Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Vehicles can be shipped on ferry services, but advance arrangements should be made.
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Ferry destinations and their timetables change frequently but most ferry companies have good websites where you can
check current fares, routes and contact details.
EGYPT
The Alexandria-based Misr Edco Shipping Company and four Saudi companies sail between Jeddah and Suez. The
journey takes about 36 hours direct, about 72 hours via Aqaba. Misr Edco also sails about twice weekly between Port
Safaga (Egypt) and Jeddah.
IRAN
If you're travelling to/from the east and want to avoid Iraq and Saudi Arabia, you can cross the Gulf Sea from Iran into
Kuwait and Bahrain.
Ferries only have 1st-class (cabin) accommodation, but are much cheaper than the equivalent airfare, and most are
overnight journeys. They are operated by
Valfajr-8 Shipping Company
(
www.irantravellingcenter.com
) in Tehran,
which has a good online booking service.
Tours
Tours to the Peninsula are beginning to gain in popularity, and some offer two-country destinations between the UAE
and Oman.
In the Peninsula itself there are a host of reputable tour agencies offering good tours at competitive prices. Check in
the individual countries for details. Additionally, most regional airlines usually offer short tours of Peninsula cities for a
reasonable supplement to an airfare.
Note that for Saudi Arabia, tours are often the only way of visiting the country. Restrictions in Yemen allow visitors
to travel to most areas outside the capital only with a tour.
The tour agencies listed here are recommended:
Addicted to Travel
(
www.addictedtotravel.com
)
Based in the US; offers holidays to the region.
Adventure World
( 1300 363 055;
www.adventureworld.com.au
)
Has branches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne
and Perth (Australia) and is the agent for the UK's Explore Worldwide.
Kuoni
(
www.kuoni.co.uk
)
Offers comprehensive tours of the UAE and Oman; UK-based.
Original World
(
www.originalworld.com
) Offers multi-destination tours of the UAE, Oman and Yemen.
Passport Travel
( 03 9500 0444;
www.travelcentre.com.au
)
Middle East specialist in Australia, assisting in tailor-
made itineraries for individuals and groups.
Reiseservice Graw
(
www.firstclasstravel.de
) Germany-based, and offering comprehensive tours to the Peninsula. Its
website is in English and the service is available across Europe.
