Travelling Overland From Europe to India

Oyar · Mar 13th, 2008, 14:15

You really travel a lot. Envy you

Unfortunately this summer is a bit too soon. Im looking at about this time next year.

What would be the best time of the year .. to do this .. weather wise? How much do you reckon it would cost .. it today's times?

From London - to Delhi... & also visiting sightseeing. Im sure expenses are relative... but would you be able to pinpoint some sort of approximate figure .. atleast for basic travel?

I would ideally like to do it in about 30 days or so .. so you can visit each country properly.

Shiver me Timbers · Mar 13th, 2008, 19:39

Well, 30 days is nowhere near enough time to visit each country properly. 30 days in each country would be a start....

With only 30 days, you will spend 3/4 days getting from London to Istanbul, then you could spend about 10 days in Turkey, seeing Istanbul and Cappadocia, and maybe one other place. Then you could spend maybe another 10 days crossing Iran, seeing Esfahan, Shiraz and Yazd along the way. That would leave you with a week in Pakistan to see Lahore and maybe Peshawar if you have the time.

Remember, with just 30 days, you will spend a lot of tha time travelling between places, as distances are big. Turkey itself is bigger than France and Spain combined, and you'll be travelling the length rather than the width of it.

Cost wise, I'd say you could do it on around than €1000, including visas, comfortably. That's just a rough estimate.

If you did it this time next year, I'd say that would be a good time. Spring or Autumn is suitable if you're not planning to see northern Pakistan. I did it in late summer/early Autumn, because I wanted to get up to northern Pakistan, and I can tell you, Turkey is roasting in August. So yeah, I'd say next Spring would be a good time, the weather should be nice and mild, but maybe a bit drizzly in parts.

Oyar · Mar 14th, 2008, 10:32

Thanks for the info. I will contact you once again ... when i decide to plan the trip.

baz · Mar 18th, 2008, 22:26

Very interesting thread. I have thought about this trip back and forward for a few years. Done it in my head a few times.
Any one thinking of doing and looking for company?? My partner has decided this is one I could myself...

Oyar · Mar 19th, 2008, 00:45

Im quite serious about doing this next year in late feb - march sometime. Would like to do it 30 days or so .. visiting turkey & iran along the way

Shiver me Timbers · Jul 29th, 2008, 01:28

Just a quick update on this thread.

In the last 2 months I've completed the first half, going from Dublin to Istanbul overland by train, then continuing on to eastern Turkey and the Caucasus via a side-trip to Syria.

Getting across Europe was expensive, Dublin to Istanbul (by ferry and train) worked out about 150 EURO more than a one-way flight. However, it could have been cheaper, as I went by sleeper-carriage rather than the cheaper 6-bed couchettes. And bear in mind it was spread over 4 nights (it's 3 nights from London).

Train journeys in Turkey are slow, but cheap and spectacular. In fact, there are some mountain valleys which can only be seen on the train.

From east Turkey or the Caucasus, it's a simple matter to carry on to Iran......

Scandojazzbuff · Jul 29th, 2008, 11:11

I will be most interested to hear how you will fare traveling through Afghanistan/Pakistan. As someone who has done this trip overland from Europe to India in 1969, my thumb was my main mode of transportation back then until I reached Iran from Basra, going across to Abadan by small motor boat. That is when I had to begin taking buses as there were very few cars at that time. I was often taken into private homes and given a place to stay in the south in Shiraz. As I traveled up north through Isfahan and Teheran, I noticed a big change in the people and mood of the country. I was happy to leave Teheran for the Caspian area and on to Mashad with 2 Frenchmen and me sitting in the middle of the front seat of a deux cheavaux traveling on a dirt road for 800kms! Unforgettable scenery and I highly recommend this route as I'm sure they've paved it by now.

I cannot imagine you traveling through Afghanistan like I did back then. After 30 years of war with no end in sight, how can you really feel safe and have trust in everyone you meet? I loved Afghanistan but would not want to travel there having to think about my safety as a prime concern. Perhaps continuous bus trips through the country will be alright but this is not my idea of travel. I want to be in a place and experience it's feeling, it's life, it's culture. It took me 6 months to go from Turkey to India, very slowly, soaking up whatever I could, leaving my former life in the past and I felt that that was also too fast, that I didn't get the opportunity to see more of what still fascinates me about that part of the world.

