A complete guide to travelling overland between Georgia and Azerbaijan with the newly relaunched Tbilisi to Baku train.
Once a classic overland journey in the Caucasus, the Tbilisi-Baku sleeper train connected Georgia and Azerbaijan by rail before services were temporarily suspended back in 2020.
Now, according to official statements from both sides, the daily passenger rail service between Tbilisi and Baku is being restored, with new Stadler rolling stock replacing the old Soviet-era trains.
Daily sleeper trains between Tbilisi, Georgia and Baku, Azerbaijan are now set to resume on May 26, 2026, putting an end to the six-year rail travel suspension. Online ticket sales are now open, and everything appears to be full steam ahead for this date – with some important caveats (see below).
This is very exciting news, but it is an evolving situation and there are several important factors that international travellers need to consider:
Most importantly, according to the Azerbaijan Railways website, tickets for this train (travel in both directions) are currently only available to Azerbaijani citizens, and citizens of countries that are eligible for visa-free entry to Azerbaijan.
If you need an e-visa for Azerbaijan (US, EU, UK, Aus, NZ, and others), then you “will not be permitted to pass through border checkpoints” and cannot ride this train yet.
A list of passports with visa-free entry to Azerbaijan is available here on the Azerbaijan MFA website.
Secondly, the relaunch of the train does not mean Azerbaijan’s land borders are reopening to all travellers. This is a specific exemption for rail travel between Georgia and Azerbaijan, currently limited to Azerbaijani citizens and foreign passport holders who are eligible for visa-free entry to Azerbaijan. For everyone else, Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed for entry. The current land-border restrictions are due to be reviewed again before July 1, 2026.
And finally, there is no confirmed information yet about the Tbilisi-Kars section of the wider Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway corridor. According to reports, the BTK will be formally opened on June 2, 2026, with an official ceremony at Akhalkalaki Station. But this appears to relate to the railway corridor project more broadly, and is not a launch of passenger trains between Georgia and Turkiye.
In light of this, this guide explains what is currently confirmed, what is still awaiting clarification, and how the Tbilisi to Baku train will likely work. I will continue to update this page as more information about ticket prices, online sales and passenger rules are published.
I last travelled on this train in 2017 before the route was suspended. I am updating this guide constantly as new information becomes available, and will fully refresh it with new photos and first-hand tips after I ride the train again.
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.
Current status: Is the Tbilisi Baku train running in 2026?
The Tbilisi to Baku train is scheduled to resume in May 2026. This has been confirmed by Azerbaijan Railways, and ticket sales for the first train services between Baku and Tbilisi (starting May 25) and Tbilisi and Baku (starting May 26) went on sale on May 22, 2026.
This follows an agreement between Georgia and Azerbaijan to restore daily passenger rail traffic between the two capitals after a six-year pause.
Why was the Tbilisi to Baku train suspended?
The overnight train between Georgia and Azerbaijan (along with all regular cross-border land transport between the two countries) was suspended in 2020 when international travel restrictions were introduced during the pandemic.
While Georgia later reopened its borders, Azerbaijan repeatedly extended its land border closure – and technically it has still not been lifted, despite news of the train resuming.
At present, restrictions remain in place until July 1, 2026.
While tourists have been allowed to exit Azerbaijan and cross into Georgia by foot (as I did back in spring 2023), the only way to enter Azerbaijan has been by flight.
The May 2026 relaunch of the train is very significant because it restores the main overland passenger link between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Quick facts: Tbilisi to Baku train
Here is what we know about the new train so far:
- The Baku-Tbilisi–Baku train is scheduled to run every day in both directions.
- From Tbilisi to Baku, the train will depart at 9pm and arrive in Baku at 6.24am the next morning.
- From Baku to Tbilisi, the train will depart at 11.10pm and arrive in Tbilisi at 8.41am the next morning.
- Total journey time is around 9.5 hours, with the train reach a max speed of 50-90 km/h.
- Ticket prices range from 85-189 AZN (133-295 GEL). More info below.
