Driving From the UAE to the UK
Jan 11th 2009, 6:07 am
#1
100% British Beef
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Driving From the UAE to the UK
Having looked at a map, I have discovered that there is land mass all the way back to the UK (Apart from the Chunnel).
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Jan 11th 2009, 6:09 am
#2
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Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 758
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
Having looked at a map, I have discovered that there is land mass all the way back to the UK (Apart from the Chunnel).
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Best to avoid iraq just go striaght to Jordan through Saudi.
Jan 11th 2009, 6:24 am
#3
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Too far away from Upton Park, for my liking !
Posts: 5,524
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
Having looked at a map, I have discovered that there is land mass all the way back to the UK (Apart from the Chunnel).
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Jan 11th 2009, 7:03 am
#4
**** it we'll do it live
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Dubai
Posts: 7,892
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
Having looked at a map, I have discovered that there is land mass all the way back to the UK (Apart from the Chunnel).
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
possible yes
done it, not yet personally but planning to, but hundreds have
already
how long depends on how many hrs a day you want to drive and how long you stop and stay anywhere
nah no visas needed every country will welcome you with open arms at their borders.
you will however need a carnet de passage for your vehicle available from the ATC of the UAE
Jan 11th 2009, 7:13 am
#5
**** it we'll do it live
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Dubai
Posts: 7,892
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
see here for inspiration
http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/a_starte.html
http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/a_starte.html
Jan 11th 2009, 8:56 am
#6
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
A colleague of mine in Doha done it in 1984. For some reason he wanted to take his Mazda 626 LHD back to UK.
He done the journey in 10 days, mostly driving it seems.
He said it was a piece of cake once he reached Western Turkey.
Problem areas then, and probably still now, were Saudi (No women except your wife or daughter), Syria (A soldier with an AK47 was plonked in the car and you had him until you exited the country) and Turkey where he had some problems with the locals stoning his car in the East part!
I guess mainly needs some thorough planning and organising visas especially until you reach Europe and car documentation as has already been mentioned.
He done the journey in 10 days, mostly driving it seems.
He said it was a piece of cake once he reached Western Turkey.
Problem areas then, and probably still now, were Saudi (No women except your wife or daughter), Syria (A soldier with an AK47 was plonked in the car and you had him until you exited the country) and Turkey where he had some problems with the locals stoning his car in the East part!
I guess mainly needs some thorough planning and organising visas especially until you reach Europe and car documentation as has already been mentioned.
Jan 11th 2009, 9:05 am
#7
Concierge
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 29,625
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
get a copy of They Saddle Dogs by Greg Hunt. It is an account of his drive from AD to the UK, excellent read 
Jan 11th 2009, 9:22 am
#8
100% British Beef
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
get a copy of They Saddle Dogs by Greg Hunt. It is an account of his drive from AD to the UK, excellent read
Bison
Jan 11th 2009, 9:22 am
#9
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
Jan 11th 2009, 11:33 am
#11
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
I remember when I was in Saudi I had heard of a few guys that had done the trip on Harleys, as well as some others who did it in a Range Rover. personally I think it is easier to ship it back in a box.
Jan 11th 2009, 2:36 pm
#12
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
I lived in all three of these countries all in the last 10 years. They are not dodgy at all. Macedonia is my fav, and all are worth a long lesuirely drive through as the scenery in parts - especially Bosnia - is stunning. However most direct route is to drive straight over the border from Greece, through Macedonia - up to Belgrade, and across to Zagreb, It is a very fast road once you are into Serbia - a toll road. And if you speed you have to pay the fine before you exit it! There are however many different routes through the Balkans - just depends what you want to see on the way. for example, if you want to go to the Croatian coast, end up in Split and you can get the ferry over to Ancona, Italy but you'd drive through Bosnia which is not straight driving!(Sarajevo is wonderful by the way)
Visas to these countries are on entry last I experienced. Oh - and don't go to Kosovo.... its the wild East of Europe still...
PM if you need anything else.
Jan 11th 2009, 3:47 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
what are you thinking of taking 'the lancer'
Jan 11th 2009, 4:10 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: Driving From the UAE to the UK
Having looked at a map, I have discovered that there is land mass all the way back to the UK (Apart from the Chunnel).
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
Some of the countries you have tom go through may be a bit dodgy though, Saudi, Iraq, Syria but once you get through these countries then into Turkey then Bulgaria then a few dodge Euro countries like Serbia, Bosnia, possibly Macedonia etc, but is it possible, has anyone done it and how long would it take, do you need Visa's etc?
Bison
"What?? Further than Abu Dhabi??? Well I'll have to put the meter on, sir........"
