Driving from Norwich to Girne first week in November

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 19:29

Hi..new to the forum. I will be driving out to stay in Lapta for 5 months and plan to set out in my Saab the first week in November. I have been over 3 times before for a weeks holiday and will be staying in my friends Villa in Lapta..No hurry to get over. Any advice on the route and car insurance for the North. I have comprehensive car insurance which covers 90 days in EU countries but not North Cyprus I guess.

iankb


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 20:36

You will no doubt come through Turkey and I do not think that your insurance will cover you there.you should check that out.



Ian

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 20:39

message 1 - use the google search bar at the top of the page and put in



"Driving from UK to Cyprus"



Hope this is helpful.



J

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 21:15

Then I read on another thread that the car must be under 5 years old..mine is 7 years old and I have just purchased it for the trip..gulp..is it still OK to drive it over for 5 months??

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 21:15

Thanks Ian and Jeannie..I think I've snookered myself already as I just purchased a Saab for the journey and it is a 2002 model and even though pristine it seems to contravene the 5 years car rule for North Cyprus.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 21:19

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/22256.asp

see the above link on rough costs also ferries in Italy & Greece pack up for the winter months

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 21:21

Hi Corbo - can't help you on this, unfortunately. The rules seem to change by the minute! I'm sure someone on here will be able to give you the definitive advice.



I sincerely hope you will be able to use your (gulp) purchase for the duration you require.



Very best of luck.



Jean (Bury St Edmunds)

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 21:41

Thanks again..would be a pity not to be able to make the trip due to the car being 2 years too old..was looking forward to it.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 22:04

Corbo



Buy yourself a UK personalised car number plate, two letters followed by three numbers only and run the gauntlet!



Richard

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 22:28

Cheers Richard..the car has a private number plate anyway..but it's not as you describe. So they can let you in with an older car at their discretion? A long way to come if you are turned away though!

tarry67


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1053

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 22:57

I think you will be allowed to bring the car in as a holiday maker but only for 90 days which is all you will be allowed to stay for without leaving the country again. Even if you drive to the south for the day I am not sure if they would class this as leaving the country, maybe ok...!!! Sometimes when you cross the border to the south they only give you 14/30 days and not another 90 days, it depends on the person behind the desk. Also make sure you bring the original paperwork for the car and not copies.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 23:11

Thanks Tarry..sounds more hopeful then..suppose I could get the ferry over to Turkey after 89 days and have a few days in Turkey and come back..if the South Cyprus trip did not do it.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 23:17

I cant beleive the nonsense you are all coming out with.The guy is not bringing the car to register it here,its for visiting purpose for 5 months.And yes it is ok.



Nothing changes on this ISLAND by the minute other then the exchange rates.



You want to be constructive?Do please try to give wright information.



Whatever length the permit you are given,can be extended after at vehicle tax office with necesary paperwork provided.At what cost,I dont know.



Carbo:When you are over and need any help,call me on 0533 873 9181,will be happy to assist.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
13/09/2009 23:56

Corbo



If time is not of the essence, avoid toll motorways they can be as costly as the fuel you use. The secondary roads are far more picturesque.



Richard

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 00:15

That's great Yorgozlu..I'll be over and will take your number with me..and yes..I'll avoid toll roads on route..good idea.

jinyx


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 00:49

corbo, I'm doing the same this week and found that if you listen to the vast opinon, you wouldn't bother. however I will also take yorgozlu's number and if you don't mind, yorgozlu, I will also give you a ring if need be. The journey is rather daunting as I am traveling on my own but, hey, thats life! still dont know which route to take, any tips would be welcome.

jazzaktai


Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 09:39

think your going the wrong way we are driving from lapta to wroxham 1st october but have a good trip

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 09:58

No..the right way actually..Winter in England is too depressing. Does any one kow if the car ferries are OK for November from Italy to Greece and then from Turkey to Nth Cyprus??

kelvin


Joined: 18/12/2008
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 10:08

forget all that, its the snow you need to worry about.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 10:11

Yeah right..why worry about something you cannot control..I'll check with the RAC then..ta..

kelvin


Joined: 18/12/2008
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 10:54

This is my tip,DAY 1. Fill up in england and head for luxemborg, this is the cheapest place where you will get your fuel.i took some 5 gallon drums too, up to you, if you can get to luxemborg on your first day youll be doing well, and you should quite easily. Take the luxemborg centre sign, and as you come off, theres a lovely motel/hotel there, great food etc, with a safe car park. DAY 2. Head for venice. i always stayed at the holiday inn 5 minutes from the ferry, again safe car park etc, get a cab into venice for a night out if not too tired and get ferry next day. DAY 3. Get ferry to cesme, the ferry terminal is straight into venice along the flat road where the train runs beside you and you come to a little set of lights where you turn right, its badly sign posted. Its a day and a half if i remember, on arrival in cesme youll have the choice of going inland or coastal route to tasacu, inland is quicker but not as scenic. ive always drove non stop to tasacu, inland.. safe trip.

kelvin


Joined: 18/12/2008
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 11:02

p.s, ive done this trip 4 times and gone 4 different ways each time, this was the easiest and safest way. the snow can be serious along the way, specialy turkey east of istanbul if you go inland route.. good luck, and would like to know how you got on.. Drive carefully, theres no rush, as my dad used say, best to be 5 minutes late than 30 years to early, meaning having a fatal accident.. good luck again.

