Transportation
Getting To and Around the Caucasus
The Caucasus is well-served by planes, trains, buses, and automobiles. Depending on how much time you have, you can travel slowly from Turkey to Georgia, then onto the other Caucasus countries, or fly directly into Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Yerevan, or Baku.
Currently, the land border to Azerbaijan is still closed, so the only means of entering the country is by air. If you’re headed to the Azerbaijani sections of the TCT, please keep this in mind and plan accordingly.
This page focuses on getting to the Caucasus and general transportation information within each country. To learn how to reach the trailhead for your hike, read the trail notes for the section(s) you plan to hike.
Use the buttons below to jump to a specific country’s transport information.
Armenia
Getting to Armenia
By land, you can enter Armenia from either Georgia or Iran (the Turkish and Azerbaijani borders are closed). By air, Yerevan serves as the major international hub. The T-Armenia website provides information on transportation types and timetables for entering and exiting Armenia.
From Georgia
To Yerevan
By Marshrutka
The Armenian border is only a couple hours’ drive from Tbilisi, and marshrutkas leave from Avlabari (Dusheti Street), Station Square (sadguris moedani), and Ortachala Bus Station on a daily basis for Yerevan. Avlabari is perhaps the easiest station to travel from. Make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a seat.
Tickets cost 50 GEL (in cash), regardless of whether you’re travelling all the way to Yerevan or not. Therefore, if you’re not going all they way to Yerevan, there are easier and less expensive ways to travel.
The marshrutka will drop you off at Kilikia Bus Station in Yerevan.
By Train
The overnight train to Yerevan operates year-round but on different schedules, depending on the time of year. Trains leave from Tbilisi’s Station Square and arrive at Yerevan Railway Station.
In winter (October 1 – June 14), the train runs on odd days of the month. It departs at 20:20, arriving in Yerevan at 6:55 the next morning.
In summer (June 15 – September 30), the train runs on even days of the month. It departs at 22:45, arriving in Yerevan at 8:59 the next morning.
*If you are headed to northern Armenia you might consider disembarking at Vanadzor Main Train Station instead of going all the way to Yerevan.
To the Armenian border at Bavra
From Tbilisi or Kutaisi, take a marshrutka to Akhalkalaki or Ninotsminda. If you are traveling to Akhalkalaki from Tbilisi and the driver takes the southern route, you should be able to get off at Ninotsminda. If arriving from elsewhere, you should be able to find a local marshrutka to Ninotsminda or hire a taxi. From Ninotsminda, the easiest route is to hire a taxi to the border or hitchhike.
From Alkhalkalaki, you can also join a marshrutka headed from Akhalkalaki to Yerevan, although it may not be worth the ticket price since you will get out quite early.
From Iran
In theory, the Armenia–Iran land border is open for eligible 3rd country nationals to cross in both directions (provided your documents are in order). The best source of information for entry requirements to Armenia is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. According to previous hikers, the land border is an easy but time consuming process (but maybe without a car it would go much faster).
By Bus
Both Tehran and Tabriz are directly connected to Yerevan by bus. Two daily buses leave from Tehran and make a stop in Tabriz before continuing onto Yerevan. The Azar-ahoo–operated bus leaves 30 minutes before the one operated by Royal Safar. Bus times and tickets can be checked here.
Azar-ahoo Schedule and Ticket Prices:
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- 10:00 Tehran’s West Bus Terminal → 21:00 Tabriz’s Central Bus Station → 13:00 (the next day) Yerevan’s Kilikia Bus Station
- Tehran → Yerevan: 14,000,000 rials
- Tabriz → Yerevan: 13,000,000 rials
Royal Shafar Schedule and Ticket Prices:
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- 10:30 Tehran’s West Bus Terminal → 21:30 Tabriz’s Central Bus Station → 13:30 (the next day) Yerevan’s Kilikia Bus Station
- Tehran → Yerevan: 20,000,000 rials
- Tabriz → Yerevan: 14,000,000 rials
Traveling Within Armenia
Check out the T-Armenia website for transportation information within Armenia.
