A complete guide to travelling between Georgia and Azerbaijan with the Tbilisi to Baku train.

Please note: Tourists are still not permitted to enter Azerbaijan by land – Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed. The train service between Tbilisi and Baku is suspended in both directions. While it is permitted to exit Azerbaijan into Georgia by foot, the only way to travel into Azerbaijan is by flying. There are daily flights between Tbilisi and Baku with Azerbaijan Airlines and Georgian Wings. Azerbaijan’s land borders will remain closed until (at least) July 1, 2024. I will continue to update this page regularly as new information comes to light.

Overnight train 37 runs daily from Tbilisi to Baku, departing at 8.35pm from Station Square, crossing the border into Azerbaijan at approximately 9.30pm, and pulling into Baku station at 8.50am the next morning.

Overnight train 38 runs in the opposite direction, from Baku to Tbilisi, departing at 8.40pm and arriving just before 9am.

The sleeper train is an affordable, safe and convenient way to travel between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Locals prefer it, and you might even meet a few people on the journey.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about travelling on the Tbilisi to Baku train.

This complete guide to riding the Tbilisi to Baku train covers the following topics:

All information presented here is correct to the best of my knowledge and updated every month. Things change – especially with regards to visas and timetables – so please use common sense when applying this advice and check the comments section below for updates from other travellers.

I am happy to answer any specific questions if I can. For visa-related enquires, please contact the relevant embassy or consulate.

Planning a trip to the Caucasus? Check out my new 10 or 14-day Georgia Azerbaijan itinerary and my epic Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan travel itinerary.


Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.


Tbilisi Baku train; Tbilisi to Baku
The Tbilisi to Baku overnight sleeper train.

Tbilisi to Baku train: Overview

Train 37: Tbilisi to Baku

Train 37 departs Tbilisi and makes 2 stops (in Gachiani and Rustavi) before crossing the Georgia-Azerbaijan border at Boyuk-Kasik. It then makes 8 local stops in Azerbaijan (including in Ganja at 2.45am) before arriving in Baku.

Train frequency

Once daily

Departs from Tbilisi

8.35pm

Border crossing

~11pm

Arrives in Baku

8.50am

Total travel time

12 hrs 15 mins

Ticket price (GEL)

38-97 GEL

Train 38: Baku to Tbilisi

Train 38 departs Baku and makes 7 local stops before crossing the Boyuk-Kasik border in the early morning. It then makes 4 local stops before arriving at Tbilisi’s Station Square.

Train frequency

Once daily

Departs from Baku

8.40pm

Border crossing

5.25am

Arrives in Tbilisi

8.55am

Total travel time

12 hrs 15 mins

Ticket price (AZN)

23-57 AZN

Note: In October 2019, Azerbaijan Railways announced it was replacing its old Soviet model locomotives with new French made PRIMA M4s. Able to reach speeds of 160km/hour, they’re faster, too – although the official journey time from Tbilisi to Baku remains the same.

It is very likely that trains on this route will be replaced with new Swiss Stadler trains once the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhaltsikhe-Kars (BTAK) passenger service launches. This will make it possible to travel all the way from Baku or Tbilisi to Eastern Turkey.


Applying for an Azerbaijan tourist visa online

Important: The overnight train from Tbilisi crosses the Azerbaijan border BEFORE midnight. Therefore, you need to put down your date of departure from Georgia as your visa start date.

Most nationalities require a tourist visa for visiting Azerbaijan (check if you need a visa here). The new 30-day tourist e-visa makes it easier (and cheaper) than ever to visit Azerbaijan. Lucky for us, the e-visa came into effect in early 2017, just in time for our first trip to the Caucasus.

Applications can be made through the official Azerbaijan E-Visa Portal. We applied online while we were in Tbilisi using the link and instructions provided here. The process was quick and straightforward. All you need is a photo of your passport ID page and an address in Azerbaijan (i.e. a hotel booking). If you don’t want to commit to a hotel, one option is to use OneFlyWay to arrange a temporary reservation.

A single-entry 30-day tourist visa costs 25 USD and the site accepts both MasterCard and Visa.

If you prefer to go through a third-party agent, my partners at iVisa can process an Azerbaijan e-visa on your behalf. The price of the visa is the same, but note that they do charge an additional service fee.

The visa is valid for 90 days from the issue date. Note that 30 days is the default period and you don’t have to stipulate the exact duration of your stay. You will, however, have to register with local police on arrival if you plan to travel in the country for more than 15 days (see Step 5 below).

Officially the visa takes up to three days to be approved. You can pay an extra fee (35 USD) for expedited processing within three hours. We filed our applications late on a Wednesday afternoon and our visas came through via email overnight, less than 12 hours later. It’s recommended to give it at least three days – and make sure you take notice of Azerbaijani public holidays, of which there are a few, as there’s no visa processing on these dates.

You will definitely need a hard copy of your visa for immigration. In addition, you must hold onto the e-visa for the duration of your stay, as you will be required to show it again when you exit Azerbaijan.

We printed our single-page, A4 visas at a Xerox shop in the underpass near Freedom Square in Tbilisi.

Travelling from Tbilisi to Baku by train? My detailed traveller's report includes essential fare, immigration, safety and registration info.
The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

Tbilisi to Baku ticket types & fares

Please note: I try my best to ensure these figures are kept up to date, but prices are subject to change at any time based on exchange rate, taxes, scheduled changes, etc.

  • 1st class (Spalny Vagon or CB) – private compartment with 2 beds for 2 people
    • 97 GEL (Tbilisi-Baku)
    • 57.10 AZN (Baku-Tbilisi)
  • 2nd class (Kupe or Купe) – private compartment with 4 beds for 4 people
    • 57 GEL (Tbilisi-Baku)
    • 33.61 AZN (Baku-Tbilisi)
  • 3rd class (Platskartny or Плацкарт) – open-plan sleeper carriage with total 54 beds
    • 38 GEL (Tbilisi-Baku)
    • 22.93 AZN (Baku-Tbilisi)

Buying tickets for the Tbilisi to Baku train online

If you’re travelling in peak season (April to October), it’s a good idea to buy your train tickets a few weeks in advance. If it’s a weekend or if there’s a holiday or special event on (for example the Baku Grand Prix, which is usually in April or May), train tickets are more likely to sell out and should be reserved as early as possible.

While you can buy Baku to Tbilisi tickets online, unfortunately, the official railway website still does not give passengers the option to pre-purchase tickets for the Tbilisi to Baku train.

Travelling from Tbilisi to Baku by train? My detailed traveller's report includes essential fare, immigration, safety and registration info.
Tbilisi.

It is possible to purchase tickets for the Baku to Tbilisi train (i.e. the return journey) via the Azerbaijan Railways website. Visit the website and select English from the top right corner. Enter Baku-pass to Tbilisi-pass into the search field.

On the next screen, enter your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number. You’ll then have an opportunity to choose your preferred berth/seat. The final step takes you to AzeriCard Authorization Gateway, where you have 3 minutes to pay using Visa or Mastercard.

Once your payment has been processed, you will be issued with an e-voucher via email. This is not your ticket. You need to take the voucher to the train station in Baku and exchange it for a ticket before you board the train.

Some travellers have reported issues with the Azerbaijan Railways website. Specifically, they failed to receive the e-voucher. Despite attempts to follow up with Azerbaijan Railways, they never got a reply. Eventually, they had to ask their bank for a refund. Other travellers have been able to use the website without issue.

If you have any recent experience using the website to buy tickets, please feel free to leave an update for other travellers in the comments section at the end of this post.


Buying tickets for the Tbilisi to Baku train at the station

The best (and only) option is to buy physical tickets in person from the train station.

Two days before we were set to depart Tbilisi for Baku, we caught the metro to Station Square and bought our train tickets in person. Ticket counters are open daily from 8am.

Important: You need to present your passport (hard copy) to purchase an international train ticket. Payment can be made in cash or with card. There are plenty of ATMs at the station.

