Russian / Georgian Border to Re-open.

[ExpatinIstanbul]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8429492.stm

 

[LivNorway]

Thank you!

I have a friend who like to travel direction east from Norway.
I'll tell him!

Liv.

(Picture: My friend Ed and our bikes at the Kaliningrad-Poland tour.)

 

[Timolgra]

That's really good news and allows a few options now

 

[xdayzgrr]

i think still very dangerous places for bikes.
there is another option,if i heard truth,fast ferries startin between trabzon (northeast of turkey) and sochi.
bfr 12 hours.
now 4 hours with new ferries.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

i think still very dangerous places for bikes.
there is another option,if i heard truth,fast ferries startin between trabzon (northeast of turkey) and sochi.
bfr 12 hours.
now 4 hours with new ferries.

Everywhere's dangerous, it's all about state of mind. For me the border opening means a chance to ride around the Black Sea, something I'd like to do.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

The Dariali border crossing is now officially open, as of March 1st.

 

[Richard ZB]

Any news on the Sochi Trabzon ferry? Looking at a trip round the black sea may 2011, - not worried if its a slow ferry, but is it possible to put the bikes on something to go Sochi to Trabzon?

 

[xdayzgrr]

Any news on the Sochi Trabzon ferry? Looking at a trip round the black sea may 2011, - not worried if its a slow ferry, but is it possible to put the bikes on something to go Sochi to Trabzon?

There are three ferries a week between Batumi and Sochi. If you need ferry schedules, you can find them on Sochi MorPort website ( www.morport-sochi.ru ). They also have a helpful information desk: +7 (8622) 60-96-03

As of 2009 the schedule is: Departing Batumi (Georgia) on Tuedays and Fridays at 13.00 (faster express boat "Kometa" - takes 6 hours), and at 18.00 (slower ferry, takes 12 hours). The way back from Sochi is on the same days at the same time. The price is 1700-1800R ($60 to $70) one way.

i hope it will be helpful for ye mate.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Unless I'm very mistaken, the fast boat is passenger only.

 

[Richard ZB]

Thanks for that link , much appreciated.
May be incontact before we get round to Istanbul if you fancy a ride out to meet us on the road to Trabzon. and I'll buy you a raki! ( I lived in Istanbul back in '84)
and will also pick your brains for good routes closer to the time. Have a good spring
Richard

 

[xdayzgrr]

raki? good!
whiskey?! great!
report? must be
waitin for yer photos!
have a nice trip' n good luck!

 

[GSmonkey]

Good luck in Georgia. I had a $100k Landcruiser hijacked at gunpoint outside my house in Tbilisi............not very nice.