Russia - Georgia Border
 

After having all direct transport links closed between these two countries for the last couple of years, things are starting to slowly inch forwards. Despite the ongoing political clashes and battle of wills about Abkhazia and South Ossetia, direct flights have resumed, and horror of horrors, they are even thinking of re-opening the solitary border crossing.

Talk is it will be open before the end of 2008.

RIA Novosti - Russia - Russia, Georgia to reopen border checkpoint by late 2008

To Georgia or Ossetia?
 

Hmmm, would that be the Russian border opening to Georgia? Or rather the Russian Border opening to Ossetia? What I understood is that the Russia more or less opened its borders for Ossetians a few weeks back, and that this was perceived as hostile by Georgia.

Stays a very interesting region...

We live in interesting times
 

I am not so confident of "borders opening":-
BBC NEWS | Europe | Russia warned over Georgia move

Yes, it is an interesting region, but Russia has openly stated that they aim to use the recent unilateral declaration of indepence by Kosovo (which was illegal in international law according to them and many international lawyers) as a reason to support all those regions of Georgia that are seeking their own indepence.

This is why, for instance, Spain will not recognise Kosovo as independant: to do so could encourage the Basque and Catalan separatists in their claims.

Its the border to the sovereign part of Georgia. There are two more borders to unofficial Goergia ... one to South Ossetia and one to Abkhazia ... but they are not recognised border crossings by the Georgian Government ... which has no control in those areas anyway.

Its worth bearing in mind whats in it for the Russians. Armenia is one of Russia's big allies in the Region, and its the Armenians pushing the Georgians and the Russians to re-open the border. Armenia is hemmed in by Turkey on the South and West ... a country it has hated for almost 100 years and with who there is no border crossing points. Azerbaijan to the East, a country it has been fighting on and off since independence in 1991 and Georgia to the North (between Armenia and Russia), with whom it enjoys normal civil relations with. So Armenians can only access the outside world via Georgia or by Air. If the Georgian / Russian border is closed (as it has been in recent years) Armenians are hemmed in to just Armenia and Georgia, and themselves cant get to their ally and trading partner Russia. Thus the Armenians have been urging the Russians to re-open the border with Georgia.

If the Russians accept opening the border, its not them doing any favours to Georgia ... its doing a favour to Armenia

Armenia has also had friendly relations with Iran, its southern neighbour since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, therefore it has been able to access the outside world through Iran too.

Keep in mind, however, that the situation Armenia is in now, is not of its own doing. It really hasn't had friendly neighbours for many centuries!!!

There are new on the subject; still closed?

According to this (Beyond clouds - through Russia to Georgia - ADVrider) it looks to be open...


Casper

Hi Casper
If you read the report you will find they are from Estonia which was a part of old Soviet Republic, seems lots of these borders are open to CIS persons.
would be nice to read a report from a none CIS person who had crossed this way in the last few months from Georgia to Russia.

Eric

Hi Eric,

I know, it's kind of a gamble to go the whole way without being 100% sure that it's open for non CIS persons. I heard rumors that someone might try it in July, but until that person commit to it I'll not mention names.

Casper

Thorntree
 

Hi,
Have a look at this tread:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2122018&start=15
According "soviettruck" the border is open to foreigners.
But then again no info from someone non CIS actually crossing........
Cheers

Wolsly

There will be riders from the UK trying this Boarder crossing in Late May. Fingers crossed .

Up dates will be posted ASAP.

Dazzer

Good News Dazzer, i hope its open when you get there!!
We will be heading that way August, we still want to ride the Georgia Military Highway border open or closed, just means a ride back to Trabzon if closed.

Eric

There is "no foreigner" known, passed this border yet.

It is chaotic and I am not sure if it will be open clearly.
Better not to trust information but wait and see.

Somebody who are near can give a try on the way and we can have info about it.

I asked to many people in Georgia but couldn't get a satisfactory answer yet.

if they travelled on Estonian passports (EU passports), then they are non CIS. The three baltic states are not part of the CIS. Which is good news for you Dazzer.

It is, however, possible that they had dual nationality - Estonian and Russian passports - since about 30% of Estonia is Russian. If they had (and used) Russian passports, then its not much good news to us foreigners.

no luck
 

I was there in May 2010. No luck to cross border. Only CIS citizens with special visa from moscow and one exception - Austria citizens also can cross border cause Austria mediate between Russia & Georgia.
Nothing has changed still since then. I am from Lithuania(Baltics, EU).

I hear from the locals about many unsuccessful tries to cross this border. There is no normal way from south Russia on bike...

Last August two Bulgarian bikes crossed from Russian to Georgia: Пътуване до Кавказ - Страница 3. Here is the route they took: https://picasaweb.google.com/1097777...15528320305378 Border was opened for all in last June/July for everybody.

I almost tried it as well, but after unsuccessful entry to Abkhazia decided to drive via Turkey back to Europe.

