Ashgabat (Turkmen: Aşgabat, also Ashkabat, Ashkhabad, Ashgabad, etc.) is the capital of Turkmenistan, surrounded by Ahal Province. It was designed as to be an impressive capital city, filled with monumental projects sheathed in costly white marble.

Street scene from Ashgabat

Ylham Alley Ashgabat

Beautiful view of Ashgabat city

Street view of Ashgabat , Turkmenistan

Understand

Ashgabat's historical appellation is "The City of Love" but nowadays its modern nickname, "The City of White Marble" will seem vastly more appropriate. Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006, transformed the city from a relatively drab Soviet capital to a city of pure white marble buildings, many containing some rather overbearing symbolism (the Ministry of World Affairs building is a perfect illustration). Short of Pyongyang, Ashgabat is probably the best example of what happens when a city gets redesigned according to the vision of exactly one man, and most visitors will find themselves at first awestruck and then severely confused given the sheer similarity of most of the buildings.

Ashgabat
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       0     7 −1       0     10 0       0     15 5       0     24 11       0     30 16       0     36 21       0     38 23       0     37 21       0     32 10       0     23 7       0     17 5       0     10 3 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Ashgabat has a typical continental climate. Summers are extremely hot and winters are rather cold.
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       0     45 30       0     50 32       0     59 41       0     75 52       0     86 61       0     97 70       0     100 73       0     99 70       0     90 50       0     73 45       0     63 41       0     50 37 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in

By plane

• 1 Ashgabat International Airport  

By rail

Turkmendemiryollari (Turkmenistan Zeleznice) runs trains to Ashgabat from Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabad via Mary.

Trains leave Turkmenbashi every second day at 19:30 and arrive in Ashgabat at 05:20 next morning or daily at 16:05, arriving in Ashgabat at 05:50 next morning. Prices from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi or Mary vary from 18 to 25 manat in a sleeper train.

Trains leave Turkmenabad at 18:00 and Mary at 00:25 daily and arrive in Ashgabat at 08:20 next morning, Another train leaves Turkmenabad at 21:55 and Mary at 02:50 every second day, arriving in Ashgabat at 09:35 next morning. There is a day train leaving Turkmenabad at 04:20 and Mary at 10:23, arriving in Ashgabat at 18:35.

By car

Distances to Ashgabat: Almaty in Kazakhstan 2120 km, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan 1870 km, Tashkent in Uzbekistan 1290 km, Samarkand in Uzbekistan 1000 km, Shakrisyabz in Uzbekistan 1100 km, Turkmenabad 590 km, Mary 350 km, Mashhad in Iran 270 km, Dashoguz 650 km.

Get around

"Taxi", by which everyone means hitchhiking is probably the best way to get around Ashgabat. Simply hold out your arm at a downward angle with two fingers extended, and a car (usually a Lada) will stop. Say where you are going. If they nod, get in, otherwise they will go on and you have to wait for the next car. Expect payment to be about US$2 per person. Hitchhiking is an entirely safe mode of transport in Turkmenistan—everyone uses it.

There are also official taxis which can be easily found in front of the arrivals hall of the airport and close to the railway station. They are safer but more expensive.

Ashgabat has a very extensive and convenient bus system. The main public transport hub is Teke Bazaar. From that place any location within the city or in its environs can be easily reached. In the modern part of the city there are air-conditioned bus stops with detailed maps of routes of every bus line departing from a stop. The cost of a single ride is 0.50 manat. The price should be paid by every passenger to the basket located close to driver's seat while getting off the bus. Alternatively a multi-ride should be presented to the driver.

See

Museums

• 1 National Museum  
• 2 Museum of Fine Arts  
• 3 Turkmen Carpet Museum  
• 4 Museum of Turkmen National Values (inside the Independence Monument), ☏ +993 12 451954. Daily 09:00-12:30, 14:00-17:30. In the first floor, the museum houses displays of silver jewellery for women and horses, and replicas of the golden bull- and wolf-head sculptures from Altyn Depe. US$10, 25,000 manat for photographs. 

Monuments

• 5 Oguzhan Palace (updated May 2022)
• 6 Turkmenistan Independence Monument  

Ashgabat flagpole with the Turkmenistani flag

Ashgabat Skyline with Yyldyz Hotel on left and Wedding Palace on right in background

• 7 Ashgabat Flagpole  
• 8 Inspiration Park (updated May 2022)
• 9 Wedding Palace (updated May 2022)
• 10 Neutrality Monument (updated May 2022)
• 11 Constitution Monument (updated May 2022)
• 12 Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex (updated May 2022)

Religious sites

• 13 Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque and Turkmenbashi Mausoleum (updated May 2022)
• 14 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque (updated May 2022)

Other sites

• 15 Tolkuchka Bazaar (8 km north of Ashgabad, past the airport). Sa Su 08:00-14:00. One of Central Asia's most colourful bazaars, 
• 16 Turkmenbashi Cableway  
• 17 Jeitun archaeological site (updated Mar 2018)

Do

Theatres

• Mollanepes Drama Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 79, ☏ +993 12 357463. W-Sa 19:00. US$0.25. 
• Magtymguly Theatre, Shevchenko köcesi, ☏ +993 12 350564. F-Su 19:00. Turkmen musical performances 
• Pushkin Russian Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 142, ☏ +993 12 3654193. Sa Su 19:00. US$0.25. 

