Land travel guide to Van from 0 to 100

If you plan to get away from the usual air travel and have a different experience, reading the ground travel guide to Van can be an exciting and memorable option. This guide will teach you how to go by land and enjoy the trip.

By using simple and efficient methods, we can easily travel from the borders of Iran to The city of Van Let’s travel and enjoy the beautiful scenery and tourist attractions of this destination. Are you ready to experience a different journey? Choose your route correctly and enjoy every moment of your trip with the land travel guide to Van, Turkey.

The best time to travel by land to Van, Türkiye

Although the months of June to August are known as the peak tourism season in Van, Turkey, these times The best time to travel to Van are not; Because during this period, you will face the crowds of tourists and the increase in hotel prices. In addition, the summer heat can make outdoor activities uncomfortable.

The land travel guide to Van states that the best time for land travel is May and September. In these months, the number of tourists is less and the prices decrease. It is also suggested to avoid traveling during Ramadan as it will be difficult to find food during the day.

All kinds of land travel methods to Van

How to travel by land to Van? To answer this question, we can refer to the following:

Travel to Van with a tour

Travel to Van It is usually done by booking a tour through travel agencies. One tour It is one of the best options for the first foreign trip, because it has a cheap price and good facilities. You can choose your desired vehicle and hotel depending on your taste and preferences and experience a group trip. Van tours are offered in two ways by train and bus:

A bus tour usually includes a round-trip bus ticket, a tour van to cross the Razi border, a hotel stay with free breakfast, and travel insurance. Farsi language leader tour and recreational tours are also considered as services of these tours. This tour is organized from cities such as Tehran, Karaj, Khoi, Urmia, Tabriz and Qazvin.

Van tour by train includes a round-trip ticket from Tehran or Mashhad to Tabriz, transfer from Tabriz to Van, hotel accommodation with breakfast and travel insurance. The type of train, hotel, excursions and number of travel days have a direct effect on the price of the tour.

One of the big advantages of using a tour is that you don’t have to worry about border formalities and permits, because the tour officials take care of it all for you. Also, due to the guides’ familiarity with the area and local attractions, you can visit specific places that may be less known on individual tours.

Travel to Van by private car

Traveling to Van with a private car gives you more freedom of action, but comes with significant challenges and costs. In the case of land travel to Van Türkiye, you must complete the administrative procedures before reaching the border. These steps include obtaining an international license, international license plate, Turkish third party insurance and car hooding. Also, the high price of fuel in Türkiye can increase costs significantly.

If you plan to travel only a part of the route with your car, you can reach one of the cities of Tabriz, Urmia or Khoy and after parking the car in valid parking lots, go to the van by van. If you choose the route to the Razi border with a private car, it is recommended to stay overnight and leave for the border early in the morning. The Khoi road to the border is narrow and winding, and it may be snowy and cold in winter.

Using a private car to travel to Van is a good choice for those who are interested in traveling by car and want to enjoy the scenery of the road and the surrounding cities, but due to the high costs and the complexity of the route, many travelers do not choose this method.

Travel to Van by train

Traveling to Van by train is one of the most enjoyable ways to travel by land to this city. This method is an attractive option for those who care about comfort and safety along the way. Traveling by train provides passengers with many comforts such as comfortable seats, beds, restaurants and toilets, and there are even carriages for women.

To travel to Van by train from Tehran, you must first go to Tabriz by train; After that, move from Tabriz to the Razi border and continue your journey to Van after the border inspections, which may take about two hours. This trip generally takes about one day and night.

One of the advantages of traveling by train to Van is its high security and convenience, but there are also disadvantages such as the long travel time and the lack of a direct rail line between Iran and Turkey. This means that part of the route must be covered by another vehicle such as a bus or van. In general, the land travel guide to Van Turkey by train is one of the most popular options due to good facilities and high security, although it is time-consuming and has many stops.

Travel to Van by bus

In the way of land travel to Van, we can also mention the bus. Actually, traveling to Van by bus is one of the most economical ways to reach this city in Türkiye. Many Iranian and Turkish bus companies offer a direct route to Van, and you can travel to this destination by bus from cities such as Tehran or Tabriz. Crossing the land borders, especially the Razi (Kapikoi) border, which is only 100 km away from Van, has made this journey easier for travelers.

One of the advantages of traveling by bus is not having to drive, which allows you to relax and enjoy the natural scenery along the way. Today’s modern buses also provide you with comfortable seats and air conditioning for a more comfortable journey. You should keep in mind that traveling by bus takes longer than by plane and there may be many stops along the way.

The land trip by bus from Tehran to Van takes about 12 to 15 hours, part of which is related to border formalities and stops. Overall, this option is very suitable for those who are looking for a budget trip.

