Hello,
I have this crazy idea to do Jordan to India overland (or the other way around) passing through Syria, Turkey, Iran). Has anyone done that?
Any tips?
Thanks
Pamela
Reply to this Hello Pamela 😊
You won't be the first, because this is a well worn hippy trail. But, things change as regards borders, visas and safety, so those details would need to be checked before the trip.
As far as I know, you can get a Syrian tourist visa at the border(at least I hope that is the case, because I want to go there via Turkey soon 😊 ). Also the Turkish one is available on arrival for European Union citizens at least. I am not sure about the one for Pakistan. People are going there though, so it is possible to get them in some way. I think you would need to apply at a consulate before you go. Last I heard, you can get a 10 day transit visa for Iran. I am not sure if you can get it at the border or not. If not, then the easiest way is to use
iranianvisa.com to get a visa code and then apply at an Iranian consulate. You can get a 6 month Indian visa at an Indian consulate. Probably best to get it before you leave home if you can.
Safety: Keep an eye on all current issues before you set off, and along the way.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks Mel,
I am more likely to do it the other way around, ie start in India and if I still have some energy left go back to Europe overland but surely I can apply for visas there.
Glad to know my idea isn't that crazy after all.
Pamela
Reply to this Hi Pamela,
It is probably important to inform us what nationality you are, as your major hurdles will likely be bureaucratic.
For example, Irish citizens are able to obtain a Syrian visa at the border, Brits cannot. I actually tried three separate border crossings from Turkey to Syria, with no joy. I even tried to convince them that I was Irish (as Northern Ireland is written on the Brit passport) which almost worked. But in the end I had to go up to Ankara to get the visa, which was quite a side-trip, and not exactly high on the tourist attraction scale.
My advice would be get almost ALL your visas prior to departure; India, Pakistan, Iran. Turkey you can get at the Iran/Turkey border, but then you'll need the Syrian and you can get the Jordanian in Damascus if need be. Oh and if you plan to side-trip to Lebanon, which most people like to do once in Syria, you might want to get a multiple entry Syrian visa in advance to save you some cash. Also, if you are planning to head back to Europe overland you'll need to turn around and head back through Syria anyway, so the multiple entry would be a virtual must!
As for the trip itself; Fantastic!
If I may ask, what are your motivations and expectations in taking this slightly unorthodox trip?
Reply to this For example, Irish citizens are able to obtain a Syrian visa at the border,...
Do you know this for certain? If so, this is great news, for me. A trip accross Turkey would be good, but I would be a little disappointed if I could not enter Syria. 😊
Reply to this
Great news it is (if you're Irish)!
To be honest, if I hadn't experienced it myself I wouldn't have tossed it out there. I'm personally of the opinion there's nothing worse than, "I heard from my cousin's girlfriend's brother that..." speculative 'information' with regards travel, it can be a little counterproductive for those in search of some sort of "empirical truth"
Though of course now you can't go around telling people you heard this information from me;-)
Reply to this Hello,
I have a British passport and could get an Italian one too as I have double nationality, though I doubt that that will be of much help.
I have no other motivation for this trip than the fact that I am fascinated by both India and the Middle East, I have time at my hand and a great sense of adventure. I am not sure what to expect, certainly to enter a completely different world and experience intense emotions. Ultimately, I am just following my guts, which are telling me to do it. They are usually right.
Reply to this By the way, I wasn't signed in but that was me posting the last message.
Reply to this Hi Pamela,
Well, my cousin's girlfriend's brother did say that Italians can get a visa on arrival at the Syrian border! As to whether the bureaucracy involved in getting an Italian passport is easier than getting a Syrian visa beforehand, I've no idea? Although I would guess you may increase your chances of getting an Iranian visa...how is Berlusconi's relationship with Ahmadinejad these days;-)
However, if you did feel the urge to visit Palestine whilst you were in Jordan, having two passports could come in handy with the Israeli visa stamp avoidance issue.
Reply to this Thank you so much. I was in fact thinking of getting an Italian passport anyway.
May ask Jason, since you appeared to have done the trip, how easy it is to travel around? And I don't mean just visa wise. How is the pulbic transport, how easy is to get by in English and how much forward planning is required? Did you know your itinerary before you left? I have also heard that this part of the world is not so cheap. How much should a backpacker (ie very adaptbable, I have slept in shitholes several times) budget for that? And finally, how long did it take you? I know that these things are subjective, especially the time-frame, as some travellers like to just touch a place and leave and some prefer to take their time. I belong to the second group, I guess but genearally I'd like to have a rough idea of how long a trip that would be.
Many thanks again for your replies. I hope I am not being a pain. The first part of the planning is always the most difficult one for me, then it starts being fun.
Pamela
Reply to this Hi Pamela,
Yes very subjective. Anyway, all in all I think it took around 6 months. 2 months in India that time; it was July/August so I took the opportunity to explore the far north (mainly Jammu and Kashmir) from Leh across to Srinagar and around. A month in Pakistan (Visa constraints). Again to the mountains, it being summer (or the end). Ten days to cross Afghanistan. Ten days in Iran (due to visa constraints). About a month in Turkey; mainly in the south east aka Kurdistan. Syria and Jordan another month.
Travel was very cheap (2003) at around $15US per day. Travel is relatively straightforward and of a fairly high standard in Turkey/Iran. A little rougher in India/Pakistan, though they do have trains for longer distances. I had no idea of itinerary before I left, but that is just the way I do things. You should be fine getting by in English I should imagine, if you're prepared to learn a few choice local phrases
Hope that helps
Jason
Reply to this Hey you have a great plan and it will take lots of days. I only travel few places but you can find many places on sites like <snip>.
[Edited: 2011 May 06 08:01 - Jabe:6222 - No advertising on forums, please]
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