A bit of change in our program today!...
Finally, we will ride away from the Sevan Lake to visit Novarank, Khor Virap and Tatev monastery...
So we won't "have fun" on this badly deteriorated road to M11!
Not this time! :)

Hello there!

The day of departure approaching for me! :mchappy:
I have few new questions about the road I'll ride on.
France, Italy and Greece, ok for me...
Now, in Turkey: I have to buy a ticket to cross the bridge and ride on the highway? Is that right?
Where can I buy this ticket? At the border?

In Georgia and Armenia:
I will go from Batumi to Yerevan by the E691. What "quality" is this road?
Then to Noravank and to Iran...

What about the crossing borders? Are they quick and easy?

Batumi (Turkey Georgia)
Georgia/Armenia
Nordooz Armenia/Iran
...
Last question for now, about the drivers in those countries?
Safe? Mad?
I will be alone most of the route, any information to give me for help?
Thank you all!
Virginie

Merhaba,

""""Now, in Turkey: I have to buy a ticket to cross the bridge and ride on the highway? Is that right?
Where can I buy this ticket? At the border?""""

You need to buy HGS card (no cash accepted)for your number plate for bridge pass from European side to asian side (opposite direction free) and for toll roads.HGS card available at all Turkish post offices..(PTT-Postane)
I guess deposit is 7 TL.. for now.

If you need it only for bridge pass, ferries between sirkeci and harem avaiable within every 15 minutes.Then follow the blue ankara road signs.Green ones are for toll roads..

Ferry station is on the other side of the road cross and traffic lights of sirkeci by the seaside.So if you are comıng from sultanahmet,follow tramline rails till you pass sirkeci train station then head right just before the traffic lights in the corner..a few hundred meters later,there is a place to make a u-turn..then head backwards and follow the ferry photos..

No insurance system for georgia.Didnt hear any negative things for georgia and armenia gate passings..Turkey has 2 gates for georgia,Sarp in Hopa and Türkgözü in Posof.(less crowded and a bonus to see ani ruins.)

All the best..

Thank you for these infos Mehmet,
I will have to cross the bridge and then ride to Samsun, so I guess I will need the HGS card for toll roads!
This card is available once and for all or I will have to get another one when I will go back?
I will probably pass by Türkgözü to enter in Georgia... Ani ruins seems to be a very beautiful place!

Merhaba,

HGS card belongs to you forever.if system is changed, it will be changed free also...

Minimum credit that seems to have uploaded...
Bridge.. 4,25 tl.
edirne-istanbul.. 7,25 tl.
istanbul-yeniçağa exit to free road...13 tl.

Take the ankara toll road (green roadsign) several km.s after bridge exit..
Always rush traffic on the free road..Industrial areas and full of trucks also.

rates.
USD. 2,65
Euro. 2,98

Another option to samsun is available as you may be aware of,the seaside road beginning with şile..
Free and more enjoying with several camping areas to discover the country more.No historical places in both routes to samsun..
Just some canyones,small old temples and hydraulic power plant lake-sides if interested..Pide recommended!!!

All the best.....

Merhaba Mehmet,

Thanks again for your precious informations!
I don't know much about Turkey yet, and I won't have enough time this year to see every beautiful spot! too much to see! :)

For my return, I hope I'll discover a bit more, passing by Van lake, Nemrut, Gorëme national park...
Best regards