From which borders can you travel by land to Van?

In the land travel guide to the city of Van, Türkiye, the following borders can be mentioned:

Land trip to Van from Razi-Kapikoi border in Khoi

The Razi-Kapikoi border terminal is one of the most popular borders between Iran and Turkey, offering convenient amenities such as restrooms, prayer rooms, and heating and cooling systems. The distance of 100 km from this border to Van (about 1.5 hours by car) and its distance of 65 km from Khoi, make this route an ideal option for traveling to Van.

It is 230 km from Tabriz to Razi border and 190 km from Urmia. Also, the distance between this border and Tehran is 850 km. Merz Razi operates 24 hours a day, but you may encounter long queues during busy seasons and holidays.

This border has more facilities than other borders, and crossing it is done faster, especially on quiet days of the week and non-tourist seasons. Merz Razi is a good option for tourists who are looking for a quick and hassle-free trip to Van.

Land trip to Van from Bazargan-Gorbulagh border in Mako

Bazargan-Gorbulagh border terminal is one of the busiest transit borders between Iran and Türkiye. This border, which operates 24 hours a day, is very close to the city of Mako and is 270 km from Tabriz, 300 km from Urmia and about 900 km from Tehran.

Through this border, it is about 200 km (about 2.5 hours) to the city of Van. However, the Bazargan border is less used by tourists due to the greater distance compared to the Razi border and the lack of direct transportation to Van.

If you cross this border, you have to go to the city of Dobayazid and from there to Van, which is not a very easy route due to the mountainous and unsuitable roads. Also, there is a possibility of a long delay at the merchant border due to customs checks. The facilities of this border are limited to toilets and a supermarket.

Land trip to Van from Saro-Isandreh border in Urmia

Sarvo-Isandre border is one of the active borders between Iran and Turkey, which operates 24 hours a day and is a short distance from Urmia city (about 50 km or one hour by car). This border is 190 km from Tabriz and 800 km from Tehran. It is about 230 km (three hours by car) from Saro border to Van city.

This border is a suitable option for the residents of the southwestern cities of Iran due to its proximity to Urmia and Marzi Bazaar, which is one of the attractions of West Azerbaijan. Some tours to Van also use this border.

However, like Bazargan border, the means of direct transportation to Van from Seru border is limited and a part of the route must be covered personally. Merz Saru is less crowded than Razi and can be a faster option to travel to Van during quiet seasons.

Necessary documents for a land trip to Van

For land travel to Turkey, the main documents include a passport with at least 6 months validity and payment of exit fees. To reduce the waiting time at the border, it is better to pay the tolls online before traveling.

Turkey does not require a visa, but if you travel by car, documents including car hood, international driver’s license, car ownership card, customs pass book, transit license plate and international car insurance are required. You can get these documents through the tourism and motoring center or its authorized agencies. Preparing them before the trip avoids possible problems.

Necessary equipment for a land trip to Van

For a comfortable and carefree trip, you must prepare the necessary equipment well. The land travel guide to Van includes several important items and from Necessary travel items The following can be mentioned:

• Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the city.
• Cool shirts for hot days and shorts and jeans for when the weather is cooler are other essentials.
• A waterproof jacket is necessary for rainy or windy days.
• Microfiber towels are a good choice for travel due to their lightness and quick drying ability.
• If you are traveling in summer, a swimsuit is also essential.
• You should also bring a camera to record moments and a power bank to charge electronic devices.
• A water bottle for drinking during the day, a universal adapter for connecting electronic devices to electricity, and a large backpack for easy carrying of things are other important items.

Therefore, you will have a comfortable trip to Van with these items.

Are there any baggage restrictions on ground travel to Van?

Yes, there is a luggage limit on land travel to Van and you should pay attention to it. Regardless of the vehicle you choose to travel with, carrying more luggage than the limit can be a problem. Usually, for this type of trips, passengers are allowed to carry 20 kg of luggage.

Since Van is one of the popular shopping destinations, it is suggested to travel with less than the allowed luggage so that you have enough space for your purchases and do not face the problem of lack of space on your return. Also, be aware that some items are prohibited and carrying them around can be a hassle.

The cost of land travel to Van, Türkiye

The costs of land travel to Van, Türkiye this year are:

Shipping cost and method of travel

To travel to Van, Türkiye, you can use several options for transportation. Traveling by bus from different cities of Iran, such as Tehran, costs about 420,000 Tomans, or a ticket from Mashhad to Tabriz costs 870,000 Tomans. Traveling by train is also one of the popular options, where Tehran-Tabriz train tickets are from 250,000 to 550,000 Tomans and Mashhad-Tabriz from 480,000 Tomans to 1,200,000 Tomans.

