Car ferry from Turkmenbashi to Astrakhan

[Jono]

Hi.
I'm planning my trip to the Caucaus, Iran and the Stans next year I have a few different options in order of preference;
*1 - Put my car on a ferry from Turkmenbashi to Astrakhan so I can commence the Central Asian Rally from there. Does anyone have up to date information on this crossing?

*2 - Get the ferry back to Baku, Azerbaijan and go north through Dagestan. Interesting but possibly just outside my acceptable risk threshhold with a young family.

*3 - Get a double entry visa and drive up through Kazakhstan only to come back down the same route a week later. Acceptable but not preferable.

Any thoughts, comments or experiences welcome.

Cheers
Jono
Australia.

[steven]

Hi Jono,

1. I have heard rumors about this crossing but nothing for sure. Would be really interested if you find out more about it, I haven't made the time to dig this one out.

2. I think Dagestan is quite ok at the moment, and Derbent is a jewel. Talk to this man: https://www.facebook.com/EurasiaOverland (he has a very high risk treshold, though), I know he has been a few weeks ago. He can advise perhaps.

3. That sounds a bit boring, but with a good 4wd and again, a sense of adventure, you can explore some off the beaten track places far in the desert of Kazakhstan.

[Jono]

Thanks for that Steven.
After many more hours of research (I'm on night shift with nothing happening this week) I think I'll end up going from Turkey into Georgia, Armenia to Iran (this helps with being able to get a carnet du passage for the lenght of my Persian visa) into Turkmenistan on a transit visa to aviod needing a "guide", then ferry across to Azerbajan, up through Dagestan, a quick glance at Gronzy (what a great family holiday desintation) and up to Volgograd and starting the Central Asian Rally from there.
I did find further information on the ferry route from Turkmenbashi to Astrakhan. There is a ferry who does that route. It should be regular. Advise and experiences of others is that they ended up waiting for something that didn't arrive and timings were very irregular. As I plan on getting a transit visa in Turmenistan I can't really risk waiting around for something that won't arrive.

[steven]

Can you post the links where you found that info? Would save me some time. Thank you in advance!

[Jono]

Here are some links;

http://en.trend.az/casia/turkmenistan/2078641.html

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/71641

http://cbw.ge/home/new-ferry-line-to-op ... spian-sea/

Apart from wikitravel, I struggled to find the other website again (all back website/blog with yellow writing just in case you trip over it).

[steven]

thank you!

[Frankieeee]

I tried to search for this ferry too but nothing newer found. As the land border between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan is closed, the ferry to Astrakhan would be nice so we could get the transit TU visa without having to go (again) to Azerbaijan.
Sad story...

[Milad]

http://ilogteh.ru/parom-astrahan-turkmenbashi

This link confirms that such a ferry exists, but they neither accept cars nor tourists.

[Frankieeee]

Thanks a lot! That makes it clear now...