Arriving at Station Square by metro, exit towards the escalators. The train station is located inside a separate building with shops and cafes on the first two floors. Follow the signs for the ticket counters, which are located on the top level on the right. Take a coupon if it’s busy or just head straight to the first free counter.

Our cashier spoke perfect English. First she asked us the day/date we wanted to travel. There is only one service to Baku – overnight train number 37 – so you don’t need to specify a time. She then outlined the ticket options: first class (a private two-person berth), second class (four-person berth ‘hard’ sleeper) or third class (open berth without doors).

We chose two second-class tickets and handed over our passports. She double checked our names a couple of times before spelling them out in phonetic Cyrillic characters on the tickets. We had our printed e-visas with us, but she didn’t ask to see them.

We paid for our second-class tickets in cash and she handed them over, double checking the important details one last time. Tickets are non-refundable – but if you need to change your travel dates, you can do so at the ticket desk (you’ll be charged a small fee).

Since the trains are operated by two separate companies, it’s not possible to purchase return tickets in Tbilisi. You can only buy Baku to Tbilisi tickets online or when you arrive at the station in Baku.


What to pack for the train ride

There is no dining carriage on the train from Tbilisi to Baku, so you’ll need to bring enough snacks and water to last the night. I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle. I carry this 500mL insulated bottle from S’well (the larger version fits a full bottle of wine – very handy in the Caucasus!). I also pack cold tea infusers (I like Twinings’ ginger and orange tea) on long journeys, especially when there’s no hot water dispenser.

You should also bring your own toilet paper or biodegradable wet wipes plus hand sanitiser, as the bathrooms on the train are often without soap or paper.

Three years living and travelling in Southeast Asia taught me to always travel with a sleeping bag liner when using overnight transport. They pack down small, and can come in really handy if you don’t like the look of the sheets, or if you need an extra later.

Clean pillowcases are provided on the train, but the pillows themselves leave a bit to be desired! I use a roll-up travel pillow, which has come with me on every trip since 2015. If you’re a light sleeper, a pair of reusable silicone earplugs and a sleeping mask will come in handy.

Other than that, I always make sure to have my headphone splitter (so that two people can listen to a movie or music on the laptop) and my e-reader with me to help pass the time.

For more packing tips and hacks, see my list of 25 train travel essentials.


The ride from Tbilisi to Baku

The train to Baku leaves at from the same place where you buy the tickets. There are plenty of shops and cafes around, so it’s recommended to arrive early and stock up on snacks and bottled water (and alcohol if you so wish). There is no dining cart on the train and apart from brief stops at the border, no real opportunity to buy food.

Near the ticket counter you’ll see an electronic departures board. Train 37 was already up when we arrived at 4pm but the platform changed at the last minute. Down on the platform, there are kids waiting to help you find your carriage and carry your bags. Be aware that they will ask you for money if you take them up on either offer. We gathered with the other passengers at the carriage door and were permitted to board at 5.20pm.

Our train left right on time and the friendly stewardess bought us chai and sweets. Later she dropped off a sealed plastic bag containing clean linens and a hand towel. Contrary to other reports, this doesn’t incur any extra charge. Mattress-sized pillows are stored on the top bunk, so we could make our beds ourselves whenever we wanted.

The door locked securely, and there were plenty of lights and a power outlet inside the cabin. The toilet started off pretty gross and got worse as the evening wore on; but this is an overnight train we’re talking about.

There is no WIFI on the train, so you’ll need to buy a local sim if you want to get online (note that you’ll need separate sim cards for Georgia and Azerbaijan unless you activate roaming on Magti before you leave Georgia).

The train stopped at various points in the early evening to collect more passengers from both sides of the border. The scenery was pleasant, especially in Kakheti, but not all that spectacular.


Crossing the border into Azerbaijan

Georgian immigration lies a few kilometres before the actual land border. There’s no disembarking the train for immigration – everything is done on board. Georgian officials entered the train and collected our passports. They also checked our Azeri visas but let us hold onto them. About an hour later, the passports were returned to us with exit stamps inside. Easy.

I was a little apprehensive about immigration formalities on the Azeri side of the border. Safe to say the procedure was a little more thorough.

First off, there were a lot more guards and officials involved. The question on all their lips was this: ‘Have you ever been to Armenia?’ I haven’t read anything that suggests an Armenian stamp in your passport will prevent you from entering Azerbaijan – but I could be wrong. Relations between the two countries are tense, and it was certainly a preoccupation for the border guards. It was a huge relief to be able to answer honestly, ‘No’.

One official took our passports and visas and the declaration forms we filled our shortly after boarding. Another official entered our berth wielding what looked like an oversized selfie stick, using the mirror on the end to inspect the high-up nooks and crannies of our compartment. (By coincidence, we had boarded the train just a few hours after the metro bombing in Moscow. We think security may have been amped up in response.)

The official gave us instructions to open our luggage, but we misinterpreted his flailing of the stick as a direction to move our bags to the top storage area.

A female official then came in and after we had pulled our bags down again, performed a perfunctory search of all our luggage. She asked us whether we were bringing in anything from Georgia, so we showed her our souvenirs. She didn’t seem that impressed.

Tbilisi Baku train; Tbilisi to Baku
Brushing up ahead of our arrival in Baku.

Passports & immigration

When that was over, the train stewardess summoned us to another berth where they had set up a DIY immigration desk. We passed yet more guards and a gnarly looking German Shepherd in the corridor.

One by one, we sat in front of the immigration official’s laptop. We were photographed and asked a range of questions, including if we had ever been to Armenia (still no), and if we could name the capital city of Australia (?).

Nothing about our plans or itinerary or even our intended length of stay. The whole process lasted no more than 15 minutes, and we were soon back in our berth and on our way to Baku.

Since writing this post, I’ve had a few specific questions from travellers regarding the handling of our passports by Azerbaijani immigration.

The Azerbaijan E-Visa is a sheet of A4 paper, i.e. it does not get affixed to your passport. But officials WILL stamp your passport with Azerbaijan entry/exit stamps, so there will be evidence of your visit in your passport.

This is good to know if you plan on going to Armenia later (like we did). If you are planning on visiting Armenia after Azerbaijan, I highly recommend the post below, which has some vital information about the border crossing what you need to bring with you.

Read next: Travelling between Tbilisi and Yerevan by overnight train.

Tbilisi Baku train; Tbilisi to Baku
Baku: A fine city to arrive in.

Arrival in Baku & police registration

Important: Any tourist planning to stay more than 15 days in Azerbaijan must register with Azeri police within three days of arrival. Failure to do so many result in a hefty fine (up to 400 AZN by some accounts) when you exit the country.

We were woken by the stewardess at about 7.30am and instructed to gather up our bed sheets. An hour later, we pulled into Baku‘s ultra-modern main railway station – a rather impressive introduction to the city.

From here you can easily connect to the metro by heading down the escalators to 28 May metro station, or alternatively pick up a bus/taxi from out front. There is a 24-hour cafe inside the arrivals hall that has free WIFI.

This is where we met our Airbnb host. She took us to our apartment and offered to complete our police registration for us. She needed a photo of our passport ID page, a photo of our visa and a timeline for our stay (we told her 30 days). Hotels can also do the registration for you.

Where to stay in Baku

Things to do in Baku

More inspiration for your trip: My top photos of Azerbaijan.


Tbilisi to Baku train FAQ

Can you enter into Azerbaijan after you’ve visited Armenia?

Yes – but with one important caveat. If you crossed the border into (Nagorno-Karabakh / Republic of Artsakh) – the disputed region between Azerbaijan and Armenia – you will be permanently denied entry into Azerbaijan. It’s currently only possible to get into Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian side.

While Armenian immigration has no problem with you visiting, for Azerbaijan, it’s a definite no-no. It’s very likely that immigration agents will ask you if you’ve travelled to Armenia – but this is just procedural.

As long as you meet the entry requirements, have your valid visa, and show no evidence of having set foot in Nagorno-Karabakh, there’s no reason you should be denied entry into Azerbaijan.

For up-to-date information about visas and border requirements, I recommend contacting the relevant consulate.

Is the train safe?

