Planning advice - Europe to India excluding China
 

Hi everyone.

New here as I was looking for some guidance and this place popped up many times.

I do apologise if I am repeating a post that already exists but after searching i couldn't fid any recent information on some topics (meaning 2023+)

So lets go baby steps at a time - I`m not new to touring have been touring around for the past 10 or so years but never outside of the EU so now the time has come.

The idea is to make a trip from Germany to India starting around April next (2025) year.

I am aware of the restrictions of driving trough China so i would like to avoid it and this seems to be problematic.

The two options i can see to do so are essentially go via Turkey -> Georgia -> Azerbaijan -> Ferry to Kazahstan -> Turkmenistan -> Avganistan -> Pakistan and then India.

The other one is Turkey -> Iran -> Pakistan -> India.

I would personally prefer the second one.

However i seem to be unable to find answers to some questions. As far as I understand motorcycles with higher than 250cc engines are not allowed in Iran - is this still true as i also find some information that this is no longer the case ?

Also as I understand for crossing the Iran - Pakistan border there is a military escort which has to be organized but no information on how to do that.

Last but not least - as I understand crossing the Pakistan -> India border is only allowed for people which are apparently neither from Pakistan nor India but i could not find any information specifically on crossing it with a vehicle. There is plenty on public transport but that's about it.

Anyhow I`m sure there will be many questions to follow but as a start I would very much appreciate it if someone has some answers to the ones i had so far.

Cheers

re Pakistan to India - it can be done. As you note, there's not much clear information, however I understand that you need a Tourist visa (paper visa) not an e-visa. I assume that you'll be using a CdP. There are apparently restrictions on which border posts can be used - I've seen at least one recent post in which the traveller crossed at Wahgah.

Welcome to HU!

This needs to be clarified - for a long time it's been no trouble at all, but recently there has been a post or two that suggests this may be back, but nothing for sure that I know of yet - and it may change - again - by next year. All you can do is keep an eye open for posts on it.

My understanding is that this is organized on the spot fairly quickly, as there is a fair bit of traffic.

There's never been a problem with a vehicle, loads of people have done it.
Hope that helps!

Thanks everyone.

Yeah I`ll be getting a CDP. Good point about the paper visa. Never hurts to have one anyhow just in case.

Wit the 250cc bike restrictions yeah i seem to find a lot saying it is not a problem and very few saying it is.

What would be the correct way of doing the research on that - unless i find someone that is doing it now? I was thinking of just calling all the embassies of the different countries and having a conversation with them.

P.S. Seems that option number 1 is not actually an option as it would seem Azerbaijan is closed for everything so not sea transport from there

The reality is that what the embassy says is the rule is not necessarily the same as what the guy at the border post says - and he wins.
All you can do is try to find a few people that have done it recently.
Check the FB group: Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Adventure Travellers:

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehubb

Perfect I will give it a shot - thanks for the info :)

re the visa - after conflicting information from two different Consulates I tracked down a specialist who was clear and gave me confidence. The paper visa is required for land entry to India. One should allow a month to apply for it.