UK to Mongolia and back on £4000 Is it possible ?
 

Hi People

I’m trying to figure out a budget for a six month trip. 2 months in Africa riding from the UK to Dakar and back, looks like £2000 or £2500 will do that. However the second leg is 4 month round trip from the UK to Mongolia and back. Is it possible to do that on £4000?


Thanks
Shaun

Hi Shaun,
I posted on the Morocco question; I think the same applies here. £35 a day at today’s prices should be fine. I went to far eastern Russian and back and found it cheap to travel. You are going to need a double entry visa for Russia and if you go through an agency expect to pay around £150. Health insurance is worth considering aprox £150.

I took euros and had no problem changing them at banks. There is a 500 Euro note which is handy for large amounts.

If you are exchanging a large amount of sterling shop around for a good rate, I have used
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates from Travel Money Services
There is a risk, in as much as the have your money for a period and no guarantees. But there are no charges.
These are part of the same company
Exchange Rates for Travel Money

Steve

A Belgian I was riding with in Africa had a wad of 500 euro notes, two reasons come to mind as to why these are a bad idea:nono:

Try losing 1 of them at about £300 per note!!
and 2nd, as he found. How many people/places are prepared to accept them? The UK's £50 note is enough of a problem.

Dave,
Those are considerations;

The exchange issue never arose. I had around 12 notes, 6000 Euro. Only changed them one at a time, backed up the note with my passport when asked, and not once had any trouble. The most caution to a note was taken in a bank in Northern Ireland.

Regarding safety, well that depends on the individual.

What is your alternative?

Steve

Usually nothing bigger than $50 or €50, spread in different places about my person or hidden on the bike, I realise the problem if you need to carry a large amount of cash, but it's bad enough if you lost €50,...thats nearly a day's budget, but €500, nearly a weeks budget!!!
Enjoy your trip.

Securing 12 notes is a lot less of a problem than 120 notes.

Maybe we should get back on topic, sorry Shaun.

Steve

Heh Shaun,

I am interested in your experience (once you have done it of course) as I plan to do this either next year or the year after. Without inflation of course I am starting to think about the trip now.

Cheers,

possibly going to be 2 but probably 3 years
 

It’s possibly going to be 2 but probably 3 years before I do it, at the moment half of this years savings are taken up on bike and rider preparation. So, you may end up doing it b4 me :) or we may end up doing it at the same time, in which case we could hook up? but, planning now

Sounds like a plan!

have I missed the point?
 

Hi Steve

Thanks for both postings, How does that work mate? are russian Ukraine and Kazakhstan visas the same ? I was thinking about multiple entry visas? Or have I missed the point?

also £35 or $60 seems a lot for this run seeing most of it is just camping and gas for the bike in places like Mongolia

Shaun

Steve,

You don't need a visa for the Ukraine. You can stay 90 days from the date of arrival. However, Russia and Kazakhstan are different.

Cheers,

have I missed the point
 

Quick reply riderbob :) thanks

On my GPS software it looks like you go through a little bit of Russia from Kazakhstan into Mongolia, but on my big world wall map it looks like you don’t?

Ukraine through Russia to get into Kazakhstan = 1 entry 1 exit
Kazakhstan through Russia to get into Mongolia = 1 entry 1 exit
Mongolia back through Russia to get back into Kazakhstan = 1 entry 1 exit
Kazakhstan back through Russia to get back into the Ukraine = 1 entry 1 exit

Or have I missed the point?

Shaun

Your intinerary is correct. From Russia to Mongolia is much easier that going through China. I'm not up to date on China but I assume it is still difficult to get visas.

multiple entry
 

Hi Rob

SteveAttwood says i need a double entry visa for Russia ?

looking at this lot i'd say I was thinking about multiple entry business visas? what you recon m8 ?

Shaun

If you avoid the Ukraine and double entry visa will do otherwise you will need more. I travel to Moscow on business fairly regularly and they start on a single entry first (one month), then double entry (three months) and then you can get multiple entry (12 months). I've used the visa for holidays once without any problems.

If you don't go to Russia at all I would start applying for a visa now and work your way upto a 12 month multiple entry. However, it may be simpler that what I've outlined as I've never had a tourist visa as I have never needed one.

Hopefully someone else can chip in.

£4000 to mongolia n back ?
 

hi shaun.

i would say 'yes'.
Assuming low cost living - wildcamp and cook yourself.
Visas are large expense. BE CAREFUL ! Russia is fairly easy to get double netry business visa, but it is just that, ie yo have 6 months from first entry to exit and they will only allow a single re-entry within this time. We met many people in Mongolia who 'abused' this and consequently got stuck in mongolia, meaning very VERY expensive to get you and bike home.
if you go via kazak after russia, so europe > russia > kazak > russia > mongolia > russia > europe then that is 3 entries into russia ! i.e. you will require 12 month multi entry for russia as the double entry 6 month is not enough !!!!
you could get to kazak via Caspian sea (i.e ferry), for example through Turkey (amazing) then Georgia & Azerbaijan then ferry. Turkey requires visa £20 at border, georgia, free entry and azerbaijan requires visa (transit is good enough, can get in istanbul or Tbilisi(georgia).

