Anyone heading down west coast of Turkey and thinking of entering Syria now?
 

Hi
If anyone is travelling down the west coast of Turkey and thinking of entering Syria it would be good to maybe catch-up for a chat and drink. - I'm currently near Izmir.
Cheers
Adastra

We're considering it but heard the border is closed. Does anyone have any up to date info?

No info about the Turkey border

This was posted on lonelyplanet re jordan border

Quote:

there are 2 border crossings into Jordan. The one inside Dera3 is a total no-go and the security forces would never allow you to get anywhere close to the city. Your only option is the main 'Jaber' motorway crossing, and I understand that it is being closed sporadically. There is no guarantee you will be able to leave to Jordan, yet it seems likely that you can. Note that if you do not manage to exit through this border, you would have to go back all the way into Turkey in order to get from there to Egypt. There is no ferry service from Lebanon to Egypt (however, there is one from Alexandria to Tartous, not sure it it is still running because there have been some events in Tartous as well).

I would just add you can ride Syria in a day so if you do get in... the roads are good and well signposted.

Would be a shame not to spend more time there though..

Cheers
Matt

Thanks guys - was actually hopıng to look around and ıt stıll seems to be a no go zone - so headıng to Iran ınstead

Cheers
Adastra

I'm heading into Syria in the next few days from Turkey, will post back if any problems.

Im driving across Syria in August and would be very greatful of any info of your experiences

Good luck

Kurtis

for your safety still no go zone...
If anybody is still keen to enter Syria and is close to the border, we recommend them to meet our friend Hasan Parmaksız (wellknown by everybody in the town)in Şanlıurfa Turkey to discuss the latest situation there.
(changes day to day)

After that, get the Akçakale bordergate to Syria Ar Raqqah town.. All other routes are most dangerous. Possible Turkish authorities will not let you go if the Syrian side is closed for security..

Wish you good luck.
zeki.

Hi all,

Crossed into Syria yesterday via the border from Antakya and on to Aleppo. All pretty straightforward, border took a couple of hours but by no means the hardest border I've ever negotiated.
all pretty safe around here from what I can see. Heading a bit further east and on down towards Jordan next.

People round here certainly are friendly and this country is certainly kinder on the wallet than Turkey!

Shout if you want any more detail, internet is a bit flaky at the mo's

Later.

Hey hey!

I was hoping you would update but I got no email on it so have only just seen it

Thats fantastic news!

Glad all is ok and you sound like you are safe and well

Let me know how the Jordan border goes

Take care :thumbup1:


Kurtis

hey
 

Hi ffathead

How is it at the moment travelling to syria? what places there have you visited? are you going to be passing through damascus?

Any info on your ride through syria would be great!

hope all is well!

Andy

Andy, check out his blog on his website - its well worth a read

hey
 

Hey kingkurt,

thanks for that! ive been sifting through his site, im interested in his next syrian installment,

thanks again!

Andy

Hello chaps,

In Lebanon at the moment, crossed in via the border near Homs yesterday (and now have some half decent, and unmonitored, internet).

Brief synopsis then.

Crossed into Syria via the border east of Antakya, the border was all friendly, there was some sort of police interview on the Syrian side, asking where we were going, how long for, that sort of thing. We just said we were heading to Aleppo for a few days then back into Turkey.

Aleppo, no drama, there was a smallish protest on the Friday but didn't hear much else.

From there went out east and through the desert to Palmyra, couple of roadblocks but again all friendly (even got an ice cream at one of them).

Then the border with Lebanon, serious of amount of queueing but I think that's just because we hit bus-o'clock.

Carnets used for both Syria and Lebanon, 550 (Syrian) tax for leaving Syria but they gave us a free 1 month visa for Lebanon (50000 Lebanese usually), and no extra charges for the bikes.

Heading down to Beirut in a couple of days then back into Sryia, Damascus, and then Jordan. Assuming no further issues with Syria, back up through Syria to get back to Turkey.

Can't say it enough really, not seen any reason not to come to Syria, buisnesses there are really suffering at the moment.

p.s. thanks for taking a look at the website :-)

cheers

Hey hey

Thanks for the update - much appreciated

Sounds like its all good there

You crossing to Jordan via Daraar / Ramtha and how long you gonna stay?

We would love to visit Lebannon but we are going on to Isreal / Egypt after Jordon

Cant wait to hear what you think of Damascus

Take care

Kurtis

Hi
 

Hope all is well on the trip and your having fun in Lebanon!

I had a quick question regarding the availability of unleaded fuel 91 -95 in Syria, how much of it was there? or did you mainly see leaded?

its also interesting that you used your carnet for syria? Did they explicitly ask for one?

Looking forward to the next installment on your website!!!

Thanks

Back in Syria now, border from Lebanon was a breeze, was even able to enjoy a Dunkin Donut in no-mans land, quite to my surprise.

Syrian fuel is unleaded, just marked as Super, but I guess it's all 95 as I haven't noticed any difference. Widely available, even in the sticks.

Carnet was asked for, they call it a triptic. Two official fees to pay for a bike, customs fee which was 360syrian, and a government tax for 50syrian.

Cheers

hey
 

Thanks for the reply!

Where abouts are you heading in Syria... Are you planning on visiting Damascus at all out of curiosity?

Also im guessing you had the visa sorted before you got to Syria... did you buy it from the embassy in London or on the way?

Bonne Chance

Andy

Hello mate,

In Damascus at the moment, just about to head down to the border with Jordan. Aleppo first, then the desert road to Palmrya, Homs, through Lebanon down to Damascus, and now down to Jordan. Will have to come back up through Syria next week to get back to Turkey.

And yes, sorted the visa for Syria in the UK before leaving, filled in the form, left the passport at the embasy for a few days, all sorted.

Cheers

Thanks
 

Thanks for keeping us updated with the current situation, the news is so confusing on what is been reported back here in the UK.

Andy got my visa last week from the Embassy, they have a computer in the office you can apply from, left my passport with them & was told to come back Friday afternoon to collect, The office was pretty empty & took about 15 minutes in total to apply & collect.

Regards Dave.

hey
 

Ah glad you went to Damascus!

Also i agree, thanks for the updates! Its a big help! Good website too!

Also thanks Dave, Il be sorting out my visa this week!

Ive been to Syria before a few times but never on a bike! but its a beautiful country so im glad people are still braving it,

Cheers guys

Andy