- Online bookings are available via the Azerbaijan Railways website. More info below.
- The service will use modern Stadler sleeper rolling stock, with 200 beds over three classes, a dining car, and a VIP lounge. More details below.
- The train will make one additional stop in Georgia (Gardabani) and five additional stops in Azerbaijan (Boyuk Kasik, Agstafa, Ganja, Yevlakh and Bilajari).
Tbilisi to Baku train timetable
The relaunched Baku–Tbilisi–Baku train is scheduled to run every day in both directions.
The old Tbilisi-Baku train took around 12 hours. The new published timetable is significantly faster, with the journey now expected to take under 9.5 hours. This is due to new rolling stock and upgrades made on the railway line. The new trains will reportedly reach maximum speeds of 50-90 km/h.
Tbilisi to Baku 2026, Train #37
Train frequency
Once daily
Departs from Tbilisi
9pm
Border crossing
~11.30pm
Arrives in Baku
6.24am
Total travel time
9 hrs 24 mins
Baku to Tbilisi 2026, Train #38
Train frequency
Once daily
Departs from Baku
11.10pm
Border crossing
~5am
Arrives in Tbilisi
8.41am
Total travel time
9 hrs 31 mins
There is no time difference between Georgia and Azerbaijan, so departure and arrival times are in the same time zone.
Tbilisi to Baku ticket types & fares
Ticket classes and prices for the new 2026 train have now been confirmed.
The cheapest available fare is 85 AZN (approx. 50 USD) for the basic Comfort Class, up to 189 AZN (approx. 111 USD) for Luxe Class.
Train classes and prices for 2026:
- Comfort Class
- Four-berth sleeper compartments (2x sleeper bunks) with a shared bathroom.
- Tickets from 85 AZN.
- Comfort Plus Class
- Same layout as Comfort Class, with additional soft product perks.
- Tickets from 123 AZN.
- Luxe Class
- Private two-berth sleeper compartments with ensuite facilities.
- Tickets from 189 AZN.
The Stadler stock was also designed with flexible first/second-class Family Compartments, which could be useful for families or small groups travelling together. Accessible Compartments for passengers with reduced mobility are also available. More info to come.
There will be no open-plan platskart carriages on this train, as there were on the old service.
Prices appear to increase significantly closer to the date of travel, so I recommend booking tickets as far in advance as you can. Online ticket sales open four weeks out (more details below).
Prices are tied to an international railway pricing system based on the Swiss franc, so prices may shift slightly day to day with exchange rates. It has also been noted that each country the train passes through will apply a coefficient to the fare.
How to buy tickets for the train
Tickets for both directions of travel (Baku to Tbilisi and Tbilisi to Baku) are now available to purchase online via the Azerbaijan Railways website.
If you are outside the region, you might need to use a VPN to access the website.
You will be required to set up an account before you purchase tickets. To do this, you will need to provide your passport details and validate your email address or phone number with a one-time code.
It might also be possible to purchase tickets in person at the railway station in Tbilisi or Baku. But this is TBC – more info to come once available.
Back in 2017, staff at the railway station in Tbilisi would issue you Georgian Railway tickets in Cyrillic, spelling your name phonetically! Those days are long gone now – along with the old Soviet carriages – and the ticketing process is much more streamlined.
This is already a very popular service (more than 1,000 tickets reportedly sold in the first hours after sales opened), so if you plan to use the train during the first few weeks of operation, I highly recommend reserving tickets as far in advance as possible.
Tickets are also likely to sell out around major holidays and big events such as the Baku Grand Prix.
Again, sales open four weeks in advance for this train.
Documents you need for the Tbilisi to Baku train
Since the relaunched train is currently limited to Azerbaijani citizens and visa-exempt foreign travellers, this section does not yet apply to travellers who need a visa or e-visa for Azerbaijan. Once ticket sales open to all travellers, here is what to expect.
Before boarding the train to Azerbaijan, make sure you have all your documents ready. Border formalities happen late at night, so keep them somewhere easy to reach.