Modes of Transportation
Marshrutkas
Domestic transportation consists of marshrutkas (minibuses) that take passengers between cities, towns, and villages. Make sure you have cash to pay the driver. Depending on the route, marshrutkas depart from different stations. The local transportation website includes details about each route’s starting points, all stops along the route, and the intervals between marshrutkas. The site is only available in Armenian, so unless you read Armenian, have a translator handy.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is pretty popular in Armenia, and locals are quite friendly and often offer rides. Of course, like anywhere else, use common sense and exercise caution, especially if you’re heading towards the border areas.
From Yerevan Airport to the City Center
Taxi
The fastest way to get into the city is by taxi. Instead of hailing an airport taxi, download the ggtaxi or Yandex apps in advance, then use the free airport WiFi (or pick up a local SIM card in the airport) and book a car.
Bus
Take Airport Express Bus #201. It takes about 40 minutes and costs 300 AMD (can be paid by cash or credit card). Between 7:00 – 22:00, the bus leaves every 30 minutes. From 22:00 – 7:00, it departs every hour.
Georgia
Getting to Georgia
From Armenia
By Marshrutka
Marshrutkas travel daily between Yerevan’s Kilikia Station and Tbilisi’s Avlabari (Dusheti Street) or Ortachala Bus Station. You can find the official timetable here, but upon arrival at Kilikia Station, you’ll notice several buses ready to board passengers and leave for Tbilisi. Hop on one and head off! Tickets cost 8,000 AMD, paid in cash to the driver.
By Train
The overnight train from Yerevan to Tbilisi (and Batumi in the summer) operates year-round but on different schedules, depending on the time of year. Trains leave from Yerevan Railway Station and arrive at Tbilisi’s Central Railway Station and Batumi’s Central Railway Station.
In winter (October 1 – June 14), the train runs on even days of the month. It departs at 21:30, arriving in Tbilisi at 7:35 and Batumi at the next morning.
In summer (June 15 – September 30), the train runs on odd days of the month. It departs at 14:05, arriving in Tbilisi at 00:11 and Batumi at 7:30 the next morning.
*If you’re headed to northern Armenia you might consider disembarking at Vanadzor Main Train Station instead of going all the way to Yerevan.
From Azerbaijan
Although the border into Azerbaijan is closed, you can travel across the land border from Azerbaijan into Georgia (unless you hold Azerbaijani citizenship, in which case, you can only fly out of the country).
From Turkey
Georgia and Turkey have several bus connections between major cities, and travel between the two countries might be long, but it’s relatively painless. Buses are large and stop frequently along the way. Most are equipped with wifi, but you might need a Turkish phone number to access it. Bus tickets to Batumi or Tbilisi can be bought at any major bus station in Turkey or through the Check By Bus app. If you’re traveling to Tbilisi, you’ll get dropped off at Ortachala Bus Station.
From Russia
If you have your own transport, you can enter Georgia from the north by road along the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda Highway. No public buses or other forms of public transportation are available if you are entering from Russia. This is a popular route among cyclists departing Georgia and heading east via Russia.
By Air
Georgia has two primary airports, Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) in Tbilisi and the newly renovated David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) in Kutaisi. WizzAir offers flights to Kutaisi from several European cities, and if you’re traveling to Svaneti, Kutaisi is located much closer than Tbilisi is. If you’re arriving from outside of Europe or a city not serviced by WizzAir, you’ll likely fly into Tbilisi.
Traveling Within Georgia
Modes of Transportation
Marshrutka
Georgian cities, towns, and villages are serviced by marshrutkas (minibuses), with signs in the windshield indicating their destination. Tbilisi has four primary marshrutka stations: Station Square (also the location of Tbilisi’s main railway station), Didube, Ortachala, and Samgori. They serve different parts of the country and international destinations. Marshrutkas‘ destinations often determine which station they depart from. Check here to determine which station your marshrutka leaves from and for a map of Didube Station, and here for a comprehensive guide to marshrutkas in Georgia.
Georgians are quite friendly, and when you arrive at any of the marshrutka stations, drivers are more than happy to help you find your marshrutka. Prices are fixed, and be sure you have cash to pay the driver.
