Libya / Egypt border, careful now!

[KevOK]

http://exploreplanetearth.net/2013/11/14/egypt-part-i/

[cruiser guy]

Looks to me like you need to eliminate the jokes on your Facebook page before they get you tossed in jail or worse!!

[KevOK]

Already deleted buddy. But what sort of government spys on peoples fb page anyway. The worlds gone mad I tells ya.

[cruiser guy]

Originally Posted by KevOK

But what sort of government spys on peoples fb page anyway.

The government folks at little used obsure border crossings between two unstable countries ask themselves "Who the heck crosses this border by land? Sane people fly into the airport if they risk coming at all. Let's check this guy out!"

Don't carry or post anything you wouldn't want these guys to see.

Before traveling do a search with several different search engines on your own and your traveling partners names and see what comes up. If you're comfortable with that, go for it, if not, fix it first.

[andrasz]

Watching the news, this thread is rapidly transforming into academic discussion...

Libya | Reuters

[gazza171]

Originally Posted by KevOK

Egypt part I | Explore Planet Earth

glad you made it across the https://www.facebook.com/alps2africa guys were realy screwed and spend 5 days on that bourder in jail.....then could not drive across eygpt...flew to kenya...bought a new car...and it died on them...Africa is a tough continent

[Matureworld]

This border area of libya - alsaloum Egypt is the worst area I ever encountered in my life. It took us 9 hours to finish formalities at the Egyption side and that was with help of local clearing agent and 500 $ brib to officials. That was back 2008 during the good old days of the area, just imagine how worst it is now in treating cross border travelers.

Egypt is the worst country in cross border formalities and that include all entry ports...the niubea sini port is the worst of all. Mega hassle


Love flying over Egypt " hassle free "

[Sirakor]

I agree that the border building and some of the procedures are some of the worst around ...

But here's a bit of hope for anyone planning to come this way. I crossed in the beginning of December 2013, and it was far better than I had imagined after reading reports of other travelers. The Egyptian side took about 6 hours (immigration + customs). The immigration guys were friendly (guiding me around, offering tea), but the process and the state of the place is something that will be remembered ;-) The fact that I did not have a visa certainly didn't accelerate things, but they do now have the ability to issue visas at the border. After the 'special interview' they were very proud to show that I had to pay only $15 in total as it says on the visa. The most annoying thing is unpacking all your stuff about every 50m, but humor can accelerate this a lot.

Customs is more of a mess, but I managed with about 100 EUR total cost, and 3h time. That included insurance, plates, Egyptian license, official fees, and the other 'fees'. I argued my way out of a lot of the other 'fees', but then I didn't want to stay there forever, so gave in to some of them ...

I'm not sure what makes the difference in treatment, whether it's the political situation, your nationality, the moon phase, your attitude, how much love the officer's wife gave last night or whatever, but just try to smile a lot and do your 'look I'm going around the world dance' with showing pictures and flags, and you should be fine :-)

[Matureworld]

Originally Posted by Sirakor

I agree that the border building and some of the procedures are some of the worst around ...

But here's a bit of hope for anyone planning to come this way. I crossed in the beginning of December 2013, and it was far better than I had imagined after reading reports of other travelers. The Egyptian side took about 6 hours (immigration + customs). The immigration guys were friendly (guiding me around, offering tea), but the process and the state of the place is something that will be remembered ;-) The fact that I did not have a visa certainly didn't accelerate things, but they do now have the ability to issue visas at the border. After the 'special interview' they were very proud to show that I had to pay only $15 in total as it says on the visa. The most annoying thing is unpacking all your stuff about every 50m, but humor can accelerate this a lot.

Customs is more of a mess, but I managed with about 100 EUR total cost, and 3h time. That included insurance, plates, Egyptian license, official fees, and the other 'fees'. I argued my way out of a lot of the other 'fees', but then I didn't want to stay there forever, so gave in to some of them ...