I personally felt very safe on the Tbilisi to Baku train and have no trouble recommending it to other travellers, including solo females. The stewardess in our carriage was very friendly, and I did notice other women travelling on the train alone and in pairs.

Just how much security and privacy you have depends on what kind of berth you choose (see more below). The door to our four-person berth was lockable from the inside and fitted out with good lighting. The hallways were also well-lit throughout the night.

Where can you buy train tickets?

Tickets are available to purchase at the railway station. To be safe, I recommend buying tickets a few days in advance. Tbilisi’s main railway station is located at Station Square and serviced by the metro line of the same name. Remember you can only buy tickets for the Tbilisi Baku train in Tbilisi, not for the return journey.

The ticket counter is located on level 3, and is open from 8am until 11pm. Baku’s railway station is located on . Opening hours are similar.

Can you reserve tickets online?

As of June 2020, it’s possible to reserve train tickets for the Baku to Tbilisi leg online via the Azerbaijan Railways website, paying with Visa or Mastercard.

Unfortunately, you still can’t buy tickets for the Tbilisi to Baku train (i.e. reverse journey) online. The only way to get tickets is by visiting the train station in Tbilisi in person.

Previously I suggested using a local agent to buy tickets on your behalf, but I no longer recommend this option.

I will update this guide if and when the situation changes.


Are you planning to take the overnight Tbilisi to Baku train? If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.


201 Comments

  1. Just a question, was curious if the train from Tbilisi to Baku is expected to be running in July of 2024. Knowing everything is subject to change but is it expected that we may be back to the old norm of running every night by July of 2024?

  2. What is the preferable mode of travel from Baku to Tbilisi, especially considering I’m traveling with my 7-month-old baby? Additionally, is there a better way to travel from Baku to Kutaisi?

    1. Hi Ann – no, trains are not running unfortunately. You can cross into Georgia by foot at either of the land borders, but there is no cross-border transporation.

  3. Hi Emily!
    I want to travel from Tbilisi to Baku and back via night train during mid October. Will the borders open by then or will I have to book a flight?

    1. Hi Therese – we do not know for sure yet, the announcement will come on October 2. But based on previous announcements, I do not think borders will open. I think it’s best to book a flight.

      1. But it is possible to take the train into Georgia, yes? Do you have or can you rec any info on that (where to buy tickets in Azerbaijan, what the stops are- maybe Sheki or Ganja, etc). Thanks so much!

  4. Hello Emily,

    we wanted to visit Baku via nighttrain from Tibilisi to Baku at early september. Where can i look up if i can drive as a tourist to Baku with the train?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Florian – it has already been announced that the borders will stay closed until at least October 1. There are no night trains. The only way to enter Azerbaijan is by flying.

  5. Hi Emily. Thank you again for all the work you do to make travelling in the Caucasus so much easier than it would otherwise be. I have a flight booked from Tashkent to Baku in September, then accommodation booked in Sheki after 5 days in and around Baku. From Sheki my plan is to travel into Georgia via the Lagodekhi border. I recently changed my plan to then find transport and a homestay initially to Sighnaghi rather than Tbilisi. I figured that because Sighnaghi is closer, onward public transport from the border to there might be more frequently available. I know you travelled onwards to Tbilisi recently with your dad, but I’m hoping you might have some advice about getting to Sighnaghi, preferably reasonably cheaply instead. Thanks.

    1. Hi Rose, thanks for your comment. There were a few taxis at the border when I was there. The trip to Sighnaghi should cost around 40 GEL. Otherwise your guesthouse in Sighnaghi might be able to pre-arrange a taxi to pick you up. Another option is to pair up with others (if other travellers are about), or to take the taxi to Lagodekhi and jump on a marshrutka there. I hope this helps! Safe travels.

  6. Hi Emily, I want to travel overnight from Tbilisi to baku on 6th July. Will there be shared transfers available at borders like Langoekhi and Red bridge. I am a solo traveller, so preferring shared transfers if available.
    Which one is the best way to cross the border?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Sravanthi, the land border is closed, you cannot travel into Azerbaijan overland. Check back after July 1 when the next announcement will be made.

  7. We took the bus from Baku to the border (Red Bridge), crossed by foot, and took a taxi to Tbilisi with no issues yesterday! Thank you for all the work you do in keeping this updated, many of the locals didn’t think this was an option so we are so grateful you had all of this info online.

      1. Hi Emily

        Will the trains start running from 1st of July from Tbilisi to baku? If not what is the best option to reach baku from tbilisi apart from plane.

      1. Hi Connie – just chiming in here. There is no direct transport from Baku to Tbilisi. You have to cross the land border by foot. So you will need to change vans/taxis. I went through Sheki recently. A taxi to the border point cost 60 ANZ, then a taxi on the Georgian side from Lagodekhi border point to Tbilisi was quoted at 120 GEL.

  8. I have my plane ticket from Italy to Baku and then from Georgia to Italy in October.I was wondering if I can take a train or bus from Azerbaijan to Georgia or if there are others options to cross the border for tourism purposes.

    1. Hi Filip – there is no cross-border transport but you can take a bus/taxi to either of the border points and cross by foot. I crossed at Lagodekhi last week. Enjoy your trip!

  9. Does the Nakhichevan-Turkey border stay open for tourists who want to get to the Turkey from Azerbaijan?

  10. Hi Emily.
    Such a nice blog you have, and you’re photos just want us to go to Georgia. If we wanna combine it with Baku, I think the best and easiest way this summer will be flying from Baku to Tbilisi?
    Keep up the good work
    Best regards Line, Denmark

  11. Dear Emily,

    this is such a helpful page, thank you! Since the night train Baku – Tbilisi is not running, is it a option to take the train to Baku – Agstafa, taxi to the Georgian border, walk across and then another taxi to Tbilisi?

    1. Hi Willy – this particular train is not running at all. But I do believe domestic trains are running to Ganja, so you could take a train there, taxi or bus, then cross at Red Bridge. Or you can go by bus/taxi to the other border point past Qax and cross into Georgia at Lagodekhi. Trains from Baku to Sheki are not running either, unfortunately.

      1. Dear Emily,

        thanks for your reply. According to https://ady.az/ there is a daily train to Agstafa, which is one hour twenty minutes past Ganja and closer to the border. But is Ganja a better place to find a taxi?

        Best regards, Willy

  12. It looks like they extended border closure until end of June 2023. I assume also travel by bicycle from Tiflis to Baku is not possible at this moment.

  13. Hi Emily – just to clarify, I understand that travelling from Georgia into Azerbaijan by land border is closed until the next assessment on May 1, 2023. But are the same border crossings, travelling from Azerbaijan into Georgia, also closed? We intend arriving in Azerbaijan from Kazakhstan, and then travelling on, by rail, to Tbilisi.
    Regards, Anne & Peter, Sydney

    1. Hi Anne and Peter! You can cross from Azerbaijan into Georgia. The border is open one-way. But there are no train services – you will have to use a marshrutka and taxi combination. I will be doing this in May and will report back, if it’s not too late for you.

  14. Thank you so much for the information!

    I tried to purchase the tickets via the website – https://ady.az/ . The English function is not working. I have to use google translate instead. However, the stations name are still in local language. Would you happen to know what are the stations name for Baku and Tbilisi in Azerbaijani ? Thank you in advance

  15. I am travelling from Baku to Tbilisi on 1st Feb 2023, are the land boarders open and overnight train working? And then traveling from Tbilisi to Yerevan on 4th Feb 2023 are the land boarders open and overnight train working?, Please reply to the post at its earliest so that I can plan the trip accordingly.

    1. Hi Nandini – did you see the notice in yellow at the top of this page?

      Azerbaijan’s land borders will be closed until at least March 1, 2023. There is no night train service to Azerbaijan. Armenia’s land borders are open and the train between Tbilisi and Yerevan is working as normal. Note that it will be winter schedule (every second night of the week) in February. Have a safe trip!

