Major city · Turkmenistan
Geok-tepe
Geok-tepe is a half-day stop from Ashgabat for the fortress and mosque, not an overnight. Go if you have a guided day to spare; skip if your itinerary is tight.
Geok-tepe, 50 km west of Ashgabat, is the site of the Turkmen's last battle against the Russians in 1881. The fortress ruins and the blue-domed Saparmurat Hajji Mosque are the main sights. Most travellers visit as a guided half-day trip from Ashgabat.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TMT
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- ASB
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…Almost all tourist visas need an invitation letter from a…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Turkmenistan ↗Almost all tourist visas need an invitation letter from a licensed Turkmen operator, issued before you apply; arrivals without one are refused boarding or entry.
- Turkmenistan ↗Independent travel is not the expected model: itineraries are declared to the authorities, and travel outside Ashgabat needs permits your operator arranges.
- Turkmenistan ↗Do not photograph government buildings, presidential palaces, military sites, police, airports or border areas; ask your guide before raising a camera.
- Turkmenistan ↗Foreign cards and ATMs rarely work: bring enough clean, undamaged US dollar or euro notes for the whole trip and change only through official channels.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Geok-tepe102 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Geok-tepe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT).Turkmenistan-wide
- SIM or eSIMTMCell (state) sells SIMs to foreigners with a passport; your agency can help.Turkmenistan-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Turkmenistan-wide
- TippingGuide: US$10–20 a day.Turkmenistan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Turkmenistan-wide
- SafetyGeok-tepe is safe for guided visitors.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; basic toilets on the road.Turkmenistan-wide
- Emergency numbers102 police · 101 fire · 103 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on some weekdays; state holidays close everything.Turkmenistan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) east; guided transfer via operator).ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) east; guided transfer via operator).
- Getting aroundGuided car or minibus from Ashgabat; no public transport that a foreigner can use independently.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHotel in Ashgabat (guided package), a night, per roomTMT 200
- Mid-range bedHotel in Ashgabat (guided package), a night, per roomTMT 400
- High-end bedHotel in Ashgabat (guided package), a night, per roomTMT 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TMT 100 · Mid TMT 200 · High TMT 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) east; guided transfer via operator)ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) east; guided transfer via operator)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Mar (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Geok-tepe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Aug
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Guided car or minibus from Ashgabat; no public transport that a foreigner can use independently.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nissa
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Guided car via Ashgabat, about 1 h
Parthian fortress ruins; combine with Geok-tepe in a day.
Anau
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Guided car, about 30 min
Medieval mosque ruins; easy add-on.
Altin Depe
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Guided car, about 2 h
Bronze Age site; requires a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ashgabat
All accommodation is in Ashgabat; Geok-tepe has no tourist hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Guided half-day trip (from Ashgabat)
- check
Trip budget
| Hotel in Ashgabat (guided package)1 × 1 night × TMT 400 | TMT 400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × TMT 200 | TMT 400 |
| Trip total≈ TMT 400 per person per day, bed included | TMT 800 |
2026 estimate in TMT; guided trip costs vary widely by operator. Check with your operator.
Prices of common things
| Guided half-day trip from Ashgabat (per person)Included in most tour packages. | check |
| Bottle of water | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- You need a Turkmen operator to arrange the trip; independent travel is not possible.
- The fortress is a ruin with no shade; bring water and a hat.
- Remembrance Day (12 Jan) is a public holiday; the site may be crowded.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Fire
- 101
- Ambulance
- 103
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Geok-tepeGeok-tepe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Geok-tepe galasyna, haýyşTo the Geok-tepe fortress, please
Emergency
- Police102
- Fire101
- Ambulance103
Embassy
Most embassies are in Ashgabat. Check with your operator for consular support.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ashgabat → Geok-tepe (guided car): about 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Salam — Hello (salam)
- Sag boluň — Thank you (sag bolung)
- Näçe? — How much? (nache)
- Hawa / Ýok — Yes / No (hawa / yok)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Geok-tepe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Geok-tepe
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