Travelling Overland From Europe to India

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 06:07

Just to add about Iranian Visas

Iranian visas can be a hassle, particularly if you're not getting them in your home country (or if your home country has recently fallen out with the mullahs). One thing many travellers do to speed up the process is to go through an agency.

The 2 most popular agencies are

IranianVisa.com

and

Key2Persia.com

What these agencies do is send your application straight to Tehran. When the application is approved, they send you an authorisation number which you then present at the embassy that you've chosen, to get your visa.

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 06:08

Quote:

A WEEK I guess that's possible but as you say, won't be very pleasant. Really no point, IMHO!!

You'd be surprised!!! I met a Peruvian (or Bolivian) guy in Lahore who had done just that - he had a deadline to meet his girlfriend in Delhi, and claimed it worked out cheaper than flying.

kmalik · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:33

Conor M,

Great thread! An all-time fantasy of mine to do this trip. Looks like Iraninan visa and travel might be a problem on the US passport, but there are a few more things to that come in the way before I worry about that.

Is drive-yourself type of trip totally inadvisable or impractical?

Jasmin · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:42

I imagine the visas could be tricky to get, espeically to places like Iran. Are there any other alternative route? I've heard that it's possible to go through Russia. Not that the visas might be any easier to get hold there mind you.

I agree, this is a really good topic. So, if all visas etc are in place, how long would it take to get overland from the U.K. to India?

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:47

Quote:

Is drive-yourself type of trip totally inadvisable or impractical?

Not at all, on my trip I met cyclists, motorists, and even a Dutch couple in a campervan at the Pakistan/India border. I met them again 3 months later in Goa! However, I have absolutely no info on getting your own vehicle through - I just know that it's possible!

Quote:

So, if all visas etc are in place, how long would it take to get overland from the U.K. to India?

Like I said above, it can take as short or as long as you like. You could get from London to Delhi in 2 weeks if you travelled non-stop. Obviously, no-one is gonna want to do this, but it is possible.

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:49

Quote:

Looks like Iraninan visa and travel might be a problem on the US passport

Yeah, there are no guarentees for US citizens with Iran - you can spend months going through the whole process, and still get rejected.

This can apply to other countries as well at times of diplomatic crisis with Iran (all too common...). For example, when those British sailors were captured by Iran, the crisis that followed made it very tough for Brits to get visas. But when things cooled down, it got easier.

Jasmin · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:49

In only two weeks? That's incredible. You must have to drive day and night to do it in that time frame I reckon. Not much fun.

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:51

Quote:

In only two weeks? That's incredible. You must have to drive day and night to do it in that time frame I reckon. Not much fun.

Sorry, I meant by public transport - trains, buses, etc. And yes, I agree, not much fun.

To give you an idea, I spent 3 and a half weeks in Turkey, 2 and a half weeks in Iran, and 7 weeks in Pakistan.

Jasmin · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:54

Is it harder to travel that route by public transport than your own vehicle? I mean I wouldn't know where to start to look for the right bus or train in a country with a language I don't understand. Or is that something that has to be planned way before hand would you say? Shame there isn't just a ticket that one can get that could see us through the whole journey. :-)

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 07:57

Quote:

I mean I wouldn't know where to start to look for the right bus or train in a country with a language I don't understand.

That's where guide books come in! No need to plan ahead, remember the locals get by on public transport, so can you! And in all these countries, the local people are always willing to go out of their way to help confused looking foreigners. It's really nothing to worry about....

Jasmin · Oct 19th, 2007, 08:00

You make it sound so easy Conor:-) When you did this journey, which country or place was the hardest to cross?

machadinha · Oct 19th, 2007, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasmin

Shame there isn't just a ticket that one can get that could see us through the whole journey. :-)

There are still overlanding companies plying (parts of) the route.

And great post, Conor. Gets the passion roaring

Jasmin · Oct 19th, 2007, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

There are still overlanding companies plying (parts of) the route.

Which part would that be? And which form of transport does it apply to?

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 08:09

In all honesty, I probably found India the most stressful place to get around, what with q-ing for train tickets, chaos at bus stations, dodgy rickshaw drivers.....

Turkey and Iran are oh-so-easy, they have great bus services. Pakistan is like India, but less hassle....

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 19th, 2007, 08:12

Here's 2 overland companies still plying the route

http://www.dragoman.com/

http://www.exodus.co.uk/

(with thanks to TimMakins)

Going with these companies wouldn't really be my cup of chai, you don't go at your own pace, and you've gotta share a truck with potentially annoying strangers.

However, for some people, the pros of such companies outweigh the cons, and I've heard glowing reports from some people.

Oct 19th, 2007, 07:42	#19
Jasmin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 211	I imagine the visas could be tricky to get, espeically to places like Iran. Are there any other alternative route? I've heard that it's possible to go through Russia. Not that the visas might be any easier to get hold there mind you. I agree, this is a really good topic. So, if all visas etc are in place, how long would it take to get overland from the U.K. to India? __________________ 'Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome' - S. Johnson

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Travelling by boat - from India to Europe	moos	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	11	Oct 19th, 2007 04:49
travelling to europe for new years	travelbee	Crossing the Border	16	Dec 24th, 2006 23:07
Parcel from India to Europe	Martina	India Expat Area	1	Nov 18th, 2004 18:55
travelling to India overland?	icetea	Crossing the Border	27	Nov 11th, 2004 22:37
Going to India FROM Europe.	Dualtagh	Domestic India Flights	5	Nov 25th, 2001 16:13

Oct 19th, 2007, 06:07	#16
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	Just to add about Iranian Visas Iranian visas can be a hassle, particularly if you're not getting them in your home country (or if your home country has recently fallen out with the mullahs). One thing many travellers do to speed up the process is to go through an agency. The 2 most popular agencies are IranianVisa.com and Key2Persia.com What these agencies do is send your application straight to Tehran. When the application is approved, they send you an authorisation number which you then present at the embassy that you've chosen, to get your visa.

Oct 19th, 2007, 07:33	#18
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 674	Conor M, Great thread! An all-time fantasy of mine to do this trip. Looks like Iraninan visa and travel might be a problem on the US passport, but there are a few more things to that come in the way before I worry about that. Is drive-yourself type of trip totally inadvisable or impractical?

Oct 19th, 2007, 07:49	#22
Jasmin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 211	In only two weeks? That's incredible. You must have to drive day and night to do it in that time frame I reckon. Not much fun.

Oct 19th, 2007, 07:54	#24
Jasmin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 211	Is it harder to travel that route by public transport than your own vehicle? I mean I wouldn't know where to start to look for the right bus or train in a country with a language I don't understand. Or is that something that has to be planned way before hand would you say? Shame there isn't just a ticket that one can get that could see us through the whole journey. :-)

Oct 19th, 2007, 08:00	#26
Jasmin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 211	You make it sound so easy Conor:-) When you did this journey, which country or place was the hardest to cross?

Oct 19th, 2007, 08:09	#29
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	In all honesty, I probably found India the most stressful place to get around, what with q-ing for train tickets, chaos at bus stations, dodgy rickshaw drivers..... Turkey and Iran are oh-so-easy, they have great bus services. Pakistan is like India, but less hassle....

Oct 19th, 2007, 08:12	#30
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	Here's 2 overland companies still plying the route http://www.dragoman.com/ http://www.exodus.co.uk/ (with thanks to TimMakins) Going with these companies wouldn't really be my cup of chai, you don't go at your own pace, and you've gotta share a truck with potentially annoying strangers. However, for some people, the pros of such companies outweigh the cons, and I've heard glowing reports from some people.