Amusement Centers and Diversions

• 1 World of Turkmenbashi Tales (updated May 2022)
• 2 Alem Center. Alem meaning universe, the site boasts another record-setter for the city, as it supposedly holds the world's tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space. (updated May 2022)
• 3 Ashgabat Botanical Garden (updated May 2022)
• 4 Aşgabat Golf klub binasy, ☏ +993 63 93 88 66. Daily 09:00-22:00. A golf course that the 2nd president of Turkmenistan summoned Jack Nicklaus to build for his enjoyment in spite of economic hardship in the city. (updated May 2022)
• 5 Asghabat Zoo (next to the international hippodrome). Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. Includes some interesting animals like camels and donkeys suited to life in the Karakum Desert and the Turkomen dog. (updated May 2022)

Buy

• 1 Berkarar, Ataturk St 80 (opposite Sport Hotel/Olympic Stadium), ☏ +993 12 46 87 87. Daily 09:00-22:00. A very plush and classy mall with ornate escalators; ice rink; 3rd floor mezzanine restaurants with Uzbek, Turkmen, European food; movie theater; and atrium. (updated May 2022)
• Tolkuchka Bazaar: 8 km north of Ashgabad, past the airport, Sa Su 08:00 to 14:00, also Th morning at a smaller scale. Buy a telpek (sheepskin) for US$10-15, a khalat (red and yellow striped robe for men) for US$15 or a typical red carpet for US$150-250. Be aware that you also need an export certificate, which you can get at the 'expert commission' behind the Carpet Museum, Görogly köcesi 5.
• 2 Hemdem Haly (inside Oguzkent Hotel), ☏ +993 65 81 13 19. M-Sa 09:00-20:00, Su 10:00-20:00. Carpet shop (don't forget to get your export permit at the carpet museum). (updated May 2022)
• 3 State Shopping Center Gulistan (Russian Bazaar), 2011 street, Azadi Street 72 (opposite Grand Turkmen Hotel), ☏ +993 12 92 07 28. Daily 08:00-20:00. Central universal market: fruit, vegetables, handcrafts, clothing. 

Eat

• 1 Hezzet Restaurant, Oguzhan Street 5/7, ☏ +993 12 49 80 02. Daily 10:00-23:00. Authentic Turkmen food that you can eat seated on the ground in a yurt, or at a table, stuff like shashlik. (updated May 2022)
• 2 AlpEt Steakhouse, Rd of 9th Km (next to Hotel Ashgabat), ☏ +993 12 95 19 51. Daily 08:00-23:00. Have the steak, or just some coffee. (updated May 2022)
• Altyn Jam, Magtymgily sayoli 101, ☏ +993 12 93-02-22. European dishes and sweets. 

Drink

• City Pub, Alisher Navoi 54a Köçesi. (updated May 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Divan Hotel (formerly Hotel Nissa), Galkynysh St 70, ☏ +993 12 22-10-25, fax: +993 12 22-10-23, [email protected]. Apparently owned by family of Saparmurat Niyazov, this is a four-star hotel with air conditioning, swimming pool, pool bar, sauna, Turkish sauna, gym, jacuzzi. This is about the "best" quality hotel you'll find in Ashgabat (think somewhat run-down and a bit overpriced for its features), about a 10-minute walk from the war memorial and book shop. The restaurant has decent Italian food. Expect to come across lots of foreign workers, and women of dubious persuasion at the hotel bar. Some English is, however, spoken. 
• 2 Archabil Hotel (formerly Hotel President), Arçabil şaýoly 54, ☏ +993 12 40-00-00, fax: +993 12 40 00 41, +993 12 40 02 22. Very skyscraper-like. $161 (May 2022). 
• 3 Grand Turkmen Hotel (Гостиница "Грант Туркмен Отель"), ul. Georogly 7 (ул. Героглы, 7), 744000 Ашхабад, ☏ +993 12 51-05-55, fax: +993 12 511251, [email protected]. 
• 4 Hotel Ak Altyn, Magtumguly ave 141/1, ☏ +993 12 36 37 00, +993 12 363701, fax: +993 12 363543, +993 12 36 34 94, [email protected]. Visa accepted (MasterCard is not). Contains offices of the British Embassy and American Information Centre, so it's a good place to stay if you find yourself needing assistance. Supposed to have Wi-Fi but is so slow it's effectively useless, internet available in telecom building less than a block away though. US$75 per night. 
• 5 Hotel Ahal, Arçabil şaýoly 35, ☏ +993 12 48-87-39, fax: +993 12 48 01 92, [email protected]. 
• 6 Hotel Nebitchi, Arçabil şaýoly 29, ☏ +993 12 48-93-60, fax: +993 12 489312. 
• 7 Yyldyz Hotel (updated May 2022)

