The nearly 1,800-kilometer border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is a relic of Soviet administrative lines, now separating two of Central Asia’s most tightly controlled nations. The experience of crossing is defined by bureaucracy and meticulous procedure. Your journey between them requires careful preparation and an abundance of patience, as every step is subject to scrutiny.
You have several crossing points, with three being most common for travelers. The busiest is the Farap-Alat crossing, connecting the cities of Turkmenabat and Bukhara. Further north, you can cross between Dashoguz and Shavat. A third option is at Khojeyli, which provides access to the historical sites of Konye-Urgench in Turkmenistan and the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan.
Whichever crossing you choose, the process is notoriously slow. You should allocate several hours for the formalities. On both sides, expect detailed customs declarations, particularly for currency, and thorough searches of your luggage. Officials work at a deliberate pace, and you should have all your visa and registration documents in perfect order.
The landscape is dominated by the vast Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts, making for a hot and arid journey for much of the year. Transportation away from the border can be sparse, so it is wise to arrange it in advance or be prepared to negotiate with local taxi drivers. This is a crossing for the prepared traveler who understands that the journey itself is part of the Central Asian experience.