Driving route from UK to North Cyprus?

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 15:24

Could anyone come up with a good route for driving to north Cyprus from UK.

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 15:55

Hi I drove down alone and went from zeebrugge through france, belgium,germany,austria,slovenia,croatia, serbia,albania,turkey down to tasecu.then the ferry to Girne took me 4 days.I found it easy to drive most roads excellent some good very few bad.I stayed overnight in graz.belgrade,ederne (turkey) and mersin.I drove a diesel car and filled up and ate on motorway stations I would advise if driving a diesel car only to use eurodiesel as I had problems with ordinary diesel as mine was a turbo.

doughboy


Joined: 22/04/2009
Posts: 17

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 16:00

Hi

I drove a very similar route as Cavalryman took me 4 days as well avoid going through Konya in Turkey and dont forget ferry is at Turkish midnight around 0230am but you must be there for 9pm.

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 16:35

Hi cavalryman, thanks for that. That was the route I was thinking along, but have been warned off by some that slovenia, croatia, serbia and albania could be a problem. How did you find it, did you drive straight through and when did make the journey?

bumsdoublebas


Joined: 08/02/2011
Posts: 13

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 17:02

hi sorry to be nosey but we have been thinking of driving for the last 2 years but were put off by the stiories we kept hearing about tolls and expenses on the way how much did it cost you in diesal and how much diesal did you use also how many times did you have to stop in 4 days thanks

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 17:31

I don't care anymore whether readers like (the tone of) my posts or not. So here it goes: msg 1 & msg 5: Have you tried to find your information via the local Google Search Engine of C44 (top of page)? No, you haven't. Type in the Search window: "Uk to TRNC" or "own wheels", "wheels" or similar words. It's so bl**dy easy! Really.

High resolution (be patient downloading if you have a slow connection), printable map:

▶ [ http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/UK-to-TRNC-graphic_2.jpg ]

P.S. ★ 273 ★ free downloads until now - the first beer has yet to be offered...

P.P.S. Have a nice trip!

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 18:04

Thanks Hans for your input even with the TONE, and for your info. Yes!!! I had already read your post of 23/1/2009 (which I found via Google Search Engine) when you first posted details of the route I assume you drove back then. But it sometime helps, and makes more sense if one gets a more up to date detailed route. And I have took the free download your map, Yes it was so bl**dy easy! Really. Should be flying over in late March and will be in the Catalkoy area, buy you that beer then.

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 18:59

Hi dap I did the trip 2008 took me 4 days drove 1st leg zeebrugge graz stopped every 4 hours slept in hotels with grages at night (lots of high value kit in car).tolls reasonable beware o f getting in the wrong lane at tolls overhead notices tell you if you are paying cash or card the booth will be on the wrong side so you have to get out.I got in the wrong lane once and a (nice) official let me through as I was in the prepaid line and took 30eu off me the correct toll was 9eu so beware.I stayed on main roads at all times or motorways had no probs and did not feel at all worried it was a nice trip bypassed ankara and istanbul Beware of the sophia bypass very hard to concetrate as lots of very very attractive ladies in various states of undress plying their trade.If you do stop stop at the beginning as the further you go the worse they get.Hope you have a nice trip I am making it acouple more times this year bringing out other peoples cars.Make sur you have your name in v5 or a letter

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 19:03

from owner and photocopy of their passport.My total diesel bill from edinburgh was £314 if you stop just over the border at ederne as I did ther is only onr bar in the town near the mosque and the best hotel (secure) is the sultan,

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 19:29

Why are you in such a rush to get to Cyprus in 4 days driving ? My wife and I drove from Peterhead in Scotland all the way to Cyprus. Drove to newcastle,did a little bit of shopping at the factory outlets at the North Quays. Joined the ferry to Ijmuiden (Holland) very nice crossing, good dinner, nice bar, we had a little portable DVD player with us so we watched a movie in our Cabin, lovely breakfast in the AM. Stayed overnight in Haarlem which is a beautiful city, had a fantastic dinner at Wilma and Alberts grill, Ribs were to die for !, we stayed in Joops Serviced apartments right in the heart of the city...fantastic. next morning we headed off and drove as far as Pomersfelden in Germany (near Munich) I think, google it, Pomersfelden Schloss which is a castle, best night ever, so romantic and the food was unbelievable. We then headed through Austria over the alps into Italy, you would not believe how nice this was, stopped in Innsbruck for Lunch. you must remember to get road tax..

