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 Letter of Invitation support, which you use to get your Turkmenistan visa on arrival.
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 prepare visa support.
Fill in the LOI form
Each traveler fills in the Letter of Invitation (LOI) form online. You upload your passport scan and visa photo, and add the personal details required by migration services.
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 will submit your application to the Migration Service, which reviews applications every Tuesday and Friday. Urgent processing takes 7-12 days, while standard processing can take up to 21 days.
Download the approved LOI
When the LOI is approved, it appears on your booking page. Print it and keep it with your passport for arrival.
Use it at the border or airport
Show the printed LOI on arrival, pay the official fees, and receive your Turkmenistan visa at the airport or land border. Our guide will enter the customs area and help you with everything.
Visa and border fees
These are separate from our tour costs and are paid directly to the border authorities.
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa at an embassy/consulate (difficult) | Usually $35 | Varies by nationality and embassy/consulate |
| or Visa on arrival (easy) | Usually $55-150 | Varies by nationality ($65 for most EU citizens, $150 for Russians) |
| 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! |
These fees can change without notice. The final amount depends on nationality, place of issue, current border rules, and official decisions.
What do we need to apply for your LOI?
- 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
- LOI approval is decided by Turkmenistan authorities, not by us.
- Visa and border fees are paid separately and are not included in our tour or LOI support prices 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 Letter of Invitation and visa on arrival.
Do I need a Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan?
Yes. Travelers normally need an approved Letter of Invitation before entering Turkmenistan. We prepare the LOI application for travelers who have booked a tour, group tour, custom trip, or Minimal Package with us.
Is the LOI the same as the visa?
No. The LOI is the approval document. You use it to receive the actual Turkmenistan visa on arrival at the airport or land border, or at a Turkmenistan embassy or consulate.
Can I get the visa on arrival?
Yes, if your LOI has been approved before you travel. On arrival, you show the printed LOI, pay the official visa and border fees, and receive the visa at the airport or land border.
How long does the LOI take?
Urgent processing usually takes 7 to 12 days, while standard processing can take up to 21 days. Processing time depends on the Migration Service, public holidays, workload, and whether all documents are complete.
What documents do I need for the LOI?
You need a passport scan, a visa photo, and the completed online LOI form with personal, work, and family information. A clean phone photo of the passport and a selfie on a white background are usually enough.
Are visa fees included in the tour price?
No. Visa and border fees are paid separately to the border authorities unless your booking clearly says otherwise. The tour price covers the travel services, while official visa fees depend on nationality and current rules.
How much does the LOI cost?
The LOI costs us $120 per person, but it is included in all tours.
Can you guarantee LOI approval?
No. LOI 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)