Drive from London to Iran

[arkiboys]

Hi,
Recently came back from a drive in Italy which fun lovely.
Prior to that we had a drive through France which was also great. We allowed three weeks for it. It was great.
Hopefully next year, my family and I would like to drive to Iran from London on a two months cruise during schools sumer holidays (kids are 7 and 9 years old).
The car is a Renault Grand Scenic which currently has done 35000 miles so far.
I think I can drive to Austria and get the train with the car to west of Turkey. From there drive to Iran.
The idea is to spend a few days in each country and drive slowly with no rush and see as many places as possible. And if possible to spend the majority of time seeing the historical places in Iran (May be I allow 4 weeks for this).
In Turkey, we can spend a few days longer while may be driving by the black sea from west to east towards the Iranian border.
A few questions please:
1- Anyone done this drive previously?
2- Any tips on driving through Turkey? Is it safe with family? what are the roads like?
3- I know about the carne de passage, so I can solve that one before going as I have enquired about it.
4- Google says, the drive is about 4000 miles each way. This includes the drive from Austria to Turkey which I would like to avoid by takiing the train instead. So less milage therer. Or maybe you can recommend continue driving from Austria to Turkey and not taking the train...?
5- Has anyone taken the train with car from Austria to Turkey or driven this route?
6- Thinking of either pre-reserving hotels for our stays but this requires more accurate plans. Or may be it is best to check in to hotels as we are driving and looking for hotels on the way?
7- Any suggestions, recommendations, tips are welcome
8- Have I miised anything?
Many thanks

[Matt Cartney]

Personally wouldn't miss the drive through Turkey, it's great.

All sorts of stuff can pop up to mess with your plans so I wouldn't book in advance. I had no problem finding places to stay on the road in Turkey. Bit harder in Iran as there are less tourists. Still fine though. Europe is usually no problem, including Romania and Bulgaria.

Driving in Turkey and Iran... they are nuts. Driving through Tehran you take your life in your hands. Nearly got killed a couple of times in Turkey. But then I was on a bike, which people seem to ignore in many parts of the world. In a car it would be a different story I think. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me going.

In terms of robbery/kidnapping etc you are pretty safe I'd say (check with the FO and other sources first though), except for the east of Iran which is close to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border and can be extremely dodgy.

The easiest driving route to Turkey from Europe is probably Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria - Turkey.

Your car will be fine. Renaults are fairly popular in Eastern Europe if memory serves, due to their cheapness and simplicity, so any parts should be available. At 35,000 miles I wouldn't be expecting any problems though.

Have fun!



Edit - Ah, I see the train takes you to the WEST of Turkey, so you wouldn't miss the drive through. Sounds cool. (I should really learn to read stuff properly!)

[mark manley]

Just make sure if you see nothing else in Iran you go to Esfahan, fabulous city, fabulous people.

[estebangc]

We drove last year from Spain to Iran and I just agree 100% with all Matt just said.

You've got a quick car, so rush towards Turkey and start your trip there. We went via Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria because we came from Southern Europe, so not that good for you. Just try to see some sights on the way in the places you sleep, so the kids do not get so bored.

Turkey is just beautiful, as Turks are. Even if it sounds too typical, don't miss Capadocia and Pamukkale (and Istambul!), and maybe get lost in smaller towns. We enjoyed a lot Zile, where had loooong chats every night having tea with a really nice group. The Black sea coast ist not that special. Trabzon is nice, though. Driving, pay attention to the road. I was told they are converting two ways road in highways (adding a parallel two way road) to avoid Turks to overtake like crazy. However, you can handle it. (we spent almost a month)

But if you feel like, go via Georgia and visit Vardzia, which is really amazing, as well as churches and monasteries. Just one thing: avoid the road in Adjara, southern Georgia. After Khulo is just terrible, you would trash your car (we struggled in a very lightly loaded Renault 5, pure farmer's car). In general, the rest of the roads in your (whole) trip are very well, except for some big potholes in Georgia, I'd say. No visa in Ge.

Armenia, if you get that route has wonderful monasteries. And visa available at the border, as garanteed struggled with stupid border officials. You will have to pay some fees for the car, but no CdP (ecological tax, etc).

Iran, what can I say: focus on it and stay as long as your visa allows you to (we asked for 2 months). Iranians are just great, generous, kind, polite and friendly people. Very safe. Roads are great. Driving is just mad, but you get used to it. It will be very hot, especially in the south and check Ramadan dates, you'll get it during your trip, but no worries being a traveller and non muslim.

Apply for Iranian visa in advance. It tooks us two months and lots of phone calls. Just be absolutely transparent. Ah, I read here some people saying they didn't need a CdP in Iran, but still do not know how they managed, so check that thoroughly.

Hotels... I find difficult to book in advance. Just bring camping gear for Turkey and even in Iran (they just love tents and pic-nics). We foreigners are not allowed, but if you find no accomodation, just pitch your tent close to others -they are everywhere!- and will have great fun with your neighbours. Being not so touristy, not very good accomodation infrastructure. Visits? Yadz, Esfahan, Shiraz (Persepolis), Aras River Valley (coming from Armenia, wow!). So much to see!

Two months is not too long, but you will have great fun! And the kids as well. Ah, your wife will suffer a little more the heat with the scarf. You will forget about shorts as well.