the Trans-Caspian Railway (see above). There is also a road that runs north from Ashgabat to Tashauz and Kunya-Urgench before crossing into Uzbekistan. This road crosses 500km (311 miles) of the Kara-Kum desert.
Bus
Cheap services are available within all the major towns. Modern and comfortable long-distance buses also operate to Dashgouz, Mary, Turkmenabashi and Turkmenabat from Ashgabat.
Taxi
Taxis and chauffeur-driven cars for hire can be found in all major towns. Many are unlicensed and travelers are advised to agree the fare in advance. As many of the street names have changed since independence, it is also advisable to ascertain both the old and the new street names when asking directions.
"Taxis" are mostly unofficial - and can be hailed by flagging down a car by the roadside. Haggle, and agree on the destination and price in advance - knowledge of Russian will definitely come in handy at this point. The usual caution applies when you do get into one of these.
Car rental
Self-drive rental is available from a few large hotels. Drinking and driving is strictly forbidden.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit, or national licence with authorised translation, is required. |
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