          1. I mean to ask can we go cross boarder by private transport from Azerbaijan to Georgia?

    2. Hello Nandini, ¿could you finally take the train and cross the land boarder between Georgia and Azerbaijan? I am thinking about a trip from Spain to see Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan this summer…

      1. Hi Carlos, the train is not running. You can cross from Azerbaijan to Georgia overland but not vice versa. Azerbaijan’s land borders are still closed. I will update this page the moment something changes.

        1. Thanks a lot for the information Emily, I am waiting about the news of a possible change of situation from March 1st 2023 in order to buy the flight tickets.

  16. Hi, We want to travel to Tbilisi from Baku on 1 Jan 2023, can we take a taxi or bus or overnight train? please help! we got some offers from get transfer but saw that there are some restrictions as stated on your page.

    1. Hi Priyamvada – Azerbaijan’s land borders are still closed, but I have heard from other travellers that you can travel the reverse route into Georgia by land.

      There is definitely no train service and no marshrutka vans that I know of. So private transfer is the only option at this point.

      On January 1, Azerbaijan will make another announcement and may open its land borders.

  17. Greetings,

    I was considering to take the train when they will start working from Tbilisi to Baku and spend the whole day in Baku and then take the train to return back to Tbilisi so, I have two questions:
    1. Is it possible to book a second class train ticket even though I will travel solo?
    2. Can I visit Baku for only the whole day without sleeping over in a hotel?

    Thanks,
    Arber

    1. Hello Arber, sounds great! I hope the land borders open soon.

      To answer your questions – yes, it’s perfectly fine to book a single second class ticket. You will have room mates.

      I don’t see any problem with only spending a day in Baku and returning that night, but be aware that for your visa application (if you need a visa) and/or to pass immigration, they will probably ask you for an address/proof of hotel reservation. I’m not sure what you would do in this case – if you have a return train ticket booked and in hand, I suppose you could just show them that.

      I hope this help!

  18. Hi there!

    A+ on all the valuable information you provide, thank you very much! I wanted to ask if you had any news or hunch when the border might open again?

    Best,

    Max

      1. Hi there thanks for always updating this great website. It’s full of interesting news and it’s helping me a lot to organize my tour to the Caucasus this summer. Btw, it looks like that starting from the 1st of June 2022 land borders between Georgia and Azerbaijan are finally opened! Do you know of also the night train service has been restored? Thanks again

        1. Hi Federico,

          I’m not sure where you heard that but it’s incorrect – Azerbaijan’s land borders definitely remain closed.

          There was a rumour going around about June 1, but it didn’t eventuate. The next announcement as to if/when the borders will reopen will be on July 1. News of the train service will follow.

          Don’t worry, I will be updating this page the moment I hear something!

          1. I hadn’t seen this, thank you for the link! A shame, but Georgia and Armenia have a lot to offer as well. Enjoy your travels!

  19. Hi, Emily. Happy New Year!!

    Yours is a stellar blog. Both extremely helpful and nicely written. I’ve been making liberal use of it over my past 9 months in Georgia and wanted to express my gratitude for all the countless helpful tidbits and pointers you’ve shared with us. Thank you, megobari!

    And let me chase that with a quick question: Is it safe to say that the trains to Baku still haven’t resumed since being suspended?

    1. Thank you Kate, appreciate that very much! Unfortunately no, Azerbaijan’s land borders are still closed so trains/vans aren’t back on yet. I am waiting for the border to reopen too. By spring I hope!

      Hope you’ve been having a wonderful time in Georgia!

  20. Hi Emily

    Loved the blog, few of us travelling from Ireland and hope to fly to Baku for few days then get train to Tbliski. We will travel 2022 how is train situation now and is it ok for fully vaccinated tourist coming into both countries

    1. Hi Frances, night trains have not resumed yet and I don’t have an ETA on that. I’m not sure when you’re planning to travel in 2022 but that’s a long way off, best checking for an update closer to the time.

      1. Hi, Emily. Thanks for all those informations. Do you know if the trains have resume or are they still not working? Thank you.

        1. Hi Isabela – no not yet, I will update this as soon as things change. We are still waiting for Azerbaijan to open its land borders, hopefully in the new year.

  21. Hi Emily! Do you happen to know by any chance if the overnight train operates right now? And also if Georgia – Armenia land border is open? Thank you so much for such an incredible work and help!

    1. Hi Vera, thanks for the kind words!

      Unfortunately no, the night train has not been running for a year now and there’s no indication when it will start again. Vans are not running either. Armenia’s land border is open but Georgia’s remains closed. I recommend you check the official ministry websites for updates.

  22. Hey,
    Great guide, many thanks. My friend and I are looking to do this when we travel to Georgia later in the year. We will have been trekking for a while so will have small trekking knives etc. Will this be a problem on the train?

    Also, do you book The return leg in Tbilisi or do you have to do both separately? We can’t do the online booking as we will be going straight off to the mountains on arrival!

    1. Hi Kieran,

      Great to hear!

      I am just about to update the article with more info about buying return tickets, but I’m afraid the answer is no, you can’t book return tickets in Tbilisi. (Different railways, different ticketing systems.) Can you pause at the train station when you arrive and buy your return tickets then? That’s what I would do.

      As for the knives, I can’t imagine that would be a problem. There’s no security screening (unless there will be new measures post-crisis). I’m sure people carry knives on the train all the time.

      I hope this helps!

  23. Hi, Emily,
    I am planing to visit Yerevan , Tbilisi and Baku in last week of May and first week of June 2020.
    My question is here if I go to Armenia first and then Baku. Is there any lengthy immigration issues to enter Azerbaijan as I read in your blog?
    And what would you suggest me to buy the tickets in advance from Yerevan to Tbilisi and from Tbilisi to Baku before my travels date.
    Thanks in advance,
    Zunu

    1. Hi Zunu! There are no issues with travelling to AZ after Armenia as long as you don’t go to Nagorno Karabkah (Artsakh). You may get questioned at immigration, which is why I recommend having your travel details on you (dates, name of hotel in AZ and contact info).

      May/June is heading into the busy season so I would recommend buying tickets in advance. You can either use Geotrend (the links are in the post, plus a discount code) or buy tickets at the station in person a few days before you travel.

      I hope this helps. Have a wonderful trip!

  24. Hi Emily!

    First of all, thanks for your very useful guide! I’ve been there the last two weeks and I have to say that everything works as you explained. The only thing I have to comment is that I crossed the borders of Georgia-Azerbaijan by train, Georgia-Armenia with a rental car and Armenia-Arsakht (Nagorno Karabakh) with a local in his car, in this order. In any of the borders nobody asked me about the rest of my trip, even I had stamps of Azerbaijan in my passport.

  25. Hi Emily
    I too booked via the website GeoTrend. They are super helpful and responded straight away. I paid $55 per person for 9 people. Not sure if the discount I gave was applied. We’re not going until May 2020. Still if we secure the tickets in good time then we were happy to pay the fee.
    Thanks
    Andrew

    1. Hi Andrew,

      Glad to hear you had a positive experience. I think that was a wise decision with such a large group travelling at that time of year. May weather will be lovely.

      Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with as you’re planning your trip!

  26. Last week, I booked a one-way ticket on the night train from Baku to Tbilisi @ approx USD 34/persom, for the 2-person spalny wagon, for travel on Dec. 25, 2019.

    The fares, therefore, are the same. I booked directly on the Azerbaijan Railways website. It was a very easy, painless and quick procedure.

    If someone is quoting higher, clearly they are pocketing the difference.

    Hope this clarifies.

    1. Hi Zahid,

      Thanks for your input. I just added a more detailed break-down of Geotrend’s fees into the post. I believe Matt is trying for Tbilisi to Baku tickets, which unfortunately can’t be purchased through the AZ Railways website.

      Enjoy your trip!

  27. Hi Emily-
    The Geotrend service is quoting me a price per ticket for 1st class spalny vagon, with your discount code, of 55USD, which is about 158GEL. I note that in your “Tbilisi to Baku ticket types & fares” you list the price as 91GEL, which is around 32USD. Is there something amiss?

