|
8 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: London
Posts: 5
|
|
Egypt to Saudi Arabia is it possible?
Hi,
Has anyone had any experience of riding through Saudi? On another thread a user was pessimistic of success. I need to cross Saudi to Qatar.
|
9 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
|
|
Hi Smokinglazarus,
"riding" seems to indicate that you want to cross Saudi by motorbike. If that is the case I am also pessimistic from reading other threads.
By car it is definitely possible and there are two to three ferry operators crossing the Red Sea from Safaga to Dibba in Saudi. You will need a Qatari visa before applying for the Saudi transit.
While I am not an expert on crossing Saudi by motorcycle, I know that people have even managed to cross Saudi by bicycle - followed by a police car and policemen being fed up of crossing their country at 20 km/h Therefore, it might be worth a try given the fact that hardly anybody applies at the Saudi embassy in Cairo. In Khartoum or Amman or Abu Dhabi it might be more difficult because of the number of travellers applying.
Greetings,
Achim
|
9 Mar 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: istanbul
Posts: 755
|
|
My Turkish friends did in 2011 by KTM. Dubai-Qatar through SA..No visa for transit if transitting is less than 18 hours.If you take this way,following country visa is a must..
Sure there will be many riders to Dakar-2014 from Dubai and other Emirates.
You can easily participate the group for coastline ride to north with your SA.visa...Done several times for activities in Dakar.
If you make bandarabbas, sharjah by ferry, highly recommend visit Dubai Riders and Riders Cafe..They have good contacts with local bikers in all Gulf countries, SA.,and as far as I know,they meet eachother often to have desert activities...
They are all nice,appreciated friends and you can meet Saleeh Jamal in HUB. forums...He has a thread here and travels a lot in the area by his handsome GoldWing!!!!..Helped many biker friends last year..
Wish you all the best..
|
11 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
Because the bad or worse situations in Syria, Iraq and Yemen are practically cutting off the land routes between eastern part of North Africa and the Persian Gulf right now, I think it would be important to know more about the possibilities with Saudi-Arabia (if they exist).
I know basically nothing of that, other than I´ve heard that it´s pretty damn hard to get a visa, if you´re just a regular tourist. Certainly not many travellers with their own vehicles have gone through Saudi-Arabia lately. Even those, that I´ve seen, had been working somewhere in the Gulf.
Anybody with more knowledge of their visa requirements? Could it be considered an option (..depending on your passport, of course)?
|
11 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
|
|
Hi Pecha72,
It is very possible to get a three-day transit visa for Saudi Arabia, if you drive a car - a LHD car that is.
The Saudi embassy in Khartoum / Sudan issues transit visa to cross to Jordan or to any of the Gulf states - provided you have a visa of the following country before applying for the Saudi one.
Equally, the Saudi embassy in Abu Dhabi issues transit visa to go to either Jordan or Sudan. Since not many travelers have taken the ferry from Egypt to Saudi or vice versa, I can't confirm this transit route but it should be possible as well.
I have read from travellers who came from Iran to Kuwait and continued to the Emirates from there. So this is also possible.
The confusion stems from the fact that Saudi Arabia - under normal circumstances - only offers TRANSIT visas with a validity of three days. They do NOT offer TOURIST visa for regular tourists unless you have an invitation from somebody in Saudi Arabia, i.e. from the embassy or from some expat working in a company there.
It might be useful if we continue this specific question elsewhere, for instance on this one:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nd-sudan-66587
Greetings,
Achim
|
12 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
Ok, that´s interesting info (and partly new to me at least). Thanks for this!
|
12 Mar 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by achim-in-jordan
Hi Pecha72,
It is very possible to get a three-day transit visa for Saudi Arabia, if you drive a car - a LHD car that is.
|
I think that's the main problem here - most people drive bikes.
Many years ago we drove from Qatar to Jordan with a three-days transit visa, we also drove from Qatar to/from UAE but this was with a car.
Later I've tried to get a visa for entering with a bike both in Norway and Sudan without luck, even if I had good pretty good contacts.
I'm not saying it is impossible (and things might have changed) but it's not easy. It would be nice if you post your findings here, I would love to go back to Qatar with a bike.
