Turkey to Tehran via Trans Asia train no-problem!
Just arrived in Tehran from Turkey via Trans Asia train, loaded the bike in Kayseri and unloaded it in Tehran, the carnet was stamped in Tabriz, 140 Turkish Liras for the cargo and 54 Liras for passenger. No problem whatsoever.
There are no ramps in Kayseri or Tehran stations so you have to tip someone (the porters in my case) to help you with the loading/unloading (20 Turkish Liras and 30,000 Rials in my case (5 men), there are no steps to get into both stations, you can use the wheelchair ramp in Tehran on exit.
The station manager in Kayseri is very very helpfful and friendly but u need someone who can translate for you.
I had to to empty the tank but I noticed they dont check it at all and I had a bottle of fuel hidden in my panniers.
Just wanted to confirm that coming via trans asia is possible also the custom manager in Tabriz knew exactly what to do with the carnet and all the rest, probably many others went through the same way.
Now I am in Tehran and its a looong bank holiday here (new year) and all the offices are closed: do I need 3rd party insurance for the bike in Iran? I totally overlooked this as I thought I was going to enter overland (for the same reason I dont have a petrol card but it doesnt seem to be a problem, I could buy petrol for 5,000 Rials per litre, only quantity multiple of 10 litres).
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... and Nelly The Elephant packed the trunk and said goodbye to the circus...
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