Most travellers will need an e-visa for Azerbaijan (see below for applying online).
You will definitely need a hard copy of your visa to present at the border, and possibly for buying train tickets at the station in Tbilisi, too. You must hold onto the original paper e-visa for the duration of your stay, as you will be required to show it again when you exit Azerbaijan.
For ease, I also highly recommend you print (or make a digital PDF) of your accommodation confirmation details for Baku/Azerbaijan, and your travel insurance policy.
Remember that when travelling to Tbilisi by train, you will need to provide proof of health and accident insurance, which is a requirement for all travellers entering Georgia since January 1, 2026. More on the reverse journey later.
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. The 30-day tourist e-visa, introduced in early 2017, is easy to obtain online.
Applications can be made through the official Azerbaijan E-Visa portal. You will need to upload a photo of your passport ID page, and provide an address in Azerbaijan (i.e. your first hotel).
A standard single-entry 30-day tourist visa costs 29 USD (20 USD + 9 USD service fee). The site accepts both MasterCard and Visa.
The visa is valid for 90 days from the starting date you specify. 30 days is the default period, and you do not have to stipulate the exact dates or duration of your stay. You will, however, have to register on arrival in Baku if you plan to stay in Azerbaijan for more than 15 days (more info below).
Officially, the visa takes up to three days to be approved. You can pay an extra rush fee (41 USD) for urgent processing within three hours. I recommend you apply a week or two in advance – and make sure you take notice of Azerbaijani public holidays, of which there are a few, as there is no visa processing on these dates.
Boarding the train in Tbilisi
Leaving from Georgia, the Tbilisi to Baku train will depart from Tbilisi Central Railway Station.
Tbilisi Central is located adjacent to the Station Square metro station. It is easy to reach by metro, Bolt taxi or city bus.
The station has ATMs and money exchange, small convenience stores, luggage storage facilities, bathrooms, a canteen, coffee shops, and a waiting area.
I will add more about the check-in/boarding procedure for 2026 once I have an opportunity to ride the train myself.
What happens at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border?
Some travellers have concerns about the border crossing into Azerbaijan. I have visited Azerbaijan half a dozen times and in my experience, it is always straightforward and smooth – provided you have the correct e-visa and your documents in check.
When travelling by train, the border crossing takes place during the night. Pre-suspension, officials would board the train to complete immigration procedures on board (i.e. you never had to get off the train).
It has been confirmed that the procedure for 2026 (at least on the Azerbaijan side) will be much the same, with immigration procedures taking place on board.
Even so, you should still treat this like any other border crossing. Refrain from taking photos or videos when officials are on board, and expect routine bag and berth searches on both sides of the border.
Leaving Georgia
When you reach the border (Gardabani), Georgian border officials will board the train to check passports and stamp you out. Normally you do not need to disembark the train or remove your luggage.
Entering Azerbaijan
After exiting Georgia, the train proceeds to Azerbaijani immigration (Boyuk Kasik), where border officials will again board the train to check passports and visas.
This procedure might take place in your berth, or in a special assigned cabin, or you might have to hand your passport over for a short period of time so staff can check it offsite. This is normal.
Back in 2017, we had our photos taken as part of the procedure.
It is not unusual for travellers entering Azerbaijan to be asked a series of basic trip-related questions. This is standard in my experience. Questions might include: Why are you visiting Azerbaijan? Where are you staying? How long will you be in the country for?
This is why it helps to have accommodation bookings ready to show officials. A rough itinerary document could also be useful here.
An important note about Armenian stamps
When entering Azerbaijan, it is not uncommon to be asked if you have ever visited Armenia.
There is a widespread misconception that having Armenian stamps in your passport prevents you from entering Azerbaijan (or vice versa). Or that having recently visited the other country might cause you problems at the border.
In reality, there are no formal rules around this – tourists are free to visit both countries in any order they wish.
I have been to both Armenia and Azerbaijan multiple times on the same passport. Once I even exited Azerbaijan then entered Armenia three days later.
Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia are not as high as they were a couple of years ago, but it is still a sensitive issue for both countries. Remember the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia remains closed.
If you have Armenian stamps in your passport, you might get asked a few extra questions: Why were you in Armenia, what did you do there, where did you stay?
Answer honestly.
If you have recently visited Armenia, it helps to have the details of your accommodation there handy as well. We were asked to show ours back in 2017 – but honestly, since then, questioning at the border has eased considerably in my experience.
The Azerbaijan E-Visa is an A4 sheet of paper, i.e. it does not get fixed inside your passport. But officials will stamp your passport with Azerbaijan entry/exit stamps.
If you are planning to visit Armenia later, you will similarly be asked questions about your Azerbaijani stamps by officials there. Again, there are no rules about visiting both countries back to back.
Also see: My guide to taking the night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan.
How long does the border crossing take?
According to the new schedule, a total of two hours is allocated for border procedures on both sides.
What is the Tbilisi to Baku train like onboard?
The new Tbilisi-Baku service is expected to use modern Stadler sleeper rolling stock ordered by Azerbaijan Railways for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route.
This means the restored route is not simply a revival of the old Soviet-style sleeper train – it‘s something new entirely. The new trains were designed specifically for international overnight travel on this line, with variable-gauge technology to handle the different gauges used across the three countries.
So you won‘t find a retro Soviet train experience with a manual gauge change here – for that, you‘ll have to go to Moldova!
According to earlier reports and photos that have been released of the train, each of the 10-car Stadler sets for this route contains:
- First-class sleeper compartments
- Second-class sleeper compartments
- Family compartments
- An accessible sleeping compartment
- A dining car
- A VIP lounge
I am particularly excited about the dining car – a first for a train in Georgia!
There will also be WIFI and central AC/heating on board.
Compared with the old train I took back in 2017, this should be a significantly more comfortable (but perhaps less atmospheric) ride!
Is the Tbilisi to Baku train safe?
Based on my previous experience, yes, I felt safe travelling by overnight train from Tbilisi to Baku.
Last time, we encountered a whole mix of people on the train – our highlight was being asked to appear in a music clip for an Azeri rap artist we met onboard. But we also saw a lot of families with young children and solo women using the train.
As with any overnight train, use common sense: Keep your valuables close throughout the night, lock your compartment door if you can, and choose First or Second class if you want more privacy.
Arriving in Baku: Next steps
The night train terminates at Baku Railway Station, around 3.5 kilometres north-east of the Old Town.
In front of the new station, the old station – a gorgeous Neo-Moorish heritage building that dates to 1880 – is now a railway museum.
From there, you can easily connect to the Baku metro at Jafar Jabbarli or 28 May Station, or you can find taxis and city buses outside.
There are ATMs inside the station building. Azerbaijani manat (AZN) can also be obtained in Tbilisi from most banks and exchange offices if you want to change a small amount of cash before leaving Georgia.
Getting a local SIM card in Azerbaijan used to be a real pain for foreigners, but thankfully the process is a lot easier now. In 2023 I was able to buy a SIM card in Baku in a matter of minutes.
Azercell has good prices and network coverage in the mountains – there is an Azercell office four minutes by foot from the railway station.
There won‘t be much open in Baku when the train pulls in, but there is a cafe inside the station – Balbalı Coffee & Snackbar – that opens at 6.30am.
Tourist registration in Azerbaijan
Unlike Georgia, Azerbaijan has a mandatory tourist registration system.
If you are planning to stay more than 15 days in Azerbaijan, you must register your stay with the State Migration Service. Failure to do so will result in a fine on exit or a temporary re-entry ban.
If you are staying in Azerbaijan for less than 15 days, you don‘t need to worry about registering.
Registration is free, and it is normally handled by your hotel. Airbnb hosts should also be familiar with the process (the first time we visited Azerbaijan, our host in Baku did it for us). But you will have to explicitly ask them – and at the end of the day, it is your responsibility to make sure it‘s done correctly.
