Yes, this is what I am doing now. No clear info re transit visa and guides. Found this interesting forum: someone writes Jan 2026 "I spoke to the Frankfurt consul two days ago when I picked up my visa, and he confirmed that transit visas are indeed no longer issued to travellers.
You can transit the country from one end to the other, of course, but this will still require a LOI, a tourist visa, and a guide. "
Cheers everyone, I knew there would be value in asking 
My thoughts are this: Turkmenistan too hard for potentially too little reward, at least this time. I believe you can also own a gold car there
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Uzbekistan looks pretty simple, good trains between where I want to go so that’s ok. Kazakhstan similar in that it seems ok to get around. I would fly into one and out of the other. It’s the minimal information regarding Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and connecting them allthat I’m still wading through.
I’m not a fan of AI as the inaccuracies give me the pip and I’d rather rely on good old fashioned advice of someone who has done it previously and ideally recently.
Not looking at Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia this time, thought hard about it, would like to but on reflection probably not enough time to do it justice.
Keep the thoughts coming, it’s great.
@ziggy we got a 5-day transit visa in Dushanbe. Took 2 weeks to get. It was enough time to get to Mary, catch an overnight train and explore Ashgabat independently before heading over the border to Iran. But yes, you need to be on a tour if you want longer.
@Brightlight would love to hear the details of the rest of your trip.
Feel free to DM.
Hmmm, which would mean that a transit visa without the requirement for guides is still a possibility. Perhaps these are issued based on the issuer’s “mood of the day”
@august it was a while back. Could well have changed.
@Cathie
did some more digging (as I also am on the way there), and …
According to the Turkmenistan embassy in the UK
Yes, transit visas are still “a thing” and now for 5 days (as opposed to 3 in 2021), so I´d suggest you apply and see how it goes.
Some more relevant info from other forums:
Transit visas can only be issued at Turkmenistan’s embassies and consulates. They are not available at border checkpoints or at Ashgabat Airport. Please note that consular officials may deny a visa if they determine that transit is not justified. Applications are also frequently rejected if travel dates coincide with national holidays (such as March 21–23, May 9, May 18, September 27) as well as the religious holidays of Kurban Bayram and Uraza Bayram (dates vary each year).
The cost of a transit visa starts at $20, depending on duration and nationality. Expedited processing may cost up to $210. Additional border fees apply and are outlined below.
I was not suggesting that you do a tour, just that you look at their itineraries for suggestions.
Thanks Lassie, yes I realised that later, I have been doing that to steal itineraries, but it’s the travel between places I’m trying to work out. All the input has been great
Our son acquired the visa and letter-him and 3 friends aged 22 at the time (17 years ago) applied and were interviewed by the Ambassador in London-who couldn’t understand why 4 Cambridge graduates wanted to be tourists in his country….perhaps he thought they might be spies? 
anyway they went to all 4 Stans and had a life enhancing trip which opened their eyes to non western values/beliefs and cultures.
Definitely a wonderful experience for young and old alike. This is why I basically love traveling to third world countries, Middle Eastern/SE Asian etc and avoid big cities as much as possible. I am now so very tolerant and understanding, more importantly of different cultures, religions and as you say, beliefs and values. I’m a bit of a black sheep in my family because of my broad acceptance as so many people here have never left Australia and can be very naive and unaccepting of anything outside their own beliefs. I feel blessed to have traveled so much to give me such insight into other’s lives. Also THS has allowed me to do this for many years and I’m grateful.
I agree Ziggy, travel in my early 20’s expanded my outlook so much I indoctrinated my children to do the same 
but you must travel as @Anne.323 mentioned recently with an open mind and heart to get the best out of it.
Boy @BonnyinBrighton that would have been a total eye opener back then!