Hitch hiking from Europe to China.

[kabuki_mono]

Through Russia or The Middle East?

Hey, I have had this idea in the back of my head for more than a few years now, not long ago I decided to get up and do it once and for all before I'm too old. My basic plan route is to get from England to Beijing then from there, whatever happens happens. I am in doubt though if the Middle East is safe to cross? or would it be more recommendable to cross from Russia to Kazakhstan and into China.
Any thoughts and idea are hugely appreciated.
Thanks.

[skysthelimit]

Personally I would not go anywhere near the middle east. I have heard of pirates on the sea and abductions for ransom on land. They think because you are from the west that you or your family must be loaded. I understand that [EDIT] can be hostile towards westerners too. It seems like a real shady place that I would not want to spend much time in. I do want to fly to isreal at some
Point but I would never hitch through there. Not after the stuff I have heard from realiable sources. It is ruff out there and a individual lookiing like he is from the west with a large pack and a big smile may not raise healthy attention in the backwoods of the middle east right now.

Mexico is having alot of problems with drug related violence and ransom abductions. Cruise lines have avoided Mexican ports and it has been on the news. Again another place to avoid at this time.

I have read some info on the trip from Europe to Asia as I myself am interested in it. From what I understand the best way to go is up into Russia and down into Asia.

The problem is getting a Russian visa as they are very difficult to get. They have tight rules on stay times and they want to know a detailed agenda for your trip. I read that travel agencies around the Russian border have had luck getting visas for hikers to pass through Russia. I asked a travel agency here in Canada and they kind of looked at me funny and told me that it would not be easy. I don't think that they have dealt with Russian visas whereas Russian boarder countries have.

If you go, skip the middle east. Trust me.

Just make sure you nail out a Russian and Chinese visa befor you get to their door step.

Best of luck

[Succat]

 
. . . the Middle East is fine!

Trust me.



Succat

[kabuki_mono]

Cheers guys. Still haven't made my mind up. The Middle East is just so tempting and too appealing, specially because there are many people who have hitch-hiked it and said it has nothing to do with the preconceived idea people have. I'll keep brainstorming

[Succat]

 
[quote:6891a634ad="kabuki_mono"]The Middle East is just so tempting and too appealing, specially because there are many people who have hitch-hiked it and said it has nothing to do with the preconceived idea people have.
[/quote:6891a634ad]

Welcome to digihitch, kabuki_mono . . .

The Middle East is my favourite part of the world — when my wandering days are done I wish to "retire" there.

There's a few digihitchers currently travelling in the region and I suggest you check out the Middle East/North Africa Board

Go well . . .



Succat

[kabuki_mono]

Thank you

Yes I heard great things about the Middle East - that's why I wouldn't want to miss.

[MrTweek]

Cool, I am planning something similar. Actually, I want to hitchhike from Germany to Australia

I did quite some research on the route. The land borders of Burma are closed for foreigners, which will make it rather difficult to go via middle east/India. You'd have to cross the mountains to Tibet.

The easiest way is surely vie the Baltics - Russia - China.

I plan to go via Turkey - Azerbaijan - Kazakhstan - Russia - China, and then down through south east asia.

But yeah, middle east is surely an interesting place I heard so many good things about it.

Make sure you know about the visas. This can be complicated sometimes.
I give you some quick hints:
* Many arabic countries won't let you enter, if you have an israeli stamp in your passport.
* Getting into Turkmenistan seems something between "much of a hassle" and "impossible", so try to avoid that.
* There is no way from Georgia or Azerbaijan in direction north (borders closed), but a ferry from Baku (AZ) to Aqtau (KZ).

When do you want to go?

[quote:7fb33104ee]Personally I would not go anywhere near the middle east. I have heard of pirates on the sea and abductions for ransom on land. They think because you are from the west that you or your family must be loaded. I understand that [EDIT] can be hostile towards westerners too. It seems like a real shady place that I would not want to spend much time in. I do want to fly to isreal at some
Point but I would never hitch through there. Not after the stuff I have heard from realiable sources. It is ruff out there and a individual lookiing like he is from the west with a large pack and a big smile may not raise healthy attention in the backwoods of the middle east right now.[/quote:7fb33104ee]
Sorry, but that is complete bullshit. Despite the fact that "middle east" is not like a village, but a lot of countries, most of them are absolutely safe.

Pirates should not harm any hitchhiker going overland and "ransom abduction" are not a common problem there.

I found that especially in muslim countries, when they think you are rich, they don't steal or rob you, but at the worst try to rip you off when you buy something. Still the majority would not even do that without feeling ashamed and that is surely something you can deal with.