    1. Hi Matt,

      It’s possible that the fares for Tbilisi to Baku have gone up for this winter, in which case I’ll need to update my pricing. Unfortunately there’s no way to check those fares online (only for Baku to Tbilisi).

      I’ve just reached out to Geotrend for clarification and will get back to you as soon as I can!

    2. Hi Matt,

      I just spoke to Akmal at Geotrend and he’s helped clarify the price for me.

      The ticket price is $34. Geotrend charges a $15 fee to cover the expenses involved with sending a staff member to the train station, delivering the tickets to the hotel, and the online payment. There is a commission of around $11 (depending on the exchange rate on the day) charged on top of that. The $5 discount and my commission are subtracted, bringing the total to $55. This corresponds with the prices advertised on their website.

      In the interest of transparency, I’ve updated my post to include the full price break-down. Thank you for raising this, and sorry for any confusion! I hope this helps you reach a decision whether to go ahead or not.

  28. Hello

    Just 15 minutes back, I reserved 2 tickets online at the Azerbaijan Railways website. The website had a link for English, and to book a ticket was very quick & painless. I paid by VISA credit card, and the system printed out a “Transaction Code” type of advice.

    This is NOT, repeat NOT, a ticket. One has to take the said pintout to the Railway Station, and exchange it for an actual ticket at no further cost, which please note.

    The “Transaction Code” advice clear stated “This information cannot be considered as a ticket for
    departure. In order to be able to arrive at your destination, please submit your ID or transaction
    code to the cashbox not later than an hour before departure of the train and get your ticket”.

  29. hi tnx for the info, I want to ask if it is ok to travel to Georgia-baku-Georgia-Armenia? but my entry ticket is from Georgia then my exit will be in Armenia. Are they gonna ask the entry and exit ticket in baku?

    1. Hi Kathleen,

      Yes you can do that route, it’s what I did. Your passport will be stamped at each border. I wasn’t asked to present a return ticket when entering Azerbaijan, but you could just tell them you plan to take the train.

      Does that answer your question?

  30. Hello Emily, thank you for a very informative post about the journey from Tbilisi to Baku. We are planning on travelling on this train during our time in Europe next May. Since it appears that tickets cannot be purchased online, we will need to buy them at the station on our arrival in Tbilisi. Our issue is that we will be on a very tight schedule, arriving in Tbilisi early in the morning of the same day that we intend to take train 37 to Baku. In your experience, do you think tickets will still be available for that evenings train trip? (It’s a Saturday) . Thank you very much.

    1. Hi Alan! Thanks for your comment.

      It’s really hard to say. I’ve done the trip in May and didn’t have any problems getting tickets at the station. But it can depend on the day of the week (you’re right, Saturdays are definitely busier), and many other factors. Also tourism has picked up in time since I was last in Baku, so the trains may be busier in May now.

      To be safe, you can reserve your tickets in advance. Geotrend is a new agent offering this service – I’ve just started partnering with them this week. If you select the ‘I have a promocode’ box and use the code ‘BAKUWL19’, you will get a discount off your tickets (and full disclosure, I will earn a small commission fee for referring you). Here is the link: https://georgiaintrend.com/book-train-ticket-in-georgia/tbilisi-baku-train-ticket-reservation/

      I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

  31. Hi Emily
    Great post,sorry if i’m making contact the wrong way.
    We’re doing that train journey next year and was wondering if we have to stay in our Sleepers? They’ll be 9 of us travelling together thats all, all friends. Anywhere on the train we could all hang out before bed?  Thanks again
    Andrew

    1. Hi Andrew,

      Lots of people hang out in the corridors, although the stewards may tell you to go inside at some point, and you do need to be in your cabin during immigration. Just make sure you book the same carriage as your friends – I don’t think you can move between carriages.

  32. Hi Emily,
    Greetings!
    Like i have Qatar Resident Permit which allows you free visa entry in Georgia and On-Arrival Visa in Azerbaijan-Is it possible to cover both at a time by using Train to commute from Baku to Georgia or Vis-e-versa-If yes, what document’s need to be presented to suffice both Immigration Port.
    Best Wishes from -Johar

  33. Hi Emily!

    First after all I need to say this is a wonderful guide! thanks to you!

    Well, I have a question! I’ll travel to Baku from Tbilisi by train! You know if is it possible to buy AZN money in Tbilisi for the travel!? I don’t want to travel without AZN cash!

    For another hand I like to contribute with one grain of sand. Nowadays (at October 9, 2019) You will have to register with Azeri police on arrival if you plan to travel for more than 15 days (previously was 10 days). I receive a confirmation by Migration AZ after I ask them. In any case, it’s always advisable to consult official sources… 🙂

    Thanks in advance!
    Marco!

    1. Hi Marco,

      Thanks so much for the update on police registration. I’ve updated the post 🙂

      As for money – yes, absolutely you can get AZN in Tbilisi. Most (I would say all) exchanges carry AZN, including the one at Station Square.

      Enjoy your travels!

  34. Thanks for the very informative post! I really want to travel from Baku to Tbilisi next spring with my 3-year old, do you think the trip would be okay for me and him? I am worried about the safety and comfort. Of course I would book a private sleeper for us, but do you know if it can be locked from the outside, in case I need to go to the toilet in the night when my child is sleeping? Also is it very noisy on the train during the night?

    1. Hi Nanna!

      If you have your own sleeper, I don’t see safety being an issue. In my experience it’s mostly families and older people on the train. I always see small children. You can definitely lock the cabin from the inside, but as far as I know you can’t lock it from the outside. I can see how that might be inconvenient if your child is sleeping.

      It is very noisy, lots of starting and stopping and rattling along throughout the night. So that’s definitely something to consider as well! Having said all this, I’ve also done Baku to Tbilisi overland by marshtruka and it’s a very long journey. Personally I would much sooner take the train with a child – at least they can lie down and rest. The road journey is exhausting and the driving can be dangerous.

      I hope this helps you reach a decision!

  35. Hello,

    My friend and I are travelling to Azerbaijan and Georgia from Russia. I myself am a Russian citizen so I’m not supposed to have any problems at any border. But my friend is a Bolivian residing in Russia. The thing is that we are planning to travel by train from Baku to Tbilisi. He has a e-visa for both countries. From what I’ve read, if you are not an EU, Russian and US citizen, you might be denied the entrance to Georgia if you travel there through their railway border with you e-visa. How up to date is that? Is it still an issue? What is it we should do? There’s almost no precise information online so I’m a bit worried. It’s very important that we cross that border, as my friend has only one entrance Azeri visa which will have expired by the time we cross the Azeri-Georgian border, so if he is not going to be allowed in Georgia, he will result to being stuck in between the two countries which is pretty terrifying.

    1. Hi Vladislav, thanks for your comment.

      I can’t give specific visa advice – but I highly recommend reaching out to the relevant consulate. For what it’s worth, I have never heard of anyone being denied entry to Georgia as long as they’re holding the correct visa. On what grounds was this person denied entry?

      As far as I know, the border crossing the train takes is the same as entering via the airport or at any other point of entry.

      Every border crossing experience is different depending on your individual circumstances. This makes it really difficult to assess information shared by other travellers. In the absence of official travel advice from your embassy or the consulate, it’s too hard to draw a comparison.

      If you’re concerned, I would get in touch with someone at the relevant consulate – they are usually pretty responsive!

      1. Emily,

        Thank you a lot for your fast response.

        Well, what I’ve read was that a lot of Indians, Pakistni and Iranians are being denied the entrence to the country with valid visa and all the documents required for no reason-given. I’ve seen repeative posts about that so it doesn’t seem to be just about one person. So here goes my concern, if they do it to Indians and Pakistani citezens, they can as well do it to a Bolivian one.

        Another problem here, is it my friend was denied the first visa for the ground of “unduly provided documents”. We are very unsure about the problem there was as we’ve got some pretty good expereince with visas and were very careful about it. So we assumed it was the photo that didn’t fit the requirements (they are very strict and it was hard to upload it when we were applying), so we just reapllied with a new photo. Now we are waiting for their response. If it’s negative, we will cancel the entire trip 🙁 . If it’s positive, we will be very worried about the trip.