Anyway, I wish you luck and good fortune on the road and keep us informed of your trip.

federica · Jul 29th, 2008, 11:19

You can go directly from Iran to Pakistan, can't you? So Afghanistan seems avoidable, although reaching Pakistan through Kyber pass sounds incredible adventurous for me... unfortunately it is much more adventurous (not in a nice sense) today than it must have been 30 years ago...

kalbarri · Jul 29th, 2008, 12:08

i think you must go through afghanistan, unless you can go north through another country to get to pakistan. i was lucky enough to experience afghanistan before the russians invaded and i feel very sad for the afghanis the state of their country right now.

greenmen · Jul 29th, 2008, 13:15

Well you wanna look into going thru the silk road. For more info look for a site called monkeybusiness a dutch travel agency. My friends are travelling thru mongolia then russia and then europe.

Shiver me Timbers · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scandojazzbuff

Anyway, I wish you luck and good fortune on the road and keep us informed of your trip.

Well, I did it 3 years ago - it's easy to avoid Afghanistan, just go through s/e Iran on to Pakistan that way, no problem at all...

machadinha · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:50

Hey Shiver Me, so are you in the Caucasus now & continuing, or was that the end of the line?

Shiver me Timbers · Jul 29th, 2008, 17:04

That was it Mach, flew home from Tbilisi 4 days ago, went to Syria, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia.

For anyone interested, the Caucasus is well worth a side trip on your overland route to India, Georgia in particular is a must for anyone with a love of mountain scenery and alcohol-fuelled hospitality.

Syria was great too.

machadinha · Jul 29th, 2008, 17:17

Sounds like a swell trip in any case, good for you. Slow trains around Turkey I've heard great things about yes; Syria, ditto, for that matter (minus the trains I guess [?]).

(Eagerly scribbling in notebook.) (Isn't the Caucasus supposed to be a little tense nowadays btw, or is it another case of it's fine on the ground? Sure sounds like it.)

Scandojazzbuff · Jul 29th, 2008, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiver me Timbers

Well, I did it 3 years ago - it's easy to avoid Afghanistan, just go through s/e Iran on to Pakistan that way, no problem at all...

Yes, you can avoid Afghanistan but I was hoping to hear your adventure through it. But, now I know the end of your trip was the Caucasus. This is another area I would like to explore.

I started my Asian expedition from Rodos, Greece, taking a small motor boat to the coast of Turkey and then exploring the Mediterranean coast from Ephesus all the way to Adana. Then headed into Syria, Lebanon, and, Iraq. Then into Abadan, Iran. So many memories, stories. I was young, alone, and, determined to make it to India.

Mar 13th, 2008, 19:39	#62
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	Well, 30 days is nowhere near enough time to visit each country properly. 30 days in each country would be a start.... With only 30 days, you will spend 3/4 days getting from London to Istanbul, then you could spend about 10 days in Turkey, seeing Istanbul and Cappadocia, and maybe one other place. Then you could spend maybe another 10 days crossing Iran, seeing Esfahan, Shiraz and Yazd along the way. That would leave you with a week in Pakistan to see Lahore and maybe Peshawar if you have the time. Remember, with just 30 days, you will spend a lot of tha time travelling between places, as distances are big. Turkey itself is bigger than France and Spain combined, and you'll be travelling the length rather than the width of it. Cost wise, I'd say you could do it on around than €1000, including visas, comfortably. That's just a rough estimate. If you did it this time next year, I'd say that would be a good time. Spring or Autumn is suitable if you're not planning to see northern Pakistan. I did it in late summer/early Autumn, because I wanted to get up to northern Pakistan, and I can tell you, Turkey is roasting in August. So yeah, I'd say next Spring would be a good time, the weather should be nice and mild, but maybe a bit drizzly in parts. __________________ Europe to India Overland Andaman's Tips Pakistan Tips Flickr Photos

Jul 29th, 2008, 16:50	#72
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,571	Hey Shiver Me, so are you in the Caucasus now & continuing, or was that the end of the line? __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Mar 13th, 2008, 14:15	#61
Oyar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 170	You really travel a lot. Envy you Unfortunately this summer is a bit too soon. Im looking at about this time next year. What would be the best time of the year .. to do this .. weather wise? How much do you reckon it would cost .. it today's times? From London - to Delhi... & also visiting sightseeing. Im sure expenses are relative... but would you be able to pinpoint some sort of approximate figure .. atleast for basic travel? I would ideally like to do it in about 30 days or so .. so you can visit each country properly.

