Time required to pass customs in the Stans
 

(To whoever rode Iran and the Stans)

Guys, I'd like to know your experience as concerns the time required to carry out the customs procedures when travelling throughout Central Asia.

I mean... how long did it take to you to?

Exit Iran and enter Turkmenistan (I'd arrive from Mashad bound to Ashgabat)

Exit Turkmenistan and enter Uzbekistan (I'd arrive from Carzdev bound to Bukhara)

and / or

Exit Uzbekistan and enter Turkmenistan (I'd arrive from Bukhara bound to Carzdev)

Exit Turkmenistan and enter Iran (I'd arrive from Ashgabat bound to Mashad)


Thanks a lot for your replies, that are very important to me: next summer 2010 I'll have only 30 days to ride from Italy to Samarkand (and back) and to visit Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva + Ashgabat, so even losses of time at customs must not be excessive.
30 days are the maximum period of holiday that my boss will allow me just exceptionally to carry out this trip.

My experience:
Leave Mashaad - 1 hour
Enter TM - 2 hours
Leave TM - 1 hour
Enter UZ - 1 hour

Figure Mashat -> Ashkabat (incl border) 1 day. I left Mashat a bit late and ended up entering Ashkabat at night ..
TM->UZ .. I crossed at Nukus. As I remember, that one took about 2-3 hours total.

But this info is not that useful, as in the Stans you never know what will happen. So what I did, is to always have a full day for a border crossing. Maybe travel 1-2 hrs to the border (try go get there early in the morning, and beware that some close during lunchtime).

Good luck

Thanks. I'll remember to consider one whole day :frown: for each border crossing.

For me: Iran -> Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) ~2.5 h
Turkmenistan (Kenurgench) -> Uzbekistan (Nukus) ~1 h