I am planning a trip to the countries above, but how do I do it?
I am looking at a roundtrip ticket to Tbilisi, then take bus to Yerevan and Baku, but how to do it the easiest way?
1. Is Georgia visa free for EU-passport holders? Is there a visa fee every time I get in and out of the country?
2. Can I go Tbilisi - Yerevan - Baku or do I have to get back to Tbilisi to get to Baku?
Any help is highly appreciated.
JDiver
May 28, 12, 8:45 am
We have received AMP/RBPs about these nations being discussed in the Asia Forum, but they are in fact, all three of them, part of the 48 official nations in Asia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories _in_Asia).
JDiver, Senior Moderator
henrikfromdenmark
May 28, 12, 9:53 am
We have received AMP/RBPs about these nations being discussed in the Asia Forum, but they are in fact, all three of them, part of the 48 official nations in Asia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories _in_Asia).
JDiver, Senior Moderator
Yes that is why I have placed them in Asia Forum, can't find info on this, can anyone help?
lin821
May 28, 12, 10:26 am
Have you checked out the existing discussion threads over Europe Forum and Russia Forum?
I'm American and went to Tbilisi last Oct (Pegasus flight from Istanbul).
1. Is Georgia visa free for EU-passport holders? Is there a visa fee every time I get in and out of the country? can't help you with that one, sorry
2. Can I go Tbilisi - Yerevan - Baku or do I have to get back to Tbilisi to get to Baku? As I understand it, the border between Yerevan and Baku is closed at this time - you would have to return to Tbilisi.
Tbilisi was outstanding! I recommend the awesome Skadaveli Guesthouse (http://www.ska.ge/#/content/skadaveli%5Finfo/) right in the middle of the old city - inexpensive and just plain wonderful. The owner makes his own wine and became an instant friend. Next time, I too want to see Armenia. I think Tbilisi and Georgia will spoil you for the other destinations.
(be sure to try the Cha Cha - the local homebrew, or grape vodka - excellent!)
skchin
May 28, 12, 11:13 pm
I am planning a trip to the countries above, but how do I do it?
I am looking at a roundtrip ticket to Tbilisi, then take bus to Yerevan and Baku, but how to do it the easiest way?
1. Is Georgia visa free for EU-passport holders? Is there a visa fee every time I get in and out of the country?
2. Can I go Tbilisi - Yerevan - Baku or do I have to get back to Tbilisi to get to Baku?
Any help is highly appreciated.
One thing you have to understand is that Armenia and Azerbaijan is unofficially still at war. When I was in Azerbijan, I was told only way to travel to Yerevan was from Turkey. Currently it's very difficult to travel between 2 countries. I did travel to Tbilisi from Baku by overnight train. Visa at Baku cost me $130 US for multi entry at the airport. I can't remember what for Tbilisi.
henrikfromdenmark
May 29, 12, 11:13 am
One thing you have to understand is that Armenia and Azerbaijan is unofficially still at war. When I was in Azerbijan, I was told only way to travel to Yerevan was from Turkey. Currently it's very difficult to travel between 2 countries. I did travel to Tbilisi from Baku by overnight train. Visa at Baku cost me $130 US for multi entry at the airport. I can't remember what for Tbilisi.
At war? wow thanks for this info. Didn't knew it was that bad.
Is it really a problem to travel Georgia - Azerbaijan - Georgia- Armenia?
skchin
May 29, 12, 1:32 pm
At war? wow thanks for this info. Didn't knew it was that bad.
Is it really a problem to travel Georgia - Azerbaijan - Georgia- Armenia?
Are you planning on travel by train?
henrikfromdenmark
May 29, 12, 5:54 pm
Are you planning on travel by train?
train or bus :)
Lobster
May 29, 12, 11:17 pm
You can not travel between Armenia and Azerbaijan as they are still technically at war (although not actually fighting). I did this few years ago and flew to Yerevan. Took at bus from Yerevan to Tbilisi and then the overnight train to Baku and flew out of Baku.
They are great countries and well worth a visit.
skchin
May 31, 12, 8:38 am
Brush up on your Russian before you go if you plan on taking the bus (most likely a van).
ryanbryan
Jun 2, 12, 1:44 am
When I was in Azerbijan, I was told only way to travel to Yerevan was from Turkey.
