Donghae Ferry - South Korea to Vladivostok
 

I saw this in the Vladivostok Times dated 10th June 2011 and it may have some relevance to anyone turning up on spec. to get the DongHae ferry. Seoul Joe may have some more detailed information about this but I thoughyt I would share it here anyway just in case it helps.


Eastern Dream Ferry Tickets from Vladivostok Sold Out
Families, groups of people and individual travelers from Primorye go to Korea on vacation

VLADIVOSTOK, June 10, vladivostoktimes.com

Since the beginning of summer tickets for ferry between Vladivostok, Donghae (Republic of Korea), and Sakaiminato (Japan) are in high demand, as RIA PrimaMedia reports.

This year the temperature is already 25-29ºC which allows to start beach season. Primorians are ready for beach and very active in purchasing tickets for Eastern Dream ferry connecting Vladivostok, Donghae(Republic of Korea), and Sakaiminato (Japan). The ferry belongs to DBS Cruise Ferry.

“All tickets for June are sold out, and we have just a few tickets left for July. Everyone wants to spend time on the beach and that´s why they buy tickets in advance. Both individuals and travel agencies buy the tickets,” as the DBS Cruise Ferry office explained.

If they are going over they have to come back so it may be wise to book the ferry well in advance

Martin

DBS Ferry Booked Out ,,
 

Just called DBS ,, From Vlad ,, June all sold out ,, one seat left on July 06,, seats on 13,20,27 of July OK ,, but must book early ,,
They said ,, one rider and one bike ,, they can squeeze you in ,, might have to sleep in the bath room,,
Gee,,,:thumbdown:

DBS Seoul +82 2 548 5557
Vlad +742 323 02 704
http://www.dbsferry.com/main/main.asp

We are currently in Vlad waiting for our bikes to arrive by container from Seattle. We have two Finnish guys staying here ("The Old Farts") and they have managed somehow to get themselves and their Harleys onto the boat but if I understood their English correctly it was at quite a bit above the normal price. We had a bite to eat with Clyde (Kestrel KLR on HUBB) and he has also just managed to get a ticket but it was touch and go.

Yes I'm on the ferry to Korea June 22nd, someone cancelled and I got the ticket. Plan ahead and make ferry reservations if your headed this way.
Here's a few facts about getting a motorcycle on this ferry.
1. Contact Yuri Melnikov and pay him the $100usd to make all the customs forms/arrangements for you, he's the general manager for links, Ltd. you can email him at ymelnik [AT] links-ltd {DooTT} com don't think you can get the customs paperwork done by yourself, the officials your dealing with speak NO ENGLISH and their offices are hidden from us normal tourist people.
2. You still pay directly to the DBS ferry company for your motorcycle ferry ticket, it's above and beyond what Yuri does for you, he's only the customs guy and don't believe his motorcycle ferry ticket estimates. I paid $400usd for my 650cc motorcycle.
3. Yuri will handle the shipping sea port arrangements for loading your motorcycle onto the ferry expect to pay them around $100 for a 200kg motorcycle. Never saw anyone weigh my motorcycle so low ball your bike weight.
4. I paid $210usd for a 2nd class ferry ticket for myself in a 4 bunk room.

Hope this helps.

Korea
 

We are officially in the monsoon season,, all this week and next ,, we will have heavy rain on and off ,, those coming over the mountains to west , please be careful ,, look for washed down gravels on the road ,, can be very slippery ,,
Also it is off season ,, so you will find many small motels along the route quite cheap ,,,

Add another $460usd to the cost of shipping my 650cc motorcycle from Vladivostok to Donghae.
$230usd for 2 months motorcycle insurance
$130usd for customs guarauntee
$100usd miscelaneous customs fees at Korean dock
The Koreans do try to make all the paperwork and etc as painless as possible and they are very pleasant people to deal with, plus the Korean people appear happier than Russian people.
The ferry trip was 23 hours, the boat was clean and organized and I slept like a log in the bottom bunk bed. Everyone on the boat was pleasant.
Dinner buffet $10usd, breakfast $7usd, cup of coffee $3usd, no fizzy sodas like Coca Cola.
Yes I would take the ferry again, no I will not ship my motorcycle again I would buy/resell/rent a local bike, with 50-80KPH speed limits I won't need the bigger bike horsepower IMHO.

Clyde

Glad to hear that you made it OK- Did the Finnish guys Mattie & Juogo get through OK ? Our bikes should be on Vladivostok dockside today so hopefully we will clear customs some time next week and get cracking westwards towards UK.

Martin

Hi Martin, The Fins made it here OK but they were still dealing with DBS ferry paperwork when I left. I think they had a good ferry journey Ha. Good to hear you and Mark will be on the road soon hopefully without a lot of additional Russian shipping cost. It's been raining here and will continue for two more weeks so Robert and I just try to stay dry while he shops for a cheap motocycle. Korea is great, clean and organized and the people are super nice, great hotel for two $60usd a night so we hope prices will get cheaper in the smaller cities. Keep in touch and enjoy Russia.
Till later. Clyde

Vlad - Japan?
 

Good info.

