By ferry. The Türkmenbaşy International Seaport runs ferries across the Caspian to Baku in Azerbaijan. There is no published timetable — boats depart when they have enough cargo and passengers, which can mean waiting anywhere from a few hours to several days. The crossing takes roughly 12 to 15 hours. This is one of the classic overland Central Asia routes: dusty, unpredictable, and genuinely memorable. Bring food, water, and reading material.
By rail. Türkmenbaşy railway station (IATA reference: the Trans-Caspian Railway) is the western terminus of the line running east through Ashgabat and on to Uzbekistan. The train to Ashgabat takes around six hours. From Ashgabat you can continue east to Mary, to Tashkent in roughly 24 hours, or by a separate route toward Iran. A rail link opened in 1996 connects to the Iranian network, making a theoretical all-rail journey to Istanbul possible.
By air. Türkmenbaşy International Airport (IATA: KRW) has domestic connections to Ashgabat and occasional international flights. Most travellers use Ashgabat's main airport for international arrivals.
Visas. Turkmenistan is one of the world's most difficult countries to enter. Most nationalities require a visa supported by a letter of invitation from a Turkmen citizen or a registered tour operator. Transit visas for the ferry crossing are sometimes available but the rules change. Check current requirements carefully before attempting this route.