You were told incorrectly (for the most part). Land borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan AND Turkey are closed and cannot be crossed. You can however fly from Turkey to Armenia. There is no way to travel at all between Azerbaijan and Armenia directly.
You would be wise to do some reading on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict before travelling in the area, as it dominates political discourse across the Caucasus, and you are likely to make some kind of faux-pas unless you are well briefed on the issues.
The best way to do a trip like this (which I am doing at the moment) is to start in Azerbaijan, make your way to Georgia and then to Armenia. An Armenian stamp in your passport won't hinder you from entering Azerbaijan, but it may cause them to look at you more carefully. You won't have the same issue with an Azerbaijan visa going into Armenia.
Coaches are not particularly common on these routes - the most common way of doing it is to take overnight train between Baku and Tbilisi, and marshrutka or taxi between Tbilisi and Yerevan.
jms_uk
Jun 3, 12, 2:55 pm
Also, please note that you can't get AZ visa at the airport anymore - it needs to be obtained before travel.
rankourabu
Jun 3, 12, 5:22 pm
I landed in EVN, stayed in Armenia for 6 days - taking some tours organized by Envoy Hostel since its a bit hard to get around the country without your own transport. A group of us then took a van up to Tbilisi, spent another week in Georgia, which was much easier to get around by public transport, flew out of Batumi.
Baku didnt make it on that trip... because of the visa hassles.
Vans from Erevan to Tbilisi are frequent.
Had a fantastic time in both countries. Georgia food and wine were just superb.
Visa Exemptions:
- Nationals of Georgia.
- Nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
- A max. stay of 360 days for nationals of EU Member States
[[TIRGL/EEU]] , Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina,
Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana,
Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait,
Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New
Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi
Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts and
Nevis, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, United
Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vatican City (Holy See).
- A max. stay of 360 days for holders of British passports
endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories
Citizen .
- A max. stay of 90 days for nationals of Iran, Russian Fed.
and Turkey.
- Holders of diplomatic, official, service or special
passports issued to nationals of Bulgaria, China (People's
Rep.), Romania and Turkmenistan.
- A max. stay of 30 days for holders of diplomatic, official
or service passports issued to nationals of Egypt.
- Holders of a Residence/Re-entry Permit issued by Georgia to
alien residents.
- Holders of a UN "Laissez-Passer", if being visa exempt
according to nationality.
- A max. stay of 6 months for holders of diplomatic, official,
service or special passports, issued to nationals of Peru.
TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
- Those not leaving the aircraft and continuing their journey
to a third country. No transit lounge available.
Merchant Seamen:
- Same regulations as for normal passport holders apply.
Crew Members:
- Same regulations as for passengers apply.
Military:
- Same regulations as for passengers apply.
Visa Issuance:
- Holders of normal passports issued to nationals of a country
not listed above can obtain a visa on arrival.
Fee: GEL 50.- for a 90 day, single entry visa; GEL 100.-
for a 360 day, multiple entry visa (SEE NOTE 21970).
NOTE 21970: Nationals of India and Pakistan must notify
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1 month in advance.
- Holders of an authorization letter issued by the Georgian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to holders of UN
"Laissez-Passer", can obtain a visa on arrival.
- Holders of return or onward tickets can obtain a transit
visa, for a max. stay of 3 days. Fee: varies between USD 5.-
and 30.-.
Additional Information:
- Passengers holding an open ticket, must indicate on the visa
application form by whom they are invited. It is possible to
extend the visa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fee
varies from GEL 51.- up to GEL 357.-. Minors can extend
their visa free of charge.
CHECK [[TINEWS/N1]] - POLAND: UEFA EURO 2012
04 Jun 2012 / 02:33 [UTC]
ironmanjt
Jun 5, 12, 7:32 pm
I flew into Baku, then one-way flight on AZAL Azerbaijani to Tblisi...from where I hired a driver to take me to Yerevan a few days later. Worked like a charm...and was a good route! Flew back from yerevan. There's more details on my blog if your want to read about it....or I posted a thread in the Trip Reports forum here last July or August.
hauteboy
Jun 8, 12, 1:47 pm
we did open-jaw into Baku, out of Tbilisi many years ago, then did Baku - Tbilisi train, then shared taxi/minibus to Yerevan and back.