I'm not sure what makes the difference in treatment, whether it's the political situation, your nationality, the moon phase, your attitude, how much love the officer's wife gave last night or whatever, but just try to smile a lot and do your 'look I'm going around the world dance' with showing pictures and flags, and you should be fine :-)

That was funny and in fact egyptions are so funny people to the point you just pay as you laugh.

You crossed recently over there! Could you kindly tell me my friend how is the situations when you crossed libya? I am thinking to travel in a month time from now. The main cities and road secuirty along the way. I called some people who live there and they gave me mixed opinions that confiused me so much.


Thanks for you delighted story.

[roro]

Thanks Sirakor for your report about your recent Egyptian border's crossing .

RR

[Sirakor]

Libya was great, very friendly people, amazing sights (e.g. Leptis Magna, most wonderful Roman city in the world to my knowledge), fuel at 6 ct/liter - what more can you ask for? And half the time the petrol station guys refuse payment and try to give you money instead, how cool is that?

Border crossings were very easy for me, about 45min from Tunisia into Libya total, 15min out of Libya (and then the 6h into Egypt). Security was no problem at all when I was there. Militias at junctions/roundabouts in Tripoli, and some roadblocks, but the guys either waved me through, or stopped me to invite me for tea/food/etc. Amongst others I stayed in Sabratha, Misratha, Leptis, Sirt, Ajdabyah, Shahat, Tobruk and didnt have any problems. In Sirt I had so many invitations for places to stay that it was a really difficult choice ;-) Also it is very easy to camp along the Med, as there is a small dam between the road and the sea. If you go over that, you can put your tent right on the beach, out of sight from the road.

The only place to be avoided to my knowledge is Derna in the northeast, Libyas Salafist/AQIM/etc headquarter. There had been some kidnappings and fights before I passed through, and I was advised to stay well clear of it. Originally the police wanted to give me and escort, but I managed to convince them that with the powers of my GPS I will manage to stay clear of it. In the end I messed up and passed through, but there had been so many reports of staying away from this place, that I would try follow the advice.

[lAbArYnth]

Great source of information on Egypt crossing Sirakor.
I just have one question
Did you enter Egypt with a carnet de passage?

I'm not sure what makes the difference in treatment, whether it's the political situation, your nationality, the moon phase, your attitude, how much love the officer's wife gave last night or whatever, but just try to smile a lot and do your 'look I'm going around the world dance' with showing pictures and flags, and you should be fine :-)


I would definitely agree with the above statement...well said.

[Matureworld]

Sirkor,

That was great update I will be there soon crossing as will via eldahiba Tunisian border entry.


Thanks.

[Budrinna]

Thanks Sirakor for your report.
Budrinna

[roro]

Originally Posted by Sirakor

Libya was great, very friendly people, amazing sights (e.g. Leptis Magna, most wonderful Roman city in the world to my knowledge), fuel at 6 ct/liter - what more can you ask for? And half the time the petrol station guys refuse payment and try to give you money instead, how cool is that?

Border crossings were very easy for me, about 45min from Tunisia into Libya total, 15min out of Libya (and then the 6h into Egypt). Security was no problem at all when I was there. Militias at junctions/roundabouts in Tripoli, and some roadblocks, but the guys either waved me through, or stopped me to invite me for tea/food/etc. Amongst others I stayed in Sabratha, Misratha, Leptis, Sirt, Ajdabyah, Shahat, Tobruk and didnt have any problems. In Sirt I had so many invitations for places to stay that it was a really difficult choice ;-) Also it is very easy to camp along the Med, as there is a small dam between the road and the sea. If you go over that, you can put your tent right on the beach, out of sight from the road.

The only place to be avoided to my knowledge is Derna in the northeast, Libyas Salafist/AQIM/etc headquarter. There had been some kidnappings and fights before I passed through, and I was advised to stay well clear of it. Originally the police wanted to give me and escort, but I managed to convince them that with the powers of my GPS I will manage to stay clear of it. In the end I messed up and passed through, but there had been so many reports of staying away from this place, that I would try follow the advice.

Thanks a lot Sirakor for your infos!
And what about your visas?
RR.