You can also do the registration yourself here on the official State Migration Service website using a photo of your passport, your e-visa, and your entry stamp.
Unlike in Uzbekistan, you don‘t receive a paper receipt that you need to hold onto. Everything is electronic.
If you change accommodations, then technically you are supposed to re-register at each new address. You have a five-day grace period to do this each time.
Mobile phone registration in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan also has a mobile device registration system, but most tourists do not need to worry about it.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registration requirements kick in after 30 days – which is longer than the e-visa period anyway. BUT if you are planning to visit Azerbaijan multiple times with the same phone, you might need to look into registering.
In short: If you are using international roaming on a foreign SIM, you are exempt from IMEI registration.
If you buy an Azerbaijani SIM card, you can use it for up to 30 days before IMEI registration becomes necessary.
For longer stays or repeat trips using the same phone with a local SIM, you may need to register your device through the official system.
Bringing a drone into Azerbaijan
Unlike Georgia, Azerbaijan has strict rules around drone usage. Even if you want to fly a small drone under 249 grams for recreational use, that still requires prior written authorisation.
When you fly into Baku Airport with a drone, there is an option to leave it at the airport and collect it on your way out. I do not think there is any such facility when crossing the border by train – so best to leave your drone in Georgia if you are coming back through Tbilisi, or otherwise leave it at home.
Things to do in Baku
- Photograph the Heydar Aliyev Center
- Explore the Old City on foot
- Take a day trip to see the Gobustan mud volcanoes
- Take a day trip to Quba to visit the carpet-weaving workshops
- Visit the mountains or Absheron Peninsula on a day trip from Baku
See my full Baku City Guide for ideas of how to spend your time in the capital.
Where to stay in Baku
- Budget hostel: Cth Baku Hostel – ⭐ 9.2 – from $17/night
- Mid-range hotel: Centric Baku Boutique Hotel – ⭐ 9.8 – from $47/night
- Boutique hotel: Deniz Inn Boutique Hotel – ⭐ 9.5 – from $75/night
- Luxury hotel: The Merchant Baku – ⭐ 9.6 – from $79/night
- Close to the railway station & Baku Grand Prix: Landmark Hotel – ⭐ 8.8 – from $84/night
Reverse journey: Baku to Tbilisi by train
Taking the train in the opposite direction (from Baku to Tbilisi) is much the same. Trains will depart from Baku Railway Station in the evening and arrive in Tbilisi the next day, with immigration procedures taking place on board the train in the early hours of the morning.
Georgia has a generous visa-free entry policy for many nationalities, but you should always check your own requirements on the GeoConsul website before travelling.
Remember that as of January 1, 2026, all travellers entering Georgia need to have health and accident insurance. More details in this guide.
Arriving in Tbilisi at 8.41am, you will be able to jump straight on the metro or find a city bus from in front of Central Railway Station. There is a 24-hour coffee stand near the carpark (Green Coffee) and bakeries on Dadiani Street behind the station.
Remember you should never use street taxis in Tbilisi (or in Baku, for that matter) – the Bolt app works in both countries, and Uber also works in Azerbaijan (but not in Georgia).
Other ways to travel from Tbilisi to Baku (train vs bus, car or flight)
For the past six years, flying has been the only option for travelling into Azerbaijan due to the land border closure. The resumption of train services is the first proper overland link to be reestablished between the two countries.
Flights between Baku to Tbilisi are frequent (at least 3-5 services per day with Azerbaijan Airlines and others), but they can be quite pricey depending on the time of year. Flying is still an option, of course, if you want to save time.
Before the border closure, shared road transport (marshrutka minivans and shared taxis) were very common between Tbilisi and Baku as well, going either through Rustavi or Lagodekhi. Once the border fully reopens, I assume those service will also recommence – I will add information here as soon as I know more.
The train is handy for travelling between the capitals, but depending on where you want to go in Georgia and Azerbaijan, a bus or taxi over the border could be a more efficient option.
