Looking for information for a travel project in Georgia and Armenia

Hey everyone! A comeback after so many years... but my question is simple: "Has anyone wandered around these two countries recently? (The posts and travel journals I’ve read are a bit dated.) I’m planning a trip for late spring—one I had mapped out for 2023 but never got to do. For any info on transportation, border crossings, cost of living, and interesting hostel/GH addresses, thanks in advance! 😉

Hello,

You should provide details about your planned route and travel style—you’d get more targeted responses that way. As it stands, it’s too vague.

Michel

Thanks Michel for your tips! Backpacking trip for two, with route and GH accommodations generally planned before departure. A few questions for now, in no particular order: a/ Can we cross the Georgia-Armenia border south of Akhaltsikhe toward Gyumri by rental car or public transport? b/ Same question from Tbilisi to Azerbaijan for a side trip to Shaki? c/ Is the road from Akhaltsikhe to Batumi via Khulo paved and passable in early June? d/ Exploring Svaneti in 2 nights: should we stay in Mestia or Ushguli? Is travel between the two easy by minibus or other transport? That’s all for now... Thanks in advance for your replies! 😄

So...

a / The Bavra border post? On foot, by horse, or by car—taxi, whatever you prefer, and it's open 24/7.

b / Unless there’s been a recent change, entry isn’t possible by land—only exit.

c / Yes.

d / I don’t know.

Michel

Thanks for the details! Have a great day

Thanks Michel for your advice Backpacking trip for two with route and hostel stays generally planned before departure. A few questions, in no particular order for now: a/ Can you cross the Georgia-Armenia border south of Akhaltsikhe toward Gyumri by rental car or public transport? b/ Same question from Tbilisi to Azerbaijan for a side trip to Shaki? c/ Is the road from Akhaltsikhe to Batumi via Khulo paved and drivable in early June? d/ Exploring Svaneti in 2 nights: should we stay in Mestia or Ushguli? Is transportation between the two easy, like minibuses or something similar? That’s all for now... Thanks in advance for your replies

Hi there,

Yes, I traveled around both countries in the summer of 2025.

a/ Yes, there are also buses, taxis, etc... b/ The land border is still closed to tourists. c/ No idea. d/ 2 days is short, especially since it’s remote and the journey can be very long. It’d be a shame not to do any hiking. For accommodation, Mestia is bigger—more options at all price points. You can also choose your restaurant, go to the store, and buy whatever you want. In Ushguli, the village is beautiful but very touristy. It can be a bit pricey and sometimes there aren’t many choices (it’s still quite isolated). A bit overrated, in my opinion. There are minibuses (you’ll have to find them) and taxis between the two towns.

Have a great trip.

Hi Vincent, Thanks for the reply, and glad to find someone who’s been to Georgia recently! I’m revisiting a 2023 project I couldn’t do at the time. If I need any info, I know where to ask! 😉

Don't hesitate!

Have a great trip! 😊

Hey everyone, and happy long Ascension weekend—even if the weather’s more like November! At least we’ve got time to plan: I’ve been fine-tuning my Georgia-Armenia trip: * 17 nights, round-trip flight from France to Kutaisi at the end of August/beginning of September - First 5 nights around Kuta / Okatse Canyon and Svaneti - Next 4 in Tbilisi (including 1 "tourist transport" day trip to Vardzia via Borjomi) and an overnight train to Yerevan - 5 nights looping Yerevan - Sevan - Areni - Yerevan - Back to Tbilisi by bus, then train to Kutaisi for the last 2 nights in Kuta.

I’m renting a car in Kuta (3 days) at the start and another in Yerevan (same). The rest is trains and buses. By the way, does anyone know if the Tbilisi-Kutaisi E60 highway is fully completed end-to-end?

About that "tourist transport" day with G... Y... G...—if anyone’s done this with any tour operator (there are plenty of options on their site), I’d love to hear about it!

If anyone’s planning a trip for the coming months or has recent experience and some great GH recommendations, I’m all ears... same for any other tips! Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hi there,

Hope you're having a great trip! In Areni, Armenia, you can also do a wine tasting—they’ve got some pretty good ones in the area (it’s a bit pricey, but you rarely see Armenian wines outside the country). This is just our opinion, but we were a little disappointed with Sevan. We preferred Dilijan for hiking. Basically, you’re by the lake, and there’s not much to do (even the monastery is just okay). Up to you, though!

Safe travels!

Thanks for the info! Nothing’s set in stone for the stops—just a rough geographic outline of the trip! Have a great day

Hi, Since this year, you need repatriation insurance (via your Visa Premier or Mastercard)

A very well-made French guide: www.ountravela.com Best regards

Thanks... but the address given doesn’t exist online!

Hi, sorry for the typo: www.ountravela.com/info-georgie

www ountravela.com/info-georgie

thanks :)