1

Hello,

I was travelling in Eritrea in 2007 for nearly one month.

There is no new restrictions for the foreigners but, as you know, you need to have some permits:

The first one, the travel permit, is an obligation to leave Asmara and pass the check-points.

For some places, you need some additional permits: to go to Filfil, reach the monasteries (one per place but some of them are "out of limits" even for men, it's not allowed for a women to go there), see the archeological places and go to Massawa or also go to the Dahlak.

For Massawa, a foreigner can't stay more than seven days.

For the eyes of a tourist, the country is safe, quiet. It's easy to travel around (but you have restrictions for some places) and maybe, you can use the old train from Asmara to Ghinda (or sometimes to Massawa). People are very friendly.

Asmara is maybe one of the most beautiful sub-Saharan African town.

It's difficult to say if it's a "good idea" to go there but I had no regrets to visit it.

You can read Bradt Eritrea to have more informations.

Bon week-end

Michel

2

Hi Michel,

Thanks for your answer.
How easy is it to go around the country? I'll be travelling alone, and I'm not ready into 4x4 and private car, I prefer to ride public transports.
I read that Dahlak are really expensive to go to if you didn't win the lottery before going to Eritrea...

Philippe

3

Hi,

Very easy to travel by yourself (I did the same) using public transports.
Even if you want to go to Foro for Adulis.
You will pay the real price and not a"special" one for foreigners.
It's true for the Dahlak: very expensive.
Enjoy

Michel

Edited by: mvbergen

4

well i already made the the impulsive move and bought a ticket, ill be going for 5 weeks starting in december as they were the cheapest fares, but to be honest with all the new restrictions that are not mentioned in the latest edition of lonely planet ( written a few years ago) im sort of second thinking it, a bit too late i know, from my research there are only 3 places that you can get permits to go too, there is a blog from a traveller who posted a reply on another thread on Eritrea that was there in august may help you make decision http://joestrippin.blogspot.co.uk, defiantly made me rethink mine. but from what i gather its safe, and would be amazing if it was not so restricted, but i guess you never know maybe by december by some magical power they will open areas up. fingers crossed.