I'm an American citizen and I crossed this border last year in early October, going from Russia to Georgia near Kazbegi. So it was definitely open as of last autumn and I have seen nothing to suggest that it has been closed since. There was a bit of confusion on how to deal with me on the Russian side, but I was through the Georgian side in less than 10 minutes. The Georgian Military Highway is spectacular, enjoy.

Crossing from Georgia to Russia via Kazbegi/Vladikavkaz border point May 2012:
 

Went Friday 11 May 2012 up from Tbilisi to Kazbegi via Georgian Military Highway. The road is very nice, except for the crossing over the pass, where you have 14 km of really bad road. The rest is brand new and fun to ride.
Went up to the border point,parked the bike and asked the guy from custom if I can cross as a non russian/georgian/CIS citizen the border. The answer was YES YOU CAN!
I asked then again, and mentioned that last year the border was closed for foreigners. They said yes, it was closed but now it's open, it is ok to cross to Russia. If you have a russian visa, of course.
I did not crossed because I wanted to go to Azerbaijan and from there to Turmenistan on the way to Mongolia and Siberia.

That's good to know. However, this crosses into a region that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office advise not to travel through:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/content/en/tra...ssia/672443082

I know FCO advice needs to be taken with a pinch of salt just as travelling through the area would require heightened caution but what are peoples thoughts on travelling through this region despite what the FCO advise? Particularly interested in views from those who HAVE travelled, & RECENTLY, through these areas.

Good news
 

Crossed the Kazbegi border day before yesterday - easy efficient.
British Citizen.

Be:funmeteryes:st wishes - Alec

Which direction? Did you cross with a motorbike? Did you feel safe travelling through these 'no go' areas?

'Which direction? Did you cross with a motorbike? Did you feel safe travelling through these 'no go' areas?'

I crossed from from Georgia to Russia on my Yamaha TT250R.
Don't know about no go areas, most normal border crossing ever.
Both border control areas are very smart, Russian one looks new, and well staffed.
The russians appeared to want to process me fast and efficiently.
Never once did I feel unsafe. Infact I rough camped in farm workers shelter that night.


Alec

That's excellent news. I might use this border in August rather than the Trabzon-Sochi. I'm glad you felt safe, it just shows that the FCO travel advice should be taken with a punch of salt.

It should be noted that I headed towards Elista (Little Mongolia), rather than Groznyy.

Alec

Great News
 

Hi Alec
What time was the border open or is it 24hrs??
We are heading to Astrakhan may follow a similar route and avoid Grozny

Eric

Thanks for sharing this. I'll be there in 3 weeks time.

Do you have any updated schedule about Trabzon-Sochi ferry? The only I found is this

Commercial Sea Port of Sochi

which is refferring to an hydrofoil vessel, not suitable for a bike. I have no info about a Ro-Ro type.

Thanks to all!

Excellent, let us know how you get on.

Google:

Commercial Sea Port of Sochi

trabzon-sochi ferry - Hubb

Sochi - Trabzon Ferry - ADVrider

Day 8 – Sochi; Sochi – Trabzon – by ferry | There and back again

I have some notes with links somewhere I'll try and find them...

Verhni Lars -Kazbegi border between georgia and russia is open now..we got messages from 2 UK.bikers who have done this easily and fast...also confirmed by georgian consulate in İstanbul..5 more UK. biker friends,1 with sidecar,will be there within a few days to cross in russia..
pleasure to take this a change to wish them happy,safe,lucky trips who were at the club a while ago..
Good-bye and good luck Willie,Gobi Girls,Nadine,Belinda, İain, Debby, Daren, Leigh,

@naga
talked to the owner of the ferry ERKE yesterday..ask and visit sarı denizcilik at trabzon seaport..easy to find..some english and russian spoken..
During May, from Trabzon to Sochi, only 1 ferry service available each week on Fridays..Departure time at 6 pm..but you must be there before 4 pm.for formalities..time is 12-14 hours..

Prices.For May only.
250 usd. for 1 bike
120 passenger seat
150 passenger bed in cabin.
FERRY NAME ERKE
schedule will be changed in June.

SARI DENIZCILIK

Best Wishes.

That's EXCELLENT information, thank you! This news will go a long way in alleviating the concerns of my family and friends about me travelling through the Caucasus Region. They hear Chechnya and remember Belsan and have stroke!

$500+ usd is a lot of money compared to taking the border crossing...

bier

@istanbul bisiklet motosiklet
Thanks for this extremely detailed information.
I’ll make use of the Trabzon-Sochi ferry as a back-up solution only; and since you confirm that Kazbegi is open for non-CSI citizens ... a bunch of money can be saved!:clap:
@stephen
The same goes for my families too!
However, I plan to visit Beslan and I imagine it will be a bery sad day….:(

Border Crossing Point GEO -RUS at Verkhniy Lars is open for non-CSI citizens too; I crossed it this morning with a valid russian visa. No more then 30' to wait.


Beside 20 km. from Gadauri (GEO) to north, the road is good.

:clap: bier

This is proving it is a regular crossing sooner than where an Official made a mistake.

Great news - thanks.

Is there any information on non CIS passport holders crossing the other way (ie. entering Georgia from RUS)?

