When is the best time to visit Turkmenistan?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Ashgabat: April & September; Darvaza Gas Crater: April & May; Mary: April & March; Turkmenbashi: June & July.

Which month is best overall in Turkmenistan?

Averaged across our 4 destinations in Turkmenistan, the strongest months are April, May, September. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

How are the Turkmenistan travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Turkmenistan: Weather by Month

01 · Turkmenistan

About Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is mostly Karakum desert, with a Caspian coastline in the west and a greener southern edge along the mountains near Iran. Ashgabat shows off white marble monuments, the ancient Silk Road city of Merv and the Parthian fortress of Nisa are the main ancient sites, and the Darvaza gas crater and the underground lake at Kow Ata draw travellers into the desert. Spring and autumn are the mildest seasons, summer is extremely hot, and winter is cold and grey in the north.

Did you know?

Turkmenistan is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with most of its land covered by the Karakum desert.
The Darvaza gas crater, known as the Door to Hell, has burned since a drilling accident in 1971.
Ancient Merv and the Parthian fortresses of Nisa are UNESCO-listed, tracing the region's Silk Road history.

Weather

Turkmenistan: weather by month

Warmest month: July (31°C). Wettest: May (50 mm). Best overall score: April (10.0/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	2°C	10 mm	1	5.9/10
February	5°C	21 mm	6	6.8/10
March	11°C	21 mm	14	8.5/10
April	18°C	13 mm	24	10.0/10
May	21°C	50 mm	29	9.5/10
June	29°C	4 mm	30	6.7/10
July	31°C	4 mm	31	6.2/10
August	29°C	21 mm	31	6.7/10
September	23°C	1 mm	24	9.2/10
October	16°C	16 mm	12	9.1/10
November	11°C	11 mm	3	7.6/10
December	3°C	6 mm	0	5.9/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: Climate scores swing from 5.9/10 in December to 10.0/10 in April; the safest picks are April, May, September.
02Weather & what to pack: Expect around 18°C and 13 mm of rain in April, with roughly 24 bright days. Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening.
03Crowds & value: Peak-season pricing concentrates in April. For better value, May scores 9.5/10 at lower-season rates.

Things to do in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Turkmenistan?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Ashgabat: April & September; Darvaza Gas Crater: April & May; Mary: April & March; Turkmenbashi: June & July.
Which month is best overall in Turkmenistan?: Averaged across our 4 destinations in Turkmenistan, the strongest months are April, May, September. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Turkmenistan does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 4 destinations in Turkmenistan: Ashgabat, Darvaza Gas Crater, Mary, Turkmenbashi.
How are the Turkmenistan travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Turkmenistan