Alaska to Eastern (Magadan preferably) Russia - economical/reasonable way?
 

Greetings!!

First off, I'd like to apologize for asking this question as I'm sure it's been asked a million times. I've been looking for the answer for a few days now and have 3-4 hours in searching here and the general Interwebz with no avail. I'm in the tire kicking stages of planning a RTW motorcycle trip, and I'd like to cross from Alaska into Eastern Russia (Magadan area is preferable).

Is it reasonably possible, by air or sea, to get to Magadan or nearby? I understand there used to be ferry service years ago, but that's no longer the case.

If this isn't reasonably possible, what related alternatives could you suggest?

If anyone had an idea of the cost of this for 1 bike and myself, please add that.

Thanks in advance!

I think your best bet is to fly into Korea and take the ferry to Zarubino. You may be able to fly out of Anchorage, though you may also find it easier to fly out of Vancouver even though you have to ride a week to get there.

Hello Brooks:

Before I retired at the end of 2013, I used to frequently ferry aircraft from North America to Asia via Alaska (Anchorage or Nome) to Russia (landing first at either Anadyr or Magadan). I've done the Alaska - east coast of Russia - Asia trip about 20 times in the past 3 years.

There is no scheduled ferry service of any kind between Alaska and Russia. There is also no scheduled air service. You can charter a small aircraft (a Beech King Air 200) from Nome to Anadyr and back, but the price is staggering (about $15K USD). A motorcycle won't fit into a King Air.

There are no roads between Anadyr and Magadan, so, even if you figured out a way to get across the rather small strait between Alaska and Russia, you would be screwed, because you wouldn't be able to get out of Anadyr. Not to mention that the Chukota administrative region (of which Anadyr is the principal city) requires a special travel permit, in addition to a Russian visa.

In short, I think you would have a very difficult time finding a way to ship a moto from Alaska to Magadan.

I have seen discussions here in the HUBB in the past about shipping containers from Vladivostok to the West Coast of North America (Vancouver, or lower 48 states). I think you might be able to figure out a way to ship your bike to Vlad... but I doubt very much that you will be able to figure out a way to ship it from Alaska to Magadan.

Michael

Thanks for all the information. It seems as if I'll be checking on some alternate routes.

Thanks again!

Here's a discussion of a similar topic that might be of interest to you: Customs Clearance - UHWW