On the way to Armenia – country 80 on my hit list.
In my latest episode of world borders, I’m covering the border between Georgia and Armenia. I admit I’m well behind in this series (not enough time to update the numerous borders I’ve crossed) but this one will fill in the pieces on my current Caucauses backpacking experiences. Here’s my rundown on how to get from Georgia to Armenia overland between Sadakhlo and Bagratashen.
The border point for leaving Georgia at Sadakhlo.
Leaving Tbilisi from Ortachala Bus Station
Most backpackers heading overland to Armenia will be coming from Georgia. The reason for this is that Georgia is visa free for most countries, and the land borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey into Armenia are closed for political reasons. Coming north into Armenia from Iran is also an option, but for the basis of this post I started my journey in Tbilisi, a common stop over city while backpacking in this region. I loved Tbilisi and have used it as a base here. To leave Tbilisi to headto the border, the best option is to get to Ortachala Bus Station.
Getting a yellow bus from Old Town Tbilisi to Ortachala Bus Station.
To get to Ortachala Bus Station from central Tbilisi get a yellow mini-bus number 71 or 80. They leave from near the Clock Tower in the Old Town. This will cost 50 Tetri and should take less than 20 minutes.
On the bus to Ortachala Bus Station.
On arrival at Ortachala you will have the option of bus or taxi. Now normally I hate taxis and always side with buses. But then ridiculously the price of the bus and the price of the taxi was the same. We were quoted between 30 and 40 Lari for a one way ride to Yerevan, including all the border stuff on route. A direct taxi it was then for 30 Lari. Incidentally the bus also costs 30 Lari. So for once you can bite the bullet and take a taxi without having to worry about paying more. Of course I was sharing the taxi with my girlfriend so that halves the price. Find four people and you can get in a taxi and beat the price of the bus. You don’ have to go directly to Yerevan of course, so could get it for less, just to get you across the border. However the roads are remote so onward transport will be tougher and most people hitch hike. I’d advise getting a bargain with a taxi driver to take you all the way from Tbilisi to Yerevan. If you’re travelling alone though, a bus is the better option. They run from 8am onwards until around 5pm.
World Borders: Georgia to Armenia a taxi is the best option.
How far is it from Tbilisi to Sadakhlo?
We left Ortachala Bus Station around 8.30 am. The border is only about 50 kilometres south to the exit point at Sadakhlo. It will take you less than an hour.
Leaving Georgia behind, again.
Leaving Georgia at Sadakhlo
Your exit from Georgia couldn’t be more smooth. In our taxi share, we get our passports ready. We get to a booth. The guy checks our passports without us having to get out of the car. We stay in the back seat. Our driver, who is Armenian offers the Georgian border guard some bread and cake. He declines and laughs. But stamps our passports without further ado and we’re officially out of Georgia. The entire process happens without us having to get out of the car. Our bags are not even checked.
World Borders: the Georgia exit point.
A duty free shop just before leaving Georgia.
Arriving in Armenia at Bagratashen
After driving across a bridge, which is the border between Georgia and Armenia, we are now in Armenia.
World Borders: The actual bridge between Georgia and Armenia.
Again we drive up to a booth and this time approach an Armenian border point, where a smiling guard greets our driver. Our driver, Sako offers the guard some cake or bread. This time, the guard says yes. The reason being, he’s Armenian and the cake/bread is Armenian. We also help ourselves and I sip my coffee which I made for my flask in Tbilisi.
Our Armenian driver bought us some bread which he shared with us and the border guards.
After taking his mid morning snack, he has a look at our passports. I’m on an Irish passport, my girlfriend is on a British Overseas passport. Both passports have an Azerbaijan Visa in them, from our recent trip there.
One of the Armenian border guards in the booths.
We get our stamps and are handed back our passports. Again no forms to fill in, no bags are checked and everything runs smoothly. The entire process has taken about 35 minutes, both sides of the border. One of the fastest land borders I’ve ever done.
The welcome to Armenia sign taken from our car.
Easy to get into Armenia with an Azerbaijan Visa on Your Passport?
Yes – ridiculously easy. In fact, as the Armenian border guard checks our passports, he sniggers to himself on seing the Azerbaijan Visa. So getting into Armenia after being in Azerbaijan is no problem. Going the opposite way is harder. So if you’re in the area, take the hint and either do Azerbaijan first, or use a different passport if you do it second.
Armenian building at the border with the proud flag.
How much does an Armenian Visa Cost?
For Irish and British citizens it’s currently free. That means free from everything. Free from paperwork, no visa is placed inside your passport, free from paying and just FREE. Pretty amazing heh? Yes currently all you get when you arrive in Armenia at the Bagratashen entry point is free.
On the way to Yerevan, Armenia.
