Which route from Switzerland to Iran? Via Ukraine/Russia or Balkans/Turkey?
 

Hi all!

Working on my route for a 2022 RTW trip. Starting in Switzerland, I'm not sure where to go to reach Iran.

Either going north towards Romania/Ukraine/Russia or going south through the Balkans and Turkey.

1. Always wanted to check out some Ukrainian cities for the fun factor and culture and I would also go through the Carpates right? People seem to be raving about those roads. But that also means lots of nothingness and sometimes bland batches of roads without much to see/do. + Russia visas =/

1. On the other hand, going through the Balkans and Turkey. Seems like a more logical route, more condensed, more countries, better weather? But for some reasons, Turkey never draw me in, not that much of a fan of the current cultural/political climate there. Still, beautiful roads and nature and a more direct route as well, less hassle right?

What would you guys choose? I know it's pretty personal and subjective, but interested to see your views on both routes.

Thanks!

For Ukraine, you can't cross into Russia anywhere south of Kharkiv. So it's kind of a big detour.

If you want to avoid riding through Turkey, you could get a ferry from either just outside Odessa, or Varna in Bulgaria, to Georgia. It's definitely worth visiting Georgia if you're in the area, great place. Then you can cross into Iran from either Azerbaijan, or from Armenia. (Those two have a slow war going on, so going to both will result in a lot of border-crossing trouble, best to pick one.)

I've ridden in the Ukraine, and also through all the Balkan countries and Turkey.

For me, there's no question at all that I would take the Balkan - Turkey route and avoid Ukraine & Russia.

The Balkan countries are all very interesting and very pleasant places to go through. The further south you go in the Balkans, the cheaper food, fuel, and lodging gets.

Greece is a bit of a disappointment (and also extraordinarily expensive), but you can easily ride from Macedonia (now called North Macedonia, I think) to Turkey in a day. Alternatively, you could ride through Bulgaria into Turkey, but if you went that way, you would miss some really good riding in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Bulgaria is flat as a pancake and not at all as interesting as the Balkans.

Turkey is an interesting and pleasant country, except that the traffic in Istanbul is absolutely horrible. If you don't intend to spend time in Istanbul, plan to get up at about 3 in the morning and start your commute from one side of Istanbul to the other then - that way, it will only take you about 4 hours, instead of 12 hours, to cross the city, and you will have a better chance at coming out the other side of the city still alive rather than squashed under a truck.

I've been to Ukraine several times, most recently in 2018. The roads are rough, personal security is a concern, security of the motorcycle is a concern, and there is still a low-key conflict taking place in the south-eastern part of the country. The cops are corrupt, and it takes hours (literally) to cross the border into or out of Ukraine.

As for Russia - I have not traveled by motorcycle in Russia, but I have done a lot of cross-country as a pilot of an aircraft in Russia. Much like Ukraine, customs and border crossing procedures are laborious and a real PITA. The Turks are meticulous about border procedures, but as long as you have all your paperwork in order, they are pleasant and efficient. Border procedures at both Ukraine and Russia are anything but pleasant and efficient.

Be aware that if you route through the Balkans and Turkey, you'll be buying insurance at just about every border crossing, unless you can somehow get your insurance company to add those countries to your Green Card document. Here's a link to a post that explains Balkans Insurance. That post is 6 years old, but not much has changed since I wrote it.

Michael

Thanks a ton boys! Decision is pretty clear I think! Balkans and Turkey it is then bier

Makes sense actually.

Now if that COVID thingy could just **** off, that'd be appreciated.

Do make every effort to get your CH insurance company to add the Balkan countries and Turkey to your motorcycle insurance policy. Doing so will save you about CHF 150 - 200 in fees to purchase country-specific policies in the Balkans and in Turkey.

Michael

Noted with thanks! Added to my neverending excel file. :smartass:

I do agree that the Balkans - Turkey route is the more interesting. But personally I would not actively avoid Ukraine and Russia. I had some real interesting rides in Ukraine (especially in the Carpathians). And I also did Iran to Nordkapp through Russia, which was a lot of fun. But not quite as varied as the southern alternative.