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 19:39

in Germany and Fluorescent jackets for every passenger in the car before entering Austria, but don't worry it is all signposted in English. Once over the alps we headed down to Venice and took a couple of days break...WOW !!! did not book any hotels by the way, we just pitched up and negotiated. Keep some tourist tat from your home country, we gave away a bunch of Plastic Bagpiper key rings etc. from Venice we headed through Slovenia, stopped for the night, interesting place. following day we headed to Budapest in Hungary, again WOW!! had goulash at a local restaurant with local home made bread...fantastic, we then headed through Slovakia got stopped for speeding by the cops, funniest situation I have ever been in, the two cops were absolutely amazed at the jock, the twats ate all my shortbread, but NO FINE ! Romania (why are the in the EU, the place is a tip, really nice people though,and the investment from EU members is as plain as the nose on your face to see.....cars

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 19:46

Cars are kept in the street and the "Horse and Cart" are kept in the driveway...lot's of beggers and poverty abound, but people are very friendly. Roads were a mess but getting better. we then headed to Bulgaria, had to cross from Romania on a ferry. The crossing has an exit tax to pay over and above the ticket, 15 minute boat ride, then land in Bulgaria, where you have to pay another import tax as well as purchase road tax for the car etc, but no worries it's only aboy 15 to 20 Euros, same as in Austria. We stayed the night in Sofia and it was a really nice city, very interesting. We then headed to Turkey, crossing the border was easy, but now you have to buy Insurance at the border, as you are no longer in the EU so your insurance doesn't work !! we took our time through Turkey, stopped in Istanbul for 2 days, did the Hammam, bought trainers etc, Taksim Square, lunch on the Bospherous etc etc. Finally reaching Tajacu for the ferry....and that's when it all turned to shit. Ferry is ..

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 19:53

a nightmare, you get chased from pillar to post to get the right documents etc. Once on the ferry toilets are unuseable, no food or drink...so pee and poop before you get onboard, take food with you, defineately a book to read etc. Once in TRNC, getting your car in is worse !!! More insurance to purchase, more chasing around to get docs stamped etc....advise keep every piece of paper that anyone hands you, you'll need it !!! We took about 12 days to go through 10 countries....would we do it again.....you bet !!! it was an amazing experience, we picked up some friends that we chat to on Facebook. We saw some amazing sites, stayed in some awsome hotels for very little money. spent some time with locals in former East European Countries ie, Romania and Bulgaria...had a wonderful time in Istanbul. Highly recommend doing this once in your life, however, if you on a tight budget and can ill afford to do this....stick to the 4 day dash, I,m sure it's ok.

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:00

Hi cavalryman, looks like we will be using the route you detail in your post, but will take a few days longer than 4 days. Would like to do it the way 'wearytravellers' did it, but have reasons why not.

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:14

THANKS for your post it made for interesting reading. Looks like you had a great time, we would love to do it your way. Won't do it in the 4 day's, but will drag it out a bit (poss. 5-6 day's). Not looking forward to the nite-mare you describe after landing in TRNC, not what you want after a long drive!!!



PS. long time since I was last in Singapore. Was there in the Forces back in 70's, went back 14 years ago and how it has changed. Couldn't find Boogy St.

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:21

Msg 2,



"Hi I drove down alone and went from zeebrugge through france, belgium,germany,austria,slovenia,croatia, serbia,albania,turkey down to tasecu.then the ferry to Girne took me 4 days.I found it easy to drive most roads excellent some good very few bad.I stayed overnight in graz.belgrade,ederne (turkey) and mersin.I drove a diesel car and filled up and ate on motorway stations I would advise if driving a diesel car only to use eurodiesel as I had problems with ordinary diesel as mine was a turbo"



Done that route as well but not sure about Albania. It's the one country I would suggest avoiding in Europe/Balkans for personal safety. Unless you meant Bulgaria - that would make sense.

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:31

Hi Zoots, yes i ment Bulgaria. Don't know where Albania came from.

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:39

bulgaria is cheap isn't it? Even when they are trying to rip you off!

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 20:47

When purchasing more car insurance on the Turkish boarder, and on entry into TRNC at the port how will payment be accepted, cash or cards?

