Ashgabat

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Introduction

'Eight Legs'

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Ashgabat is the capital of Turkemistan and is the largest city in the country. It is located close to the border with Iran and has about 750000 inhabitants, mainly of Turkmen origin. It is a relatively young city but with a turbulent history, among which are two earthquakes killing tens of thousands of people during the last century. Nowadays, travellers who arrive by plane will stay a few nights in this remarkable city. Ashgabat is home to several museums and mosques and the famous golden statue of former President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi, leader of all Turkmens). The statue rotates in order to always face the sun and is said to be made of pure gold. It is a well planned city with wide boulevards and good hotels for people to stay. From Ashgabat, the cultural features of the country as well as the deserts are worth a visit.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Weather

Ashgabat has a continental climate with dry conditions year round. Summers are hot, winters are cold. Summer temperatures average around 35 degrees during the day, around 20 at night. But temperatures around 45 degrees are not unheard. Winters are on average not that cold, around zero, but occasionally temperatures can drop well below -20 degrees Celcius at night. The best time for a visit are spring and autumn when warm, sunny and dry conditions are the norm.

Getting There

By Plane

International
The national airline of Turkmenistan is Turkmenistan Airlines, with flights from Ashgabat to and from Beijing, Bangkok, Delhi, Tehran, Abu Dhabi and European destinations like Moscow, London and Frankfurt. Both Turkmenistan Airlines as Turkish Airlines have flights to and from Istanbul. From Europe, this is one of the best and cheapest connections.
Domestic
Turkmenistan Airlines has regular scheduled flights between Ashgabat, Chardzhou, Dashoguz, Mary, Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat, and to Kerki and Balkanabat a few times a week as well. Domestic flights are dirt cheap.

By Train

The Trans-Caspian Railway runs from Turkmenbashi at the Caspian Sea, through Ashgabat and Mary to Chardzhou in the east before continuing north to Uzbekistan. It takes about 16 hours to complete the journey between Turkmenistan and Ashgabat, which is many hours more than by bus or car.

By Car

By Bus

There are modern and comfortable long distance buses to Dashgouz, Mary, Turkmenabashi and Turkmenabat from Ashgabat. All other towns are serviced by less comfortable older buses and minibuses or taxis.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post