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Saudi and UAE transit visas
After being turned down by several Iranian consulates, I'm stuck in Instanbul seeking a way to Pakistan. Plan B is to ride south through Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE to Oman and find a ship heading for Karachi. The Syrians have assured me on the phone that visas are issued to Americans in one afternoon with no letter of recommendation needed. Jordan is equally accomodating.
The question is how and where to obtain a three day Saudi transit visa. I realize that a visa for the next country is needed before even applying so that leaves the issue of how and where to get a visa for UAE. From reading the information on these threads it appears that regulations are constantly changing and of course, are affected by nationality. Once in Oman, is it possible to cross to Karachi by ferry? Most ships do not allow passengers to accompany their vehicles but I don't like the idea of being separated from my bike. If all else fails, there's air freighting. All suggestions are deeply appreciated. Thanks Glen www.strikingviking.net ------------------ |
I doubt there are ferries going to Pak, but there are lots of Dhows. Met a whole Scottish family living in a full sized bus that had taken that route in about 1988. Being British they were in the same boat as you are now.
This is not a regular service, though, so you just go to the port and ask and haggle. If it works out you should be in for a real adventure! ------------------ Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise, Peter. |
You can get the UAE-visa at the border, entering from Saudi, took me 20 minutes including getting an insurance which must be some kind of record.
Bear in mind that crossing Saudi in 3 days is a huge effort. From Jordan to Jeddah you have 1000 km, to Riyadh another 1000 and from Riyadh to UAE about 700 (I think). Add sand storms to that. We had to take a couple of days break after each leg, we were just exhausted. Especially the road from HufHuf (east of Riyadh) to UAE is notorious for storms. |
How and where did you get your transit visa for SA? How long did it take? I am Istanbul headed for Syria in a few days. I have Pakistan and Indian visas. I understand that it's necessary to show a visa for the next country but since that would be UAE and they issue visas at the border, what would you suggest?
Thanks |
Sorry, can't help you there, I had relatives in Saudi who managed to get an invitation for me, so I was on a proper visa, not a transit visa. What does the Saudi embassy say in Istanbul (I suppose they have one?) regarding you not having the UAE visa yet?
Once again, you're in for a long ride crossing from Jordan to UAE in 3 days... |
Thanks for the info. Plan B is to truck the bike to Dubai from Amman and fly there myself and try to ship to Karachi. Any thoughts on this? Airfreighting Amman to Karachi is a last resort.
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Sounds like a better plan to me. My spontaneous impression of Saudi is that I never want to go back. As a westener, you are not welcome by people on the streets. Only in Saudi did we have conversations like:
"Where are you from?" "Sweden!" "America, Sweden, Britain, boom boom" Or having cigarettes and peach stones thrown at us while riding on a highway from cars pulling up beside us. The police were great once we learned how to deal with them (showing our visa which in Arabic said "Mr bla bla is officially invited by the embassador...". I must admit however that the further east we got, the nicer the people. You know, small things, for example not being uncomfortable entering a normal lunch restaurant anymore. I've heard a lot of positive things about Oman and Yemen, would be nice to go there sometime. |
What about a more eastern route to UAE? Looking on the map it is only a thousand miles. Am I missing something here?
Thanks Glen |
The eastern route is a bit more then 2000 kms. I don't know the state of the road or if it is a problem that it goes close to the Iraqi border for 800 kms.
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I also don't know what state that road is in, but last year most of the clashes between police and extremists were in the north-eastern part of Saudi, which might be taken into consideration.
The high-way from Jeddah to Riyadh is great. We were doing 150km/h all the way. |
I'm british and live in Riyadh and regularly tour Saudi Arabia.
its fine if you know your stuff the thing is touring on a bike is uncomprehensible to a lot of people so a lot of the strange looks you get is not because you're western, but a look of "he must be crazy travelling on a bike" .... anyway I live in Riyadh, if you're coming from the north you'll have to pass through here before heading on to the UAE, if you're coming through here i'd be glad to help you while you're here, email me ((mail link above)) .... I once travelled from here to Dubai in one go on a goldwing (just stopping for petrol) its not bad .... actually quite safe and the roads are decent ... after you cross the UAE border you're in a cross between Arabia and Europe - the roads are brilliant and the services much better than anywhere else in the middle east .... Anyway let me know if you dont know anyone here I could sort you out with a place to stay in Riyadh... =================== email address in post removed by Grant - see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/faq.shtml#notify for why. Use the http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/email.gif link above to contact directly, or just post a reply. [This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 19 December 2004).] |
Also, coming from Jordan, the easiest route would be: o Amman (about 120km to http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif o Azraq (border) o Gurayat o Traif o Arar (from here to Rafha the road is average) o Rafha o Hafr-Al-Batin (this city is about 100 km from Kuwait) o Majma'ah (from here to riyadh about 200 km, careful of speed traps, limit in SA is 120 kph, but 130 kph is ok) o Riyadh http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif TOTAL: about 1500 km from Amman to Riyadh Head to Arar first you can stay there if you like it has good hotels (yes its close to the Iraqi border but its not like stray bullets from falluja are likely to hit you http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) ... then from Arar through Al-Qassim (majma'ah) onto Riyadh. From Gurayat to Rafha the roads are two-lane (one in each direction) most of the way, but they're fairly safe and a new motorway was being constructed last time i passed there (last March) i'd assume its ready by now, and from Majma'ah to Riyadh the motorway is excellent, but be careful as there are speed traps all along the way dont exceed 130 kph ... from Riyadh to UAE the road is OK, a bit better than the Arar route, but after you enter UAE its good ... Food in Saudi is good and you can eat from any restaurant besite the road the standards here reharding food are very good, but hotels are not ... when you fill up on petrol try to use Sasco petrol stations they are clearly marked and you can trust them (some independent stations here use dodgy petrol) Any questions about Saudi feel free to ask i'll try my best to help I'll get details of the UAE route later if you like Enjoy your trip! |
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I would actually following the signs at Rafha that direct you to a 'short cut' that joins the road between Majma'ah and Hafr Al-Batin about halfway between the towns. Very good condition and nice fast sweepers and better scenery and less traffic. Doesn't cut much distance though. Also there is only one petrol station in the long bit between Linah and ... I forget the name but a town close,maybe 50km from the Majmah'ah - Hafr Al-Batin road. Quote:
1485 km from Riyadh to Saudi-Jordan border with the short-cut. Quote:
Never had any trouble with petrol in Saudi. That's with a high-compression 1100XX. Quote:
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Thanks for the advice guys. The Saudis also denied a three day transit visa so I rode through Jordan and Egypt to Israel. Looks like I'll have to airfreight from Amman to Karachi. I post a diary and photos at www.strikingviking.net
FYI, The Sinai is some mighty fine motorcycle riding! Love the Bedouins. |
Hi, what is the road like from south? We want to ride from Yemen to Jordan sometime soon. Also on a 3 day transit visa. We're on a GS.
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