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 11:06

I drove a vehicle across last year. I drove straight across Europe with no problems. Went throught 12 countries in all. I had a few hickups along the way but all in all a great trip and just about all the roads are fantastic.



My route was as follows: Uk to France via Dover, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus. 2,800 miles in total. I wouldnt advise doing it without a sat nav. The one ive got was brilliant and i didnt get lost once!



Austria to Slovakia you will need to stop and buy a VALATA which is their road tax. I didnt and got stopped by tthe Police. They fined 150 Euro, but they can fine you up to 3 times this amount.



You need to buy Insurance at the border with Serbia and the same again at Turkey.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 13:39

Thanks..good advice and the Saab should be Ok with minor snow..I'll take a small shovel and blanket just in case. Do car Ferries run betwen Italy and Greece and Turkey and Cyprus early November?? Will take a good Sat Nav and detail the journey logs on arrival..after a day or two.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 15:15

Kelvin..sounds a good route..may go for it if the Ferry runs in November from Venice area. Can you recall the cost of a car on the ferry??

kelvin


Joined: 18/12/2008
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 15:54

you may have to go to ancona, and if it doesnt run from there youll have go brindisi, and if it doesnt go to cesme you can get ferry to igoumenitsa in greece, and a drive over the mountains, could be lot of snow there too..interesting drive thou..youll have fun at the border, last time i went that way galatasary had just lost 5-0

in a big game to an english club, you can imagine what kinda mood they were in..take as little stuff as you can, i was towing two jetskis and had to hand them over 5000ytl as gurantee money that i wouldnt sell them in turkey, they wanted it in cash, had to wait by cash machine for 3 days.. said id get it back in tasacu, i mays well have been pissing into the wind. a word of warning.!! All the fun starts when you hit the turkish border..keep to the speed limit, theres police all over the roads and will fine you there and then, cash again..If your stopped they will find something wrong with your car no doubt.. good luck

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 16:05

Yes..it looks like Venice to Igoumenitsa is still on early November and then the drive to Tasucu for Girne..I'll avoid the Jet Ski's and take a small shovel.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 20:06

France,Belgium,Germany,Austria,Hungary,Romania,Bulgaria,Turkey,Cyprus.

That was my route,all on the road.



corbo;

Do be careful in Turkey as I was stuck in TOROS mountains for nearly 14 hours waiting foe recovery.

From Ankara take the road to ADANA.iTS LONGER WAY BUT MOST CERTAINLY THE SAFER WAY.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 20:30

Thanks again Yorgozlu..yep..I'll watch the weather carefully in Toros mountains..so heavy snow in the first week in November is common?

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
14/09/2009 20:51

end of january is when I was going through.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 11:09

There may be a late October ferry from Brindizi, Italy to Cesme which would avoid the Turkish mountains I think.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 13:39

I'll now aim for the final car Ferry fo the season from Ancona to Cesme on Saturday 24th October..

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 14:07

i can fix this no problem



no one from norwich is allowed in the trnc as all the ipswich supporters and there are a few will go nuts

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 15:51

Well see you in the old third division next season...

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 18:54

corbo you are quite right we are off to a shocker be conferance for us if things dont change but as saint and greavsy used to say its a funny old game otbc



come on you blues





seriously though if i can help with anything while you are here give me a mail





ericacrabtree@ymail.com

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 18:58

Thanks cyprusairsoft..I will do..I'm not sure about Keano as a manager...watched Norwich loose to MK Dons last night on Sky..good goal from us after 20 seconds and then down hill from there.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 19:01

Just loaded a Map of Turkey onto a TomTom a friend lent me..cost £40 and now all I have is Turkey on it ..most others bits were moved over to my computer..lack of memory! Odd!

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 19:09

friend left a tom tom here last week bloody thing fired up with the wireless router on!!!

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 19:11

watch out in bulgaria hide credit cards and reduce the cash in your wallet by hiding it well

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 20:21

Yes..will probably get a ferry from Italy to Turkey if possible..

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 20:43

Good luck with your journey.......

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 20:56

Corbo



A little late now but heard on a recent BBC Radio travel program that a lot of merchant ships are now opening up a dozen or so cabins to the general public traveler. Share the meals with the crew at the same table, all cabins en suite, as cheap as hell with good fun en route and different.



Richard

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
15/09/2009 22:03

Sounds good..cheers guys..will try to get there before November now.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
17/09/2009 11:43

The last ferry goes from Ancona to Cesme on October 17th..too early and too expensive anyway.I may try Athens and then coming through South Cyprus after a ferry from Piraes..any advice on this route..