Really, New Orleans, Barcelona or Rome are probably much more dangerous than Tehran or Aleppo.

[Fruupp]

[quote:8d355b810e="MrTweek"]Cool, I am planning something similar. Actually, I want to hitchhike from Germany to Australia

I did quite some research on the route. The land borders of Burma are closed for foreigners, which will make it rather difficult to go via middle east/India. You'd have to cross the mountains to Tibet.

The easiest way is surely vie the Baltics - Russia - China.

I plan to go via Turkey - Azerbaijan - Kazakhstan - Russia - China, and then down through south east asia.

But yeah, middle east is surely an interesting place I heard so many good things about it.

Make sure you know about the visas. This can be complicated sometimes.
I give you some quick hints:
* Many arabic countries won't let you enter, if you have an israeli stamp in your passport.
* Getting into Turkmenistan seems something between "much of a hassle" and "impossible", so try to avoid that.
* There is no way from Georgia or Azerbaijan in direction north (borders closed), but a ferry from Baku (AZ) to Aqtau (KZ).

When do you want to go?

[quote:8d355b810e]Personally I would not go anywhere near the middle east. I have heard of pirates on the sea and abductions for ransom on land. They think because you are from the west that you or your family must be loaded. I understand that [EDIT] can be hostile towards westerners too. It seems like a real shady place that I would not want to spend much time in. I do want to fly to isreal at some
Point but I would never hitch through there. Not after the stuff I have heard from realiable sources. It is ruff out there and a individual lookiing like he is from the west with a large pack and a big smile may not raise healthy attention in the backwoods of the middle east right now.[/quote:8d355b810e]
Sorry, but that is complete bullshit. Despite the fact that "middle east" is not like a village, but a lot of countries, most of them are absolutely safe.

Pirates should not harm any hitchhiker going overland and "ransom abduction" are not a common problem there.

I found that especially in Middle East countries, when they think you are rich, they don't steal or rob you, but at the worst try to rip you off when you buy something. Still the majority would not even do that without feeling ashamed and that is surely something you can deal with.

Really, New Orleans, Barcelona or Rome are probably much more dangerous than Tehran or Aleppo.[/quote:8d355b810e]

AMEN!

[Succat]

[quote:c6893efa5b="MrTweek"]
[quote:c6893efa5b]
"Personally I would not go anywhere near the middle east. I have heard of pirates on the sea and abductions for ransom on land. They think because you are from the west that you or your family must be loaded. I understand that [EDIT] can be hostile towards westerners too. It seems like a real shady place that I would not want to spend much time in. I do want to fly to isreal at some Point but I would never hitch through there. Not after the stuff I have heard from realiable sources. It is ruff out there and a individual lookiing like he is from the west with a large pack and a big smile may not raise healthy attention in the backwoods of the middle east right now." ~ [b:c6893efa5b]skysthelimit[/b:c6893efa5b]
[/quote:c6893efa5b]

Sorry, but that is complete bullshit.
[/quote:c6893efa5b]

Yes, it is . . .

Sad to see such prejudice, bigotry and uninformed comment on a travellers' Forum.



Succat

[kabuki_mono]

[quote:5545cdef61]Cool, I am planning something similar. Actually, I want to hitchhike from Germany to Australia

I did quite some research on the route. The land borders of Burma are closed for foreigners, which will make it rather difficult to go via middle east/India. You'd have to cross the mountains to Tibet.

The easiest way is surely vie the Baltics - Russia - China.

I plan to go via Turkey - Azerbaijan - Kazakhstan - Russia - China, and then down through south east asia.

But yeah, middle east is surely an interesting place I heard so many good things about it.

Make sure you know about the visas. This can be complicated sometimes.
I give you some quick hints:
* Many arabic countries won't let you enter, if you have an israeli stamp in your passport.
* Getting into Turkmenistan seems something between "much of a hassle" and "impossible", so try to avoid that.
* There is no way from Georgia or Azerbaijan in direction north (borders closed), but a ferry from Baku (AZ) to Aqtau (KZ).

When do you want to go?[/quote:5545cdef61]


Smashing man, thank you very much for that.
I did read about the problem of having an Israeli stamp in ones passport, would probably just save a lot of unwanted hastle.
I'm leaving this summer with a friend, we start from Spain and are heading towards Turkey on bike. We where debating the best possible routes of how to get into Asia (through Russia/Africa or Turkey) and opted for through the Middle East mainly due to the fact that everyone who we know who has been there or we have read about who has been there says the most wonderful things about it and also it's the Middle East man!
Our idea more or less, even though it's still a little rusty is Middle East - China - S.E-Asia - then work our way around