For example, if you plan to spend time in Sheki – my favourite place in Azerbaijan – then you might be better off crossing the border at Lagodekhi directly after visiting Kakheti Wine Region, rather than going back to Tbilisi or travelling all the way down to Baku.
For itinerary ideas, see my extended Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan itinerary (based on our first trip back in 2017), and my shorter Georgia-Azerbaijan itinerary.
The return of the Tbilisi to Baku train is a huge deal for travel in the Caucasus – I have been waiting for positive news on this route for years now. I will miss the nostalgia of the old Soviet train, but the use of modern Stadler sleeper rolling stock makes this new railway connection even more exciting.
I will be off to ride the train just as soon as I can, and I will continue to post any updates here as they become available.
When the route fully reopens, it will be possible to travel from Baku all the way to Istanbul via Tbilisi with two changes of train in Turkiye. I will continue to post updates on the Baku-Kars Railway in this separate guide, and needless to say I‘ll be doing that trip as soon as I can, too!
In the meantime, if you have any questions about the train, please let me know in the comments below. If you are eligible to buy tickets and you manage to ride the train soon, please let me know your impressions! Any information you can provide about the journey would be extremely helpful.
Dear,
thank you very much for the detailed description of the trip. My wife and I bought plane tickets for August 2026. According to the plan, we should go by train from Tbilisi to Baku.
I see that you write that the border is closed by land, which means also by train. And later I read the description of how you went on that train with all the great details. I don’t know which passport it refers to. We are tourists from Serbia with a Serbian passport. Can we take that train too?
Please reply. Thanks in advance and regards
Hello Slobodan – the train has not been running since 2020, and it is very unlikely that it will start up again before August. The report I wrote here is from 2017.
You will need to fly from Tbilisi to Baku unfortunately – flight is the only way to reach Azerbaijan right now.
Any update if the borders will open by January 1st 2026??
Extended until April 1, 2026. Sorry to say!
Emily, hi.
Thank you writing these information for us, readers od your blog.
If evisa is needed for me, can I cross land border red bridge from Georgia to Azerbejdzan and vice versa again? Or is from Georgia at time of speaking only possible way by plane? Im travelling in June 2026.
Hello Romana, thank you! There are no changes to the broader land border rules – so until at least July 1, the only way to enter is to fly into Azerbaijan, but tourists can still leave the country by foot.
Emily,
Is there a land crossing from Azerbaijan to Georgia?
Hi Thomas, yes, there are two points that are open to foreigners to cross into Georgia by foot.
See this post for my report on crossing at Balakan/Lagodekhi: https://wander-lush.org/sheki-azerbaijan-guide/
Hello!
I have just emailed the Azerbaijan railway website you provided to ask them for more information on the border reopening with Georgia. I am just wondering if you have heard anything as of 25//25? Thanks!
Gemma
Hi Gemma, I like your initiative! The border will be closed until July 1, 2025. We are awaiting another announcement.
Hello Emily does this mean that we cannot use the train to travel to Azerbaijan until July? Is flying the only other option?
Hi KA, flying is the only option at present.
Hello,
Thank you for the helpful information. I’m planning a bicycle tour and I’m curious how my mode of transportation may be received by the Azerbaijan authorities once the border reopens. I plan to bike from Armenia (not Nagorno-Karabakh) into Georgia and then into Azerbaijan. Then taking the Caspian Sea Ferry from Baku to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Is this a realistic plan if the border opens this spring/summer?
Thanks!
Yes definitely Andrew, many people have done the same. It all depends on the border – keeping my fingers crossed for this year.
Hey Emily! I’ve seen rumors that the land border may open April 1st, but I see you’re saying July. Was this an official update? I’ve been checking constantly and am just trying to stay on top of all updates. I really want to do the Silk Road by train, taking this route in September. Thanks for such a thorough guide!
Hi Kayla, yes this was an official update that came last week.
I too have heard rumours of the train starting sooner than that (the latest news was actually May 1 – for April 1, there is no chance). Let’s see if there is another update.
