از کجا شروع کنم؟

Arend7
Traveller
645 comments

پرسش https://iranrail.net/forum.php

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Thank you, but I haven't found the answer to my question on this site. If I start from Istanbul, what is the procedure?

Arend7
Traveller
645 comments

try E-mail: cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Thank you

MisterSteve
Traveller
1089 comments

This has become a mess, you have posted in the specialist Scandinavia forum. Arend seems to have got the question backwards, none of us speak Persian (which is what Google translate says the original question is in), so he seems to think that you want to vist Iran.

If you are from Iran you have two major problems before starting the trip.

First you will need a visa and that will be complicated, many but not all european countries are part of the combined Schengen visa system, so you only need one visa but one refusal could block everywhere. And if you get the visa and plan a tour that goes to countries outside the Schengen zone you need to apply for another visa. Make sure you know what you can do and how before wasting any time on railway enquires.

The second problem is that although Turkey neighbours Iran the rail journey between them is VERY difficult. You could fly to Istanbul but the rail journey from Turkey to europe is very restricted, with one train per day and only from Halkali which is on the western edge of Istanbul. This is very difficult to get a reservation on.

Greece and Serbia are mostly disconnected from the international network so don't consider going there - or any country south of Serbia.

Best advice, before planning a rail tour find out about the visa problem and find out where you can get an easy flight to, maybe Vienna.

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

It says here that we can speak 30 languages, so I wrote in Persian too. Sorry about that.
I'm a teacher and I've three months summer holiday and I want to travel but I've no experience.
Thank you for thorough advice.

MisterSteve
Traveller
1089 comments

What it mean sis that Google Translate can do 30 languages, but I always have doubts about how well it does them!

Also check prices beyond the railway, Switzerland and Scandinavia can be very expensive for food and accomodation.

France, Spain (and Portugal because of Spain being on the way) can have expensive "reservation" surcharges it you use a Eurail pass, Italy also has many surcharges and restrictions for Eurail on many cheaper trains. 3 months could cost a lot of money and if it's your first time you might get homesick. This video might be useful https://youtu.be/FAyb_9rQ4YI?si=5O8slKagOoPWVPVl Interrail for European residents is the same as Eurail but with restrictions in home country which don't apply to Eurail.

And avoid anywhere within 150km of Paris during the Olympic Games period (26th July-11th August) and most of Germany during the Euro Football championships 14th June – 14th July (they begin in Munich, then spread out before ending in Berlin).

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Sure, that is absolutely true. Three months is quite a long time, and the costs will likely increase as a result.
First, I need to follow your advice and obtain a visa for one of the European countries. Then, I can plan my train journey.
After watching a YouTube video about the experience of traveling by train, I noticed several comments left by people, some of whom were from Europe. They admitted that starting this trip was stressful and difficult for them, even though they had no issues with visas.


Your guidance was very precise.
Thank you very much.

argon
Traveller
454 comments

The problem with Visa is that Schengen-Visas are max. 90 days valid , so i wont be possible to use the hole 3 months of the pass , maybe 85 days or so . The Visa should be obtained from the country you enter the Schengen-Area and it must be requested at an Embassy of the country . Austria has for example no Embassy in the Iran ! So you have to choose where to fligh to .

MisterSteve
Traveller
1089 comments

Austria does have an embassy in Teheran and does issue visas from there. The next problem is that they ask for at least 6 months advance request!

https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-teheran/reisen-nach-oesterreich

argon
Traveller
454 comments

Sorry Google didnt knew ... But the Website says "Frühestens 6 Monate vor der Reise" or translated : "At the earliest 6 ahead of the trip" . Anyway it will be a challange to get a visa before the summer (i think you want make trip in the summer) , reagardless of the country where you request the visa . Btw. German Embassy only indicates 3 weeks (normally) -> https://teheran.diplo.de/ir-de/-/2404274?openAccordionId=item-2404272-3-panel

argon
Traveller
454 comments

(regardless)