Mar 14th, 2008, 10:32	#63
Oyar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 170	Thanks for the info. I will contact you once again ... when i decide to plan the trip.

Mar 18th, 2008, 22:26	#64
baz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ayrshire, Scotland Posts: 112	Very interesting thread. I have thought about this trip back and forward for a few years. Done it in my head a few times. Any one thinking of doing and looking for company?? My partner has decided this is one I could myself...

Mar 19th, 2008, 00:45	#65
Oyar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 170	Im quite serious about doing this next year in late feb - march sometime. Would like to do it 30 days or so .. visiting turkey & iran along the way

Jul 29th, 2008, 01:28	#66
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	Just a quick update on this thread. In the last 2 months I've completed the first half, going from Dublin to Istanbul overland by train, then continuing on to eastern Turkey and the Caucasus via a side-trip to Syria. Getting across Europe was expensive, Dublin to Istanbul (by ferry and train) worked out about 150 EURO more than a one-way flight. However, it could have been cheaper, as I went by sleeper-carriage rather than the cheaper 6-bed couchettes. And bear in mind it was spread over 4 nights (it's 3 nights from London). Train journeys in Turkey are slow, but cheap and spectacular. In fact, there are some mountain valleys which can only be seen on the train. From east Turkey or the Caucasus, it's a simple matter to carry on to Iran......

Jul 29th, 2008, 11:11	#67
Scandojazzbuff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangkok Posts: 414	I will be most interested to hear how you will fare traveling through Afghanistan/Pakistan. As someone who has done this trip overland from Europe to India in 1969, my thumb was my main mode of transportation back then until I reached Iran from Basra, going across to Abadan by small motor boat. That is when I had to begin taking buses as there were very few cars at that time. I was often taken into private homes and given a place to stay in the south in Shiraz. As I traveled up north through Isfahan and Teheran, I noticed a big change in the people and mood of the country. I was happy to leave Teheran for the Caspian area and on to Mashad with 2 Frenchmen and me sitting in the middle of the front seat of a deux cheavaux traveling on a dirt road for 800kms! Unforgettable scenery and I highly recommend this route as I'm sure they've paved it by now. I cannot imagine you traveling through Afghanistan like I did back then. After 30 years of war with no end in sight, how can you really feel safe and have trust in everyone you meet? I loved Afghanistan but would not want to travel there having to think about my safety as a prime concern. Perhaps continuous bus trips through the country will be alright but this is not my idea of travel. I want to be in a place and experience it's feeling, it's life, it's culture. It took me 6 months to go from Turkey to India, very slowly, soaking up whatever I could, leaving my former life in the past and I felt that that was also too fast, that I didn't get the opportunity to see more of what still fascinates me about that part of the world. Anyway, I wish you luck and good fortune on the road and keep us informed of your trip.

Jul 29th, 2008, 11:19	#68
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 989	You can go directly from Iran to Pakistan, can't you? So Afghanistan seems avoidable, although reaching Pakistan through Kyber pass sounds incredible adventurous for me... unfortunately it is much more adventurous (not in a nice sense) today than it must have been 30 years ago...

Jul 29th, 2008, 12:08	#69
kalbarri kalbarri Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: WESTERN australia Posts: 378	i think you must go through afghanistan, unless you can go north through another country to get to pakistan. i was lucky enough to experience afghanistan before the russians invaded and i feel very sad for the afghanis the state of their country right now.

Jul 29th, 2008, 13:15	#70
greenmen Gaurav Malik Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ningbo China , Delhi is ma Home town Posts: 3	Well you wanna look into going thru the silk road. For more info look for a site called monkeybusiness a dutch travel agency. My friends are travelling thru mongolia then russia and then europe.

Jul 29th, 2008, 17:04	#73
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	That was it Mach, flew home from Tbilisi 4 days ago, went to Syria, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. For anyone interested, the Caucasus is well worth a side trip on your overland route to India, Georgia in particular is a must for anyone with a love of mountain scenery and alcohol-fuelled hospitality. Syria was great too.

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Jul 29th, 2008, 17:17	#74
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,571	Sounds like a swell trip in any case, good for you. Slow trains around Turkey I've heard great things about yes; Syria, ditto, for that matter (minus the trains I guess [?]). (Eagerly scribbling in notebook.) (Isn't the Caucasus supposed to be a little tense nowadays btw, or is it another case of it's fine on the ground? Sure sounds like it.)