Georgia border permits and border crossings

Map of Georgian border crossings

Below is a map of Georgia’s main border crossings in 2025. This map is taken from the book EXPLORE GEORGIA.

Entering Georgia by land: administrative formalities

The formalities for entering Georgia are very straightforward, especially for Europeans, who are exempt from visa requirements and only need (in theory) a valid identity card. Attempts at bribery at Georgian border crossings are rare, and customs formalities are generally fairly swift. The table below lists the various border crossings open to foreigners. Please note that some border crossings may close or open very quickly, depending on the health or geopolitical situation.

You can enter Georgia with your vehicle for up to 3 months, without paying customs fees. You don’t need a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD). After 3 months in Georgia, you have several options:

• Exit and re-enter Georgian territory. In this case, you benefit from an additional 3 months.
• Temporary importation of your vehicle. Customs will exchange your license plates for Georgian plates for up to 3 years. It is advisable to be accompanied by a Georgian, as the procedure can be long and laborious. You’ll need to go to customs at Roustavi.

If you do not regularize your situation before the end of the 3-month period, you will have to pay a fine on leaving Georgian territory.

Main border crossings in Georgia

Last update : January 2025

Georgia-Russia border

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia have remained tense since the 2008 conflict, and the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, is not helping the situation. At the time of writing, the security situation in Georgia remains unchanged and poses no problems for tourists. However, the situation may change, particularly in the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, so we recommend that you keep an eye on the news. What’s more, this war is likely to disrupt access routes and land and sea transport for several months or even years.

At present, the Georgian-Russian land border is open to foreign visitors, and Russia continues to issue visas to foreign visitors. You won’t be able to apply for a Russian tourist visa at the consulate in Georgia, as they only issue 3-day transit visas. For tourist visas, you need to apply in advance in your home country, or go through a specialized agency. Also note that Western credit cards (VISA, MASTERCARD) no longer work in Russia, so you’ll need to bring enough cash for the duration of your trip. It is possible to obtain Russian insurance for your vehicle immediately after crossing the border (in June 2023): 2300 rubles for 15 days for a 4×4). Travelers who have recently crossed Russia say they were well received by the Russians and encountered no security problems. Join our facebook group Overland Georgia to follow other travelers’ live feedback.

Zemo Larsi – Verkhnij Lars

The only open border crossing between Georgia and Russia. Make sure you allow plenty of time, as there are often long waits due to the large number of goods trucks crossing the border.

Georgia-Azerbaijan border

Since the start of the covid-19 pandemic, Azerbaijan has maintained the closure of its land and sea borders for entry only. However, there are no restrictions on flights into the country, and exits by land or sea are also permitted. Nevertheless, it is currently forbidden to enter the country by land or sea. This is unlikely to change any time soon.

Lagodekhi – Balakan

Border crossing closed to foreign visitors in the direction of Georgia ➡️ Azerbaijan since 2020.

Tsiteli/Red Bridge – Shikhli/Sixli

Border crossing closed to foreign visitors in the Georgian-Azerbaijani direction. ➡️ Azerbaijan since 2020.

Gardabani – Boyuk Kasik

Border crossing closed to foreign visitors in the Georgian-Azerbaijani direction. ➡️ Azerbaijan since 2020.

Georgia-Armenia border

Whether through the Bagratashen – Sadakhlo, Gogavan – Guguti or Bavra – Ninotsminda checkpoints, the Georgia-Armenia border is open to international travellers and poses no particular difficulties.

Bagratashen – Sadakhlo

Open to international travelers. This is the busiest border crossing, so there may be a wait.

Gogavan – Guguti

Small border post open to international travellers. Quick and easy. Please note that part of the road is unpaved.

Bavra – Ninotsminda

Small border post open to international travellers. Quick and easy.

Georgia-Turkey border

The Hopa-Sarpi checkpoint is the busiest, but also the easiest. The road runs alongside the Black Sea, and border crossings are straightforward. The other two border crossings (Posof-vale and Cildir-Aktas) are less well known, but are also open to international travellers.

Hopa – Sarpi

Open to international travelers 24/7. This is the busiest border crossing, so there may be a wait. There’s an ATM on the Georgian side and a few exchange offices.

Cildir – Aktas

Open to international travelers 24/7. There are no ATMs on the Georgian side, but you will find a few exchange offices.

Posof-Vale

Open to international travelers 24/7. The road is beautiful, but in poor condition on the Georgian side. There are no ATMs on the Georgian side, but there are exchange offices.

