Diving through Middle East to Qatar.?

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Route through Syira is as scary as flying.

Is there a better way in a right hand drive van , with English plates. .? Any help on here?
 
Iraq?
Libya and Egypt?
I'm afraid we have messed up our routes east. Well not us, but the people who represent us (not)

Wouldn't worry about RHD, no-one cares.
When I went to Libya, we put Libyian plates on at border crossing, probably similar further on.
 
maingate said:
Ferry from Europe to Egypt. Another Ferry to Jeddah. Drive across Saudi Arabia to Qatar.

It will probably take 6 months to get the paperwork sorted, so just watch the Final on TV. :)
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Jim, another option, Ferry to Egypt/Israel, if either or, cross into Jordan (lovely people) then into SA, this would save a drive down the Sinai for a ferry to Jeddah.
 
You will be able to find a commercial vehicle carrier to Israel, maybe Egypt too, but good luck finding a conventional tourist ferry. Go on a cruise and hire van there would be easier. :)

Can get to Tunisia easy enough, let us know how you get on in Libya, you can be across it in a good days drive :ROFLMAO:
 
Michael Palin was mooching about Iraq recently on a TV program so you could drive down thru Turkey into Iraq and down to the Gulf states.
 
Drive to Iskenderun (you’ll need a carnet, so talk the camber of commerce) take ferry to port said expect 48 hours clearing customs, you may clear in 10 minutes but you may not, try to arrive there late on Wednesday as they like an empty impound on Fridays.

Drive to Suez, dump anything that may upset the Saudis unless your intending to eat / drink it on the ferry, then ferry to Jeddah.

Visa to Jeddah is easy enough.

Now the hard bit, visa to cross Saudi needs a sponsor, they are not easy to find as they take responsibility for you actions, but it is possible, you need to arrange this before you leave the UK and the Saudi embassy are actually quite helpful, but the reason for travel is likely to be your stumbling block, but there’s no reason the Saudis will object to football.

Youll be asked your route and it should avoid Mecca like the plaque go via Al Jumum to Az Zemah ( once in Saudi you can still use the 80/301 ) but avoid Mecca unless you have specific written permission.

Aim to hit Riyahd end of day 1, so stay at the customs impound overnight and start early, over night at Riyadh is easy enough and people will be helpful and friendly but observe local customs. Your western beliefs should be left in Bulgaria.

Next day drive to Salwa and cross the border into Qatar.

Job done but plan for delays, took me 11 days, paid bribes in Turkey and Egypt (all petty amounts) DO NOT TRY TO BRIBE IN SAUDI, just go with the flow and be patient, DO NOT express an opinion about anything, if you have women with you they MUST obey local custom.

coming back you’ll have lots more customs issues, especially when crossing the Bosphorus, try to cross Serbia in one day each way if possible,
 
No worries,

Just you make sure you stay safe between Bulgaria and Saudi, if you find you have to stop in Serbia then do so in a very public well lit place a fuel station forecourt is a good idea.

Most people wherever you go are good, the Serbians are just like you or I, but do not expect such, be prepared to say sorry for miss trusting rather than be sorry that you didn’t do so.

Some years ago in Riga I broke that rule and it lead to a man pointing a gun in my face,
 
I have been to several Middle East countries.
BUT always with a booked tour (Exodus) who in turn use local tour operators.
Always good !
 
Boris7 said:
Drive to Iskenderun (you’ll need a carnet, so talk the camber of commerce) take ferry to port said expect 48 hours clearing customs, you may clear in 10 minutes but you may not, try to arrive there late on Wednesday as they like an empty impound on Fridays.

Drive to Suez, dump anything that may upset the Saudis unless your intending to eat / drink it on the ferry, then ferry to Jeddah.

Visa to Jeddah is easy enough.

Now the hard bit, visa to cross Saudi needs a sponsor, they are not easy to find as they take responsibility for you actions, but it is possible, you need to arrange this before you leave the UK and the Saudi embassy are actually quite helpful, but the reason for travel is likely to be your stumbling block, but there’s no reason the Saudis will object to football.

Youll be asked your route and it should avoid Mecca like the plaque go via Al Jumum to Az Zemah ( once in Saudi you can still use the 80/301 ) but avoid Mecca unless you have specific written permission.

Aim to hit Riyahd end of day 1, so stay at the customs impound overnight and start early, over night at Riyadh is easy enough and people will be helpful and friendly but observe local customs. Your western beliefs should be left in Bulgaria.

Next day drive to Salwa and cross the border into Qatar.

Job done but plan for delays, took me 11 days, paid bribes in Turkey and Egypt (all petty amounts) DO NOT TRY TO BRIBE IN SAUDI, just go with the flow and be patient, DO NOT express an opinion about anything, if you have women with you they MUST obey local custom.

coming back you’ll have lots more customs issues, especially when crossing the Bosphorus, try to cross Serbia in one day each way if possible,
Click to expand...
Good stuff.
What year did you do the trip?
 
Wow! This beats threads about the best route to the Moselle or Barcelona!

When does this one kick off? Will there be a blog?
 
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