Has anyone crossed the Bazargan border (Turkey to Iran), and if so, when did you cross and what were the procedures? Is it complicated? Do they search your vehicle, and/or do they run your vehicle through an X-ray machine? How long does it take?

Thanks.

I crossed in mid June 2009 from Iran to Turkey. It's a busy crossing. Nothing too complicated but it takes time. Lots of "fixers" on the Iranian side that will want to help you. Don't think it is needed. Depending on how long you stay they will probably try to get you the required Iranian license plates. A map is here:
Maku to Van | On The Road

Layout of the border is here:
Bazargan Border post between Turkey and Iran

The advantage of this crossing is that you have a chance to see the Ishak Pascha Palace near Dogubayazit and Qareh Kalisa near Maku, if your are into that sort of thing. Maku, on the Iranian side, is surprisingly pleasant for a border town.

I crossed into Iran at the much smaller Esendere/Serou crossing, with a lot less hassle and a lot faster. They didn't have the required plates, never mentioned them and on the way out I got asked but nothing happened when I didn't have them. The road from Van to Sero is a nice ride, a few old castles to see. Map is here:

Van to Orumiyeh | On The Road

No x-rays or searches at either crossing. The custom guys just signed the paper.

Your profile lists your nationality as USA. I think that will be your problem. Do you have the visa and have arranged for a guide, which is mandatory for US citizens, on the Iranian side?

Easy cross, no hassles from Iranian side - some from Turkish but manageable.
I have pass two times, one with bike and one with car.
You don’t need to take licence plates if you say you stay less than 6 days (just say).

Just don’t carry alcohol and “curious” stuff. Nice country and people.

I crossed the border in february 2009. No problem on Turkish side, rather complicated on the iranian side: the chief custom officer was supposed to sign a paper, guaratiing that the vehicule had been searched (a bike in my case). It took me three hours...and finally, for no apparent reason, the guy signed the paper. On the turkish side, many people obviously try to "help" you. Don't bother.
The border in itself is easy, it depends on what kind of rights people wearing a uniform think this uniform gives them...

I stayed almost two months with normal plates and the carnet: no problem whatsoever. Enjoy iran!!

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http://www.terres-humaines.com

Hi folks
I returned from Iran, Armenia, Georgia trip last week.
I want to tell you something about this countries but a little time later.
Border in Bazagran I passed about 1 in the night. It was no problem with visa and passport ( about 1/2 hour), but I had no CPD. I had to wait till 8 and morning "the fixer" made for me transit documents and after 6 hours I entered Iran. It was some "battle" betwen me and the fixer but finally the man from "turist information" was good english speaking and very helpful.
After all this situation I think but I pay too much money for the documents and it is really no so bigger problem to drive without CPD.
No x-ray machine and no search in car and bags.
Very nice people and country.

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Bartosz
www.wyprawy4x4.com.pl

hello
one short question. is it possible to obtain a visum at the border(bazargan border). because the embassy of Iran in the Netherlands says it is possible at the airport but doesn't say anything about the landborders.
thanks in advance
brend

@Bartosz: How much did you have to pay for CDP replacement (Temp. Doc) to the fixer?

Just don’t carry alcohol and “curious” stuff. Nice country and people.[/QUOTE]
Hi
Does anyone know if you need 3rd party legal road insurance for a motorbike to enter Iran?
Thanks
Nick

"Petrol in Iran is okay, I read here before my trip that the petrol is cheap but the quality is bad. Bullshit, the petrol is more than fine"

Petrol, I don't know (but I believe it's fine). What is not fine is Diesel, and I'm sure because we had problems with our "injections" due to bad gas-oil (only good for their "old" trucks ans buses!
Yes I know that Bazargan is a lot of hassles and it's better in Sero (I've tried the both in 2011)
RR.

Does anyone know if this is 24-hour open customs station?

Does it observe a reduced opening hour during Ramadan?

I'm trying to join some days in northwestern Iran to my trip to Georgia and Armenia, if I won't be short on time...


Thanks!

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

It is 24 hours open, but you must have CPD, without it must wait till 8 morning for "fixers"
In this countries really bettter to avoid friday.

Save trip.
Bartosz

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Bartosz
www.wyprawy4x4.com.pl

We'll have the CPD, next month we'll begin the paperwork if we'll be sure to have some days for Iran also.
Thanks, Bartosz.

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Except this terrible enter on border Iran is wonderful country with very helpfull people.
If you have diesel you will fill your car almost for free. 100 liters of diesel cost 1 EUR. Only drive on gas station when you see trucks and say words "no card, diesel". Each trucks driver will help you (they have limits of 100, 200, or 300 liters).
Many times drivers pay for my 60-70 liters.
Most of museums and archeological sites costs about 0,3 to maximum 1 EUR.
Free camping without any problems, hostels, pensions 3-5 EUR.
Ask if you have questions.

Bartosz

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Bartosz
www.wyprawy4x4.com.pl

Hmm, seems to be a question of luck. When we went through this summer, everyone was really nice and helpful on either side. Someone made sure our carnets got to the right counter and did not want any money for this. No x-ray, no search or such, just checking frame and engine numbers. There also was a smartly dressed chubby guy asking for our documents, but we did not play the game and he was alright with that. Then there was another one, quite vicious, trying to scam us into buying a 'mandatory insurance', scaring us with stories about how illegal it was to ride without it. We asked for the price and politely told him we were not interested and he got angry trying to get some baksheesh for letting us off, but we told him to go and enjoy his solitude somewhere else, which he did. Never pay people to leave you alone - your just showing bystanders how to make quick money.

Iranians are extremely friendly and nice and you hardly find someone who is not - but if you ever get into a bad situation, just don't let anyone intimidate you. Physical violence has pretty high penalties on it, so even if people get agitated and seem on the verge of snapping, they very unlikely ever will. Just keep calm, state your points repeatedly and walk away if you can or get someone local to help you.
For every crook there are five bystanders who will come to your help.

I had a pretty nasty fight with a taxi driver in Tehran who tried to scam me into more fees. Took fifteen minutes, I walked him to the desk of my hotel and told him to call the police and in the end got my money back with him dropping my luggage on the pavement and shouting and swearing at me.

Just keep calm.