Kapitan Andreevo-Kapıkule border crossing

<map lat='41.72072119663713' lng='26.33697509765625' zoom='13' view='0' float='right' /> This border checkpoint in the north of Edirne is the most-used spot for cross-border trade between the EU and Turkey, Syria and Iran and tourists going to Turkey by car.

Expect a high rate of traffic there. If you arrive here with a truck, it should be no problem to walk over the border by foot! At the end of both sides you can try to hitch a truck towards Istanbul or Svilengrad, it's very easy!

When you cross the border by car expect to be checked 6 times, which costs you a lot of time especially in summer season. Waiting time between 2-8 hours can be seen as normal at this border checkpoint.

Experiences

Guaka had a terrible experience at the Kapitan Andreevo - Kapıkule border crossing in October 2008 when he was refused entry by a grumpy border guard who was probably looking for baksheesh. It took a lot of convincing to be allowed back to the truck to get back his backpack. The next day there was no problem to get in.

Platschi traveled along this checkpoint four times, summer 2007 and 2008. Both times he had no problems with border guards or anything else. In 2008, he was only asked by a Bulgarian driver to buy cigarettes with him in the Duty Free Shop, which he later smuggled over to Bulgaria.

Links

• Wikipedia article] about the checkpoint. (German)
• Kapitan Andreevo
• Edirne