        About the consulate.. As the relationship with Georgia are, and have been very strained here in Russia, we don’t have any conculte. Instead, we’ve got only a Georgian interests sector in the Switzerland embassy. My friend, once they’ve denied his visa, went there and they weren’t helpful at all. What they said was that they “never deny visas to the tourists” which is absurd, considering my friend had his visa denied.

        So we will not be able to rely on that “sector” and just wish for the best. If you have any more information that might be helpful to us- please, share! I’ll be very grateful.

        1. Hey Vladislav,

          I’m really sorry to hear this. It sounds like a really stressful and confusing situation. As an Australian passport holder, I often take visa-free travel for granted. I’m sorry to hear your friend has had so many issues.

          Someone else may read this comment and offer you more advice. You can also try joining a Facebook Group (Georgian Wanderers is one) and see if anyone there has had a similar experience.

          Sincerely wish you and your friend all the best for a safe trip!

  36. Hi Emily,
    We are planning a trip to Georgia next year and a side trip to Baku. Do you think 5 days in Baku is enough to see the city and a few day trips outside?
    Is it worth it to make an overnight or 2 nights stop in Sheki on the way back?

    1. Hi Cindy!

      Great questions. I think 5 days in Baku is a perfect amount of time. You should definitely spend one of those days visiting Gobustan (I have a post about it here: https://wander-lush.org/baku-to-gobustan-mud-volcanoes/).

      I definitely think it’s worth spending some time in Sheki. Personally, I would opt for 2 nights to break up the long journey.

      Here are my recommendations for Sheki: https://wander-lush.org/sheki-azerbaijan-guide/

      Have a wonderful trip!

  37. Hello am planning on travelling with the night train from Baku to Berlin, what’s the required things I need and what do are needed in crossing each border

    1. Hi Nelson,

      I can give you advice on the Baku to Tbilisi leg (you can find info about visas and tickets in this post) – but as for the rest of the journey, you’ll have to find someone who has actually done it! There is loads of information online. Check out Seat 61 for a start.

      Have a great trip.

  38. Hi!

    Your blog is AMAZING and has been so helpful to me.
    Quick question about the visa…
    I applied for mine and just put the date of my flight to Georgia from the UK on it, even though I won’t be entering into Azerbaijan on this date – it is valid for when I eventually do. This won’t matter will it? I don’t have to enter Azerbaijan on the first day it is valid?
    Thanks in advance, Jess

    1. Hey Jess,

      I believe that’s right, yes. It should specify somewhere on the website. If you’re unsure, send an email to the consulate in the UK – I’m sure they will be able to give you a concrete answer.

      All the best and enjoy your trip!

  39. Hey!

    Thanks for a very useful post!
    I’m going to Tbilisi in one week and I will stay there for 1 week. My plan is to take the night train to Baku and stay there for five days before heading back to Sweden. Do you think it’ll be a problem getting a trainticket one week before?

    I’m planning on booking the Baku – Tbilisi ticket & getting the e-visa before I’m leaving Sweden. In case the train will be fully booked, are there other options?

    And I have been to Armenia (Jerevan only) is that a problem? Or should I say no? I have a new passport without the Armenian stamp.

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Anna,

      One week should be plenty of time. When are you travelling? Just make sure there are no holidays or big events going on. If the train is booked, I would look into flights first. There is always the bus (I have a guide on taking the bus here: https://wander-lush.org/baku-to-tbilisi-bus-travel-azerbaijan/)

      It’s not a problem, no. As I say in the post, there is nothing to exclude you from entering AZ, as long as you didn’t visit Artsakh/NK. If there’s no stamp in your passport, they probably won’t even ask you about it.

      Have a wonderful trip!

  40. Hi,
    thanks for the post, it is super useful! I was wondering if the overnight train ride is safe for a solo female traveller? You mentioned the berth got closed for the night but there are later stops throughout the night.

  41. Really useful. I have just been to the station to buy my ticket to Baku for tomorrow. FYI it is now 91Gel for first class. Thanks for your help.

  42. Hi,
    This is the best information, I’ve found so far on traveling to Tbilisi and Baku. My plan was to go to Tbilisi then Baku and finally Yereban, Armenia, but from what I understand it is not possible to go from Baku to Yereban, Armenia through train. Is that correct?

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Olga – yes that’s correct. The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed, so you can’t travel between the two countries by train, road or any other means. The easiest option is to go through Tbilisi. You can do overnight trains back to back, or a combination of train and day bus to save time.

      Glad to hear the post was helpful! Enjoy your travels!

  43. Do you happen to know if they would arrange for a solo female traveler to assigned a cabin with another female?

    1. Hi Anna, I’m not sure to be honest. My guess is that it might not be a policy, but if you asked at the ticket desk, I’m sure they would be able to accommodate your request.

  44. Hi Emily,
    We are an elderly couple from Ireland. We plan to travel by train from Tbilisi to Baku in mid-May. We very much would like a sleeper for two. We have been in touch with a travel company called Advanttour who seem to be able to provide an on line service and deliver tickets to an address ( Hotel ) in Tblisi. Trouble is their prices seem exorbitant and much greater than the official price. I don’t know if it’s a genuine company. Any suggestions? Joe

    1. Hi Joe,
      That company does seem to take advantage in terms of price. I would suggest getting the ticket when you are in Tblisi. I am in Georgia now and will be travelling to Azerbaijan early next week after a quick trip to Russia this weekend. I haven’t bought my ticket yet but will try on the day I intend to travel. Which day depends on how easy it will be to get from Russia to Tblisi on Monday! I’ll try to come back and post whether or not I am successful!

      1. Thanks for the update, Michael. That’s what we did (travelling at the same time of year) with no problems. The train was virtually empty.

        Keep us posted!

      2. There was no problem getting a ticket for the train a few hours before departure, and all classes were on offer. I opted for second class and only had to share with one other. The train was comfortable especially the pillows! The lower seats can be pulled out to make them a little wider. I bring it up because I didn’t realise until we arrived in Baku!
        I think the only time when getting tickets might be tricky would be around 28th April when the F1 is in Baku.

  45. Hi just want to ask i been to armenia last year and im planning to go to baku this February since by train from tbilisi. it is possible to get visa from tbilisi or should i get it from UAE. (im filipino with visa here in UAE.

    Thank you very much.

  46. This was so much useful information! FWIW, I (American) just did this train (January 2019), and while obviously it’s different for everyone, everything was ridiculously easy; I wasn’t asked anything at the border (except to confirm my name and take a photo), not even if I’d been to Armenia (which I had been), no bag searches in my carriage or anything. Long, but easy. And the train staff were very pleasant despite little English, and me the only one around with neither Georgian nor functional Russian.

    Thanks for making the trip a little less intimidating!

    1. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective, Cat! I assume the border proceedings are a lot more straight forward if you don’t need a tourist visa (less interaction with immigration). I’ll be travelling again in a few months’ time and since I won’t need a visa this time around (thanks to recent changes for Australian passport holders), I’ll be comparing experiences and updating the post to reflect this.

      You’re right, experiences seem to differ quite a lot depending on the time of travel, traveller’s nationality, etc.

      Glad to hear it was a seamless experience for you! I hope you enjoyed your travels!

  47. Hello! About my trip to Tbilisi from Baku, I can tell you only one – WONDERFUL! 5 days in one capital and 5 in the another. Super cool=) By the way we went there by train. We decided it will be better because you can feel vibes of unbelievable countries! Then, in Tbilisi, we took a trip to Tbilisi-Mtianeti – Shatili. We chose it when already have been there.

  48. Hello,

    I’m due to travel from Tbilisi to Baku on the over night train. I’m a little stressed that I cant seem to buy these tickets online. Can anyone help?

  49. How long did the train ride take you total? Still a little worried about traveling as two very noticeable foreign women via train. Last time I was in Tbilisi, I had a great time, but got stared down left and right the entire trip.

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Porth, 5.50pm to 7.20 am — so about 13 hours total including immigration.

