Jordan Syria to Turkey

Nominally, you drive on the right hand side of the road in Syria and Jordan ;-) Autos and manuals are widely available in both countries.

Driving standards and road conditions in Jordan are pretty good, and are far better than what I've experienced in a number of European countries such as Greece, Romania and Bosnia. Amman I found a little bit stressful to drive around, but the rest of the country was an absolute delight to drive.

Syrian drivers tend to be somewhat more eccentric than Jordanian ones, however. For a fuller discussion, refer to some of the older posts about this topic, such as this one, this, another one, this discussion, or this thread.

Unless the main purpose of your trip is to drive, it may be more advantageous and more relaxing to rent a car with driver, at least in Syria.
Syria - Turkey: you may go from Aleppo or from Lattakia to Antakya, then to Iskenderun - Adana - Anamur - Antalya - Kas - Fethiye (most secnic route). The faster route goes from Antalya via Korkuteli.

Necker: That'd be my advice, too: hire a driver in Syria, but self-drive in Jordan. Unless you really want to go visiting some of the more obscure sites in Syria, and especially if you haven't visited the country before, I really don't think there's much to be gained by self-driving in Syria. Plus, by hiring a driver, you put money directly in someone's pocket.

Jordan, by contrast, really rewards self-driving, IMHO. I found the King's Highway and Dead Sea so pretty, I'd be stopping every few kilometres to have a cigarette and take in the view...

Jordan: everybody seems to forget the Northern part of the country. Go to Jerash and the Roman towns overlooking the Jordan Valley (Um Qais/Pella/Gadara) before crossing the border and visiting the theatre of Bosra and the mosaic museums in the other Hauran towns.

Seconded ;-) I found the mountainous and wooded parts of the north around Jerash to be amazingly beautiful, too.

From Haleppo to Mersin (Turkey) by train on Monday and Thursday, it takes 9 hours, 18,61 Avro.
From Mersin to Haleppo by train on Tuesday and Friday.

Haleppo to Gaziantep by train 14,84 Avro

Haleppo to Adana by train15,85 Avro

Haleb to Antep by train????????????????

Halep to Mersin has just started today after many years!

http://www.tcdd.gov.tr

online ticket sales is possible

Thanks so much for all the info. We'll car hire in Jordan and driver/car hire in Syria. We love trains so will cross the border into Turkey on one.

Family (who I'm just about to call on their mobile via an Aussie phonecard) now talking about meeting up in Marmaris .... it seems a long way on those Turkish buses from end of train ride. Note one suggestion that the costal route scenic, any suggestions as to where is best to break the journey for a night?

If we take the costal route can you suggest where is it best to get off train in Turkey?

we are very grateful for all the help,

safe and fun travels to you all,

neelloc.