Ashgabat and Darvaza on a budget
Visit Turkmenistan on a 3-day tour starting and ending at Ashgabat International Airport
3 days / 2 nights
Itinerary
IMPORTANT: This is a budget tour and only airport transfers and the Ichoguz-Darvaza shuttle is included. All transport / sightseeing inside of Ashgabat is without a guide and not included. You can find a bus map here.
Day 1: Ashgabat
Meet the tourists at Ashgabat International Airport.
Transfer to Ak Altyn hotel (check-in available from 13:00).
Day on your own to explore Ashgabat without a guide.
Overnight in Ak Altyn hotel.
Day 2: Ashgabat - Darvaza
Breakfast.
Time on your own to explore Ashgabat without a guide.
Meet with the guide at Ashgabat railway station. (taxi/bus/transfer to the station is not included, you meet the guide at the station)
16:40: Depart on train #13 to Ichoguz.
Arrive in Ichoguz and take a shuttle car to Darvaza.
Observe the Darvaza Gas Crater - Turkmenistan's famous "Gates of Hell" in the Karakum Desert.
Return to Ichoguz railway station by shuttle car.
Depart on train #94 to Ashgabat.
Overnight in a kupe on the train.
Day 3: Ashgabat
7:22: Arrive at Ashgabat Railway Station.
Time on your own to explore Ashgabat without a guide.
Meet with guide and transfer to the airport.
End of tour.
Some prefer keeping the hotel room on night two while at Darvaza, so they do not have to bring all of their luggage. A single room is $55/night, while a double is $85/night.
Extra days in Ashgabat can be added for $30 per day + hotel.
Included
- Letter of Invitation
- Travel Tax
- English speaking guide
- Airport transfers
- Darvaza shuttle car
- Train tickets
- Accommodation (Ak Altyn hotel incl. breakfast, night train kupe)
Excluded
- Visa and other fees at the border (approximately $110 per person, more expensive for UK and Russians)
- Health Insurance
- Meals
- Alcohol drinks
- Transport inside Ashgabat
- Photo tickets at sights
- Single supplement - Ak Altyn hotel ($25, not available on the night train)
- Extra days in Ashgabat ($30/day + hotel)
- Tips and private expenses
From
289 USD / person
Route map
Follow the main route and stops for this tour on the map below.
Visa process
This tour includes e-visa support. We prepare and submit the application for you before you travel.
How the process works
Book with us
Book a tour, group tour, custom trip, or minimal package. We need your travel dates, entry point, exit point, and route before we can apply for your e-visa.
Fill in the e-visa form
Each traveler fills in the e-visa form online. You upload your passport scan and photo, and add the personal details required by the Migration Service.
We check and submit it
We review the application before submission. If something looks wrong, we contact you in the booking chat before sending it to migration services.
Review by the Migration Service
We submit your application to the Migration Service. Regular processing takes 7 to 12 days and costs $40 per person. Urgent processing takes 3 to 5 days and costs $80 per person.
Download the approved e-visa
When the e-visa is approved, it appears on your booking page. Print it and keep it with your passport.
Show it at passport control
Show the printed e-visa when you arrive. There is nothing to apply for or pay for at the visa counter. Our guide will enter the customs area and help you with everything.
E-visa and border fees
Our e-visa price is paid to us and is separate from the tour price. Border fees are paid directly to the border authorities.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-visa, regular processing | $40 | 7 to 12 days. Paid to us, per person. |
| or E-visa, urgent processing | $80 | 3 to 5 days. Paid to us, per person. |
| Immigration fee | $10 | Standard fee for all travelers |
| Bank fee | $5 | Processing fee for payment |
| COVID test | $30 | Required COVID test at the border. Still required in 2026! |
Border fees can change without notice. The final amount depends on nationality, entry point, current border rules, and official decisions.
What do we need to apply for your e-visa?
- Photo (a mobile phone selfie with a white background is sufficient)
- A scan of your passport (a full image of the passport is also okay, but with a clean background)
- Completed online form including personal information, work & family information
Important notes
- E-visa approval is decided by Turkmenistan authorities, not by us.
- Border fees are paid separately and are not included in our tour prices or in the e-visa price unless your booking says otherwise.
- Processing times depend on official workload, public holidays, and whether all traveler documents are complete.
- If migration services request extra information, you must provide it quickly to avoid delays.
Visa FAQ
Direct answers about the Turkmenistan e-visa.
Do I need an e-visa for Turkmenistan?
Yes. Travelers need an approved e-visa before they enter Turkmenistan. We prepare and submit the application for travelers who have booked a tour, group tour, custom trip, or Minimal Package with us.
Is the e-visa the same as the visa?
Yes. The e-visa is the visa itself, issued electronically before you travel. It replaces the old Letter of Invitation, which was only an approval document you exchanged for a visa at the border.
Can I get the visa on arrival?
No. Your e-visa must be approved before you travel. Print it and show it at passport control together with your passport.
How long does the e-visa take?
Regular processing takes 7 to 12 days. Urgent processing takes 3 to 5 days. Processing time depends on the Migration Service, public holidays, workload, and whether all documents are complete.
What documents do I need for the e-visa?
You need a passport scan, a photo, and the completed online e-visa form with personal, work, and family information. A clean phone photo of the passport and a selfie on a white background are usually enough.
Is the e-visa included in the tour price?
No. The e-visa costs $40 per person with regular processing, or $80 with urgent processing, and is paid separately from the tour. Border fees are also paid separately and depend on nationality and current rules.
How much does the e-visa cost?
Regular processing costs $40 per person and urgent processing costs $80 per person. This is paid separately from the price of all tours.
Can you guarantee e-visa approval?
No. E-visa approval is decided by Turkmenistan authorities. We check your documents, prepare the application, submit it, and guide you through the process, but the final decision is official.
Pay now to book your tour
To be paid upon arrival
410 USD
Paid in U.S. Dollars (cash)