Azerbaijan-Iran border.
 

Hi there,


I'm on the road, heading for Turkey, the Caucasus and beyond.
I have heard conflicting stories about the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Some say it is closed, some say it is open.
Has anyone here crossed it recently ?
Cheers,


Levelo.

Not heard any reports of it being closed. Where did you hear this??

It is probably an old story from back in the 1990's. When I was in that part of the world back then it wasn't possible to cross it. But it has changed for the best, good to hear.
I will have to get the visa on the road though, I am pinning my hopes on Batumi and Tblissi in Georgia.

No problem at all. Customs and border works properly. No worries...

Great !

Ok, just a quick answer to my own question.
I crossed into Iran from Azerbaijan a couple of weeks ago at Bilehsavar.
The borderpost is a bit of a mess ( tons of people waiting on the Azeri side for the gates to open at 9 a.m and a huge terminal being built on the Iranian side ) but otherwise OK. Both sides scan your luggage. The Iranians were pretty cool save for a plainclothes security official who called me back once my passport had been stamped in and grilled me for an hour and took a close look at my passport chockfull of stamps and visas. You can change money at a pretty good rate on the Iranian side or, going the other way, at the banks in Bilesavar, Azerbaijan, 20 ks down the road.
Levelo.