Anyone more details on the ferry to Japan from Vlad?
We intend to take that beginning of Aug. We will enter mongolia in a few days.

Info regarding the carnet (which may not be required for a certain entry point) also greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

It is the same ferry as Korea to Vlad. Japan ----> Korea ----> Russia---->Korea-----> Japan

Ferry Contact
 

Hi,

My email contact (in English) was; sunshineinkorea {{AATT}} yahoo [[DoT]] com a Olga Karpova.

No hesitations, no hick ups and no problems though they did let Clyde buy a ticket despite my emails and phone calls in protest! ;-)

Clyde got hit for additional charges but it is a good trip.

Got meself a Dailim bike waiting in Yangpyeyong curt icy of SeoulJoe so as long as we don't drown we will get to cause havoc in the hinterlands of Korea!

Dae Lim
 

Actually ,,, it is Hyo Sung Mirage 125cc ,, looks like a baby Harley ,, all set and waiting for you.

Clyde and Robert
 

Met Clyde on his bike ,, and picked up Robert at the bus station ,,, Robert is cool with chop sticks , Clyde carries own fork ,, that was funny ,,

This picture load quota sucks ,, no matter how small I make the file ,, I still exceed my quota ,, only this thread ,, can we change this?

Try uploading the photos to another service such as flickr and then click the http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nsertimage.gif icon and paste the URL there. The photos will display in the post then.

Pics
 

All right ,, go here Daum 카페
Click Cafe Album ..

Where are you now Stristrum????

Going back to the original topic of the message I received the following advice yesterday:

Unfortunately, the space for passenger is not available....
(There is no space for Jul.& Aug, it is already full....)
DBS informed me to wait until tomorrow.

This was for shipping a bike plus 1 person from Korea to Vladivostok on July 24th sailing. I'm hoping they will find room for me between now and then. I had mistakenly assummed there would be no problems with getting on this ferry - so if you are doing the same I suggest you make enquiries sooner than later. Good luck.

Hi Clyde

We are STILL in Vlad. There is a problem with the crane at the berthing pier for our ship so our container is sat on the vessel in the harbour. Looks like the crane has now been fixed but there is now a problem with the vessel that they are unloading at the moment so further delays. We have an ETA for the bikes dockside of 1st July then we can get documents a few days later and thenm customs. To be on the safe side we booked another 9 nights here at Hotel Vladivostok - that was touch and go too as there is an international badnington competition here this weekend and hotels are pretty much full. So apart from being Bikeless in Valdivostok we were also nearly Homeless in Vladivostok - I feel a movie coming on.......

But with all these things, and especially travel in Russia, patience is the key.

Hope you are enjoying Korea

Martin

The only bright news on this horizon is that despite being told it was full (this on the Vlad to Korea trip) we know of two groups of bikers who managed to get space a day or so before the ferry left - one via a travel agent and another got a cancellation so all hope is not lost but don't turn up on spec especially on the Ruussian side with a visa about to expire or you could be lkeft sweating !!

Is the Dong Chun ferry not running to Sokcho via Zarubino?
This company seems to be selling tickets:
Oriental Shipping Agency Co., Ltd: Passenger service
One might want to inquire with them if DBS is full up.

Chris,

Chris, thanks for that. Its interesting because I'm sure I saw somewhere on this site that the Dong Chun Ferry was no longer running so I had not followed up that option. As it is courtesy of Wendy Choi in Seoul chasing up DSB I got a booking on the ferry of the 24th July today. So the message from this and the message from Strimstrum it appears a bit of persistence will get you on the DSB ferry.

Dong Chun is out of commission ,,,
 

http://www.dongchunferry.co.kr/
I would go to the port office of DBS every day,,
Try smiles,,,bakshishi ,,, arm twisting,,,
July 24th boat,, you will freeze to death in Siberia,,
Show up at 9 AM at DBS office,,,Koreans are swayed by one's resolve.
Look for a room with 8 person occupancy ,,, I am told situation changes daily on these,,

Just spoke with DBS Seoul and Dong Hae,, there are spaces this Sunday sailing,,, the 10TH ,,
Understand an American biker is on the 10TH boat to Vlad as well ,,
Looks Navalarchitect wants to sail on the 24TH ,,

Seouljoe,

I badly phrased my original message - I want to sail on the 24th July and not before (since bike and I are in Australia until 20th). My hope (successful due to Wendy) was a ticket for that sailing would become available. Thanks for chasing round and keeping me informed. I owe you a beer.

Martin

We are still here in Vlad - finally cleared customs after a problem with a crane that broke down so our container could not be unloaded but all OK now with grateful thanks to Yuri Melnikov for his excellent efforts on our behalf.

The word here at the ferry port and from others who we speak to on a daily basis is that tickets for the next couple of weeks at least are like rocking horse sh*t so don't turn up at Vlad on spec hoping to go to Korea on the next boat because you may be sorely disappointed.

Martin

DBS Ferry
 

I just gave up my spot on the 10th ferry as my m/c won't make it to Incheon in time.

