Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Turkmenistan

Direct flight routes to Turkmenistan

Currently there are no direct flights operating between Australasia and Turkmenistan.

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering connections to Ashgabat. Average connection time 3-4 hours. Modern terminal facilities with extensive duty-free shopping and rest areas.

Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines primary hub with regular flights to Turkmenistan. Typical layover 5-6 hours. New airport features Turkish Airlines’ excellent lounge and cultural tours for longer layovers.

Bangkok (BKK) – Convenient Asian hub with connections via Turkish Airlines or Emirates. Connection times average 4-5 hours. Offers good value airport hotels for longer layovers.

Time vs money

Multi-stop routes typically offer more competitive pricing than routes with single layovers. Flights with longer layovers (8+ hours) often come at lower price points.

Tips and recommendations

• Book flights arriving in Ashgabat before midnight, as airport facilities are limited during overnight hours


• Consider routing through Dubai if traveling between September-May for most reliable connections


• Turkish Airlines often offers the best combination of price and service quality on this route


• Longer layovers in Istanbul (over 20 hours) qualify for free city tours and hotel accommodation through Turkish Airlines


• Booking separate tickets Sydney-Dubai and Dubai-Ashgabat can sometimes yield better prices, but carries higher risk during disruptions

• Turkish Airlines offers the most cost-effective route to Ashgabat via Istanbul, typically 15-20% cheaper than other options when departing from Sydney or Melbourne. The airline’s A350 features industry-leading Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and 18-inch width on the long-haul segment. Connection times in Istanbul are usually under 4 hours, making it a relatively efficient journey.
• Flying via Dubai on Emirates provides excellent comfort with their A380 service to DXB, followed by a short 2.5-hour connection to Ashgabat on narrowbody aircraft. While typically 10-15% more expensive than Turkish Airlines, Emirates frequently runs sales targeting Australia-Central Asia routes, especially during shoulder seasons (March-May and September-November).
• Departing from Perth offers significant savings compared to east coast cities, with prices often 25% lower due to shorter flight distances and more competitive regional routes. Consider routing through Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines, connecting to Turkish Airlines or Emirates for the onward journey to Ashgabat.
• Azerbaijan Airlines launched new connections from Baku to Ashgabat in January 2024, creating an alternative routing option via Seoul on Korean Air or Singapore Airlines. This unique routing often prices 10-15% below market average and provides excellent stopover opportunities.
• For travelers from New Zealand, routing through Singapore on Singapore Airlines before connecting to Turkish Airlines provides the best balance of comfort and price. This combination typically costs 5-10% less than flying via Australia and offers superior lounge access during connections.

1. Overlooking transit visa requirements Many travelers fail to secure necessary transit visas for common stopover points like Dubai or Istanbul when flying to Ashgabat, which can result in denied boarding.
2. Booking separate tickets to save money While splitting the journey with separate tickets through Bangkok or Istanbul might seem cheaper, it creates risks with missed connections and baggage transfer as Turkmenistan Airlines doesn’t have interline agreements with most carriers.
3. Ignoring seasonal flight schedules Turkmenistan Airlines frequently adjusts its international flight schedule based on seasons, so booking far in advance without confirming schedule changes can lead to significant itinerary disruptions.
4. Missing documentation for electronics Travelers often don’t register their phones, laptops, and cameras before departure, which is required by Turkmenistan customs and can result in these items being confiscated at Ashgabat International Airport.
5. Not pre-arranging airport transfers Since Ashgabat Airport has limited public transportation options and unauthorized taxis can be problematic, failing to pre-book official airport transfers can leave travelers stranded upon arrival.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive network from Australasia to Turkmenistan with reliable connections through Istanbul.

Serves 6 departure points in Australasia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland) to Ashgabat. Most popular routes operate from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Single stopover in Istanbul provides consistent 22-24 hour total journey time. Economy class offers generous 32-inch seat pitch, high-quality Turkish cuisine, and comprehensive entertainment system. Passengers regularly rate their Economy experience at 4.1/5, particularly praising the food quality and attentive service.

Emirates

Best for: Superior comfort and entertainment options on long-haul segments.

Operating from 5 cities in the region (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland) to Ashgabat via Dubai. Main traffic flows through Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Economy cabin features comfortable 33-inch pitch seats and industry-leading ICE entertainment system with 4,500+ channels. Their meal service includes regional specialties and special dietary options. Overall passenger satisfaction score for Economy stands at 4.3/5.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Premium Economy service quality at regular Economy prices.

Connects 4 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland) to Ashgabat through Doha. Highest passenger volumes from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Economy class offers spacious 32-inch pitch seating, high-quality amenity kits, and award-winning catering. Their entertainment selection includes international content with strong Asian-Pacific focus. Passenger ratings average 4.2/5 for Economy class experience.

Korean Air

Best for: Most generous Economy class baggage allowance (2x23kg) on Australasia-Turkmenistan routes.

Services 3 departure points (Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland) to Ashgabat via Seoul. Major traffic through Sydney and Brisbane. Economy class provides comfortable 33-34 inch seat pitch, Korean and Western meal options, and good entertainment variety. While requiring longer total journey times (26-28 hours), they maintain consistent 4.0/5 passenger satisfaction ratings and offer competitive pricing.

Using regional carriers for better deals to Turkmenistan

Traveling from Australia or New Zealand to Turkmenistan can be expensive when booking with major carriers, but utilizing regional Asian airlines can significantly reduce costs. The key is breaking down the journey into strategic segments.

1. First leg strategy: Book low-cost carriers like Jetstar or AirAsia to reach Southeast Asian hubs such as Kuala Lumpur or Singapore
2. Middle segment: Connect through either Bangkok or Delhi using carriers like Thai Airways or Air India, which often offer competitive rates to Central Asia
3. Final approach: Utilize Turkish Airlines or Air Astana for the final segment into Ashgabat, as they maintain regular routes to Turkmenistan

This multi-carrier approach typically saves 30-40% compared to single-ticket options through major airlines. The best booking window is 3-4 months ahead, with midweek departures offering additional savings. Consider using airline alliances’ mixed-carrier awards for points redemption.

While this strategy requires separate bookings, ensure adequate connection times between flights. Book longer layovers in major hubs to protect against delays and potential rebooking issues.