How long can you stay in Armenia for?
Officially it’s 21 days, which is time enough to see the country, and also veer into Nagorno Karabakh to curb your curiosity. The 21 days can be extended with a small fee, payable in Yerevan.
Arrival in Armenia!
World Border successfully crossed! This photo was taken just across the border into Armenia.
Once You’re In Armenia Does this mean you can get into Nagorno Karabakh?
In theory yes as you need to be in Armenia to get into Nagorno Karabakh to start with. BUT you’ll need a separate Visa and Visitor Permit for Nagorno Karabakh. I’ve just crossed this border as well and will be covering it in due course.
My passport stamp for leaving Georgia:
Goodbye Georgia: Exit Stamp at Sadakhlo
My passport stamp for arriving in Armenia:
Hello Armenia: Entry stamp at Bagratashen.
Once you arrive in Armenia, how far is it to Yerevan?
Depending on traffic and weather it can take between 3 – 4 hours. However we spoke to our driver to get a few stop off points on route to go sightseeing and we arrived in Yerevan around 4pm. The entire journey from Tbilisi to Yerevan took us about 7 and a half hours including stops, so you could easily do the whole thing in 5 hours at a push.
Any other options for this border crossing?
Of course! Lots of backpackers get the night train, which can take up to 15 hours and costs a bit more, though you do get a bed and save a night’s accommodation. There are other land borders too, which can be crossed by bus or car.
What next?
You’re in Armenia and for sure you should go sightseeing all the monasteries! This is one of the oldest Christian countries on the planet and needs to be seen.
Marvel at Armenia’s immense monasteries.
I’ll add a few videos at some point. Happy border crossing!
Im in Tbilisi now and going to Armenia. Thanks for the great tip of the border crossing to Armenia.
Thanks for your comment Roger. It was a few years back but should still apply – safe border crossing into Armenia. Jonny
I’ve been living in Yerevan for a good 3 months now, and going to move to Tbilisi in 2 weeks. I’m from Indonesia and it’s a little harder for me to go around because I need visa and stuff, but I’m excited! >_<
Hi Ratri, thanks for your comment. Good luck with the visas. Safe travels. Jonny
I’m doing the crossing tomorrow I was feeling a bit worries about the visa and process but after reading your post I’m a little bit relaxed 🙂
Rasha recently posted…Blessed Eid
Hi Rasha, this is a very easy border crossing, just make sure you check if your nationality needs a visa for Armenia or Georgia first. I travelled on an Irish and British passport in 2013 and didn’t need a visa. Safe travels. Jonny
hello Sir,
I’m Reggie and I am a Filipina. I am currently leaving here in Abu Dhabi and me and my husband will be going to Georgia by sept. We will be staying there for 6 days and we are interested in going to Armenia. Is it possible to tour a part of Armenia for just 1 day then come back to Georgia? or do I have to book a hotel for 1 night there and come back to Georgia. Is it hard going back to Georgia thru the border? Thank you for the information, it was really a great help for first timers like me.
Hi Reggie,
You can go for one day if you want, but it’s a bit rushed and your won’t see much. It can be busy at the border and because of the mountains, can take a while to cross so try and spend at least a few days in Armenia and then back to Georgia. Safe travels. Jonny
very smooth & reassuring reading… kudos!!
Hi J, thanks for your comment. I hope you also have a smooth crossing of this border. Safe travels. Jonny
Hello there Jonny 🙂
Thanks for putting this together. I have a question about leaving Armenia. I hear that the authorities there fingerprint people on the way out. Some say only if leaving by air, somewhere else it did not specify and simply said they fingerprint when you exit.
Can you comment on whether any fingerprinting took place when you left?… I’m taking it you left and are not living in a monastry somewhere devoting your day to growing closer to the Holy Spirit 😉
Cheers,
Cearúil
Hi Cearuil, Thanks for the comment. I left Armenia twice overland in 2013 and there was no fingerprinting. Though things may have changed since then and I have never been to an airport in Armenia so I have no idea if they check it there but it seems odd that they would do that in that part of the world. Safe travels. Jonny
Hello jonny I have a query to ask.Can we get armenian visa from georgia on indian passport since indian passport dont have armenia visa on arrival or visa free like other strong countries passports have.Please fill in the information I want .Thanks.
Hi Vishal, thanks for the comment. Sadly I am just a travel writer, blogger, tourist and backpacker and have no idea about the visa situation. This was in 2013, so 4 years ago I could get a visa on arrival for an Irish passport. You will have to check with the authorities. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Vishal, Do you live in India or in Georgia? Well, You have to apply Armenian Visa in the Consulate of Armenia in your country of residence. For Indian Passport holders no invitation in required so just apply to the consulate for the Armenian Tourist Visa. Hope this information helps you. Happy Journey.