      Sorry to hear that… It’s never fun being stared at. I haven’t heard from anyone who’s had that experience in Tbilisi before. How long ago was that? Perhaps things have changed. I personally found the train very safe, even though I was travelling with my (male) partner. We met a lot of women (foreign and local) travelling solo, and our stewardess was a woman, so I always feel confident in recommending the train to solo and female travellers. Sorry to hear you had a negative experience!

  50. I can confirm that you can buy Tbilisi-Baku train tickets with only a photocopy or scan of your passport, and a third party can do this for you. My Georgian assistant was able to buy two tickets this way, although the manager had to be summoned and she had to fill out a form saying she was authorized to do this.

    Due to a misunderstanding she purchased non-refundable tickets for the wrong dates, but she was able to get the dates fixed for a nominal fee when she returned later.

    1. Bart—thank you! This is great advice and I’m sure other travellers will find it helpful. I will add it to the post.

      Sorry to hear about the ticket mix up! Hope you enjoy your travels regardless.

  51. Hi,
    Me and my boyfriend are planning a trip to Azerbaijan and Georgia this summer in July.
    We are planning to fly to Baku and stay a couple of days before going to Tbilisi.
    Any experiences about going that way?

    Reading about the night train on differen forums I read about the train being very hot during summer. I guess there is no air-con? Some reviews a read talks about no windows.

    The alternative of taking bus or private taxi. What do you think about that?

    1. Hi Petra, sounds great! We travelled Baku to Tbilisi (via Sheki) by marshrutka. You can read more about it in this post: https://wander-lush.org/travelling-by-bus-in-azerbaijan-tips-report-from-the-road-april-2017/

      As for the train, it was winter when we travelled, so I’m not sure about the temperature. There are definitely windows, but I don’t remember if they opened. I would assume there is definitely air con, but I can’t say for sure. Marshrutka would be a fine alternative if you’re worried about the train. If you do decide to go by van, I highly recommend breaking up the long journey in Sheki.

      I hope this helps! Have a wonderful trip!

  52. Thank you so much for all those hints! It’s for now the best guide 🙂
    I am planing a bit my staying in Georgia and in Azerbaijan and I have a question.
    Can I buy in Tblisi a train ticket to Baku and as well a back ticket from Baku to Tblisi?
    Or i have to buy the Back ticket in Baku separately? Thank you very much for you help!
    Ramona

    1. Hi Ramona! Thanks a lot for your comment. Glad you’re finding the post helpful.

      As far as I know, you can only buy tickets for the Tbilisi to Baku leg in Tbilisi. But it’s worth checking at the desk. When you arrive in Baku, you could go straight to the ticket counter there and purchase your onward ticket (the train arrives at a reasonable hour and as far as I remember, the station was open).

      Please do let me know if you have an update on purchasing return tickets as it would be very helpful to other travellers.

      Enjoy your trip!
      Emily

  53. Hi everyone!

    Myself and 6 friends will be in Tbilisi in June and will arrive about 2 pm and need to get the train the next day to Baku.

    Do you think tickets will be available just 1 day before?

    Thanks

    Kevin

    1. Hi Kevin,

      I’m not entirely sure. I believe that June is high season, so the train will be busier than it was when I travelled in April. Unfortunately there’s no way to book tickets online at the moment (as far as I know), so you’d do well to head straight to the train station when you arrive in Tbilisi.

      Good luck and happy travels!
      Emily

  54. hi! ,,, planning to go to Baku then take a train to Georgia and last stop would be in Armenia😊 could you recommend a travel agency…Cheers and thanks in advance!

    1. Hi Tim, thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I’ve had issues with people stealing content in the past and I had to install a plugin. But if it’s a problem for readers, I’m happy to disable it. You can copy and file away the text for private use now.

      Hope this helps 🙂

  55. Hi,
    thanks for the post, it is super useful! I was wondering if the overnight train ride is safe for a solo female traveller? You mentioned the berth got closed for the night but there are later stops throughout the night. Did you kind of know right away that there will be no one else joining you later at night?
    Thanks

    1. Hi Monica,

      I would say the ride is safe, yes. The train was well-staffed with stewardesses and security guards. I did see some women (local women) travelling alone and in pairs. I can’t say for sure about the berth, though. The train did stop quite frequently throughout the night so I would say it’s a possibility that other travellers could join the berth throughout the journey. This didn’t happen to us personally. You could try asking at the counter when you purchase your ticket (the staff at the station in Tbilisi speak good English) and then at least you’d know what to expect.

      Good luck and enjoy the journey!

      1. Hi Emily,

        Thanks a lot for this! And for sharing your experiences! Looking forward to reading about your next adventures 🙂

  56. Thanks for your blog. This helped us greatly on our travel between the 2 cities. Without this blog it would of all been much harder, as info online can be rather sketchy. Thanks again 🙂

    1. Thanks so much for your comment, James! Really glad to hear that the post proved useful. I hope you enjoyed the journey… And the destinations!

      Happy travels!

  57. Your post is very informative and well written, much appreciated! I was wondering about the train ride, but going from Baku to Tbilisi. I can’t seem to find which train station I will arrive at in Tbilisi since there are two on all the maps I’ve seen. Mainly want to know so I can book a place to stay near by. Also, what was it like leaving Azerbaijan and entering Georgia on the train, in terms of the severity of customs/boarder control. Thanks again!

    1. Hi Eric! Thanks a lot! Trains depart/arrive at Station Square. There is a metro connection from there. You could stay at Fabrika hostel/hotel, which is just a short taxi ride (2.2km) from the station.

      Georgian customs/immigration was very light compared to Azerbaijan—we just handed over our passports, no questions asked. (We are Australian, so we don’t require a visa for Georgia.)

      I hope this helps! Good luck and enjoy your trip!

  58. Hi Emily, 🙂

    Thanks for this Blog 🙂 very informative! our original plan is to travel in Georgia but the airfare this January is really expensive compared to Baku airfare. Is it possible for us to take a flight from Dubai to Baku, then we’ll travel on train to Georgia then go back to Baku again for our flight going back to Dubai? Thanks! 🙂

    1. Hi! It’s certainly possible from an itinerary point of view… But you’ll have to check on visas. I know we were going to need a visa to transit through Baku, which is why we flew through Istanbul instead. A travel agent or your nearest Azeri consulate should be able to help.

      Good luck and enjoy your trip!

  59. I am planning to travel from georgia to armenia via flights.after 5 hours which i will be taking the flight to dubai back to my destination of origin.
    Should i complete immigration in yerevan airport or pass through immigration and wait in the airport for my dubai flight.how does it work as i am not planning to exit the aiport.

  60. I have a visa for the 11.12.2017.

    Is it possible to travel one or two days later to Baku.

    Thanks in advance,

    Christoph

    1. Hi Christoph,

      Sorry, I can’t give specific advice on visas. If I were you, I would contact your Azerbaijan consulate – mine was very helpful with answering emails.

      Good luck and enjoy Baku!

  61. Hi Emily,
    Thanks for this blog post. It was also nice to read and with a lot of good information. In March 2018 I will visit Baku again for the 5th time. Normaly I fly to Baku, but the flighttickets to Tbilisi are more then 500 euro cheaper and from there I will take the train to Baku. I believe its a nice experience. E-visa is a great improvement and indeed much cheaper. I must admit that there is less information to find on the Internet about this way of traveling from Tbilisi to Baku and your post blog makes it very clear to me. I will arive in the morning 5.20 am at the airport and from there I take the train to Tbilisi central station. There I will buy my ticket to Baku. I have one question: I arive in the early morning in Tbilisi and I wonder if I can easy buy the same day a ticket for the overnight train to Baku. BTW the departure date is indeed very important to start the date of a visa.

    1. Hi Peter,

      Fifth time in Baku, wow! I’m interested to know what keeps you coming back? I can’t say for sure, but when we travelled in April there were a lot of unsold bunks on the train. We bought tickets a few days in advance, but I guess you could chance it! Indeed, the e-visa makes life much easier! Enjoy your trip! I hope you have time to check out Tbilisi, too. And if you have any updates or tips to share from the train journey, please come back and leave them in the comments. Very helpful to other travellers.

