This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under For Parents (travelling with children). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Turkmenistan because of the risk of terrorism.

Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Turkmenistan/Afghanistan border: We strongly advise you not to travel to the region bordering Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation and very high threat of terrorist attack in Afghanistan.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

You should avoid any large public gatherings or political demonstrations as they may turn violent.

Crime

Petty crime, including pickpocketing, mugging and theft, occurs throughout Turkmenistan particularly on trains and in markets.

You should avoid the use of public transport after dark.

Travelling alone or at night is unsafe, especially for women.

Gangs of bandits are known to operate in the south-east area of the country.

Local Travel

Identity checks are common and you should carry identification at all times and ensure all travel documents are in order. Foreigners may be subject to increased security checks and scrutiny from internal security, including questioning and car and home searches.

The regions bordering Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan, areas of the Caspian coast and Dashoguz are designated restricted zones and are closed to foreigners without government permission.

Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Roads can be particularly hazardous in winter and access to service stations can be limited in rural areas.

Random police checks on major roads occur routinely.

Rail travel can be unreliable. If you are travelling overnight, store your valuables in a safe place. Do not leave the compartment unattended and secure the door from the inside.

The use of official taxis and pre-negotiated fees may help to avoid disagreements with taxi drivers.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

Domestic aircraft in Turkmenistan are subject to uncertain maintenance and safety standards.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Turkmenistan is subject to earthquakes.

Heavy rains cause flooding and mudslides during the rainy season.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. The Turkmenistan economy is cash based with the US dollar being the principal currency. The local currency is Turkmen Manat (TMM). To avoid difficulties, ensure notes are in good condition. Travellers' cheques and credit cards are accepted in some major hotels. There are no automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Turkmenistan.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

Adults travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental, custodial and/or access rights, as well as a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Turkmenistan for up-to-date information.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Turkmenistan be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences, including possession, are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in local jails.

Homosexual acts between males are illegal. Penalties include a prison sentence of up to two years.

There is zero tolerance for drink driving in Turkmenistan (i.e. the only permissible blood alcohol level is zero).

Photography of sensitive sites such as military zones, military assets, military personnel, transportation facilities and government buildings is illegal.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Turkmenistan and you should take care not to offend.

Information for Dual Nationals

The level of consular assistance the Australian Government can provide to Australian/Turkmenistan dual nationals who are arrested or detained and have travelled on their Turkmenistan passport may be very limited.

Australian/Turkmenistan dual nationals may be required to perform military service in Turkmenistan. Australian/Turkmenistan dual nationals should seek advice from an Embassy or Consulate of Turkmenistan, such as the Turkmenistan Embassy in Washington DC (email: turkmen@earthlink.net) well in advance of travel.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

A visa is required for all travellers to Turkmenistan, including transit passengers. You are no longer able to obtain a visa on arrival.

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact an Embassy or Consulate of Turkmenistan, for example the Turkmenistan Embassy in Washington DC (email: turkmen@earthlink.net) for the most up-to-date information.

If you exchange currencies, you must complete customs declarations on both arrival and departure.

If you are staying in Turkmenistan for more than three days you must register with the Turkmenistan State Service for the Registration of Foreigners (SSRF). Visitors must return to an SSRF office to register their departure before leaving.

Visitors planning to stay in Turkmenistan for three months and longer must have current HIV certificates.

The Iran-Turkmenistan border is closed to foreigners.

Australian citizens and permanent residents who use passports of the former Soviet Union to enter Turkmenistan may experience difficulties with immigration authorities on departure. You should seek advice from local authorities on documentation requirements for exiting the country before you arrive.

A Ministry of Culture certificate may be required to export artefacts or cultural items out of Turkmenistan.

For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with one parent, local immigration authorities, in addition to the child's passport, may require a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) and a copy of the child's birth certificate. You should check these requirements with an Embassy or Consulate of Turkmenistan.

On arrival and departure, the Turkmen Government levies a migration fee.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities are limited with medicines and equipment often in short supply. Doctors and hospitals often require payment in cash prior to providing services, including for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could be considerable.

Malaria is a risk in some areas in the south-east of Turkmenistan. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid and hepatitis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Turkmenistan. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia:

Australian Embassy
10a/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok,
Moscow, Russia
Telephone +7 (495) 956 6070
Facsimile +7 (495) 956 6170
Website www.russia.embassy.gov.au

If you are travelling to Turkmenistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register on-line or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency – whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.