London to Austrailia September/October 2012

[iIIi daan iIIi]

Im thinking of getting on my bike and riding to Aus over the next few months if anyone has the same idea.
I dont have a plan as such right now, im open to ideas for routes.

Or whether theres only so far you want to go and get it shipped the rest of the journey. Either way it would be a hell of a journey.....

[on two wheels]

G, day Dan,try to take more than few months there is alot to see UK to OZ. I had travelled that last year,over four months and I think should have taken more time to see whats out there, lots of people you will meet and make bonds with, one thing I can say you will want to do it again, I found Iran and Pakistan the highlights of trip, cheers mate

[iIIi daan iIIi]

Thanks for tip. Did you write about you experience on here? Was wondering how much it cost you and the route you took?

Cheers.

[fraserbyrne]

Hi Daan,
I'm actually plotting a trip east and similar timing. Fancied going solo but be good to keep in touch and meet up on route. I'm planning Iran-Pakistan-India.. early days for me too, but looking to set sail in October.

[Fern]

I've been told by the locals here in Eastern Turkey, that October/November will be freezing with deep snow here. The motorway is 2200m above sea level, and trucks need snow chains.

[iIIi daan iIIi]

Not liking the idea of this weather in eastern turkey. Gonna look into that a bit I think.

Fraserbyrne- so where bouts are you travelling from? Have you done anything like this before?

[fraserbyrne]

Hmm. This puts the pressure on my savings. ha.

From UK daan, no not really, we drove to Georgia once & mx experience. Heres our Georgia trip:

[iIIi daan iIIi]

That's an awesome video. Kept me entertained. Are you doing it on a motorbike yourself?
Been looking to do this for a while, trying to plan things. Something I really wanna do which have never done. It's either ride to Aus or sell my bike and fly. Rather bike it.
The more I look into it the more expensive it seems, and also getting into Aus with the bike is another thing. Looking to stay there for a couple of years.

So did you plan everything on your last trip, visas and things or did you just take it all as it came?

[Andrew White]

few things to consider....

Route + Visas before you leave (which ones??)

Carnet = Yes

China - You will need to hire the services of a tour group if you wish to drive through China (Navo tours are a good place to start)...... If not... For example you are in India and want to ship this leg, consider going to Bangladesh to ship (easier and cheaper) but also take into account rainy season (this is the conundrem I may face right now)

Importing into Aus.... You will have to get an import appoval letter/cert... Dont bring the bike into Aus until you have the approval and you must own the vehicle for a minimum of 1 year before importing to Aus...

Plan as much as possible, will save you time and money

Good luck, hope your able to ride it, will be Epic

[fraserbyrne]

Cheers Andrew, I was checking out your site the other day actually. Yes, Visas & Carnet up on priority list obviously. The least fun expenses to cover eh. haha

My bank balance/savings are in a race against Autumn. ha. Seems like September is more or less the advisable cut off month . . ?

@daan, we just winged it to Georgia. But then we didn't need any Visas in advance (part of the reason we chose Georgia) and we did it in summer with the luxury of a £460 van to sleep in. haha.

[senorc]

Hey Daan & Fraser,

Doing much the same route myself, from London to Oz - passport is with Pakistan embassy currently and then will be offski - thinking/hoping early next week.

Rough route currently is Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Austria), Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malasia, Indonesia, Australia (maybe NZ).

Biggest issues right now are whether I get the visa for Pakistan as they didn't seem too keen at the embassy given I'm doing it on a motorcycle. Also concerned I'll get to Istanbul, apply for Iran visa and then be turned down/give 7 day transit only. Not sure what route I take then.

Once I've got the above sorted I'll start worrying about Bam -> Baluchistan danger area

Would be good to keep up to date on both your journeys and plans to see if we can catch up along the way

[fraserbyrne]

Hi Senorc. Yes stay in touch, add me on fb. I'm going to be a good few weeks behind you though. Still got lots to sort out and a few more weeks work to bust out!

What time are you planning to cross into Iran?

[AT750]

hi dan,
doing the same from Austria to .... starting on sep 15.
good luck, maybe see you on the road !

Heinz

[tobbas75]

Originally Posted by senorc

Hey Daan & Fraser,

Doing much the same route myself, from London to Oz - passport is with Pakistan embassy currently and then will be offski - thinking/hoping early next week.

Rough route currently is Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, Austria), Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malasia, Indonesia, Australia (maybe NZ).

Biggest issues right now are whether I get the visa for Pakistan as they didn't seem too keen at the embassy given I'm doing it on a motorcycle. Also concerned I'll get to Istanbul, apply for Iran visa and then be turned down/give 7 day transit only. Not sure what route I take then.

Once I've got the above sorted I'll start worrying about Bam -> Baluchistan danger area

Would be good to keep up to date on both your journeys and plans to see if we can catch up along the way

Hey mate, just to let you know, Go to this website and apply for an Iran visa Iran Visa Application - Iranian Visa (evisa) you can tell them the embassy that you want to pick up the visa from, it's a little costly but you've got a guarenteed visa, we just did it and collected it from Delhi in India, no problems at all, just took 3 days and the cost of the visa, around $100
We're around the stans and Iran over the next few months, maybe we'll see one another,
Toby

thebulletdiaries.com

[gregd]

G'day there,
4 months is quick! I know time is not on everyone's side - or the money to take it.....
I have taken 4 months coming from Turkey to Luxembourg (today) and have sped up dramatically in the last month.
I spent 5+ weeks in Turkey and only saw parts of the western half. You can always spend more time or you can always get through a country quicker...
I looked into coming through Iran to Turkey when I was setting off March/April and by all reports eastern Turkey, going into Iran, is snowed in/impassable for a long time.
It is vey important to understand all Visa, Carnet and transit requirements prior to setting off. (I am still hopeful of returning to U.A.E. via Iran but as yet do not have a Visa). I have also heard via others that Visa for UK residents for Both Iran and Pakistand can be a problem - good luck.
If you get through Irna and Pakistan there are new bridges in Burma that should help with continuing onwards.
Check the Australian requirements carefully - if you are not an Australian they are different to if you are and you are trying to comply with the Personal Imports requirements or bringing in a vehicle as a non-resident for temporary personal use.
BTW - Turkey (from what I saw) is great, Iran (from people who have ridden through who I have spoken to) is amazing, and although scary I imagine Pakistan would be fabulous (although a friend were unsuccessful with Visa applications).
Good luck.
Greg D