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Bike by sea from India to Malaysia Bike by sea from India to Malaysia
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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
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  #1  
Old 7 Oct 2021
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Bike by sea from India to Malaysia
Hi all
Has anyone got any info/experience in travelling by sea from India to Malaysia with a motorbike? Looking into this as an option if China is too tricky/expensive on a UK to Australia route.
Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 7 Oct 2021
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Possibly out of date now but it used to be easiest to fly your bike and yourself from Kathmandu to Bangkok but in recent years people have been able to ride across Myanmar, shipping out of India was always a problem due to troublesome and expensive bureaucracy.
China is more of a problem getting to India rather than out of it.
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  #3  
Old 8 Oct 2021
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Your biggest challenge in India is BUREAUCRACY! They will make you suffer, but yes it is possible. Highly advisable not to ship from Madras, rather Mumbai would be a preference despite the greater distance/cost.

FYI, it seems highly unlikely china will issue overland permits next year. Burma remains highly challenged with civil unrest. Flying is very costly but MAS does take bikes from New Delhi and Mumbai. The BKK/KTM no longer flies widebody aircraft, or did not prior to the virus. Ditto KL/KTM. Good luck mate!
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  #4  
Old 8 Oct 2021
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Thanks for the info. Hound_Dog, why do you suggest shipping from Mumbai (as it seems odd due to geography) as opposed to Madras? Would any other East coast ports work (Calcutta for example - or even Columbo in Sri Lanka)? With China and Burma potentially out we are running out of options as our route deposits us into India from Pakistan.....
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  #5  
Old 8 Oct 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffh View Post
Thanks for the info. Hound_Dog, why do you suggest shipping from Mumbai (as it seems odd due to geography) as opposed to Madras? Would any other East coast ports work (Calcutta for example - or even Columbo in Sri Lanka)? With China and Burma potentially out we are running out of options as our route deposits us into India from Pakistan.....
If you search the shipping done by travellers thread you will find a few accounts of people shipping out of Mumbai but none from other ports in India possibly due to the companies there not having experience with foreign registered vehicles which adds to their paperwork.
Situations change while you are on the road and it is possible that travelling through Burma might become an option again by the time you get there but if not have a look through this page.

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ge...country_value=
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  #6  
Old 8 Oct 2021
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Yes, you can drive to Malaysia by Road, From India to Myanmar, Thailand and finally reaching Malaysia. There are some shows that show you the trip via road from Malaysia to Myanmar.
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  #7  
Old 9 Oct 2021
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Originally Posted by vizagdekho View Post
Yes, you can drive to Malaysia by Road, From India to Myanmar, Thailand and finally reaching Malaysia. There are some shows that show you the trip via road from Malaysia to Myanmar.
Not now you can't. Myanmar will be closed to overlanders for the foreseeable future due to the current conflict.
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  #8  
Old 9 Oct 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffh View Post
Thanks for the info. Hound_Dog, why do you suggest shipping from Mumbai (as it seems odd due to geography) as opposed to Madras? Would any other East coast ports work (Calcutta for example - or even Columbo in Sri Lanka)? With China and Burma potentially out we are running out of options as our route deposits us into India from Pakistan.....
Geoff, if you talk to any shipping agent they will tell you to avoid Madras/Chennai and Calcutta (a riverine port) like the plague. Highly inefficient, corrupt and bureaucracy that would turn Gandhi into a raging psychopath.

Sri Lanka is possible but then the additional costs of getting there will negate any saving and probably increase your transit time. Remember, frequency of shipping is what you want. Regular reliable services instead of having to potentially wait months as your bike is swapped between half a dozen vessels.
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  #9  
Old 12 Oct 2021
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Originally Posted by Hound_Dog View Post
Geoff, if you talk to any shipping agent they will tell you to avoid Madras/Chennai and Calcutta (a riverine port) like the plague. Highly inefficient, corrupt and bureaucracy that would turn Gandhi into a raging psychopath.

Sri Lanka is possible but then the additional costs of getting there will negate any saving and probably increase your transit time. Remember, frequency of shipping is what you want. Regular reliable services instead of having to potentially wait months as your bike is swapped between half a dozen vessels.
Thanks Hound_Dog - good to know this info before we get there!
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