Go, but pay attention.
Turkmenistan's sketch score jumped to 75 today, and while most nations suggest level 1 caution, Canada warns at level 2 due to a global measles outbreak.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Turkmenistan
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Police Bribery
Police officers target foreigners for bribes due to low salaries. Do not argue or fight back; pay the bribe to be on your way.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory Identification
You are required to carry an identification document at all times. Police have the legal right to demand it.
Photography Restrictions
It is illegal to photograph or record government buildings, police stations, border crossings, military installations, shopping malls, street markets, or airports.
Recording Law Enforcement
Do not photograph or record law enforcement personnel without their consent. Doing so leads to interrogation.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Recommended:
From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Turkmenistan is a very safe country, largely because the government severely punishes crime.
- •Corruption: Corruption is a huge problem in Turkmenistan. According to Transparency International, Turkmenistan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
- •Given how the police earn very low salaries, it's not uncommon for them to target people for bribes.
- •Authorities: You are advised to not trust the Turkmen police at all; they routinely harass, threaten, extort, and misbehave with people.
- •Turkmen law enforcement authorities are known for being very touchy and aggressive, and it's common to be rudely treated by them.
- •You are required to have an identification document on you at all times, and the police have the legal right to ask you for it.
Staying healthy
- •Medical supplies do not correspond to American or European standards.
- •Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B are recommended.
- •Avoid drinking tap water. Tap water in Turkmenistan is known to contain traces of toxic metals, and this can cause long-term health problems.
- •Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before consumption. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurized.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
B / C / F · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 02 / ambulance: 03 / fire: 01
Show the receipts (11 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-07-12
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-07-12
- ca-gac — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-07-12
- cdc-health — observed 2026-07-12
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-07-12
- reddit — observed 2026-07-12
- unodc — observed 2026-07-12
- acled-hdx — observed 2026-07-12
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-07-12