Haven’t been to Armenia, but entering Georgia by land has always been a breeze…except that one time at the Red Bridge when I dealt with an utter noob who (aggressively) insisted I needed a passport (I only presented my ID card, as I don’t wish to waste more passport space than necessary). Had brought a government website printout in Georgian proving otherwise but forgot it in the bus, so the supervisor had to be summoned, although the whole thing went fairly swift even still (about 5 min).
Hi Andrede, thanks for the comment, I am surprised to hear your story but surely we should always try to carry our passport when touring? Best wishes and safe travels. Jonny
When going to Georgia alone I never bring it. This time I did, as I was on a two-week overland tour Switzerland-Germany-Denmark-Sweden-Finland-Russia-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-Bulgaria-Serbia-Hungary-Austria-Switzerland, and required a passport for Ru, Kz and Az. So I had it that time, but like I said, really wanted to avoid unnecessary stamps, plus the Azeris had broken the binding cord by bending the passport backwards and trying to bend the ID page (which isn’t bendable on Swedish passports).
Hi I am an Indian with UAE visa want to travel to tiblis and Armenia. Is it better to fly to Tiblis or Armenia first
Please advice. Planning the trip with a group of senior citizen. Thanks
Hi Sunita, thanks for the comment. Again, this option is entirely up to you. Personally I would pick the cheapest flight option and follow that dream, there isn’t much benefit of one over the other for me except for the price, so get checking and pick the cheapest! Safe travels. Jonny
sounds good! are u not planning to go back?
thanks for the info 🙂
will do backpacking there on September
fingers crossed 🙂 cheers!
Hi Jonny,
From Tbilisi to Yerevan you pay 30-40 lari in total for 2 person? Do you know how much will be Tbilisi to Armenia border ?
Hi Jakub, this was 4 years ago so for sure the price won’t be the same. We actually were in a car rather than a mini bus so to save money – get the minibus, but you will have to wait until it fills up. The price must have been for two people but in truth I cannot remember. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Ace, well I never say never so I could go back but currently, I am not considering it. Safe travels. Jonny
I am holding an Indonesian passport and VOA to Armenia , i am planning to go to Georgia and spent sometimes in Armenia vis land /border, my question is do i need to apply for e-visa to enter the Country from Georgia as i know VOA is only if you enter the country via airport….thanks
Hi JB,
Your site is very helpful and would like to commends you for a great lifestyle ??
Just a query please, I’m traveling to Armenia on August with a Valid Visa and have enough time to cross the border going Georgia. As per my current residency (Kuwait) it is Visa free albeit I am a Philippine passport holder. My first time, will it be easier for me in all the cross-check? Thanks. Lani ?
Hi Lani, Thanks for the comment. If you have valid visas for both countries it will be fine. There are bag checks and passport checks between these two countries Armenia and Georgia, but overall, it was a fairly easy border to cross. It was much easier than Philippines and Kuwait for sure (both countries that I backpacked). However I was there 4 years ago in Georgia and Armenia so things might have changed since. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Crazy Dre, thanks for the comment. I carry my passport everywhere, so that’s the difference. I detest countries with no borders, especially the way Belgium and Netherlands, Slovakia and Poland, Scotland and England roll into each other without even a check. I love borders, stamps, visas and I try to get as many passport stamps as I can. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi Yesa, like I mention all the time – I am merely a tourist like you, I was in Armenia and Georgia in 2013 and whatever I wrote applied then to me in my situation with an Irish and British passport.
Today, you will have to check your own personal situation. Safe travels, Jonny
Hi Ronnie thanks for helping out. Best wishes and safe travels to you all. Jonny
hi jonny blair i want to go to armenia for tourist im a filipina living in uae, my question is can i go to spain from armenia? without having a visa? thanks.
Hi Marge, good luck with that. I am just a tourist like you, please contact the relevant embassies or check your situation as things change and vary with nationality. I was there in 2013. Safe travels. Jonny
request you to visit India, Your way of narration is really nice. I want to ask one simple question, which is good country Georgia or Ukraine, I mean in the place of Infrastructure, hospitals, roads, building, hotels etc.
Hi Raja, thanks for your comment. I backpacked in India for 5 weeks and that is enough for now. Maybe later again in life, but I must concentrate on honesty, happiness and making real friends who don’t lie to me. Safe travels. Jonny
Excellent tips! We will be traveling in Georgia/Armenia/Azerbaijan next fall on US passports during a trip around the world. Any suggestions on Airbnb in the region?
Hi Michael, thanks for the comment, I don’t use Air b and B but plenty of great hotels and hostels in Yerevan! Good luck on your tour to the Caucauses. Safe travels. Jonny