Anyone have FIRST HAND experience riding across Iran? Do they require a carnet (CPD)? This makes a difference whether I can go or not. The CPD ties up a lot of money on a bike that isn't worth much (except to me of course).

Hi Frank
I be heading in to Iran in the next week or so so I'll let you know what the score is.
But as for the CDP tieing up alot of money what I've done the last couple of times is to take and insurance policy out for the value of the CDP and the AA accepts this so you pay a one off fee and no tieing up of valuble cash. Not every insurance company will do this but talk to the AA and do a bit of phoning around.
Good luck
Cheers
Cuan

hi Frank,
Bikers I met in Iran came throught without a Carnet. But don't try to continue to Pakistan! Are you from Europe? The green card from most insurance comp. is also valid in Iran, even when Iran is not mentioned on it!
Iran is very good for traveling on a bike: good roads, very cheap petrol (cheaper than water). And most of all: the people are very friendly and helpfull!
Have a nice trip!
Peter

Gents,

I'll be heading through there myself late September, so far the consulates have been helpful, but until I have paperwork in hand we'll see. I'll definately let you know. I have been told that Visas are required in adavance, and that big cc bikes sometimes are problematic. These are just rumours, any comments to con firm or dispell them would be great.
Frank, Cuan keep us "followers" posted. Peter Good to hear you're still alive

Hi,

I have crossed Iran in October last year with a bike. Everything Peter Theuwissen writes is true, it is a fantastic country.

A carnet, I would get one if possible, on the border from Turkey near Dogobayazit I met a Brit with an old Ford Fiesta and the iranian coustoms had confiscated his car because he had no carnet. He just said OK and went on in public transport. But I am sure there is a way to enter without a carnet to enter Iran, and also Pakistan is possible, you just have to put the bike in the train.

Enjoy Iran MIKA

When crossing the Turkish-Iranian border last year in April, we saw that not only we, as foreign (Belgian) bikers, had Carnets, but also all local (Turkish and Iranian) vehicles which crossed the border, cars as well as trucks. From our info you need one, but then we have not tried it without. They should be able to tell you at the instances issueing Carnets.
In Belgium, the person who dealt with the Carnets for over 20 years had to collect the "bank guarantee" (?) only once. This doesn't mean that YOU could not be the unlucky fellow, but it does show a bit how unlikely it is.
For Pakistan we have information that a Carnet is absolutely indispensable. One Belgian group had to leave their van at the border and pick it up on the way back (some years ago, so this might've changed).

On our Belgian green card (insurance), Iran is specifically crossed out, so not valid. You can buy Third Party insurance locally in offices just accross the border inside Iran and it should not be expensive for a month, but we did not buy one. At check points we were never asked to show anything but our passports, and twice our carnets.

Just as the others wrote: Iran is absolutely worthwhile. Lots to see, very friendly open people, special. We are two women, so dressed up in full chador on the bikes, and even we did not encounter problems, only totally amazed women and men, who even applauded for us at two occasions (very good for our ego's!).

Have a very good and safe trip,

Iris and Trui

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Grensstraat 200, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
tel.: +32 (0)9 236.20.78, e-mail: above
[This message has been edited by iris_trui (edited 30 August 2000).]

email address removed by Grant - use link!

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 15 February 2002).]

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Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE\'s)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002

Hi

I had a carnet through Iran and then over to Pakistan. No problem then! (-96) Your biggest problem will probably be that everyone is gonna feed you to death!!

Have fun!!! (im jealous!!)

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Anette

Hi Frank, if your bike really is not worth much, then the CPD wont cost much either, as it is related to the bike's market value.

Chris

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Author of the Adventure
Motorcycling Handbook. New edition November 2000 ($19.95/GBP12.99)
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail