If you want to use public transport in Ashgabat, you only have one option, and that is the bus. Due to a small population as well as the risk of earthquakes, Ashgabat has neither a tram nor a metro system. It does however have an extensive, extremely affordable bus system. Despite outrageously cheap petrol prices, catching the bus is still a popular option, especially for university students who pack out the buses before and after classes.
Hailing a bus
Unlike in some countries, buses only stop at bus stops. Bus stops in Turkmenistan are often very extravagant, with ornate fixtures, and of course in white marble and gold trim. Some bus stops are air conditioned for the extreme summer heat, and will often have a small convenience shop attached to it.
In order to hail a bus, you need to be standing at the bus stop. Most buses stop at every stop but if it’s a bus you know you want to catch there is no harm in raising your arm to make sure the driver sees you.
Are foreigners allowed to catch the bus?
Absolutely! In Ashgabat foreign tourists, business people, NGO workers and embassy staff alike, are not required to be escorted while inside the city confines. This means you can catch taxis and public buses to get around the capital of Turkmenistan.
What does the bus cost and how do you pay?
The fare for the bus in Ashgabat is an extortionate 50 Tenne (half of one manat and pronounced the same way as the currency of Kazakhstan – the Tenge). With an exchange rate of roughly 19 Manat to 1 USD (as of April 2024), this means you’re paying a little under 3 cents for your trip.
In order to pay for the bus you have two options. If you have correct change you just throw your coins/notes in the bucket at the front of the bus near where the driver sits. If you require change, just hand your coin or note to the driver and he’ll give you the appropriate change.
Ashgabat also has a pre-paid card system where you load money onto an electronic card. These cards cost 5 Manat to buy and then whatever credit you wish to load, remembering that it is 50 Tenne per ride. Having the card doesn’t change the price of the ticket, it just means you don’t need to carry around and deal with coins.
The price is a flat rate meaning it is the same cost if you ride for 1 stop or 30 stops, and each time you get on the bus you need to pay again.
How to navigate
This is the tricky part. In Ashgabat most people know the bus they need and maybe one or two others depending on where their friends live or where they have business, however most people aren’t very familiar with the entire network.
Many bus stops have maps and timetables of the buses that service that stop, although with non-stop development and a constantly changing city, these routes are sometimes outdated, and whilst they can be a reasonable indicator, they definitely can’t be relied on.
Unfortunately the bus drivers are unlikely to speak any language other than Turkmen and Russian, meaning for most people it will be hard to communicate about which bus you require.
Just going for a ride
A great way to see a city is to just jump on public transport and see where it takes you. Make sure you have a business card for the hotel you’re staying at, or the address written in Turkmen/Russian, and then just enjoy the ride. Worst case scenario is that you’ll have to flag a taxi to take you back to the hotel. Since most taxi rides in Ashgabat cost between 20 and 30 Manat ($1-$1.50) you’re never going to be hugely out of pocket for your adventure.
If you feel like riding the bus in Ashgabat, why not join us on a tour by checking out our Turkmenistan tours .