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 22:34

Wearytraveller and dep I would like to have done that as well but if you read my post I aws travelling alon and fully loaded even pass seat so had to make sure car was garaged at night.I did have a great time though as each night as it was during the football 2008 cup watched a match each night with the locals in different bars met lots of good people. The last one outide a barbers shop on plastic chairs watching the tv in the widow of the tv shop next door.That was the best kebab I have ever had.And the last night in tasucu the best western hotel with 14 german girls on ahen night but thats another story

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
08/02/2011 23:11

cavalryman, sounds like you too had a good trip toTRNC, and being an ex cavalry man myself I know you would have been the perfect gent around those 14 young ladies!!!!!!

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 08:21

We drove through France- Italy-Greece-Turkey- NC.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 08:33

Getting your vehicle through the port in TRNC is realy not that complicated other then the language barrier.It took me max 20-30 mins for each car including the ones for others.However,it is important to have all papers with you.

Whitevanman


Joined: 24/08/2010
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 12:48

Hi

In my humble opinion I would say calais,Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria,Turkey and then ferry from Mersin to Famagusta or Tasaku to Kyrenia of the two ferries even though people have said the second option isnt v good it is 100 times better than the freight boat from Mersin.Very important to bring your V5 for your vehicle they regard it as a vehicle passport and as such it is essential.Watch the speedlimits and be aware that your sat nav will probably (if you are lucky) only have major roads for last 3 countries which means if there is a diversion you are on your own if you do not have maps with you.Maps are best bought in the countries you need them for.By this I mean it is not a lot of good having a map published in English when the road signs are in the local language and the place names don't match up.Bring your green card insurance that is also v important if you can make sure it is printed on green paper as it is more acceptable (copy it) Nick

dap3081


Joined: 30/01/2011
Posts: 265

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 16:07

Many thanks to you all for your input, I have found everything posted VERY informative. Have taken notes and am building a file. THANKS AGAIN.

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 18:08

Sorry my profile out of date we in Brazil now !!! Honestly we had a terriffic journey down to TRNC. When purchasing Insurance and taxes at the various borders Cash was the only option.....be careful though, you need, Hungarian Huffs, Belgian Levs as well as Euros. Unless my info is out of date....check !!! Funny though, we changed Euros with a girl in a Cafe in Budapest, even though there were loads of official money changers, she was a student and heading into the Eurozone, so she gave us a better rate, and it was really nice to talk to her as well. When we arrived over the Romanian/bulgarian borderwe needed Fuel, guy spoke perfect english and asked do you have levs, no said we...oh oh, do you have credit card....yes.......OK Welcome my friends !!! was the reply. No problem drawing any money at ATM,s No problem changing money. Romanian wine was good, Bulgarian Wine was excellent......Hungarian Goulash.....best ever. Seriously if you have the time and a few bob for really nice hotels,.

wearytravellers



Joined: 27/04/2007
Posts: 250

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 18:14

then DO Europe,you will not regret it at all, however be careful on the roads, watch your speed, stick to the slow lane, as the drivers in Holland/Germany are Nutters !!! Italians just honk the horn all the time AND stare at your wives/girlfriends bum and boobs....when we were in Venice on the Vappareto....there was this guy staring intensely at us...I said to my wife if that guy stares at your bum any longer I swear I will smack him in the mouth,she said, Dearest, he's not staring at MY bum....it's yours !!! Italian Pooftah.....but still, it shows I still have got that old magnetism !!!!

laptarunner



Joined: 02/11/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
09/02/2011 19:47

We did it last year from Hastings to the TRNC , took 7 days went down to Germany Austria though Balkans Bulgeria, Turkey and ferry from Turkey.



Went back via Izmir to Italy.







Get breakdown cover, for route watch a lot only covers part of Turkey RAC was best, make sure your paperwork including bike doc's are right, we had problem as one letter was wrong on V5.



Serbia had problems with bad petrol, had to add octane boaster. Green Card only covers some EU countires, 3 months insurance min in Serbia and Turkey about 70 Euro's.



Hotels no problem, basic, everyone helpful. Watch out in Turkey on long plains south of Ankara police with radar max speed limit for bikes 57mph, no lee way, if your caught is auto downloaded onto computer, got caught both ways £80 a time, you can't leave country until fine is paid.



Customs in port in South of Turkey Taskau a bit of a nightmare, also customs in TRNC would only issue 30 days visa had to get it extended. We enjoyed it,