Sorry to semi hijack. I'm reading about this area - great info all round, thank you HU.

You all may be interested to know of a new ferry line from Alex to Syria and then Venice. They've tried it before, let's hope it lasts.

More news here.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ce-egypt-49673

(HanH, Libya and Algeria - news on above forum also)

Chris S

PS - how much is petrol in Syria - is it 50sp?

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

For more info on trying to avoid Israeli and Jordanian stamps, check other posts in this section, inculding http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...234#post288823.

This would NOT be your most stress free option. Egypt just seems like a steal in so many ways. Of course it would be amazing, but I simply can't afford thier policies. Origionally was hoping to do Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt - and then around north aftrica and ferry over to Italy. But carnets are just too much craziness, so I cut the loop out and am just doing an in and out of mid east.

Back onto the Aqaba/Nuweiba crossing - I made the crossing a week ago and currently only the slow ferry is taking cars.
The slow ferry runs at midnight but is usually waaaay late, and gets into Nuweiba about 7.30. You can buy your ticket inside the port and there is a duty free there so you can spend the last of your Jordanian.
It costs US$10 for a cabin, and take a sheet or something with you as our room was filthy - sheets and pillows were well manky.

When you get on the ferry you need to get an immigration card, fill it in and take it to the immigration desk - you will be guided when you get on the ferry. If you don't have a visa for Egypt, they will take your passport and you pick it up from the same guy in the immigrations office at the port in Nuweiba. Getting a visa at Nuweiba was a 2 minute job so no worries.

When you get to Nuweiba, follow the cars to the arrivals bit and look for a port policeman (white uniform) - the guy we used was very quick and efficient and we were done in 2 hours, will take a bit longer if other overlanders are there as well though.

I did try to make a note of the forms/offices/stamps/checks/payments you need to go through on arrival, but there were so many I quickly lost track!
The port policman was excellent though and if you do exactly as they say when they say it you should get through with no probs.

Charges very roughly as of last week were as follows (in Egyptian pounds)
pay man to take chassis rubbing - £10
Visa - can't remember - maybe a couple of hundred
Insurance 1 month £325
Main entry fee £350
Something for the traffic police - maybe the licence - £25
something for another bloke in a little office - £25
Photocopying fees - about £35

I think the port policeman would have appreciated a little backsheesh and was worth it but I didn't have my wits about me after a sleepless night in a stinky cabin and he got nowt.

Hope that helps : )

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www.simba4x4.com

ref my last post, it seems the fast ferry is indeed taking cars at the moment, but check before you cross as they don't seem to have a firm rule.

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www.simba4x4.com