First trip: advice? UK-Romania.
 

It is only in the early stages of planning, but I intend to travel from UK to visit a friend in Bucharest, Romania.

I am aiming for departure in Spring 2006.

This is my first long distance ride. (previous maximum 200miles!) I have never ridden outside of the UK.

I will be riding my 1992 XTZ660. I plan on travelling very light, just because I believe it will be easier this way. By 'very light' I mean minimal clothes, tent & basic camping gear and basic tools. I don't think I will bother with tyre-irons etc as I will never tuly be isolated!

Do you have any specific advice for this trip, considering it's my first (25 yrs old)?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I have contacted Transylvania Motorcycle Tours (http://www.tmtours.net) for advice on Romania.

I was in Romania last year. Beautiful country for bike travelling. If you will come (on your way to Romania) to Croatia contact me. Croatian coast is beautiful for bike travelling too.

Thank you very much for the offer, Nikola. I will probably contact you!
Do you think the border crossing into Romania will be trouble free? (This is my only real concern.)

Thanks again,

Iain.

We hit the border crossing from Serbia into Romania a couple of weeks ago. Totally simple, maybe 10 minutes at the border. Just an exchange of bike documents and passports. The border officials were VERY friendly.

Every border we have crossed between France and Bulgaria so far has been very, very easy and quick. Just have your documents in order and a smile on your face!

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

Thanks Dave, that is music to my ears!

Eeebs,
the less trouble-free border crosing is probably Nadlac, from Hungary, east of town Szeged. I passed it last year, not problems at all. If you likes offroading, take route over mountain pass Urdele, very nice, I did it last year and will be back. Also, you can contact me,
I live nearby Osijek, very close to Serbia/Hungary. And also ride XTZ 660 :-)
Regards,

AnteK

Crossing the border is fast and easy.

Just a word of warning - check your visa requirements. Kiwis, Aussies and various others require visas - despite lonelyplanet.com and the Romanian embassy in London assuring me we didn't. The kind people on the border sent us back to Budapest to apply for one.
Happy travels,


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Richard Parkinson
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...richardandlisa

Eeebs,

travelling light is ok since there is lots of space off the main roads where you can camp in the wild. I did so last year and enjoyed myself very much, travelling from the north (Satu Mare) southwards criss-crossing the Carpathians. Lots of dirt trax ;-) Besides, rooms are cheap and a hot shower now & then is relaxing...

But don't forget your tyre repair kit. You will often see horse carts - which means that punctures are quite frequent. I had two in two weeks.

Enjoy
Hans

I can also confirm no problems with Romania. I crossed near Debrence in Hungary - very quick and friendly. They were pulling some cars apart but didnt even ask for my bike papers or insurance. I was on an old ST 1100 Pan Euro - roads vary but you will be fine. I had no punctures. Check travellers stories - Kevin Payne - for a little more info if necessary. Or email me !