If you want to travel by plane, the cost of the Tehran-Khoi flight will be around 2,500,000 Tomans. Traveling with a private car is also possible, but it needs to be covered and pay customs fees. Also, you should consider an amount for gasoline in Türkiye, which is about 44 liras per liter. Intercity vans also transport passengers from Tabriz, Khoy and Urmia to Van at a cost of 350,000 to 600,000 tomans.

Border costs

To cross the border between Iran and Turkey, you have to pay exit fees. In 1403, this amount is 520,000 Tomans for the first trip and increases by 50 and 100% for the second and third trips, respectively. You also have to pay a fee for the difference in the fuel price of your private car tank at the border, which varies depending on the capacity of the car tank.

As mentioned before, it is suggested to pay the fees through online systems before traveling to avoid waiting at the border. In addition, international car insurance is also necessary and its cost will vary based on the duration of the insurance and the type of car. Razi border parking also costs 150,000 Tomans per car per night.

cost of food

Turkish food is one of the most popular attractions in Van, and its cost is better in Van than in other cities. Doner kebab, meatballs and burek are some of the dishes you should try. The cost of a meal in Wan starts at 50 lira (about $1.50) for simple dishes, and luxurious dishes such as Adana Kebab and liver kebab cost 190 and 200 lira (6 to 6.5 dollars), respectively.

On average, a meal and drinks cost between 100 and 150 liras (three to four and a half dollars) per person. Most hotels offer free breakfast, so you don’t have to worry about this meal. All in all, it offers you a delicious experience at a relatively affordable price in the tub.

Accommodation fee

Cost of stay in One Hotel It is very diverse. For example, a standard double room in a three-star hotel like Dimit Park Hotel costs about 1,500 lira ($49). If you are looking for a more luxurious hotel stay, superior rooms are available at the Elite World One Hotel for around 3,500 lira ($108).

Also, it is possible to stay in family suites. Family suites can be booked at a place such as King Suite Hotel Apartment for 2,000 lira ($64) for four people. In general, for a three-day stay in the city of Van, you should consider about three to four million tomans per person.

The cost of public transport

Van is a small and compact city with many tourist attractions and shopping centers located at a short distance from the city center. Therefore, most places are accessible on foot; But if you need to use public transportation, you can use buses, minibuses (called Delmush) and taxis.

It is suggested to use a minibus instead of a taxi for short trips within the city to reduce your travel expenses. Overall, the cost of public transportation in Van is relatively low and will be very affordable for tourists.

Cost of tourist attractions

With historical and natural attractions, Van is an attractive destination for tourists. Visiting “Van Castle” and “Van Museum” cost 105 liras (about three dollars) each. To travel to “Akdamar Island” by boat, you need to pay 210 lira ($6.50).

Visiting the “House of Van Cats” is 15 lira (about half a dollar) and if you plan to visit “Van Lake» Visit, you should know that it is free to visit. These relatively low costs give you the possibility of all Sights of Van Have fun without blowing your travel budget.

Land travel tips to Van

The tips and conditions of ground travel to Van Türkiye that you should know include:

• Iranian citizens do not need a visa to stay in Van for up to 90 days and enter the country only with an entry stamp in their passport.
• The accompanying goods must have a maximum value of $80 and must not be illegal or commercial in nature.
• It is allowed to withdraw currency up to 2,000 euros or its equivalent from land borders.
• Especially in autumn, winter and early spring, bring warm and suitable clothes.
• To reduce high costs, it is better to activate the roaming of Iranian SIM cards (Hamrah Aol, Irancell, Rightel).
• If you travel by car, park it in places with CCTV cameras and avoid leaving valuables in it.
• If you have parked your car at the border, you can ask the hotel reception in Van to send you a van. Write down the license plate of the van and pay attention to the limitation of its cargo space.
• Get travel insurance to cover medical expenses and possible damages.
• In Van, instead of converting all the money into lira, convert part of it into dollars and ask for help from local exchanges to convert lira.
• Before ordering food, check the menu and prices and review the bill carefully.
• View the hotel rooms closely and make a reservation only if confirmed.
• Carry a neck pillow for comfort on long bus or van trips.
• Learning a few Turkish words can help you in interactions and reduce problems.

Now we know how to go to the ground and what tips to follow!

Important information about land travel to Van, Türkiye

Observing important points, information on costs and using the land travel guide to Van can help you have a comfortable, informed and enjoyable trip. By following this guide and careful planning, the answer to the question of how to get to Van by land will be easily provided to you. This guide includes different routes, useful tips and strategies for managing a trip to this historic city.

You can visit the 24 accommodation website to book a hotel and get more information and take advantage of its special services to have a comfortable and worry-free stay in Van, Turkey.

Frequently asked questions