Is It Safe to Travel to Turkmenistan in 2026?
Turkmenistan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the north, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It is one of six independent Turkic states.
Is It Safe to Travel to Turkmenistan in 2026?
Turkmenistan is currently rated Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise normal precautions in Turkmenistan. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers may face challenges due to weak rule of law and potential arbitrary enforcement, particularly in remote areas.
Business travelers can expect basic infrastructure and services, but should remain aware of the potential for bureaucratic delays and corruption.
Families with children may encounter limited healthcare options outside the capital and should be cautious of health risks like tuberculosis and leptospirosis.
Remote workers can find adequate connectivity in urban areas, but should be prepared for potential bureaucratic hurdles regarding long-term stays.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Turkmenistan.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Turkmenistan has an overall threat severity of 2.0 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 3.5/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Not Free — scored 2/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Manat (TMT)
Language
Turkmen
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Turkmenistan
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Turkmenistan?
▶Is it safe to travel to Turkmenistan right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Turkmenistan?
▶What vaccines do I need for Turkmenistan?
▶Is Turkmenistan safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Turkmenistan?
More Turkmenistan Data
Not Free — 2/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.