Hello All,
I'd like to thank anyone in advance for a reply.
I'm looking to travel around Turkey in late October. I'll be in Istanbul for a short period, but i'd like to head to Van for a bit, maybe even step over the border into Iran for a little while and head back. Is Van safe? What is the best method to get to Van from Anatalya or from Istanbul?
If i wished to cross the border, say by train, is that one of the better methods? Anyone have any real experience as an american in particular in terms of crossing into Iran?
Thank you for your reply's.
anonymous
1
esperantoe
I don't have personal experience to share, but I think it's pretty well known that Americans cannot "cross into Iran". But that's another board...
2
anonymous
Hmm weird, i saw some other people in a thread talking about taking a train from istanbul to Tehran etc... maybe they weren't american. But i thought they were.
3
herman1
American citizens need to have visa for Iran. I was told that this had to be arranged long before the visit and could take months.
Van is quite safe. From Antalya your options would be bus or plane (via Ankara or Istanbul). From Istanbul or Ankara you can also take the train. VANGOLU Express is the one you need. Check out the link for time table: http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcdding/trenvangolu_ing.htm<BR><BR>Regards<BR>Herman<BR>
4
man_in_seat_61
Try www.seat61.com/Turkey2.htm</a> for train info.
With sleepers and restaurant, the best trains fully air-conditoned, the train can be a journey experience in itself - the scenery is wonderful.
There's also a direct Istanbul-Tehran train if you can get the visa - www.seat61.com/Iran.htm</a>
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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