Georgia-Abkhazia border

Shortly after the collapse of the USSR in 1992, the Georgian separatist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia declared themselves independent. After years of tension and conflict between the separatist groups and the Georgian authorities, the rupture finally became irreversible in the 2008 war, which led to the permanent military occupation of these two territories by Russia. Is it possible to travel to both regions? It is theoretically possible to travel to Abkhazia from Georgia, but we don’t recommend that tourists do so. The area around the occupation line is dangerous. If you then enter Russia via Abkhazia, you will no longer be able to travel to Georgia on the same passport. What’s more, if you leave Russia via Abkhazia and enter Georgia, you risk a prison sentence and a hefty fine, as you will have entered Georgia illegally.

Ingouri

Open to international travelers on condition of prior visa application. Please note that you can only enter on foot (vehicles are not allowed from Georgia). Here is the procedure for obtaining a visa:
1 – Apply for an e-visa: mfaapsny.org/en/consular-service/permission/
2 – Print out the confirmation letter in 3 copies (you’ll need to hand it in at the border).
3 – Once you have arrived in Abkhazia, you must go to the consular service within 3 working days to receive your visa for the Republic of Abkhazia.

Border Georgia-South Ossetia

Border crossings between South Ossetia and Georgia are closed to foreign visitors. Access to the border areas with South Ossetia is regulated, so a permit is required for tracks 23, 24 and part of track 1 in our Explore Georgia guide.

Insuring your vehicle in Georgia

Since 2018, car insurance is mandatory to enter Georgia. This is the “ Compulsory Civil Liability Insurance of Foreign-Registered Motor Vehicle Holders “. You can take out this insurance directly on arrival at the border, or in advance on the official Compulsory Insurance Center website: www.tpl.ge/en

You’ll pay 50 GEL for a car and 35 GEL for a motorcycle for 30 days.

Border permits and restricted zones in Georgia

Certain border areas are subject to strict regulations governing the movement of people, particularly foreigners. A border permit is required to visit each of these zones. Please note that all the track numbers below refer to the 24 tracks in the Explore Georgia book.

Truso Valley

📍 Track 1 in the Explore Georgia guide

A permit is required to go beyond the Zakagori fortress in the Truso valley. Caution: this section of the track, bordering South Ossetia, is level 5 because of a dangerous ford. To obtain this border permit, you’ll need to explain to the military that you wish to visit the area as a tourist, and how long you plan to stay. Present your passport and you’ll receive authorization 30 min later (if the military are cooperative). The permit is free of charge.

Vashlovani park, Chachouna reserve, Iori reserve

📍 Tracks 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the Explore Georgia guide

From Vashlovani Park to the village of Udabno, the border area with Azerbaijan is tightly controlled. A border permit is required for runways 7, 8 and 9. A permit for Vashlovani Park is required for tracks 6 and 9. 7. Finally, a permit for the Chachouna reserve is required for the track. 8. The procedure for obtaining these permits is detailed below. To discover our 4-day itinerary from Vashlovani Park to the David Gareja Monastery, go to this article.

Authorization for Vashlovani Park and Chachuna Reserve is issued to Vashlovani Visitor Centre in Dedoplistskaro. You must present your passport and vehicle documents. If you’re renting a vehicle, check that the rental agency has provided you with these documents.

• • Admission: 5 GEL per person.
  • Vehicle: 5 GEL per vehicle (motorcycles are not allowed on tracks 6, 7 and 8, and trucks are not allowed on track 7).
  • Overnight bivouac: 5 GEL per person per night.
  • Night in a bungalow: double room GEL 40 per night, triple room GEL 50 per night.

To Track 7 (Vashlovani Park), Track 8 (Chachouna Reserve) and Track 9 (Iori Steppes), you can apply for a border permit at the border police in Dedoplistskaro. after obtaining permission from the Vashlovani Visitor Centre or the Tbilisi border police (12 Simon Kandelaki street). You can also apply directly online on their website, by filling in a form and indicating your itinerary.

Please note that at each checkpoint, guards will check your border permit, authorization, car papers and passport. If any of these documents is missing, you will not be able to enter the park.

Mamisoni and Notsara Passes

📍 Tracks 23 and 24 in the Explore Georgia guide

Bordering South Ossetia, the Mamisoni and Notsara passes require a border permit, which will be issued to you at Oni. The border police is located in rue Baazovi. If you’re doing both tracks, make sure you specify this, as the authorizations are different for each. The permit is free of charge.

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