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Which Route from Dubai to Turkey? Which Route from Dubai to Turkey?
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Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
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  #1  
Old 4 Jul 2006
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Which Route from Dubai to Turkey?
I'm planning a solo trip from Dubai to the UK and want to travel via Turkey. It seems there are 2 broad options of routes. The most direct is north through Iran and into Turkey and the longer, more circular is south east via Oman and Yemen, through Saudi Arabia and through Jordan and Syria.

I'd really welcome any experiences that anyone can share about the relative merits of these two options. I am also very open to any alternative routes that anyone can suggest?

I am also looking for any practical tips about the requirements of a carnet de passage in these Middle Eastern countries, is it possible to get bike insurance for the whole of my trip (including onwards to the UK through Turkey and Eastern Europe), what are the issues with getting visas for some of these countries and has anyone experienced any difficulties in solo motorbike travel through these countries???

Cheers and thanks in advance for your assistance!
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  #2  
Old 31 Jul 2006
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I would suggest you take the ferry into Iran and go that way. The Saudi option is just too hard (unless you have six months preparation time). You could do Oman-Yemen and across to Djibouti but now you are talking serious time.

You will need a carnet for Iran. Visas for Iran and Turkey are easy from the UAE. You will have to pay a nominal fee at each border for insurance.

cheers
Brett
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  #3  
Old 24 Aug 2006
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Dave
I’ve done the trip twice. Once via Iran and once from Amman with the bikes sent through Saudi on a lorry.

If you think I might be able to answer any questions feel free to e-mail me and I’ll give you a contact number.

Regards,
Stephan
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  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2006
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Getting through Saudi
Hey Stephan, I would be very interested in how you organised, and how much it cost, getting the bike trucked through Saudi. I'm still not having any luck with a visa.

cheers
Brett
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  #5  
Old 26 Aug 2006
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Keep on truckin'
Brett
We also gave up on the Saudi visas and that’s why we trucked them across.

We used a freighting agent called Gulf 2000 opposite the Hyatt Regency who charged quite a lot (c. Dh2,400 per bike I think) and paid the driver very little. Then, the bikes were ridden onto a lorry at the truck area near the Hyatt Regency.

There were also unexpected ‘hidden costs’ requested by the lorry driver on arrival in Jordan, e.g. border fees from entering Saudi. However, the bikes were damaged as they hadn’t been well secured so, in agreement with the driver, we never paid the unexpected fees as compensation.

Getting the bike out of Amman customs is basically straightforward.

I still have a mobile number for the driver if you’re interested. You might be able to cut out the middleman.

Send me an e-mail if you want phone numbers or to call me.

Cheers, Stephan
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  #6  
Old 19 Sep 2006
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Dubai to Turkey
Hi RtwWtr
Have you done your trip yet?
I'm planning something similar.
I'm currently in Doha working on the Asia games till mid/late Jan 07. Planning to get the bike out here, do the transit like through Saudi to UAE and spend some time in Dubia/Oman before getting a ferry to Iran.
Be interesting to hear from you or BrettUAE (or anyone else)
Cheers.
John
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  #7  
Old 21 Sep 2006
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Not sure what your enquiry is... It's certainly all doable. Worth checking with the Saudis to make sure they'll give you a transit visa. Shouldn't be a problem as it's only a short distance, but then the Saudis don't think the way the rest of us do. Drop me line when you know what date you'll be in Abu Dhabi and we'll do s.
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  #8  
Old 22 Sep 2006
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Hi Brett. Thanks. Will happily arrange for a !
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  #9  
Old 22 Sep 2006
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Smile The dry Emirate...
And contrary to popular belief, there is in Sharjah too.
Stephan
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  #10  
Old 24 Sep 2006
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what are the problems with saudi? this was my back up fr getting to india if I couldn't get through iran so would be interested to know any hurdles may have to jump.
cheers
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  #11  
Old 24 Sep 2006
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Saudi Issues
Lots of vehicles drive from the UAE through Saudi Arabia to Jordan and Syria. They are Arab expatriate workers returning home and traders and it’s a well traveled route.

If you are traveling by car (e.g. 4WD) you should be able to get a transit visa although security issues may cloud the issue. The Saudis don’t want mishaps to non-Arab expats traveling through. That said, a colleague of mine got a Saudi visa a couple of years ago to take his Land Rover and family back to the UK and return to the UAE via Saudi Arabia.

The real difficulty is for motorcycles. The Saudis just do not seem happy to let bikes travel through. It could be that they know how mad the car driving is on the pipeline road through to Jordan!

Another issue I learned from personal experience is don’t bother applying unless you have two opposing blank pages in your current passport. Apparently those treasured Saudi visas require a lot of space.
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  #12  
Old 24 Sep 2006
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ok, thanks for that. I might be travelling the other way to mirbat to ship to india, if I can't get iranian visa. hopefully won't be necessary. I'm a cage driver so hopefully shuldn't be any major dramas. is it possible to get a visa en route or does it have to be done before leaving the UK?
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  #13  
Old 24 Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968
is it possible to get a visa en route or does it have to be done before leaving the UK?
Couldn't say for sure but I'd recommend applying in your country of residence.
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  #14  
Old 14 Mar 2007
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Any news
All

Any update on trip?
Have anyone ferry time table/cost/any info for Iran UAE crossing?
Planning to do oposite way trip - Slovenia - UAE - thru Iran - in October / November 2007


br Dane
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  #15  
Old 14 Mar 2007
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Yes, it's in the shipping database on the left. The old info in there is still valid, we crossed a few months ago. Timetables seem to change all the time, so just roll up in Bandar Abbas. There should be 2 sailings per week, two days apart.
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