It seems the only way to find out is by being on the ground and visiting ports. So I’ve some time to look at Haifa Ashdod and the possibility of Lebanon if I can cross the border but at the minute I’m planning on south to Egypt, if I can cross there I will try for the Alexandria boat. I still have a visa for Egypt from February when I travelled from Jordan which I hope will help. I should be at the crossing in a couple of weeks so I’ll update on the possible routes


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I don't believe there is a boat from Alex to anywhere anymore, is there?
It will be shipping and you flying, and organising a shipping container in Egypt is I'm told a stressful and costly few days. Expect not to see your bike for a while.
I would hope Haifa pans out. It's a RoRo afaik, not container.

Tripoli (Lebanon) to Tasucu (Turkey) works by ferry. However, if by '...if I can cross the border' you are referring to the Israel - Lebanon border, then you should spend a couple of hours reading about the recent history of the Middle East.

I don't believe there are any other ferries

AFAIK, there are RORO ships running Haifa to Cypurs and Greece, but you will need to fly. Previously there was a Grimaldi RORO freighter that took vehicles and passengers, but covid killed that and I have not heard of it coming back (Grimaldi said it would be cancelled until at least spring 2022).

Iraq is open for tourism (and I truly recommend it), you can get a visa at the border from Iran and Jordan (not from Turkey and from Kuwait can be difficult). You can arrange transits through Syria (thus connecting Jordan and Lebanon).

I'm not sure on the feasibility of riding a bike into Egypt from Jordan but I personally know someone who went in with a Mercedes Sprinter earlier in the year.

So with a bit of adventure you can get around the lack of ferries.

EO

I got a quote for 500euros + 500 nis for port taxes from rosenfeld from Haifa to Greece. Bike only.

Felt a bit steep & I might skip the jordan + Israel route myself.

I did not try to haggle yet.

Thanks for the quote. I take it it was recent since shipping prices have shot up?
As a way if getting from Europe to the east side of Africa, I think it's the only largely overland way, short of shipping to Alex (though I'm not sure things are flowing through Ethiopia, are they?).

Yep. The prices are brutal because of many lines stopping routes to Israel altogether, also the rise in oil prices due to the war is not helping...

I'm not keen on going to Egypt because of the insane Carnet price and the nightmare shipping out of there, but maybe I should reconsider.

I have found a shipping route haifa to Limassol who im in negotiation with at present. its a 1 day crossing and cheap ryanair out of tel aviv once I get details I will update

boat booked
 

so I'm out of Haifa next Tuesday.turns out a quick look at ioverlander and two recent updates. a quick call to A.rosenfeld shipping and my bike is on board. the route goes Haifa Cyprus and then Greece. so i decided to spend some time in Cyprus and then look for a crossing from the turkish side to turkey mainland 250 suro plus 500 nis. they dont take passengers so a cheap ryanair (120euro) from tel aviv and collect my bike on the other side.

@motoajnabi

Thanks for the update.

I spent last winter on Cyprus and they have some amazing riding! Enjoy. (let me know if you want some tips)

Also It's worth booking the North Cyprus -> Turkey ferry ticket well in advance if you want a cabin, else you will have to sleep in a open hall on some not so comfortable chairs.

information and costs
 

just an update as of July 2022. I shipped July using salamis shipping. firstly the Israelis only gave me one month stay for my motorcycle which was a blessing in disguise. Its the most expensive country to stay. 1 month insurance for the motorcycle £250

so for the boat and handling costs Israel 411 euro (1450nis)
Limassol handling costs 123 euro
clearing agent fee limassol 100 euro
No passengers allowed on the crossing so cheap Ryanair tel aviv /paphos
123 euro

total cost 766euro, not the cheapest per mile but the only real way out of the middle east back to Europe.

on the plus side to get from northern Cyprus to mainland turkey quote £57 one day crossing bike plus rider, there's always a plus side

Glad you made it out, but I'm afraid I have to correct this.

Driving through Iraq (and Turkey) is a very real way out of the Middle East - it could be done for less than EUR 766, and is far, far more interesting that sitting on a Ryanair flight. You can get a visa at the Jordanian border and the country is pretty calm and stable at present.

you are correct there's always more than one way to skin a cat i thought Lebanon and Syria too that would be far far more interesting than a ryanair flight but being in the middle east and living there the past 4 years calm and stable can have a whole different meaning depending on where your information comes from.