Yerevan - Tbilisi - train

nltrainer
Traveller
1404 comments

ONLY ev 2nd day-note arrangements around 31-day monthes!
VERY long ride-(mini)buses do it in half the time, take another route which is quite scenic.
Unclear if you can get a ARM visa on this train-or not. Confusing reports about this-in bus always possible. ARM now also has a cheap short-time visa (7 or 10 days or so-for about 10US$)
The train is from the ARM railways and the usual Russky style kupey-old, worn. UNless this has been renewed. Do not fear too much about fullness-except major summer (when it gets extended to Batumi=coast/beach). NO-you cannot book online.

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

I can now confirm that after travelling on this train, it runs every day, according to the departure screen in Yerevan station, and tickets are easily bought at the station, although it can be difficult without some Russian. I was lucky enough to have a woman who spoke some English, and knew someone else who helped translate for me. It's not too expensive, less than £30 single for a bed in a 4 bed compartment. You will get an exit stamp from Armenian officials, and an entry stamp by Georgian officials midway through at the border. I traveled in February, so it was a very quiet train. Not a single other English speaker was on board! It's a truly fascinating experience!

orestgreece
Traveller
44 comments

From 10th of January of 2013 Schengen countries citizens can arrive in Armenia without visa requirements. So is easier and cheaper now to enter Armenia and visit Caucasus and Yerevan :)

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Very good! :)

nltrainer
Traveller
1404 comments

easy it was always-just you had to pay.
NOTE: In WINTER (=now) it runs only ev 2nd day-as noted before! JUSt saw a long report on Lonelyplanet/thorntree.
In SUMMER 1 other train also runs and is often extended to Batumi-for the Black sea, then you have daily service.
IN winter the train is not even half-full-again all those fears about fullness can be swept aside. In Tbil they are quite used to stray foreigners, in Yerevan I myself-some 3 yrs ago by now, met a jolly nice fat lady behind the window (to see how the railways have deteriorated since the times of red hammer and sickle-BTW there is just a screaming Russky sitting beside me in this BKK-internetshop- visit this staion of days goneby) who was all help and it got pretty well. Computersky? Watzat--all by hand.

user#133460
Traveller
3 comments

Did this trip recently - I know this is an old forum but if anyone clicks and is interested PM me

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.
If you like, you can make a blog post about this trip. Always helpful and interesting for other travellers... :)
Peter :)