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
17/09/2009 11:59

or maybe Venice to Igoumenitsa, Greece and through the Turkish mountains is better..

doughboy


Joined: 22/04/2009
Posts: 17

Message Posted:
17/09/2009 20:57

we did this trip in June this year it was very Educational. You can get insurance for Turkey & bulgaria through your insurance company but not for Serbia or TRNC. Serbia charge 110 euros for minimum of 1 months insurance you can get TRNC insurance at the port or border it is about 90TL for 1 month.

Watch out for Vignetta signs along route or pay the fines.

You are allowed to take in an old car up to a maximum of 1 year but you have to go to the Lefkosa Customs office to extend from the 1 month you get at the port of entry.

If you have owned the car for more than five years then there is no limits our car was 10 years old and it is still in TRNC.

Note it is very expensive to get the ferry from Italy it is about a 1000euros for the car plus yourselves and takes about 3/4 days we went via the car ferry from Tasucu in south Turkey about 300.00TL

If you need more info just ask

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
17/09/2009 23:25

Thanks..the ferry price from Venice to north Greece is about 300 euros..so I'll probably drive from there to Turkey and down to Tasucu. There was a ferry from Nth Italy to Cesame for 680 euros(low season) but the last day was 17th October which is a tad too early.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 14:10

Won't bore you after this with my journey but Erdan at Alternative Travel in London has been a help..



http://www.alternativeturkey.com/?submen=100&menu_id=100



Now planning a ferry from Ancona, Italy to Patras, Greece..drive to Piraes, Athens..ferry to Rhodes.stay a day..ferry to Marmaris, Turkey..drive to Tasucu..ferry to Girne..lots fo ferries and potential chundering but relatively easy.

kelvin


Joined: 18/12/2008
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 09:26

Ive done this route too corbo, except from rhodes went into bodrum.. If your booking a cabin on the piraes-rhodes ferry you may find youll be sharing it. ask them first.. Also that ferry stops at a lot of the greek islands before mooring in rhodes.

Its a lovely trip. The boat from rhodes to bodrum only holds 3 cars, and a few bikes, my jeep was sticking out the end of the boat with the bow doors open,.. The ferry from rhodes-mamaris is a proper ferry but wasnt running when i went.. Good luck and bon voyage

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 13:22

Ta Kelvin..latest update is Brindisi to Patras..and Piraes to Kos..Kos to Bodrum..not cheap but looks a good route if not too sea sick..

jinyx


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
28/09/2009 21:41

Arived last week form chester. whilst all the suggestions and tips were very welcome which I was given on this site, I've got to say that each one didnt prepare me for the throughly daunting nightmare experienced at the tausacu ferry port, followed be the same at trnc. Nobody mentions the various stamps needed or the running aroud the various windows and offices its a bloody nightmare!. however, got here and got through with my chrysler grand packed to the gills with boxes. Directions are many, but advice on "what and how" are few and far between! I met a guy doing a 15,000 mile motorbike charity ride who ( after crossing eastern europe) was as confident as hell before the trnc path , and looked wasted after the port experience!. Moral of the story, speak to someone who has done it in the last few weeks as things change daily. Glad to give real advice, give me a call, I would'nt like you to think its all plain sailing (pun) but it can be done with the right advice, not directions.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 10:28

Jinyx..cheers..please inform me how to lessen the nightmare of the various windows and offices at the Tasacu ferry port before boarding the ferry. Presumably they are for insurance and passport matters.

dizzydoozer


Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 16

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 16:25

Good luck! We drove from Norwich to Cyprus in May 2008! We came by car, towing a boat with three dogs and 2 cats! We took our time and in all it was 8 days but I have a friend who did it in 4!



You will need Insurance when you get to Bulgaria (if you come that way) and Turkey. You need to check with the Ferrries they had decided to stop the service on Friday and Saturday nights. The Calypso is more passenger ferry than The Mersin which has no faciliies whatsoever.



We found a beautiful, inexpensive boutique hotel in old Veilko Taenovo in Bulgaria where we were so pleased we stayed for 2 nights!



If you would like me to bore you with any other information please email beverleydouce@googlemail.com



I have a photo album of the journey posted on Facebook if you're interested!



Best wishes

Beverley

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 17:33

Thanks DD..I'll stay 3 nights on Cos now..before the final leg..more of a holiday drive than a stressful one.

jazzaktai


Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 19:56

nice to see some norwich people coming to cyprus long live delia david lapta wroxham norwich

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 20:02

Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home?! Maybe!



Richard

jazzaktai


Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 20:06

yesMAYBE thats why your still single

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 20:10

And have fine hearing ears which haven't been nagged off!



Richard

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
29/09/2009 21:51

Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home?! Maybe!

Richard



Absolutely Richard..always known as the postcode..

girne


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 438

Message Posted:
30/09/2009 10:30

You can come over as a tourist in your car the 5 year rule is for anypersons moving here from the uk.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
30/09/2009 15:33

Cheers..best to get car insurance as you cross over from Turkey into Girne then??