  62. Emily, thank you very much for the blog post, it helped a lot. A short update, as I took the train last night: It now leaves at 7.30 PM and arrives at 9.15 PM – and was right on time.

    Some days before crossing the border to Azerbaijan, I spent a few days in Armenia. Getting the entry stamp to Azerbaijan was much easier than expected. The border guards did only ask what I was doing there; replying with «Travelling/Tourist» satisfied their expectations.

    However, be sure to *not* bring any Armenian items to the train. I forgot that I had an armenian package of cigarettes with me. The officers were pragmtic though and let me keep the cigarettes, but I had to hand them over the package.

    1. Hi Felix,

      Thanks so much for the update! I guess the trains change time in summer, which makes sense. Good to hear that you didn’t have any trouble at the border. We got a lot of questions going the opposite way (entering Armenia with Azerbaijan stamps), but everyone’s experience seems to be slightly different.

      Enjoy Baku! Happy travels!

  63. Hello,
    I had a tour in Armenia-Georgia, and did Azerbaijan independently while most of fellow travellers continued with the tour. I had not problem to enter Azerbaijan – the immigration officier actually just asked me to confirm that I was in Yerevan for tourism purpose, and the custom officier had a quick search of my luggage. I had dinner later with my group in Baku, they crossed the border on tour bus – one person had the date on the visa incorrect, he had to stay behind to apply for an immergency visa and got it after 3 hours, he had to hire a car to join the group.(Of course, I guess the tour leader knew exactly what to do to help that traveller). On September 19, the train left Tbilisi at 7:30 pm and at 10:10 pm, the train stopped at the Azerbaijan side for immigration and custom control, and re-rolled at 11:00 pm. Hope with these updated information, you can made the proper decision.

    1. Hi Hoaiai, thanks so much for the update.

      I think the train timetable must change during summer. Great to know that it’s possible to get an emergency visa, too. I’m sure other travellers will find your tips very useful.

      Thanks again, and happy travels!

    2. Hi Hoaiai,
      What do you mean incorrect date? And how much is the emergency visa? Thanks very much.
      The date on my visa is one day early upon arrival in Azer border but exact date arriving in Baku.

  64. I have a question, my visa is marked 27 of September. But I’m leaving Tbilisi 26th of sept. Should I have problem with this? Well the train will be overnight, and when I reach Baku obviously it’s sept 27. Help pls

    1. Hi Kate,

      Sorry, I can’t provide you with any specific advice on visas but I can confirm that the overnight train crosses the border into Azerbaijan on the same date that it leaves Tbilisi (departs early evening, crosses later that night). You might need to delay your departure by 24 hours.

      Sorry I can’t be of more help! It would be best to contact the office where you got the visa or the Azerbaijani consulate for more information.

      Good luck,
      Emily

      1. Hi ems! Thanks for your reply! Can you please share with us when/what time where you able to get your Baku entry stamp?

        1. Hi Kate,

          Sorry, not sure what you mean by a Baku entry stamp. We applied for and received Azerbaijan visas online (see Step 1 above), and our passports were stamped with standard entry stamps by Azerbaijan immigration on entering the country – somewhere between 8 and 9pm on the same evening we left Tbilisi. Does this answer your question?

      2. Hi ems!

        I have called the embassy several times and they would say it’s okay.

        However, I have read one blog that has same situation, he left a day before the validity of her visa but will arrive Baku on the day of the validity. The immigration officer at the border of Azerbaijan held her for few mins and she said she was reluctantly allowed to travel.

        So let me try my luck!

        Thanks ems

  65. Just reading this post makes me want to get travelling! Thanks for sharing this useful info.
    How was Baku itself?
    I would like to sample Azerbaijan from Georgia but I’m just wondering if I should instead visit somewhere on the west side and avoid travelling all the way to Baku to save time. Any tips?
    Also, does the night train stop anywhere before Baku please?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Helen! Thanks for your comment! We really enjoyed Baku – very different from everywhere else in the region. We also went to Sheki (which is close to the Georgian border at Lagodekhi) and really, really enjoyed that as well.

      Baku is a very modern, wonderfully strange city – Western Azerbaijan is very rural. So it depends what you prefer. The bus to Sheki from Tbilisi takes almost a full day, but the overnight train is a convenient way to save time. I’m not 100% sure, but I believe the train also stops in Ganja (and possibly some smaller towns) on the way to Baku.

      I hope this helps!

    1. Hi Melanie – I’m not 100% sure (because I was asleep!), but I did a quick search online and it looks like the train makes a stop in Ganja at midnight. You’d need to double check with the ticket office. The staff in Tbilisi are great and will be able to help. Good luck!

  66. Hi! do we still need to apply for a visa? We are UAE resident, Filipino passport holder.

    We’ll be traveling from dubai-baku-tbilisi

    Any advise?

    1. Hi Ann! I am a fil too and yes we need to apply visa. Azerbaijan is very strict with the requirements. Visa is for 20USD. Bring your documents to Azer consulate in Jumeirah. It takes 5 days to get the visa. Best of luck!

    2. You need to apply if you are planning to stay in Baku. But if you won’t go out from Baku airport then no need!

  67. Thanks for info! T tried for an azerbaijan E Visa and the official website came back and replied my info was incorrect, so I paid extra and went through another site and got the visa, hope its genuine. like Matt I’ll be in Armenia for a few days, hopefully there wont be any issues

    1. Thanks for the update on the e-visa. Good to know there’s another online option available if you need it. Have a wonderful trip!

  68. This info great. I’m going to be taking this same trip in two days and in trying to find some recent details I came across your post. Thanks, it seems very helpful. Looking forward to visiting Baku after some great travels around Georgia.

    1. Thanks Jeremy! I hope you enjoy Baku… It’s a change from Georgia that’s for sure. Do let me know if you have anything to add about your experience on the train. Happy travels!

  69. It’s a relief to find a recent review of the Tbilisi-Baku train as there’s a lot of conflicting information online, I’m travelling there next month but I’m quite worried as I’ll be travelling in Armenia before Georgia so it sounds like lots of questions get asked…

    Thanks again 🙂

    1. Hi Matt!

      Glad you found the post helpful. Yes, it’s a bit of a difficult situation. We just arrived in Yerevan and we were asked a lot of questions about our recent trip to Azerbaijan at the Armenian border – so it seems either way you go, you will be questioned.

      I recommend you keep details of your travels in Armenia (including hotel names) handy as they might ask you for these at the Azeri border. I think it’s just a formality – as long as you haven’t been to Karabakh.

      Good luck and happy travels!

    2. Hi Matt and everyone else who may have knowledge about my concerns .. about seeing Azerbaijan after seeing Armenia and Georgia. So I’m a US citizen planning to see Armenia then Georgia then Azerbaijan and then go back to The US from Georgia . Should I switch around my plans and travel to Azerbaijan first then Armenia then Georgia ?

      1. Hi Lucy,

        As long as you don’t enter Nagorno-Karabakh while you’re in Armenia, then you shouldn’t have any issues with your current itinerary. There is nothing to prevent travellers from visiting Azerbaijan then Armenia (or Armenia then Azerbaijan) – crossing back through Georgia, of course. You might get some questions like we did, but everyone’s experience at the border is different.

        I hope this puts your mind at ease! Happy travels.

    3. Very informative post.. Thanks a ton.

      We are visiting Georgia in March. We have included Azerbaijan in our travel plan. Our return flight is from Tbilisi to Bahrain. As a GCC resident we get free visa on arrival.
      Are we allowed to come back to Tibilisi after 2 days of Baku visit. We are planning to take overnight train.

      Thanks in advance

      1. Hi Likhiya, thanks for your message!

        To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing to say you can’t enter into Georgia after visiting Azerbaijan—as long as you meet the visa and entry requirements. I don’t know the specific visa requirements for GCC residents, unfortunately. I recommend you get in touch with the Georgian Embassy in UAE (or elsewhere)—they should be able to help.

        Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

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