Another issue, unless you are traveling mid-winter, is the heat. Three days is not a lot of time and there are long hot stretches, it's hard not to get dehydrated.
|
28 Mar 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Black Forest
Posts: 171
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by achim-in-jordan
Hi Pecha72,
It is very possible to get a three-day transit visa for Saudi Arabia, if you drive a car - a LHD car that is.
The Saudi embassy in Khartoum / Sudan issues transit visa to cross to Jordan or to any of the Gulf states - provided you have a visa of the following country before applying for the Saudi one.
Equally, the Saudi embassy in Abu Dhabi issues transit visa to go to either Jordan or Sudan. Since not many travelers have taken the ferry from Egypt to Saudi or vice versa, I can't confirm this transit route but it should be possible as well.
I have read from travellers who came from Iran to Kuwait and continued to the Emirates from there. So this is also possible.
The confusion stems from the fact that Saudi Arabia - under normal circumstances - only offers TRANSIT visas with a validity of three days. They do NOT offer TOURIST visa for regular tourists unless you have an invitation from somebody in Saudi Arabia, i.e. from the embassy or from some expat working in a company there.
It might be useful if we continue this specific question elsewhere, for instance on this one:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nd-sudan-66587
Greetings,
Achim
|
Hi Achim
things have changed ....
Liebe Traveller,
die Beantragung von Transit-Visa in Abu Dhabi funktionierte laut diversen Reise-Berichten seit Jahren einwandfrei wie folgt:
- Deutsche Botschaft in Abu Dhabi stellte Empfehlungsschreiben bzw. Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung aus (letter of recommendation bzw. no objection letter)
- Visaantrag wurde mit Empfehlungsschreiben bzw. Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung, Pass inkl. Anschlussvisum und Fahrzeugschein in der Saudi-Botschaft abgegeben
- am Folgetag erhielt man das Approval
- alle Papiere wurden dann gegen eine Gebühr von 130 AED einer Agentur übergeben
- innerhalb einer Bearbeitungszeit von max. 2-3 Tagen erhielt man dann sein Transitvisum für 3 Tage
Dieser Prozess wurde kürzlich umgestellt:
- Die Deutsche Botschaft in Abu Dhabi stellt keine Empfehlungsschreiben bzw. Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigungen mehr aus. Sie verweist auf eine Abmachung mit der Saudi-Botschaft, wonach darauf verzichtet wird.
- Die Saudi-Botschaft in Abu Dhabi (für Dubai gilt das gleiche !) stellt Transit-Visa nur noch für Residents aus
- Residents müssen bei Visabeantragung beruflichen Status der dortigen Arbeitsstelle durch Arbeitgeber nachweisen
- Freigabe für die Transit-Visa erfolgt nicht mehr durch die Saudi-Botschaft in Abu Dhabi direkt, sondern seit neuestem durch das Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riad, Bearbeitungszeit mind. 7-10 Tage
- Nach Freigabe geht der Vorgang dann wie gehabt zur Agentur zur weiteren Bearbeitung
Vier deutschen Travellern wurde heute nach mehr als 3 Wochen Verhandlungen mit viel Glück, diplomatischem Geschick und diplomatischer Hilfe ausnahmsweise noch ein Transit-Visum ausgestellt. Die Freigabe dafür musste das Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riad erteilen.
Fazit für zukünftige Reisende:
Als non-resident scheint es zukünftig nicht mehr möglich, hier ein Transit-Visum zu erhalten.
It says that the Saudi Arabian embassy in Dubai and Abu Dhabi doesn´t issue transit Visa to traveller anymore only residents
So ... there is no way to get to Jordan and take the ferry to Egypt or
crossing the Red Sea to Sudan directly ...
You can get a Transitvisa in your home country, but you need the Visa for the next country (like Jordan) and that will expire (2 month) until you reach border ...
so what :confused1:
It´s realy anoying ... because I don´t want to take the ferry from Turkey to Egypt .... and I wanted to travel Oman and UAE before Eastafrica
Thomas & Andrea
</title> <meta name="description" content="" ></meta> <meta name="keywords" content="" ></meta> <base href="http://miles-to-ride.com/formvista/site_local/themes/miles-to-ride/"></base> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|