Thanks for your insights markharf, Tim_A and eurasiaoverland. Sorry I haven't been able to reply earlier. Been busy with work.


As I said earlier, it is a rather ambitious plan to say the least, but I am open to suggestions, information, alternatives, which you guys have so generously provided. Some have even said that I shouldn't even bother to attempt such a trip. Positive criticism I can appreciate and welcome. Plain old criticism however...

TimA I would love to speak to your friends about their trip. Could you please PM me their contact details. I have yet to speak to one of the guys I found through this forum (Saleh, I don't know if you know him).


I have changed my initial route seeing as the Moroccan - Algerian border is permanently closed. I am looking at two different routes now.
1. Getting into Italy through Tunisia
2. Or Europe Via Iran

I don't think there are any restrictions on bikes entering Saudi. Even multiple entry tourist visas are now possible, given the new government and the 'forward' approach to make Saudi Arabia a more tourist attractive destination.

Syria is still the problem bit, mostly on the 'return' leg of the trip.

Looking into the Libya part of the journey. I have a friend there so have to check with him as to how things are on the ground, rather than just relying on what the media is saying.


Still researching other things. Shoot me a message if there's anything you would like to add. And thanks again for your positive feedback.

besides the obvious difficulties that have already been mentioned: 20000km in 30 days? 666 (I think it's an omen) km of riding a day, every single day, including all the time lost at border crossings?
I highly doubt you'd find a single person on here who would enjoy such a trip.

My advice is to follow the advice above. Fly in, buy a bike and focus on the region you're most interested in. Come back later to explore another region. Or ride to Europe, fly back and ship the bike as cargo on the same plane. There used to be some relatively affordable options from Germany to Dubai for that.

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Belgium to Nordkapp via Iran | Discover Overland | Destination World

Do you have a source to back this up?

Saudi tourist visas have been issued in the past, but we're talking guided, fly-in, fly-out group tourism. Multiple entry tourist visas I find very hard to believe.

Also yet to see any evidence that bikes are now routinely being allowed in, though if your bike is GCC registered this may be easier.

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

As above, I've never heard of multiple tourist visas and I've lived and worked in Dubai, traveling frequently to Saudi, for decades.

And you won't get a transit visa which is what you need to traverse the country and leave by another road border. Trust me, I've been trying for my truck. AFAIK it is VERY difficult, if not impossible, to cross the border on a bike to KSA. Though I've never personally tried and yes, things are changing.

But the transit visa will be your downfall, even if you can get access with a bike.

Have sent you my contact details. I can put you in touch with the guys. And yes, Saleh is a super guy and very helpful. He's done a lot of rides in Europe - but the bikes were shipped there to the best of my recollection.