Cope

Internet

Internet cafes are available at some locations around town. Price is 6 TMT per hour.

• Yimpas Shopping Center
• Great Turkman Hotel
• Russian Market
• Sofitel, aka Oguz Kent, Features free WiFi in lobby and bar. (Ssd: Wireless; username: white; password: city)

Airlines

• Aeroflot, Turkmenistan Söwda merkazi, Magtymguly sayoli 73, ☏ +993 12 398792. 
• British Airways, Grand Turkmen Hotel, Görogly köcesi 71, ☏ +993 12 510799. 
• Lufthansa, http://www.lufthansa.com (Main concourse, Saparmurat Turkmenbash Airport), ☏ +993 12 510684, +993 12 510331. 
• Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Magtymguly sayoli 71, ☏ +993 12 511838. 
• Turkish Airlines, Ataturk Str. 82, Office A7-A8, ☏ +993 12 46 99 01, +993 12 23 20 59. 
• Turkmenistan Airlines, Magtymguly sayoli 82, ☏ +993 12 352643, +993 12 394271. 
• Uzbekistan Havo Yullari/Uzbekistan Airways, Main Concourse, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Airport, ☏ +993 12 378203. 
• Belavia, st. 2028 (Govshudova) 50/2, 4th Floor, ☏ +993 12 92 64 09. 

Emergencies

Dial 01 for the fire brigade, 02 for police, 03 for ambulance. Be aware that the operators will speak Turkmen and Russian only.

Embassies and consulates

• Afghanistan, Garashsyzlyk köcesi, Berzengi, ☏ +993 12 480757, fax: +993 12 480726. M-F 09:00-17:00. 
• Armenia, Ingenernaya köcesi 37, ☏ +993 12 354418, +993 12 395542, fax: +993 12 395538, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-12:00. 
• Azerbaijan, 2062 köcesi 44, ☏ +993 12 364608, fax: +993 12 3646510, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00. 
• Belarus, Maxim Gorki köcesi 81, ☏ +993 12 331183, fax: +993 12 331185. Tu-F 15:00-18:00. 
• China, 45, Archabil Str., ☏ +993 12 481815, fax: +993 12 481813, [email protected]. Tu-F 15:00-18:00. 
• France, Ak ALtyn Hotel, third floor, ☏ +993 12 363550, +993 12 363468, fax: +993 12 363546. M-F 09:00-13:00, 15:00-17:00. 
• 1 Georgia, Azadi köcesi 139a, ☏ +993 12 933929, fax: +993 12 933914, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-18:00. 
• Germany, Al Alty Hotel, first floor, Magtumguly Avenue, ☏ +993 12 363515, +993 12 363517, fax: +993 12 363522, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-12:00. 
• India, Emeryal Business Center, 1 Yunus Emre köcesi, mir 2/1, ☏ +993 12 456153, fax: +993 12 456156. 
• Iran, Tehran köcesi 3, ☏ +993 12 350236, fax: +993 12 350565. M-F 08:30-12:00. 
• Italy, Azadi köcesi 139/A, ☏ +993 12 369212. 
• Japan, Paytagi Offic Building, Parahat District, ☏ +993 12 477081, fax: +993 12 477083. 
• Kazakhstan, Garaszylik sayoli 11-13, International Ustay Compound, Berzengi, ☏ +993 12 480468, fax: +993 12 480468. Tu Th F 09:00-12:00, 17:00-18:00. 
• Kyrgyzstan, Görogly köcesi 14, ☏ +993 12 392064. M-F 10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00. 
• Netherlands, Tehran köcesi 17, ☏ +993 12 346700, fax: +993 12 344252. M-F 09:00-18:00. 
• Pakistan, Garashszlyk köcesi 4/1, ☏ +993 12 482128, +993 12 482129, fax: +993 12 482130, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-12:00. 
• Poland, Azadi köcesi 14, ☏ +993 12 274035, fax: +993 12 274035. 
• Romania, Str. Myati Kosayew 122, ☏ +993 12 347655, fax: +993 12 347620, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2021)
• Russia, Turkmenbashi sayoli 11, ☏ +993 12 335957, +993 12 391505, fax: +993 12 398466, [email protected]. 
• Saudi Arabia, Emperyal Business Center, Yunus Emre köcesi 1, ☏ +993 12 454963, fax: +993 12 454970. 
• Tajikistan, Gorgoly köcesi 14, ☏ +993 12 480163, fax: +993 12 481877, [email protected]. M-F 09:00-13:00, 15:00-17:00. 
• Turkey, Shevchenko köcesi 9, ☏ +993 12 354118, fax: +993 12 391914, [email protected]. 
• Ukraine, Azadi köcesi 49, ☏ +993 12 391874, fax: +993 12 391028, [email protected]. 
• United Arab Emirates, Kalifa center, Turkembashi sayoli 124, ☏ +993 12 456915, fax: +993 12 456916. 
• United Kingdom, Ak Altyn Hotel third floor, ☏ +993 12 363462, +993 12 363463, +993 12 363464. M-F 09:00-17:00. 
• United States, ☏ +993 12 94 00 45, fax: +993 12 94 26 14, [email protected]. 
• Uzbekistan, Turkmenbashy sayoli 124, ☏ +993 12 342419, fax: +993 12 342337. M W F 10:00-13:00. 

