Is it safe to withdraw cash in Turkmenistan or not?
Late-night ATM access in Turkmenistan is rare. Most ATMs I saw shut down early or were located inside closed banks. The machine near the government buildings had a working screen but no English instructions. Plan your cash for evenings in advance and always carry some backup USD or EUR.
My guesthouse manager in Ashgabat advised me to only withdraw during banking hours. I followed that - used the bank lobby machine at 2 PM with help from a staff member. ATMs at night aren’t really the issue; it’s the availability, lack of service, and card restrictions.
Turkmenistan has a very cash-heavy economy. Even in daylight, ATM use can be hit-or-miss. I stayed in Mary and there were only two visible ATMs, neither of which worked with foreign cards. I wouldn’t recommend trying after dark - you won’t find support or tech help if something goes wrong.
In Ashgabat, I tried using a Senagat Bank ATM just after 8 PM near the city center. The streets were clean and mostly empty. Withdrawing money at night in Turkmenistan isn’t unsafe per se, but it’s highly unusual. Locals prefer cash, and most machines don’t take international cards. I had to visit two banks before finding one that worked - and even then, the limit was low.