Kurt - the "American" biker

To Dong Hae DBS
 

Martin,, Kurt ,, make sure you guys let me know, when you arrive ,, Wendy is aware of all your plans,, I will perhaps , ride with you part of the way ,,,,
I am out at my summer house at Yang Pyung on Hi-way 6 , on the way to Dong Hae 30KM east of Seoul.

Hello from Croatian biker!

My friend and I are on a trip around the world and we have cargo from LA to Seul july 19. I contact Wendy and she sad to me there is no space for 2 motorcycle and us on ferry to Vladivostok. First plan was to go in Zarubino...
Is there another way, maybe first Japan and then Vladivostok. I saw ferry from
Fushiki-Vladivostok but how to make reservation on that line when the page is on Korean language. If someone can help us please!!!!

Patrik

The Fushiki-Vladivostok ferry is not operating any more.
From Japan, the only ferry is DBS Ferry that goes via Korea and Heartland Ferry that goes to Sakhalin from Wakkanai.
You need a carnet for Japan.

Patrik
 

Give me the dates Patrik ,,
Your arriving in Korea ,, bike arriving date ,,
Sailing date you would like to be on ,,
I will see what I can do with DBS ,, Dong Hae to Vlad ,,
Worst case scenario air freight via Korean Air or Vladivostok Air (XF) to Vlad ,, direct flight.

DBS Web Site
 

Officially says,,"Space to Vlad from Dong Hae,, difficult until August 16TH,,"
I assume not impossible ,, keep on trying folks ,,

Thank You very much!

I manage to get ticket with Wendys help on july 24. I wanted to visit Japan also but all their pages are on Korean language. Don't know the cost or is there free places for us and bikes.

Arriving in Vlad continuing to Donghae -> USA/CANADA around Sept 4th, 2011
 

Hi Guys
ARRRGHHHH.. Panic, Horror...is the ferry to Donghae fully booked still, even in September? Now my relaxed attitude towards planning is coming back to bite me;-)

We (2up) plan to arrive in Vlad around Sept 2-6th and continue onwards to Korea and then USA/Canada thereafter. Our Visa's expire on Sept 8th.

I believe Korea is our best exit going towards USA/Canada right?

Does anyone know where i can book tickets in advance for the vlad - Donghae ferry? We are currently in Irkutsk and continue onwards tomorrow. DBS Ferries website is only in Korean and Russian so I am a little lost.

Also how have you all gotten you bikes from/to Vlad? and what have you paid for the shipment.

I was hoping to ship a KTM 990 Adventure (350 Volumetric kg) from Vladivostok to somewhere in the US/Canada for around USD 2500.
Is this unrealistic? I was hoping to use air shipping from ICN(Seoul).

I hope you have some pointers and advice for us. Thanks


Our Video Diary
AndersAroundTheWorld's Channel - YouTube
AndersAroundTheWorld | Facebook
Anders Around The World - I travel and film – you tell me where to go

help to get ticket for vlad - donghae ferry
 

Any help / Advice on how we hustle us selves on board a ferry before Sept 8th would be GREATLY appreciated.

And anyone got the contact info for Wendy Choi? Which days does the ferry depart? Is it twice pr. week?

//
Anders & Karen AKA "the seriously nervous ones"

Hi Anders & Karen

I believe that Wendy Choi's email address is wendychoi2(at)gmail.com

Another South Korea contact is Seouljoe on this site.

I originally started this thread when we were in Vladivostok from 8th June to 8th July - waiting for our bikes to arrive by container from Seattle (bit of a problem with unloading the ship gave us a 2 week delay hence why we sent a whole month in Vlad)

Whilst we were there we did meet a few guys who were able to get space on the ferry even though it was officially full so do not despair but if you cam contact Wendy and get her to book your tickets then even better for your peace of mind. There is a ticket office in Vlad but I also know of a couple of bikers who managed to get tickets via a travel agent in Vlad but do not know which one - maybe a PM to Kestrel KLR might reveal the answer as I am sure that Clyde bought his tickets from an agent when none were reportedly available.

Martin

The address and phone number of the Vladivostok office is here:
DBS CRUISE FERRY
Try to call them and ask. I would assume that there is more space available now, as summer vacations should be over in September.

Donghae to Vlad
 

I am coming to Korea from Vancouver at the end of April, I was wondering about availability of the ferry and booking in advance to secure a place.

I may have been misread but am I able to take my bike with me on the ferry or does it get shipped separately?

Thanks guys

Ellio Adventures

Paul

I went the other way, Vladivadstok to South Korea.

I used Yuri... and the bike was loaded the evening before by the customs people.
at the Korean side they just asked me to ride my bike of the boat.

Have you tried emailing Wendy in South Korea ?

Try via their website?
There is even an e-mail address listed.
You might need to contact them directly about your bike.
I think is is the passenger part that gets filled up though.
DBS Cruise Ferry

Thanks Chris, much appreciated, emails have been sent!! I let people know once I hear back

P
bierbierbierbierbierbier

I have emailed Wendy and awaiting a response, thanks for your help and confirming what I thought, I would like to get it secured before hand to avoid space issues.

I'll keep you guys posted once I hear anything