Border Crossing - Wagah (Pakistan / India) on a motorcycle

[SaigonBlaze]

Hi all,

Long time reader; first time poster.

I'm planning a fairly epic ride from London to...well, that'll be decided later. At the moment the final destination is likely to be Melbourne but that might change over time (and according to budget constraints).

I have very limited experience of travelling in any parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent. I have two choices of routes, and in either scenario I'm going to be passing from Pakistan into India at Wagah (Lahore / Armistar) as I understand this is the only border crossing open to international tourists. Otherwise I'm stuck coming into India from China via Nepal, I bet Tibet will have its own share of complications.

I'm aware of the issues with sorting out visas (and a Carnet) and will deal with this accordingly, the nature of this question is about the practicalities of the border crossing at Wagah.

So far, everything I've read refers to foot crossings. All travel advice (Lonely Planet online, WikiTravel, etc) seems to say that you can get a bus to the border then cross on foot, (or get the train service) paying porters to carry your possessions if necessary and pick up the bus on the other side. Great. Except I have a full size motorcycle that is fairly essential to the rest of the trip (I'm not selling up and renting or buying again in India) and I can't find any information about crossing on or with a private vehicle. I'll gladly push the damn thing across if I need to but I just can't find any information anywhere.

Any relevant information would be gladly received.

Thanks in advance. Dan.

[PathLessRidden]

We came through that crossing in the other direction about three weeks ago. No problems with bikes or cars, both sides know what to do with carnets and will do it with a minimum of fuss - although the Indian side did a pretty thorough search of all our luggage etc. Budget half a day for it, but both Lahore and Amritsar are about 30km from the border so an easy run once you're through.

Make sure you check out the border closing ceremony from one side of the other, it's just wacky, ridiculously over the top.

If you're heading through Pakistan make sure you make contact with the Motorcyclists Association of Pakistan, they were of great help to us all the way through, wonderful hospitality.

[SaigonBlaze]

Thanks - that's great to hear. I had a feeling that would be the case, but the lack of information was somewhat disheartening.

[NATALIAMUNOZ]

Hi Dan,

I am planning to cross middle east in September 2016. Have you already done it? Any important information you can share would be great. Where did you get Carnet De passage? Best wishes
Natalia

[Sinky57]

Crossed last year with motorbike no problems but slow on India side . be there before 3pm border closes early for ceremony every day .

[daviddgz]

Hi, this is the information I was looking for. Could you share more information?

I am planning to cross Pakistan to India (motorbike) in October this year and it seems the recent comments show that is OK to cross.

Also, is this the only feasible crossing point from Pakistan to India?

Thanks!

[Sinky57]

This is thé only border crossing you can use .

[Uselessbaba]

Originally Posted by Sinky57

Crossed last year with motorbike no problems but slow on India side . be there before 3pm border closes early for ceremony every day .

I think that you are confusing the time difference with early closing, India does not close early everyday for the ceremony, India is 30 mins in front of Pakistan, hence India border closes 30 mins before Pak border !

[daviddgz]

Any last reports about the border? I plan to cross Pakistan to India in a month approx, it all depends how my trip across Pakistan goes. Thanks!

[Adventurism]

I just crossed today, slightly confusing where to go on the India side, but otherwise fairly easy. Probably mainly because they are building a big stage for the ceremony and also transforming the border area.

From Pakistan side the border opens at 9:30, there are 2 checkposts before the actual border where they want to see your passport and sometimes check your bags. After that leaving is fairly simple and fast. The customs office is on the right side after you enter, there is a small waiting area there. Being early had its advantages because there was nobody there. No que's to stand in. Pakistani people are not early risers.

A few other checking of the passport and then you cross the gates they use for the ceremony and you are in India.

Getting the carnet stamped here was a bit of a process, where I had to get multiple forms, signatures, bike checks and finally the stamps. If you find the the Immigration and Customs office and ask around for the Carnet it will work itself out.

Hope that helped.

[daviddgz]

Originally Posted by Adventurism

I just crossed today, slightly confusing where to go on the India side, but otherwise fairly easy. Probably mainly because they are building a big stage for the ceremony and also transforming the border area.

From Pakistan side the border opens at 9:30, there are 2 checkposts before the actual border where they want to see your passport and sometimes check your bags. After that leaving is fairly simple and fast. The customs office is on the right side after you enter, there is a small waiting area there. Being early had its advantages because there was nobody there. No que's to stand in. Pakistani people are not early risers.

A few other checking of the passport and then you cross the gates they use for the ceremony and you are in India.

Getting the carnet stamped here was a bit of a process, where I had to get multiple forms, signatures, bike checks and finally the stamps. If you find the the Immigration and Customs office and ask around for the Carnet it will work itself out.

Hope that helped.

Awesome information, really appreciated! What about getting an insurance in PAkistan and India, I guess you did it on the borders, right?

[Adventurism]

Insurance! What is that? Not part of my vocabulary. I try to avoid getting insurance. Pretty sure it's worth nothing when I try to claim something. Can't help you there buddy.

[kawazoki]

Originally Posted by Adventurism

Insurance! What is that? Not part of my vocabulary. I try to avoid getting insurance. Pretty sure it's worth nothing when I try to claim something. Can't help you there buddy.

What if THEY try to claim something from you....hm ??

[daviddgz]

Originally Posted by Adventurism

Insurance! What is that? Not part of my vocabulary. I try to avoid getting insurance. Pretty sure it's worth nothing when I try to claim something. Can't help you there buddy.

Haha, well I was thinking that in Turkey you cannot enter without insurance, so I thought it would be mandatory. The problem is that if you are involved in an accident and they claim something...

[Adventurism]

I have a liability insurance with world wide coverage.