Our son works in Tehran and we want to use this opportunity to visit Iran while he is there. At the same time we would like to see some of Turkey and the Middle East. We are in our early seventies, in reasonably good shape and don't need to skimp..., but want good value for our money. I don't have access to guide books at the moment (am spending the winter in Mexico), so I am asking my questions here.
First of all this is our 'draft' itinerary. Book a return flight from Toronto to Istanbul in May. Spend a week in Istanbul, then take the train to Aleppo, Syria. Spend some time in Aleppo, then take the train to Damascus. Spend a week in Damascus, then fly to Tehran. Spend two weeks in Iran, then take the train from Tehran back to Istanbul for our flight back home, possibly spending some more time in Turkey. All together we are looking at about 6 weeks.
Here are my questions:
- visas for Turkey and Syria, do we have to get those in Canada?
- visa for Iran: any Canadians applied lately and any idea how long it takes?
- according to 'themaninseat61' the train from Istanbul to Aleppo has not been running for a while and we can only get to Adana (which I believe is at the Syrian border) and from there we can take buses or a taxi to Aleppo, after having spent the night in Adana. Anyone done this recently, is this still the situation? Recommendation for hotel in Adana?
- how much time to spend in Aleppo, would a few days suffice? Any hotel recommendations?
- we do have a contact in Damascus, who will put us up and help with while there, but we wonder if we should go into Jordan as well, when we are so close...
- finally on the train back to Istanbul from Tehran, should we get off some other place to see a bit more of Turkey?
I have posted this on the Turkey forum as well. Thanks in advance for your help!
Travel to Turkey, Syria and Iran
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You had better check the websites for the Turkish and Syrian embassys in Canada. US and UK citizens can get Turkish visas on arrival, I feel sure Canadians can too. You almost certainly have to get your Syrian visas in Canada.
I'd suggest checking the forums on the Lonely Planet thorntree for up-to-date info on Iranian visas.
As far as I know the cross-border train is still not running, but who knows when that will change? I was impressed by first class on the trains within Syria, although make sure you take your passports with you when you buy tickets.
In Aleppo I can recommend both the Riga Palace and the Mirage Palace. Avoid the Dar Halabia. Aleppo is interesting, but Damascus is even more interesting.
I would recommend visiting Jordan even if all you have time for is Petra, as I found it even more impressive than I expected. You can get a Jordanian visa at the border. I'd also recommend seeing as much of Turkey as possible!
Thanks thursdaysd - your trip report was most helpful and informative! And you were right about checking the embassy websites. We CAN get the Turkish visas on arrival (including multiple entries) and we DO have to get the Syrian one in Canada. Now if we only knew how long the Iranian visa will take... I like your suggestion about Jordan. On the Turkey forum I was asked why not fly to Aleppo from Istanbul (they say it's cheap) That would save us some time, but then again we like train travel and it is supposed to be a beautiful trip (scenery wise). Anyone can confirm that?
Good news! Looks like train service from Syria to Turkey has resumed, although to Gaziantep - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8518109.stm
Buses run all over Turkey and are more reliable than their ancient trains. You won't have any problem getting a bus from Gaziantep to Adana and then on to wherever you want to go, or a flight from Adana or Gaziantep.
Go to the mosaic floor museum in Gaziantep, it's fairly new and has an amazing collection of Roman mosaics.
A friend of mine traveled around Turkey, Syria and Iran a couple of years ago. I could forward you the emails he sent us if you'd like.
Eastern Turkey struck me as ancient. Not much to see in Adana, but Antakya (old Antioch), Gaziantep, Urfa area have interesting sites.
I agree with thursdaysd to see as much of Turkey as you can. It's a beautiful country, the people warm and friendly, with 1000's of years of history to explore.
- visa for Iran: any Canadians applied lately and any idea how long it takes?
I am not a Canadian but the Canadians who have applied so far have got their visa in 2 weeks at the latest.
- finally on the train back to Istanbul from Tehran, should we get off some other place to see a bit more of Turkey?
If you mean in Iran, I suggest you to leave the train in Tabriz and have a nice journey in northwest of Iran.
For online visa applications: http://evisa.mfa.gov.ir:7780/mfa/
Thursdayd, do you know where the train stops in Syria? The article does not tell the exact route.
Thanks,
Jane
JaneB - according to bahn.de it runs Tues and Fri with these stops:
Gaziantep - Nizip - Karkamis - Coltepe - Cobanisa - Aleppo
The times aren't that great - you leave Gaziantep at 20:30 and get into Aleppo at 00:30. That web site doesn't give days and times for the reverse direction - the Syrian rail site is www.cfssyria.org if you want try that with one of the translation sites.
Thanks!