Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Driving in Iran - June 2009

Thought I'd put an update regarding driving in Iran, given the experience we have had.

We came in through Turkey at the Northern border crossing, coming into Maku.

1. Carnet. It was chaos in customs, but you soon get ushered around, and someone signs the carnet.
2. Money. Don't change any money at the border if you can avoid it. We had to and got ripped off.
3. Passport. Make sure you have plenty of copies of your passport AND your visas.
4. Fuel card. We fought hard to get this at the border, and eventually got it free. We just kept shoulding diesel card, and this did the trick, but it took about an hour.
5. Diesel is almost free. It cost up $2 for 75 litres! Usually the attendants keep the change, but it is so cheap, who cares. You must look for garages with trcks queueing if you want diesel. You will usually be ushered to the front of the queue.
6. Insurance.We forgot to get this at the border, but got it in Tabriz. for a couple of dollar tip the gus in tourist information will help you with this. It cot us £20 for a month.
7. The guys at tourist information said don't worry about picking up Iranian plates, so we haven't.

The driving in Tabriz, Esfahan and Tehran is crazy. It can be fun if you dont mind a dent!

Think thats it, email me if you have any questions.

Cheers

Ollie
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London
Posts: 17
Nice advice - very similar to our experience a month ago. Only thing I would add was regarding the fuel card. We were in a petrol/unleaded car and also tried to get a fuel card at the border, but couldn't manage to buy one. We had no problems getting fuel without it though all across Iran.

The 'local' rate for petrol/unleaded is 1000R/litre and once the locals go over their ration they need to pay 4000R/Litre. (about 20p/litre) We were often asked for our fuel card, and it seemed like we wouldn't get fuel without it, but offering to pay 4000R/Litre always got us fuel. If you could get a fuel card for free it would be worth it, but if you need to pay for it (which we understood you need to), don't bother and just pay the 4000R rate.

Oh, and no dents for us!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London
Posts: 16
Fuel Card?

Hi Ollie,

We're leaving the UK end of June and will be in Iran for end of August. What is the fuel card and how do you go about getting it?

Also, are you going through Pakistan? We were considering shipping our van into India, but I'd really like to hear your views.

Hope the trip is going well,

Jo
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Fuel card

To buy petrol or diesel you need a fuel card. As a foreigner you cna beg/borrow from Iranian allowances, and this is normal, but it does make it easier to have one, especially as it only took an extra hour at tthe border. we had a helpful man at the border who fought our corner for us.

They have only recently introduced the diesel card, but it is now normal.

As for Pakistan we haven't been here yet, and will only go in September. All the travellers we have met said that as a traveller in Pakistan you feel very safe, although at least two reported hearing bombs going off. You have to make up your own mind I think ...

Goodluck!
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Hi Ollie/Jenny

Glad to hear the trip is still going well. If you get into any tight spots while you're driving, just keep shouting INSHALLAH, INSHALLAH at the top of your voice!

Also glad to hear the fuel situation has settled down. It was awful for us when we were passing through there nearly 2 years ago. Quite ridiculous how the Iranian government, at least the last time I heard, isn't making any effort at all to increase domestic petrol refining capacity. Makes it rather easy for anyone who wants to to bring Iran to a standstill.

Regards

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 78
We were there with a Dutch couple and a Kiwi about ???? months ago, us and the Kiwi on bikes and them in their 1980s Ford Transit van (all petrol) and none of us got a fuel card or had any problems getting fuel, just turn up at the pump and when they ask for your fuel card, shrug your shoulders! Like Golfish said you just end up paying a little more for your fuel.

We all managed to escape dent free too but watch out for the roundabouts (especially the one outside Tabriz) they are complete mayhem!!

First Impressions Of Driving In Iran - about halfway down the page, quite funny to read now, especially after India
__________________
The Wonderful Wander To Oz
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Hi Ollie

Glad to hear you're both doing well. It's not clear whether you plan to cross from Iran into Pakistan directly, but just in case have you seen this (scroll to the bottom)

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...pakistan-43447
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Albania mid-late June 2009 Laura Bennitt Travellers Seeking Travellers 5 11 Jun 2009 22:49
Moto Tour Mariovo 2009, 5-7 June 2009 (Europe, Balcan peninsula, Macedonia) dvormak Motorcycle Events around the world 3 20 May 2009 17:50
Turkmenistan 7th June 2009 Tiffany Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 14 May 2009 17:38
East Timor in June 2009 davef650 Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 4 Apr 2009 08:41
Driving from UK to Iran arkiboys Travellers Seeking Travellers 7 14 Aug 2008 18:53

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:25.