Anchorage, Alaska to Vladovostok via Japan or S. Korea?
 

My wife and I are planning an RTW for the early summer of 2009. We currently live in Tallahassee, FL and will possibly be moving to Anchorage, AK within the next year or so.

I ordered and watched (a few times) the 'Achievable Dream' that Mr and Mrs. Grant had put together. Fantastic information! A must see for anyone making this kind of trip. While watching this DVD, they stated that it might be best to ship the bikes from Alaska to Japan, then ferry over to Vlodivostok, Russia. Time has passed since the issuance of the DVD and am not sure if things have changed since then. From those that have made the trip from Alaska to Russia, what would be most economical? How much would this cost?

I have also heard of people traveling to S. Korea?

My wife and I have our own bikes: two 2008 KLR 650s.

Best,

Erek & Candice :scooter:

I found some information from sources within Alaska.

:thumbup1:
My Question:
Our trip will be from Anchorage, to Vladivostok, Russia (our goal is to get
to Magadan, Russia). Would it be more economical to take a ferry to Japan (with the bikes) then ferry to Vladivostok? Or is there a cheaper route? I have heard that going to South Korea then ferrying over to Vladivostok is a cheaper alternative as well. What about flights? We our planning our trip for the mid summer of 2009

:stormy:
The Answer:

Alaska to Russia

This will be somewhat more difficult as there is no direct service between these two points. There is no scheduled air, ferry or barge cargo service between Alaska and Russia. To my knowledge, access to Vladivostok, Russia from this part of the world is through Toyko or Seoul.

You may want to consider looking at a freight company that specializes in vehicles, try DAS Global at (800) 826-1083. You may find that it is less expensive to purchase a vehicle overseas than to ship.

Good Luck....

Ed Glavinic
Alaska Visitors Center
733 W. 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Alaska Visitors Center - Your Gateway to Alaska
907-929-2822 - 1-888-655-4020

Didn't Ewan and Charley get flights from Magadan to Anchorage?

Can't imagine that the plane only goes 1 way...

Yes, Ewan & Charlie did use that route but I do not think it is an option at this point in time. I think that airline or route in Magadan has been shut down.

:confused1:

Erek

I found that it is more economical to fly out of Los Angeles, CA to South Korea and ferry to Vlodivostok.

Any other suggestions

Erek :scooter:

Unless things have changed again (always a possibility!), there is NO direct service from Anchorage to Magadan/Vlad/anywhere in Russia.

We went from Anchorage to Seoul, and then up to Khabarovsk via Russian airline back in 2003.

Spicey. Correct.

NO direct, regular flights between Magadan and Alaska. Magadan Airways (or similar) went out of business shortly after Charlie and Ewan used them.
Did they (including the supporting cast of thousands + 4X4s) not pay? LOL

I heard on a local Russian grapevine recently something might be set up again soon.

Otherwise it's a matter of getting there (not too hard, unless cameras are rolling) and negotiating a 'one off' cargo flight (much harder - unless you have $$$$$$$$).

Anything and everything is possible in Russia with 'Bucks'. I should know, I now live here for nearly half the time!

Shipping bike via South Korea.
 

Can't help with your other questions but here is something you should consider.

If you air freight your bike to Seoul, you will not be allowed to ride it out of the airport because the only access roads to Incheon International are Expressways ( Toll Roads) and , unfortunately, motorcycles are not allowed on expressways in Korea.

Previous travellers have had to freight their bikes out of the airport to the nearest highway or direct to Sokcho to catch the Vladivostok ferry.

If you ship your bike to Pusan however, you can look forward to a pleasant ride up the coast to Sokcho. ( avoiding expressways).

Good luck.

It's quite possible to ship bikes by either ocean freight or air from Seattle to Vladivostok, and for a person to fly from there to Vlad also. I arranged ocean freight through STS Logistics (425-497-8269) in Bellevue, Washington (a Seattle suburb) in 2005. This route avoids the hassles of going through Japan (carnet required unless the law has changed) or Korea (except to change planes). So if you care to ride or ship to Seattle that might be an option.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

I just found a post on the Northern Asia forum that has info about Vladivostok Air starting flights between Vlad and Anchorage in April, 2008. Go to http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nchorage-32143.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net