Hi Emily,
We will be in Georgia in April and need to cross into Azerbaijan at the end of April. Do you think the border will still be closed? It would probably be safer to buy fly tickets, right?
Thank you very much for your answer
Hi Kristyna, I don’t think so at the point unfortunately. I would plan to fly.
Do you have any new information? We want to go to Baku in may (3-5) this year.
There has not been an official update yet. The date is still set at April 1, 2025.
Knowing that it was prolonged a couple of times, we are still wondering if there is any chance that the landborder will open on 1st January 2025. Do you have any information about it?
We will be in Georgia at the end of December and would love to transfer over the landborder to Azerbaijan.
Hi Silvan, there has not been another update yet, but I doubt the border will open on Jan 1. Let’s see if anything is announced over the next couple of days.
Hello there,
I just booked my trip to Georgia and was wondering if there is still the option to take the night train to Baku, I could not find it online as the website does not have an English translation.
Any pointers?
Best
BG
Hi Brian – the AZ land border is closed until at least October 1, 2024. There is no train service.
Hello emily, hope you’re doing fine, can you suggest which border checkpoints are good for crossing from azerbaijan to Georgia by foot.
Any of them! I crossed at Lagodekhi. The point near Ganja is also popular.
hello Emily hope you are doing well, last we heard about Azerbaijan opening borders was expected around 01/10 is there any updates?
Hi Ichigo, the closure has been extended until January 1, 2025 unfortunately.
hi,
I am travelling to georgia on 24th July and have booked my return from Baku to Mumbai on 4th August. wanted to travel from tblisi to baku on 2nd August. can anyone help how I can do that?
The only option right now is to fly.
Hi, thank you for all previous information, Emily, your blog is very helpful!
Also interested in this topic as I wish to reach Baku from Tbilisi by the land border from August 15th 2024.
Hi Amelie, the AZ land border is closed to inbound travellers until at least October 1, 2024.
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?
Zero expectations of that! I haven’t heard any solid dates floated. I wouldn’t bet on it, sadly. I will keep this updated when I hear more.
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?
Hi Ann – you might want to look into a flight to Tbilisi. There is no direct or easy way to get to Kutaisi, unfortunately.
Is it possible for tourist to depart from Baku and travel to Tbilisi by train on December 22, 2023?
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.
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?
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.
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!
Hi Anika – no, it is not. Trains are not running.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Terrific Meg, glad you were able to cross safely! I did the same at Lagodekhi last month. Happy travels and enjoy Georgia.
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.
It is not confirmed. For the moment you need to fly to Baku.
Great to hear. How much did it cost and how long did it take from Baku to Tbilisi?
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.
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.
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!
Does the Nakhichevan-Turkey border stay open for tourists who want to get to the Turkey from Azerbaijan?
Hi Wojtek – as far as I know this border is closed.
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
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?
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.
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
Hi Willy – terrific, that would be your best option then, I think!
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.
Yes Kaspars, I also just heard the news that land borders will be closed for at least another 2 months.
Hi Emily,
Do you know if the land border will open in July?
Thanks for your blog. It’s amazing!
Hi Carla, nothing is confirmed yet, but I hope so. I will update this as soon as there is news!
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
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.
According to the news here https://en.trend.az/business/tourism/3738044.html, it seems that the quarantine policy will continue until at least July 1, 2023, due to which I have to change my plans and could not take the train but only the plane. I hope this info could help you to arrange your trip and thanks for Emily’s sharing
Thanks Weicheng!
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
Hi Lim – there are no trains to/from Azerbaijan at the moment. Land borders remain closed until May 1 or later.
Thank you so much for the reply! I will get air ticket instead in this case.
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.
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!
But can we cross boarder by private transfer or car?
To Azerbaijan? No – the land border is completely closed to tourists.
I mean to ask can we go cross boarder by private transport from Azerbaijan to Georgia?
Hi Nandini – I have heard of some people successfully crossing by foot. I am not sure about crossing with a private car.
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…
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.
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.
Hi Carlos – the border closure was just extended until May 1, 2023 unfortunately.
