Getting to Vlad from the USA-Ideas?
 

I am planning to start my Asia trip in May,2007 and need to get myself and the motorcycle to Vladavostok. I would be willing to use any kind of transportation, the cheaper the better and if I could find a freighter I would gladly work for any consideration. Could someone help me with current thinking on getting from the USA to northern Asia. I checked the shipping threads but they weren't a great help.
TIA.
Bill.

from Canada
 

Got a quote from Shipitnow.com for $4600 USD air from Winnipeg Canada to Vladivostok – pretty pricey. Air Korea quoted me $4 Cnd per kilo (minimum 300 kilos) to Seoul – I believe you can ferry from Korea to Vlad. Or $10 Cnd per kilo to Ulaanbaatar. Some say that Air is the better why to go as there are fewer hidden charges and less hassles at pic up but its looking to be quite expensive. I know this info may not apply directly to your situation but I’m throwing it out there for general interest.

Good luck

The general method is to get to Japan and then take the ferry to Vlad.

Japan is easy, lots of ways to get there from the USA.

Shipping service from US West Coast to Vladivostok
 

There is a direct shipping server from Long Beach/CA and Everett/WA to Vladivostok. See http://fesco.com for details.

Geoff..

And if....
 

....you should follow Grant's suggestion, i.e. via Japan, give me a call or send me an e-mail, I will see what I can do for you from here! Japan might also be a nice place for a couple of days, staying away from the bigger cities like Tokyo. And if so,a night or 2 (or whatever is needed) at my place is no problem. Bike dealer in the area (Red Baron) for maintenance and so on.

Klaus
http://virtulanguage.com

PS: Just found this page which might be of help (or not??):
http://www.euras.co.jp/en/ship.html
General information on cost etc for ferries from Japan to Vladivostok!

Klaus, Grant and everyone,
Thanks for your help. I am open to any possible solution. Japan would be wonderful.
One problem is my big fear of driving on the left hand side of the road.
My friend went to England and rented a car. He was still in sight of the airport when he got in a horrible wreck so I am wondering what will happen to me if I try to drive in Japan.
I do not know which side of the road Koreans drive on. And I just assumed Russia is back to right hand driving.
Well, it's always the minor stuff that messes a guy up like not speaking Russian or Chinese.
Keep the good advice coming.
Bill.

Hi Bill!
 

Hey, no big deal - the left hand side of the road! When I moved to Japan 15 years ago - the first day I was here I drove to Matsuyama City - roughly 25 ks, first time in my life left side of the road and right side steering wheel. Made it and didn't have any accidents over here since then. Anyway, my offer is valid, so any time....

Take care, safe riding and (maybe) CU

Klaus

Last summer I arranged shipping of my by bike by ocean freight from Seattle to Vladivostok through STS North America, Inc. The cost was $2000 US and I was very pleased with the service. My contact at the STS office in Bellevue, Washington was a lady named Pille Mandla, pillem@stslogistics.net, telephone 425-497-8269. STS is a world wide company headquartered in Russsia and has an office in Vladivostok. It took 6 weeks and two days for the bike to reach Vladivostok. STS quoted about $3000 for air shipment, which should provide a more definite, reliable arrival time. For myself, I flew by Delta and Korean air from southern Idaho to Vladivostok, $1300 for a one way ticket. I don't know how these costs compare with going through Japan, but I would think, given the high cost of lodging, etc. in Japan, they would be competetive.

I didn't want to use the Japan option because of the requirement of a carnet for the bike (Japan would have been the only country on my trip that would require one). I was also intimidated by the idea of riding in Japan, and having to deal with the ferry was not appealing, just one more of the many hassles associated with this type of trip and I was trying to keep things as simple as possible.

IMO, shipping directly from the US to Vladivostok is a viable option. Hope this is of some help.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. Any ideas are appreciated. When I get solid information I will post it. Working on Korean Air Cargo and ocean shippers.
Bill.

Driving on the other side of the road is no problem after the first couple of days. Roundabouts are the trickiest things. I found that it can be more dangerous when there is not much traffic around as it is easy to revert to your normal side of the road. When there is traffic around it helps to remind you which side to stay on. Driving a car i found more difficult than a bike, i kept trying to change gears with the door handle.
Sean

Thant's funny. :)

the first few days are the easy bit of driving on the 'wrong' side of the road because then you are concentrating, it's later when you relax that it becomes a bit dicey. I find junctions can catch me out, especially looking the right way, and on a single track road if I have to move over to get past someone.
incidently, it's all you guys that drive on the right that are on the wrong side. historically everybody rode to the left because the majority of people carried their swords in their right hand. when the church of England came into being and we split from the vatican the pope got ina a huff and demanded carriages started going on the right. most other non catholic countries then just went with the majority when it came to decision time.

got a air freight quote
 

Just got an airfreight quote to ship my bike one way to Korea from Seattle-$700USD. Expeditor's Global, Seattle WA, contact person is Danielle. Tel no 206 394 4723.
Must go business to business, anybody know a bike shop in Korea?
The deal is it goes as non hazardous goods, no gas in tank, lines, carb. No battery. I have to crate it and sign an affidavit to that effect.
IATA special provisions, A-70 Statement of Compliance. is the doc.
I am ecstatic.
Anyone want to come along?
Bill.

korea or japan
 

Gotta say that both korea and japan are great places to ride. A plus on the korean option is the ease of the paper work to get into russia from korea, look up the threads and you will see people can take days to clear and usually more than a few $ as well when they take the ferry from japan to vlad. The korea/ chinese ferry company (cant think of name right now, but search thread by geoff kingsmill, got tones of contact info) did all our paper work for us in russia and we just sat in the sun for a couple of hours and was away that afternoon, totally stress free.

BUT one problem with air freight into korea u need to look into esp if you fly into incheon international is that bikes are prohibited from the express ways (look up thread on subject) and the only access to airport is via expressway. so geting the bike out of the airport is going need a truck (one bloke got the police to escort him!!!!)

Also bit more paper work when u arrive in korea compared to japan (temp licences etc)

Loved japan, but korea was special and I would vote for korea due to the ease of getting into russia.

As far as business to business I suggest you contact the place you are going to stay and use their address.

Hi Brett,
Sounds like you know so I will start with the simple stuff.
What side of the road do they drive on in Korea?
Thanks,
Bill.