Turkmenistan Map: 11 Maps of Turkmenistan (Location, Attractions)

Turkmenistan Location on World Map: Where Is Turkmenistan on the Map?

Turkmenistan Location on World Map

When you look at a Turkmenistan Location on World Map, we sit right in the heart of the Eurasian continent.

If we zoom in to see where is Turkmenistan on the map of Central Asia, you will find us tucked into the southwestern corner. We are the southernmost of the 5 "Stans."

This special spot means we have a bit of everything: the vast Karakum Desert (which covers 80% of our land!), the cool breeze from the Caspian Sea to the west, and the high, rugged Kopet Dag Mountains that guard our southern edge.

Map of Turkmenistan with Cities & Regions: Ashgabat, the 5 Welayats, and Hubs

Map of Turkmenistan with Cities, Regions & Hubs

Now that you know where we are, let's look closer at our own backyard. To really understand the layout, it helps to see a Map of Turkmenistan with Cities.

We divide our country into 5 main regions, or "Welayats," plus our capital city - Ashgabat. Each one has its own personality!

Major Transportation Hubs:

To get around this vast land, you'll be using a few key "jumping off" points. Here is where the big planes and trains live:

International Gateway: Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) is where almost all our international friends land. It is shaped like a giant falcon—you can't miss it!

Airports for Internal Flights: To save time, you can hop between domestic terminals in Mary (MYP), Dashoguz (TAZ), Turkmenabat (CRZ), Turkmenbashy (KRW), and the newer Kerki (KEA) airport.

Major Railway Station: The Ashgabat Railway Station is the grand central hub. Other vital stations for travelers include Mary, Turkmenabat, and the coastal station at Turkmenbashy.

Turkmenistan Population Density Map: Where Do People in Turkmenistan Live?

Turkmenistan Population Density Map

Now, if you look at a Turkmenistan Population Density Map, you'll see something interesting!

Most of the "action" happens in the lush strips along the south and east. That's because these are fertile oases where life has thrived for thousands of years. This is where you'll find bustling hubs like Ashgabat, Mary, and Turkmenabat.

The middle of the country? That's the great Karakum Desert. It's mostly empty, except for a few brave souls and the glowing Darvaza Gas Crater.

Map of Turkmenistan Attractions: 13 "Can't-Miss" Sights and Must-Visit Places

Map of Turkmenistan Attractions

This is the map every traveler loves! Our Map of Turkmenistan Attractions is your ultimate bucket list, showing exactly where the country's ancient souls and fiery wonders are hidden.

Here are the main tourist places in Turkmenistan and the must-visit spots that we always recommend to our friends:

Ashgabat (The White Marble Gateway)

Most journeys start here! It is a Guinness World Record holder for its white marble buildings. You have to see the Neutrality Monument and the Turkmen Carpet Museum, which houses some of the largest and most beautiful hand-woven carpets in the world.

Just nearby, you can visit the Akhal-Teke Horse Stables to meet our national pride – the famous "Golden Horses." While you are in the area, don't miss the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa fortress or the spiritual Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque.

Or, day another day trip to Kow-Ata Underground Lake, located 90 km west of the capital city, Ashgabat, within the Bakharden Cave.

Darvaza (The Gates of Hell)

Darvaza Gas Crater

Darvaza Gas Crater

Right in the center of the Turkmenistan Map, this is our most famous spot - Darvaza Buring Gas Crater in Karakum Desert! It is a massive gas crater that has been burning in the middle of the Karakum Desert since 1971.

Seeing it glow under a pitch-black desert sky is something you will never forget.

Mary & Merv (The Silk Road Soul)

To the east, the city of Mary is your base for exploring Ancient Merv. This UNESCO site was once one of the largest cities in the world.

Walking through the ruins of Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, you can almost hear the echoes of ancient camel caravans.

Dashoguz & Kunya-Urgench

Turkmenistan Kunya Urgench

Turkmenistan Kunya Urgench

In the north, near the Uzbek border, Kunya-Urgench shows off the brilliant architecture of the Khorezmshahs. The Kutlug Timur Minaret is the tallest in Central Asia and stands as a lonely, beautiful tower against the blue sky.

Turkmenbashy (Yangykala Canyon)

Out west by the Caspian Sea, the landscape changes completely. Yangykala Canyon is often called our "Grand Canyon." Its striped pink, red, and orange cliffs were once the floor of a prehistoric ocean.

Plus, visit Gozli Ata Temple, a revered Muslim pilgrimage site in the Karakum desert, dedicated to the famous Sufi saint, Gozli Ata.

Recommended Tours:

7 Days Turkmenistan Adventure Tour: Door to Hell, Canyon Hiking & Dinosaur Plateau

Koytendag (The Dinosaur Plateau)

In the far eastern corner, the mountains hide a real-life Jurassic Park. The Dinosaur Plateau has some of the best-preserved footprints in the world, frozen in stone for millions of years.

Recommended Tours:

8 Days Turkmenistan Tour: Eastern & Central Turkmenistan & White Marble City (Slow-paced)

Travel Map of Turkmenistan: 2 Itinerary Routes to Plot Your Adventure

To help you visualize your journey, we've put together 2 of our most popular travel routes on Turkmenistan Map.

Whether you have just a long weekend or a full five days, these paths show you the heart and soul of the Silk Road.

Route One: 3 Days "Door to Hell" & Ancient Merv

Travel Map of Turkmenistan

This is our "express" route. It is perfect if you are on a tight schedule but don't want to miss the two most iconic spots on the Turkmenistan map.