For more details check our pages : Coming this way ?

or contact MOTOEDDE (on hubb) - he came across africa and through to Mongolia on a tight budget, he would i'm sure be able to give you some pretty detailed costs.

phil.

Hi Phil,

I like the route you took, might change my plans and cross the Caspian.

Cheers,

Hi Shaun,
I assumed too much from your first post, you will need a multiple entry visa for this route. No Visa required for Ukraine at this time. Allow for visa costs and time to get them.

Feels like you’re trying to negotiate with me :)
You are going to be covering big miles on this trip; the total fuel costs are going to be high. But I found lots of free camping in Russia and cheap to eat in the road side cafes.
You could do it for less, depends on what luxuries you like. I am just saying the budget looks reasonable.

Steve

Shipping
 

Quick question - if you're doing UK to Far East how do you intend to get your bike home? Can you ship home from Vlad or Magadan or would you still be aiming for Japan/Korea as the final destination?


Just back from a trip but there's no way I'm going to let the grass grow under my feet!:thumbup1:

mongolia and back
 

I intend to save the cost of shipping and just ride to Mongolia and back ! well, that’s the plan :)

i like this route
 

Looks like my plans have just changed again, after reading this and looking at your site. I’m defiantly up for keeping the visa situation simple with Russia. And coming this way does have a WOW factor about it :)

Shaun

was just surprised
 

Hi Steve

No mate, not trying to negotiate with you :)

Was just surprised when you said this amount after the budget section of this site says

"First-tier" countries such as northern Europe, US$60-80 a day and up per person.

and

"Fourth-tier" countries, parts of Africa and Asia, can be done for less, many for less than US$20 day, especially in Asia. But, yes your right fuel is a BIG factor..

shaun

This route that Phil speaks of is not only a cheaper route, BUT a more scenic one...

Phil's right about the Russian visa. Other points worth mentioning:

1. Be careful WHERE you pick up your visas. The rules or interpretations of those rules for Russian/all stans country consulates differ depending on which country you're in. E.g. Russian visa in bishkek or tashkent is easier than Ulaan Batur or Astana. David at StanTours is an excellent resources about this too as he can be relied upon for LOI's and Russian visa.

2. Also, pick up your visas no more than 1-2 months ahead of expected entry date into that country. Do your research and you'll see its all sorts of *fun* that way...

3. Russian visa is complicated so go for the multiple entry business visa OR double entry business visa....tourist visa is pointless for your route.

4. Russia is $30-80 per day depending on how often you stay in hotels. Stans can be $20-80 per day depending on how often you stay in hotels.

5. West African is about $10-50...depending how often you stay in campements.

6. Lastly, don't carry BIG notes of Euro or $$'s...no need to attract unnecessary attention from those that change it for you and those that hear about it. Plus the exchange rate you may be given on the large note will be tough to swallow.

I camped about 5 days a week and did anywhere from 150km-450km per day for my averages noted above.

HTH

Hi all. If I can jump in here - just what are the recent fuel prices in Russia? I believe it went up some months ago and my reckonings say it's now about 0.35p (GBP) a litre. I'm driving a car across later this year from the UK - not in a rally by the way, just yours truly taking the 'longest road' from St Petersburg to Vladivostok. Plan to then sell the car and get a boat to Japan. Not sure if I'm allowed to do that(?)

Teflon,
I would total up the expected miles between the UK and Vlad. Presume a bad gas mileage and UK fuel prices. That way you'll be sure to budget enough AND compensate for any exchange difference between the Pound to Euro to Ruble.
HTH

edde

PS Selling vehicle in mongolia is a lot easier. if you'd like to sell in Russia, contact the HU Community in Vladivostok for information.

Alternative route
 

Have you thought about going from Azerbaijan to turkmenistan, then into UZ then KZ near Shymkent, then up into Russia, there are a few good reasons for this and the only real downside is the extra visas, which are well worth the money:
-Almaty is a good place to get the bike sorted before Mongolia
-TM and UZ are fantastic
-TM has the cheapest petrol on the planet
-You will still get to cross Russia on the way back (there isn't that much variation across Siberia anyway...)
You can then either ride over to Irkustk and down into UB, then cross Mongolia going west (easier to find people to cross Mongolia with in UB) or enter at the Western point and head over to UB, then exit to Irkustk.
Double entry tourist visa will do you for Russia on this route

Depending on when you are planning on leaving you might want to do Africa after, that way you can see how much money you have left - I am kicking myself for rushing my time in Central Asia for lack of funds, should have taken more time over it too....

a BIG thank you for ALL the contributions
 

I’d like to say a BIG thank you for ALL the contributions on this thread. I asked a simple question about cost, but the answers have been so much more useful than I expected, thanks guys. A couple weeks ago I figured I had my route sorted; now I don’t have a clue what way to go!!

I’ve got enough books and maps to keep me reading and researching all year, which is kindda cool coz I’m a hermit now, saving all my money. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more questions as the planning deepens.

One question I do have for MotoEdde is….. How much was the Africa section of your trip mate? I’m trying to figure out if it’s cheaper to do that than go back to the UK from Dakar - service bike - restock - and then head east?

Regards, Shaun

the price is 21.5 rur per liter for premium
20.5 for regular
it almost doesn't differ all over the country, but rumors say it'll go up after march,2 president elections.

rouble to eur is 36.24 for 1

Edde. Just been checking your site - great photos. I was especially interested in those taken through Siberia. It's making me even more impatient to get there. It's reported to be tiger country, but spotting one would be like winning the lottery, they are so rare!

Always wise to take more money than anyone thinks they'll need, though I'd still like to have an inkling of what I'm in for price-wise. I'm running tight and I want to see how far I can get. I spotted a fuel price in one of your photos at a Siberian petrol garage. A quick conversion gave me 0.45p (GBP) for a litre of their finest. I'll keep checking though.

I'm doing the whole road from St Petersburg to Vladivostok, so I'll have to sell the car there if I want to go on to and have a browse around Japan. The Mongolian alternative is good to know if things got desperate. Thanks for the pointers. Very much appreciated.

Thanks motobelka. Seems my 'calculations' were near as dammit. Much appreciated!

Thanks!
Tiger country is the area between Vladivostok and north Korean border...
While waiting for the ferry from Zurubina to Korea, I went down to the North Korean border and did spot some...fantastic...I got a couple pics but they were fuzzy.
Anyways...shipping from Vlad is not worth the hassle, the cost or the risk...the Koreans handle their business.

Contributions form others is our way of saying thanks to those that contributed to the success of OUR trips...like Frank Warner, Grant Johnson, Eric Haws, etc.!


Africa is a massive continent...West Africa can be done on $10-50 averaging 2-300km per day. Presuming camping en brousse for 5 days out of the week. I made sure I ate well too!
North Africa got expensive because of th compulsory guide in Southern Algeria at 50 Euro a day...not counting that $10-50 per day...gas, food lodging, insurance, etc.

HTH

HTH

Are they THAT easy to find? I've always been under the impression they were as rare as rocking horse s**t. I would like to travel down that way, just to see the North Korean border if nothing else. Not sure how close I could get though.

BTW. I took your advice and contacted the HUBB group in Vladivostok about my car. Got an email back (courtesy of Alex - many thanks) informing me of the "very stupid and long procedure" I would have to go through in order to sell my car. So, I'm having a rethink and will just have to see.

Thanks.

You don't spot the tigers on the road...you have to go in the bush for many kms....ask the the guys at the police checkpoint before heading down to Zurubina about spottings. They'll have the info of where...be careful though...these aren't small cats...

Getting out of Russia without any hiccups/bribes is an accomplishment in and of itself...sell in Mongolia and try North Korea...relationsonships are warming up...the Russian border guys asked the North Koreans guys if they'd let me across...nice of them eh? Answer was no...July 2007.

All pussies should be treated with respect.

So Shaun, how about we do this year after next (2010)? Early days but you have to start somewhere.
Cheers,
Bob

If I get the cash then yes
 

Hi Bob

2010? Not sure I can make that year, I’m only saying this because I’m not sure about getting all the cash? Am looking for a new job at the moment that will pay more money. I’ve just got my new bike to do the trip on it’s a TTR600RE. I’ve paid a bit more than I wanted also to turn it into an overlander is going to cost about £1300 + getting my kit ready. With paying a bit more for the bike and all the MODS that takes care of most this year’s savings :(

Also I’m going to do an 8-week run in Africa down to Dakar before going into Kazak via Caspian Sea through Turkey then Georgia & Azerbaijan as Phil suggested, keeps the visa situation simple :)

If I get the cash then yes I’d be up for it. But seeing as I’m coming back to no job I’d rather save an extra year and stay away a bit longer… total trip would be 5 or 6 months

How does that sound ?

Shaun

Shaun,.. I hope £4,000 will be OK for you (or £35 per day). Unfortunately we've got a little less than that but we've had good fortune this far. (why do I know that these statements will come back to haunt me) We're setting out in April,.. so if we find anything of value to you,.. it'll be posted on our blog. We've simply duplicated things that lots of others have done before us, .. and then lopped off a few corners.

All the best mate, ......... Geoff

'Poor Circulation': Riding Around The World, ....................... on £20 per Day

Good luck Geoff and I will follow your blog with interest. :thumbup1:

... and nay to the naysayers. £20 quid a day is a challenge but it will certainly be an adventure.

good luck
 

Hi Geoff

Good luck mate! Hope it goes well, will follow your blog along the way :) :clap:

Best Of British
Shaun