Many marshrutkas run on a schedule, but oftentimes these schedules are loose at best. Don’t wait until the last minute to arrive and hope to get a seat, as marshrutkas leave whenever they fill up, and you may be out of luck.
Many marshrutkas, especially those travelling to high-demand tourist destinations such as Mestia, have plenty of room in the back to store backpacks and luggage.
For longer trips, you can count on at least one rest stop to stretch your legs, use the facilities, and purchase food and drink.
Shared Taxi
Shared taxis are also an option, depending on your destination. Many of the more popular routes have shared taxis, but you won’t find shared taxis to more remote towns or villages. Taxis are much more comfortable, but can cost 2-3 times as much as a marshrutka. You also might be waiting a lot longer for it to fill up and depart. When you arrive at the bus station, drivers will be waiting for you and are more than happy to point you in the direction of a shared taxi going to your desired destination. Be sure you have cash to pay the driver.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is also a popular means of transportation throughout the country, and is recommended between towns and villages where public transportation isn’t available and taxis are expensive. It is generally quite safe, and people are more than willing to pick up passengers. If you’re traveling from a city, it’s best to make your way outside the city limits for a better chance of getting a ride.
From Tbilisi Airport to City Center
Taxi (from app)
Download either the Bolt or Maxim app, and use the free airport wifi to book a car. You can link your credit card to your app account or pay cash. If you pay by cash, have exact change ready because many drivers may not provide change.
Metered taxi
Taxis are available directly outside the arrivals hall and shouldn’t cost more than 40–50 GEL (approximately $17) to the center. Although this is an option, these taxis are much more expensive than those booked through an app.
Bus
Public bus #337 runs to and from Tbilisi airport to the center every hour from 7:00–23:00. You can pay by contactless credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or MetroMoney Card, which you can purchase for 2 GEL at the Bank of Georgia kiosk in the airport. If you purchase a MetroMoney card, remember to top up your card prior to travelling (bus and metro fares are 1 GEL). Check Tbilisi city public bus schedules and real-time locations here or on the Tbilisi Transportation app. The end of the bus line is Station Square, the main Tbilisi train station.
From Kutaisi Airport to City Center
Taxi (from app)
Download either the Bolt or Maxim app, and use the free airport wifi to book a car. You can link your credit card to your app account or pay cash. If you pay by cash, have exact change ready because many drivers may not provide change.
Azerbaijan
Getting to Baku
Baku is served internationally by Baku International Haydar Aliyev Airport, located 24 km north of the city. The Azerbaijani land border is closed, so the only means of entering the country is by air.
Traveling within Azerbaijan
Modes of Transportation
Marshrutka
Marshrutkas (minibuses) are the most common form of transportation within Azerbaijan. Marshrutkas to all of Azerbaijan’s regions and cities depart from the third floor of Baku International Bus Station. Tickets can be purchased at the cash desks located on the third floor, or through the Biletim app. The app also offers the ability to view route schedules, purchase tickets online in advance, and make payments electronically. You will need your passport information to use the app!
Marshrutkas run on a schedule, but oftentimes these schedules are loose at best. Don’t wait until the last minute to arrive and hope to get a seat, as marshrutkas leave whenever they fill up, and you may be out of luck. Prices are fixed, but be sure you have cash to pay the driver.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is also a popular means of transportation throughout the country, especially between towns and villages where public transportation isn’t available and taxis are expensive. It’s generally quite safe, and people are more than willing to pick up passengers. If you’re traveling from a city, it’s best to make your way outside the city limits for a better chance of getting a ride. In Azerbaijan, hitchhikers are often expected to contribute to fuel costs.
From Baku Airport to City Center
Bus
The Aero Express Bus runs 24 hours a day between the airport and the Baku Central Railway Station (28 May Station). Before leaving the airport, buy a BakuKart, the city’s public transport card, for 2 AZDN at the BakuKart kiosk in Terminal 1. Bus tickets cost 1.50 AZN, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Taxi
Baku has two licensed taxi companies, 189 Taxi and Baku Taxi Company, in addition to UBER and Bolt. You can book a car directly through the apps. UBER and Bolt both accept payments via cash or card. When paying with cash, have exact change ready because drivers may not always provide change.