In recent times some Georgia borders have been one way only.

We crossed at the Kazbegi crossing, Georgia into Russian, on 1st June. No problems, the Russian guards had a look in our box but didn't have to take anything out. There doesn't appear to be anywhere to get insurance at this crossing so keep this in mind.

No info regarding Russia into Georgia as such other than the day before we crossed, we talked to Klaus from Germany who had entered Georgia from Russia so it appears to be both ways.

That's excellent news. Georgia is sounding better and better: the Kazbegi border is open and getting through them is easy. Really looking forward to getting into Georgia.

Bit off topic... but for you folks that have been through Georgia, is there anywhere to draw out cash on or near the border? If not will there be someone lingering on the border to change some currency and what do they prefer to change? Will they take Euros, Dollars or Roubles in Georgia.

Sorry for the repeat post...

Georgia is a wonderful country - dont do the Georgia in two days routine! Suggest that you take a little time to explore... slow down and enjoy georgian hospitality and wine.
"Nick and George" | PAN Parks recommended stop - and you can trade the bike for a horse and get up into the hills!! excellent food!!

Do you need a visa for Georgia and Armenia
I am thinking of coming through from Russia to Turkey
Azerbijan requires visa and is expensive or should I try to go here too?
Thanks

No visa required for Georgia .

Dazzer

No visa required for British nationals in Georgia. Don't know about other nationalities.

Seems I posted my last trip report in the wrong section (Northern Asia): Crossing the Caucasus from Ossetia to Adjaria - Gentleman Adventurer

It answers some of the above questions:

* yes, it is possible to cross from Russia to Georgia at Kazbegi / Verkhny Lars (we just did so in June 2012 on German and Austrian passports)

* no visa is required for Georgia (but make sure your passport has no stamps of Abkhazia or South Ossetia)

* visiting South Ossetia is only possible from the Russian side (Vladikavkaz - North Ossetia) but definitely not from Georgia at Gori / Tsinkhvali, contrary to Wikitravel etc. I tried very hard and got a tough grilling by the Georgian military and later security service.

* the Russian Caucasus is much safer than one would expect from the FCO travel warnings. Chechnya is fantastically rebuilt and pretty safe. Even two good hotels there. Ingushetia is still a bit crazy (borderguards), but only a very short ride. Kabardino-Balkaria also looks & feels a little rougher, but crossing by day shouldn't be a problem. Dagestan seems to be the current dangerzone, but it is doable nevertheless (we went from Grozny through Machackala to Kalmykia and Astrakhan.) The risk is to be caught in a political shoot-out, but probably not any more the kidnapping of foreigners or unusual street criminality.

I successfully crossed the Kazbegi border on the 1 August 2012,it's quick, easy and very efficient. I even got a photo of one of the border guards posing with the bike before I was told "NO PICTURES!" Don't bother with the expensive and time consuming Trabzon-Sochi Ferry. Kazbegi is beautiful, don't bother booking accommodation, just turn up in the square and someone will off you a homestay.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...orderGuard.jpg

I crossed the same border on 3rd of August.
Crossing was easy, stayed couple of nights in Stepandsminda (Georgia).
Now need to wait couple of days in Astrakhan to cross Kazakhstan border.

Rode through Dagestan yesterday without any problems.
In police checkpoints they just said something about Dagestan (did not understood what they said).
People were really nice everywhere. From one car someone waved big knife towards me, but I just waved my hand at him and got handwave back.

Passed also Grozny, without even noticing whole place (except lot of police checkpoints in that area).

Hi Hemuli,

you have a cool travel blog. I have included it in my list of Best Danger Travel Websites - Gentleman Adventurer

Yes, the road from Machackala to Astrakhan is unexpectedly bad in some places :cool4:

Good luck for your onward journey!

double posting

Thanks Travelbug and greetings from Dushambe, Tajikistan :thumbup1:

Great news about the Military Highway border being open to non CIS passport holders. Does anybody know if it is a year round road? I'm hoping to cross into Russia in January sometime,do people think that would be possible or better to go via Abkhazia?

Thanks

Hello, we have just crossed the Georgian Military Highway. There are numerous tunnels en route which were being repaired as we drove up on the Kazbegi side, which implies that they are preparing it for winter. It is mostly scrubby potholed dirt road on this side, so not much fun in the ice and snow.

On the Tbilisi side there is a ski resort, and the road is mostly tarmac, so they must keep it clear for the skiiers to get to the resort.

It was 6 decrees C at 9 am last week (early September) when we camped in Kazbegi, so enjoy the weather in January!

Georgian Military Highway situation with Russia ???
 

Hi everybody bier
A very good friend is in Georgia now and wants to go back to Russia by the military highway who colapsed the 20th of august 2014...
Is somebody have fresh informations about this road ???
Thanks in advence and enjoy riding
:mchappy:

Seems to be open as of last week:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...985#post479098

I guess this route could be a bit better choice ? To avoid Dagestan more schetchy areas etc
https://goo.gl/maps/WVdtaqR559U2
:nuke: