Ferrry Aktau to Baku
 

Has anybody taken this ferry over the Caspian Sea lately? We might want to take the ferry from Kazakhstan to Azerbidjan in a few months but are unsure if it is still going. Does it take 4wd's? Price?

We are running out of visa-money for the stans, and this seems to be the only option to avoid (unfortunatly) the area.

When in Baku, I will check for you in two weeks...email me to remind and post on here.
I will be heading from Baku to Turk, but I presume the same port services both.
HTH

Ferry from Baku to Aktau/Atyrau in Kazakhstan
 

Hi
I just found this old thread. Did you find any info about a boat from Baku to Kazakhstan?

I am aiming to cross that way in summer 09. I have a Kazkah work permit (I live and work in Almaty, but from UK) and it will be simpler for me to avoid the rest of the Stans on this occasion.

Otherwise, if I have to cross to Turkmenistan, I want to head directly north and cross into Kaz and into Aksu. (Do you know if this is possible?)

Thanks
Dan

Aktau
 

Search for Aktau and Atyrau and you will find some old information.
I haven't seen anything in the last couple years.
However, there is a member living in Aktau who may be able to provide information for you on that ferry:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...zakhstan-40499

This ferry does exist , we are getting it to avoid the other stans which is a big headache, , Lonely planet forums tested it in November 2008 , however the ferry is VERY VERY basic and there is nowhere to buy food.

The trouble with this ferry is that it is once every 6-10 days and thus you could be sat in Atqau or Baku for days and days and days.

No food???? There was a cantine area when I took it 4 years ago.

last year I was using Caspianferry.ru company to ship my car from Iran to Russia. The ferry was circulating between Anzali (iran) - Aktau (Kazakhstan) - Olya (Russia, Astrakhan)
As I know, this company sometimes direct their ferrys to Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Baku (Azerbaijan). Contact their managers and check for the information.
Bad thing is that this ferry goes to it's way every 5-10 days, not every day.

from reading the threads ferry travel sounds very basic! Does anyone know what the costs are for transporting a bike across, Turkmenbasy to Baku?