Intercity Buses in Turkmenistan: Routes, Prices and Timetable
Intercity buses in Turkmenistan run daily between all major cities and are among the cheapest transport options in the country. Here are the routes, prices, and departure times.
Intercity buses in Turkmenistan are one of the cheapest and most practical ways to travel between cities. All routes run daily, prices are low compared to almost any other travel cost in the country, and the buses depart from a modern purpose-built terminal in Ashgabat. If you are putting together a budget-conscious itinerary, the bus network is worth knowing about.
The International Bus Terminal in Ashgabat
All intercity buses from Ashgabat depart from the Halkara Awtomenzil, the International Bus Terminal, located on the northern edge of the city on the Ashgabat-Dashoguz highway, approximately 7 kilometres from the city centre. The building is a modern two-storey structure designed in the shape of a steering wheel, with four platforms serving intercity, suburban, and international routes. The terminal has a waiting hall for 260 passengers with LED departure boards, escalators, lifts, and a 50-room hotel attached for passengers with early departures or late arrivals. Up to 48 buses and 2,000 passengers per day pass through.
Intercity Bus Routes and Prices
The following routes run daily from and to Ashgabat. Prices are in Turkmen manat (TMT). Confirm current schedules and prices locally before travel as these can change.
| From | To | Price (TMT) | Days | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | Turkmenbashi | 65.00 | Every day | 11:00 |
| Ashgabat | Hazar (Caspian) | 65.00 | Every day | 9:00 |
| Ashgabat | Mollakara | 55.00 | Every day | 10:00 |
| Ashgabat | Turkmenabat | 75.00 | Every day | 11:50 |
| Ashgabat | Bayramali | 55.00 | Every day | 8:00 |
| Ashgabat | Mary | 50.00 | Every day | 7:00 |
| Ashgabat | Yoloten | 55.00 | Every day | 8:00 |
| Ashgabat | Awaza | 100.00 | Every day | 9:00 |
| Turkmenbashi | Ashgabat | 65.00 | Every day | 11:00 |
| Hazar (Caspian) | Ashgabat | 65.00 | Every day | 9:00 |
| Mollakara | Ashgabat | 55.00 | Every day | 10:00 |
| Turkmenabat | Ashgabat | 75.00 | Every day | 11:50 |
| Bayramali | Ashgabat | 55.00 | Every day | 8:00 |
| Mary | Ashgabat | 50.00 | Every day | 7:00 |
| Yoloten | Ashgabat | 55.00 | Every day | 8:00 |
| Awaza | Ashgabat | 100.00 | Every day | 9:00 |
Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and Awaza
The route west to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea is one of the most popular for tourists, particularly those continuing to the Awaza resort area. Buses to Awaza run daily at 9:00 and cost 100 TMT. Buses to Turkmenbashi depart at 11:00 and cost 65 TMT. The Caspian coast is a very different Turkmenistan from the desert interior, and the bus is by far the cheapest way to get there.
Ashgabat to Mary and Bayramali
Buses to Mary depart daily at 7:00 and cost 50 TMT, making this one of the cheapest long-distance routes in the country. Mary is the gateway to the ancient Merv UNESCO site, and travelers combining a city visit with a trip to the ruins will find the bus a practical option. Bayramali, close to the Merv site itself, is served by a separate route departing at 8:00 for 55 TMT.
Ashgabat to Turkmenabat
Turkmenabat in the east, near the Uzbek border, is served by a daily bus departing at 11:50 for 75 TMT. This is the longest route on the network and crosses a significant stretch of the Karakum Desert.
Why Do Tour Packages Not Include Bus Travel?
Buses in Turkmenistan are so cheap that tickets sell out within days of being released for booking. By the time a tour is confirmed and a visa arranged, seats on the relevant departure are often gone. This makes it very difficult to build a reliable itinerary around bus transport, which is why standard tour programs use private vehicles or trains instead.
That said, if you want a custom itinerary that uses buses to keep costs down, we can arrange this. You will need to book 1 to 2 months in advance to give enough lead time to secure seats before they sell out. Get in touch via Turkmenistan tours and we can put together a program that works around the bus schedule.
Buses and Guided Tours
While intercity buses are a genuine budget option, all travel in Turkmenistan requires a booked tour and visa support. Buses work best as one component of a wider itinerary arranged through your operator, rather than as independent transport. Your operator can advise on which legs of your trip are best covered by bus, train, or private vehicle depending on your schedule and budget. Browse itinerary options at Turkmenistan tours or check shared group departures at group tours. Visa support details are at visa support.