Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
riding around the black sea, visa info needed riding around the black sea, visa info needed
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Feb 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Huntsville, AL USA
Posts: 117
riding around the black sea, visa info needed
I'm planning this trip in may/june of this year. I have a bike in Budapest (KLR650) and I'm going to ride thru Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia.
Anyone have info on visa's needed for these countries? I've been thru Romania, and Serbia, dont know if a visa is needed for Moldova tho. I was planning on going thru a visa agency for UK, RU & GEO, unless theres a cheaper/easier way to do it.
Thanks for any help/info.

Doug


------------------
www.guzzidoug.com
__________________
www.motosapiens.org

My Motorcycle Hotel/Cafe in Bulgaria
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Visa needed for Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia. But there is another problem: In 2002 I had the required visa for Georgia, but was stopped at the Russian border near Sochi, which was closed, bec. of the troubles in Chechnia. There is a hydrofoil Sochi-Batumi, but the captain refused to load my bike (BMW F650). There was a weekly ferry, Sochi-Istanbul, but I didn't feel like waiting a week just to be refused again. So I took a long detour around (8500km).
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2005
seanh's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 301
There is also a ferry from Sochi to Trabzon in Turkey, leaves daily in summer I think.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2005
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
I have made it to Ukraine a load of times in the past year. You will need a visa, and you wont find it cheaper than here:

http://travel-2-ukraine.com/visa-support/default.htm

$30 for the invite.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2005
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
Quote:
Originally posted by colebatch:
You will need a visa, and you wont find it cheaper than here:
$30 for the invite
Actually, you can. Free!
Unless the situation changed since 2003, you only need to write the name and address of a Ukrainian person on the visa application. No invitation needed. This may differ by nationality, of course...
__________________
Japan touring information
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Mar 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Germany
Posts: 2
Hi!
I did the same trip (Germany -> around the black sea and back) in 2003: I needed a Visa for Moldavia (got it at the border), Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.
In fact it´s not advisable to cross Abchasia (northern part of Georgia) - I could convince the captain of the Fast boat ("Cometa51") from Sotchi to Batumi to carry both our bikes for the additional fee of one person per bike - fair deal!
It is a bit difficult to load the bikes, as this Fast Boat is like an airplane, the bikes had to be carried by 4 men in an out and were standing between the seats....
Also at the customs people didn´t have a clue how to handle us, as we seemed have been the very fist bikes on this route...Also the KGB was questioning us :-)
I hope, you have a light bike...especially if you want to see something from Georgia beside the main road- very beautiful and totally nice people but the "Road"-conditions were already above the limit for a Transalp. Still OK to do with XT & similar but I would not recommend to take BMWs for a Georgia-Trip.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Mar 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Genova, Italy - Kabul, Afghanistan
Posts: 201
I was in Georgia and the Caucasus in 2003 with a BMW R 1100 GS (two up) and it was quite good, even if I agree that the roads are awful.

About the ferry boat Sochi-Trabzon, ask to Vlad, you find him on the Odessa community. He has all the info about the ferry, as he rode to Sochi with a western biker who left to Turkey with the ferry boat.

Avoid Akbazia region of Georgia and the northern regions close to Russia (Cecenia, Daghestan, Ingushezia), as they are VERY dangerous.

[This message has been edited by pietro.spera (edited 03 March 2005).]
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 05:01.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top