Getting to Ashgabat requires advance planning on two fronts: visas and flights. Turkmenistan operates one of the most restrictive visa regimes in the world. Most visitors require a letter of invitation (LOI) from a Turkmen organisation — typically arranged through a licensed tour operator — before a visa will be issued. A transit visa valid for a few days is easier to obtain and is sufficient for those passing through on a Caspian crossing. An e-visa system exists but has been inconsistently available; check current status with a specialist tour operator.
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) has limited international connections. Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul, and there are connections to Moscow, Frankfurt, Beijing, and a handful of other cities, though schedules change frequently. Most travellers connect via Istanbul or Dubai. The airport is modern and functional. Within the country, domestic flights connect Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi (on the Caspian) and Mary. There is no direct overland connection from Iran or Afghanistan that is open to tourists; the Uzbekistan border crossing via Farab–Alat is the most commonly used land entry point.