The Loop: Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat → Mary → Ashgabat

Recommended Tours:

3 Days Turkmenistan Door to Hell Tour with Ancient Merv

Route Two: 5 Days Classic Turkmenistan Tour

Travel Map of Turkmenistan

This is our most popular route. It takes you from the southern mountains all the way to the northern border.

The Loop: Ashgabat → Mary → Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater → Kunya-Urgench → Ashgabat

Recommended Tours:

5 Days Classic Turkmenistan Tour: UNESCO Ancient Wonders & Door to Hell

Insider Tip: When you look at these paths on a map of Turkmenistan, they might look like short hops, but the desert is huge! To make these Turkmenistan itineraries work smoothly, we mix private 4x4 desert drives with quick domestic flights.

At Asia Odyssey Travel, we handle all the logistics—from the desert camping gear at Darvaza to the flight tickets—so you can just focus on the views.

Map of Turkmenistan Transportation: How to Getting There & Around?

Map of Turkmenistan Transportation

Turkmenistan is a big country, and while some roads are smooth, others are a bit more adventurous. To help you plan, I've put together this Map of Turkmenistan Transportation guide.

Whether you're crossing from Uzbekistan or flying across the desert, here is the breakdown of the most popular routes.

A Detailed Breakdown of the Journey:

From Uzbekistan (North): Most friends start by crossing from Khiva to Dashoguz. It's a quick hop, and from there, it's only another 1.5 hours to the ancient minarets of Kunya-Urgench.

Related Article:Khiva to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan): 4 Steps via Shavat-Dashoguz | 2026

The Desert Crossing: The drive from Kunya-Urgench to the Darvaza Gas Crater is a true highlight! It takes about 4.5 hours in a sturdy 4x4. After a night by the "Gates of Hell," the 3.5-hour drive south to Ashgabat is much smoother.

Around the Capital: Once you're in Ashgabat, the UNESCO site of Old Nisa is just a quick 25-minute zip away.

Heading West or East: If you want to see the pink cliffs of Yangykala Canyon (near Turkmenbashy), it's a long 7-hour drive or a quick flight. Similarly, reaching Mary is best done by a 40-minute flight, though the 4.5-hour drive on the new highway is also very comfortable.

The Far Frontier: To see the dinosaur footprints in Koytendag, be ready for a long, 7-8 hour expedition from Mary. It's a rugged path, but the mountain views are worth every minute!

Connecting back to Uzbekistan: Finally, if you're heading to Bukhara, the 2-hour drive from Turkmenabat is the classic way to finish your loop.

Turkmenistan Railway Map: 4 Railway Lines on Map

Turkmenistan Railway Map

For a truly local experience, you have to try the train! The Turkmenistan Railway Map is what you'll need.

There are 4 main railway lines that our travelers usually use. Most are sleeper trains, which are a great way to save on a hotel night and wake up in a brand-new city!

Turkmenistan Road Map: Hitting the Highways and Desert Tracks

Turkmenistan Road Map

If you prefer a road trip, the Turkmenistan Road Map shows the paved highways that act as the country's veins.

While the main highways are paved, the "real" magic happens on rugged desert tracks. You will definitely need a sturdy 4x4 jeep and an experienced local driver for:

• The final stretch to Darvaza: The last few kilometers to the crater are through soft, shifting sand dunes.
• Yangykala Canyon: Reaching the best viewpoints requires navigating rocky plateaus.
• Koytendag Mountains: The road to the dinosaur footprints is a winding, bumpy mountain track.

Map of Turkmenistan and Surrounding Countries: Crossing Borders by Road

Map of Turkmenistan and Surrounding Countries

Looking at a Map of Turkmenistan and Surrounding Countries, you'll know how to enter Turkmenistan by road.

We share our borders with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the north, and Iran and Afghanistan to the south. To the west, the Caspian Sea gives us a breezy "coastline" that feels worlds away from the desert dunes.

So, how to enter Turkmenistan by road? For travelers, the most active checkpoints are along the Uzbek and Iranian borders!

Popular gates like Shavat-Dashoguz (near Khiva) and Shavat-Dashoguz border (near Bukhara) connect us to Uzbekistan. If you're coming from Iran, the Bajgiran-Gaudan pass is just a short drive from Ashgabat.

Insider Tip: At Asia Odyssey Travel, we love connecting the dots! Many friends choose our Five Stans Tours to see Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in one go.

Recommended Tours:

16 Days Central Asia: Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Tour

Turkmenistan Airlines Route Map: Direct Flights to the "White Marble City"

Turkmenistan Airlines Route Map

If you're flying in, the Turkmenistan Airlines Route Map connects us to the world. Most travelers to Turkmenistan come from Europe, the Middle East, and neighboring Asian countries.

This Turkmenistan Map shows the major cities with direct flights to our capital. If your city isn't on the list, you can usually connect easily through Istanbul or Dubai!

Explore Turkmenistan on Map: A Local's View from Asia Odyssey Travel

At the end of the day, these maps of Turkmenistan are just lines and colors until you add the stories.

At Asia Odyssey Travel, we've spent 5 years exploring every corner of the desert to find the most efficient ways to see the "big" sights.

We offer Turkmenistan Tours ranging from 3-day express trips to 10-day in-depth adventures, including themed Ashgabat and Darvaza Gas Crater tours.

Whether you prefer a budget-friendly Turkmenistan Group Tour (2–16 people) or a private one for maximum flexibility with custom vehicles (from 4x4 Mitsubishis to 22-seat buses), we've got you covered.

Plus, we take the stress out of paperwork with full LOI (Letter of Invitation) support, promising a high Turkmen Visa success rate for our travelers.