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.
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.
Any new update, please? It’s been past Nov. 1
Hi Donny – Azerbaijan announced that the land borders will remain closed until January 1, 2023.
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
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!
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
Hi Max – still no word yet unfortunately! I will update this the minute things change.
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
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!
Dear Emily,
You were right … I was fooled by some old news. Unfortunately they confirmed that the border will remain closed until September. I will focus more on Georgia and Armenia and I will visit Azerbaijan next time.
Here is the news.
https://jam-news.net/azerbaijan-extends-covid-induced-quarantine-land-borders-will-remain-closed-until-september-1/
Thanks for all your updates!
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!
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?
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!
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
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.
Hi, Emily. Thanks for all those informations. Do you know if the trains have resume or are they still not working? Thank you.
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.
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!
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.
Thank you so much!
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!
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!
Hi, does the Tbilisi to Baku (stopping in Ganja) train run daily in the winter?
Hi Whitney,
This train runs every night through summer and winter, that’s correct.
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
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!
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.
Thanks for your report, Alex! Glad to hear you had a smooth trip and border crossing experience.
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
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!
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.
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!
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?
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!
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.
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”.
Thank you Zee! I’m glad the system worked for you.
are there any forbidden places in Georgia that need to skip if the next destination is Azerbaijan?
Hi Shane,
Not as far as I know, but I strongly recommend you do research before you consider visiting Abkhazia or South Ossetia.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Hi! Sorry, but I can’t provide specific visa advice. Your nearest consulate should be able to answer your question 🙂
Happy travels!
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!
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!
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?
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!
Thank you so much! That is very helpful 🙂 .
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.
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!
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.
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!
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?
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!
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
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.
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
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!
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!
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!
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.
Hi Dipak,
Yes, the train is safe. You can lock your cabin from the inside. Wishing you a pleasant journey.
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.
Thanks for the update, Matthew! Enjoy your trip!
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!
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!
Do you happen to know if they would arrange for a solo female traveler to assigned a cabin with another female?
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
Great point about the F1, Michael! Something to keep in mind.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!
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.
Hi Sharlene,
Wish I could help but I can’t give visa advice. You should consult the embassy/consulate or the AZ immigration website. You may be eligible for an e-visa. Here is the link again: https://evisa.gov.az/en/
Best of luck and happy travels!
Emily
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!
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!
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.
Sounds like a great trip! Glad to hear you enjoyed the train ride!
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?
Hi Andrew—as far as I know, it’s not possible to reserve tickets online yet. Are you able to go to the station a few days in advance?
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?
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!
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
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
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
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
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!
Hi Lan, I didn’t use an agency, so I don’t have any first-hand recommendations. It’s very easy to do the trip independently 🙂
For some reason I can’t copy & paste any of this, which makes it less useful.
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 🙂
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
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!
Hi Emily,
Thanks a lot for this! And for sharing your experiences! Looking forward to reading about your next adventures 🙂
Thanks Monica! I have added some extra info to the post based on your questions and feedback.
Hope you enjoy Georgia and Azerbaijan as much as we did!
Hi Emily, I loved your post but I was wondering are the berths separated by gender.
Hi Madi,
No—definitely not 🙂 My (male) partner and I travelled together in the same berth.
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 🙂
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!
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!
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!
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! 🙂
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!
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.
Hi Nisha,
You should check with your airline/travel agent about transiting and whether or not you need a visa for Armenia.
Have a wonderful trip!
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
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!
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.
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.
Great, all I needed. I am going there in January and I found this post very helpful. Thanks 🙂
Thanks Anna! Enjoy your trip!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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
Hi ems! Thanks for your reply! Can you please share with us when/what time where you able to get your Baku entry stamp?
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?
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
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!
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!
Does this train stop in Ganja or does it run straight through?
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!
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?
Hi Ann! You’ll need to check with your airline about transfer visas. Good luck!
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!
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!
Thanks for the update Kate!
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
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!
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.
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!
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 🙂
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!
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 ?
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.
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
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!