Money at Ashgabat International (ASB)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat uses the TMT (m). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly TMT 20–40. Cash only; USD swap on arrival, cards useless.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Ashgabat International (ASB)?
Turkmenistan uses the TMT (m). Airport ATMs dispense TMT directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from ASB to the city cost?
Expected fare on the ASB → Ashgabat center route is roughly TMT 20–40. Around TMT 60+ is already high, and TMT 100 USD-priced is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at ASB?
Not expected. Drivers in Turkmenistan don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at ASB?
Cash only; USD swap on arrival, cards useless. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of TMT notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at ASB?
Only if you need $10–20 of TMT to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.