Medical services

• Central Hospital, Emre köcesi 1, ☏ +993 12 450303 or ☏ +993 12 450331. Foreigners have to pay for their medical treatment.
• International Medical Center, Berzegi, ☏ +993 12 519006 or ☏ +993 12 519008.
• Lechebnii Hospital, Shevchenko sayoli, ☏ +993 12 390877.
• Dr.Arslan Nepesow, Turkembashi köcesi 124, ☏ +993 12 425250.

Registration

• OVIR (State Service for the Registration of Foreign Citizens), 2011 köcesi 57, ☏ +993 12 391337, 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00. All persons entering Turkmenistan on a tourist or business visa have to register within three working days. You need three passport photos and your entry card. In most cases the tour operator that invited you will organise this for you. Persons holding transit visa are not required to register.

Go next

Nearby

• Nissa, 15 km west of Ashgabat, settlement dating back to the 2nd cent BC
• Geok Depe, 50 km west of Ashgabat, site of the final battle between troops of Turkmen and tsarist troops in 1881/84, Saparmurat Hags Mosque, erected by President Turkmenbashi
• Bakharden, 100 km West of Ashgabat, near the Kopet Dag mountains, cave with the Köw Ata Lake with hot thermal water, however, smelling of sulphur, a favorite place for excursion for people of Ashgabat at weekends.
• Nokhur, 150 km from Ashgabar in South Western Turkmenistan in the valleys of the Kopet Dag mountains. The people of Nokhur claim to be direct descendants of Macedonian warriors of Alexander the Great's times,
• Anau, 15 km south east of Ashgabat
• Altyn Depe is a settlement of the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages. It has been extensively excavated during the Soviet period. The settlement has specialised potter's quarters, evidence of a differentiation of the living quarters according to the wealth of their inhabitants and a monumental cult complex. During excavations a small golden head of a wolf and a bull were found. According to the Russian archaeologist V.M. Masson, the cult complex was dedicated to the Moon Good as in Mesopotamia. The site was abandoned in the middle of the second millennium BC.

Farther afield

By plane

Turkmenistan Airlines offers domestic flights to Dashoguz (4 flights per day), Turkmenabat (3 flights on Monday, 4 flights per day in the rest of the week), Mary (2 flights on Monday and Sunday, 3 flights per day in the rest of the week) Turkmenbashi (6 flights on Monday and Friday, 5 flights per day in the rest of the week), and Kerki (once every day) as of August 2024.

By rail

Turkmendemiryollari (Turkmenistan Zeleznice) (☏ +993 12 255545) runs trains from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat via Mary.

Train 24 to Turkmenbashi leaves Ashgabat every second day at 20:40 and arrives at Turkmenbashi at 06:55 next morning. Train 606 leaves Ashgabat daily at 20:10, arriving in Turkmenbashi at 09:15 next morning.

Trains to Turkmenabat and Mary leave Ashabat at 07:40 daily, arriving at Mary at 17:00 and at Turkmenabat at 23:00. Train 195 leaves Ashabat daily at 17:20 and arrives at Turkmenabat at 07:35 next morning. Train 21 leaves Ashabat every second day at 22:10, and arrives at Mary at 05:25 and at Turkmenabat at 09:40 next morning.

By 4WD

Ashgabat is probably the best place to hire someone to take you to Darvaza. The trip requires going off-road and is probably best not left to you average Lada.