Tbilisi–Baku Train Is Back: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Trip
After several years of suspension, the overnight train between Tbilisi and Baku is back in service, offering travelers a comfortable and scenic alternative to flying between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
If you're planning to take this route, here are the most important things you should know before booking your ticket.
If you're planning to take this route, here are the most important things you should know before booking your ticket.
Who Can Travel on the Train?
According to the official information published by the Azerbaijani authorities, the train is available to:
Visa-Free Countries Eligible to Travel
At the time of writing, citizens of the following countries can enter Azerbaijan without a visa and are therefore generally eligible to use the Tbilisi–Baku train:
Always verify the latest entry requirements before travelling, as immigration rules may change.
- Citizens of Azerbaijan.
- Foreign nationals who are eligible for visa-free entry into Azerbaijan.
Visa-Free Countries Eligible to Travel
At the time of writing, citizens of the following countries can enter Azerbaijan without a visa and are therefore generally eligible to use the Tbilisi–Baku train:
- 🇦🇱 Albania – up to 90 days
- 🇧🇾 Belarus – up to 90 days
- 🇨🇳 China – up to 30 days per entry (maximum 90 days within any 180-day period)
- 🇬🇪 Georgia – up to 90 days
- 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan – up to 90 days
- 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan – up to 90 days
- 🇲🇻 Maldives
- 🇲🇩 Moldova – up to 90 days
- 🇲🇦 Morocco – up to 90 days (ordinary passport holders only)
- 🇶🇦 Qatar – up to 30 days*
- 🇷🇺 Russia – up to 90 days per calendar year
- 🇷🇸 Serbia – up to 90 days
- 🇹🇯 Tajikistan – up to 90 days
- 🇹🇷 Türkiye – up to 90 days
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates – up to 90 days
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine – up to 90 days
- 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan – up to 90 days
Always verify the latest entry requirements before travelling, as immigration rules may change.
Where to Buy Tickets
Theoretically, Tickets can be purchased through the official Azerbaijan Railways website:
https://ticket.ady.az/
But technically its not possible as of july 2026 (might change later)! The payment will not work online.
This website is good for checking general ticket availability, but to buy a ticket you should go personally, with your passport, to the central railway station in Baku or Tbilisi and buy it at the counter.
Due to high demand, it is recommended to purchase tickets at least five days in advance.
The cost is approximately 40-50 euros.
The sleeper trains take approximately 9.5 hours, departing at 11:10 p.m.
You can board the train an hour before, but no later than 10 minutes before departure.
Tickets for the next few days are usually only available for the most expensive seats.
After purchasing your ticket, we recommend purchasing travel insurance for Georgia online. You can pay with your international card and get the insurance confirmation within minutes.
It is mandatory, and without it, you may be denied boarding or fined in Georgia.
https://ticket.ady.az/
But technically its not possible as of july 2026 (might change later)! The payment will not work online.
This website is good for checking general ticket availability, but to buy a ticket you should go personally, with your passport, to the central railway station in Baku or Tbilisi and buy it at the counter.
Due to high demand, it is recommended to purchase tickets at least five days in advance.
The cost is approximately 40-50 euros.
The sleeper trains take approximately 9.5 hours, departing at 11:10 p.m.
You can board the train an hour before, but no later than 10 minutes before departure.
Tickets for the next few days are usually only available for the most expensive seats.
After purchasing your ticket, we recommend purchasing travel insurance for Georgia online. You can pay with your international card and get the insurance confirmation within minutes.
It is mandatory, and without it, you may be denied boarding or fined in Georgia.
There are different carriage options.
Depending on seat availability, prices can range from 69 manat to over 100.
The most popular fares are Comfort and Standard.
The price difference is insignificant, and a nine-hour journey in Comfort is probably more enjoyable.
Depending on seat availability, prices can range from 69 manat to over 100.
The most popular fares are Comfort and Standard.
The price difference is insignificant, and a nine-hour journey in Comfort is probably more enjoyable.
Why is travel insurance necessary for Georgia?
Apart from it being mandatory since 2026, medical expenses are covered by the tourist.
There is no free healthcare for foreigners in Georgia. Any visit to a clinic requires a fee:
There is no free healthcare for foreigners in Georgia. Any visit to a clinic requires a fee:
- emergency care;
- hospitalization;
- surgeries and examinations;
- ambulance calls.
What insurance is suitable for a trip to Georgia?
When choosing an insurance policy, we recommend paying attention to the following parameters:
- Minimum required coverage: Medical expenses - from USD 12,000 (30,000 GEL)
- Emergency hospitalization
- Medical evacuation or repatriation
- COVID and other acute illness coverage
Important additional options
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Lost or delayed baggage
- 24/7 assistance service
- Simple and straightforward insurance claim procedure
Transportation and internet in Tbilisi
- Bolt or Yandex are 4-5 times cheaper than the taxis you'll see at the airport or train station. Don't take them! Bolt is also safer!
- Download Bolt or Yandex Go in advance and register just to have an account.
- Tbilisi has a pretty good public transportation system. I used the metro and buses (easy to plan with Google Maps), but mostly just took Bolt, as it's very cheap, fast, and convenient.
- If you want mobile data right away, you can also get an e-SIM from Airalo. Get $3 off your first eSIM data package from Airalo. Use code MIKALA8808 when registering or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/Zw6M
Final tips
✔ Book your ticket earlyThe
Tbilisi–Baku route is expected to be popular, especially during weekends and holiday periods.
✔ Double-check entry requirements
Being able to enter Georgia without a visa does not automatically mean you can enter Azerbaijan. Make sure you meet Azerbaijan's visa requirements before purchasing your ticket.
✔ Keep your insurance accessible
Save both a digital and printed copy of your travel insurance policy in case officials ask to see it.
✔ Check your passport validity
Ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your trip and complies with both countries' entry requirements.
✔ Get your internet sorted ahead of time
An internet package at the Baku airport will cost around 20 Euros!
Better use Airalo. Use code MIKALA8808 when registering or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/Zw6M
Purchase and activate the E-sim before flying to Baku or Georgia.
✔ If you are arriving at Baku airport, you can use the Bus H1 to get to the city for around 1,5 euros!
and take a taxi from the city centre. It will be much cheaper because the airport is around 1 hour away from the centre.
Tbilisi–Baku route is expected to be popular, especially during weekends and holiday periods.
✔ Double-check entry requirements
Being able to enter Georgia without a visa does not automatically mean you can enter Azerbaijan. Make sure you meet Azerbaijan's visa requirements before purchasing your ticket.
✔ Keep your insurance accessible
Save both a digital and printed copy of your travel insurance policy in case officials ask to see it.
✔ Check your passport validity
Ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your trip and complies with both countries' entry requirements.
✔ Get your internet sorted ahead of time
An internet package at the Baku airport will cost around 20 Euros!
Better use Airalo. Use code MIKALA8808 when registering or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/Zw6M
Purchase and activate the E-sim before flying to Baku or Georgia.
✔ If you are arriving at Baku airport, you can use the Bus H1 to get to the city for around 1,5 euros!
and take a taxi from the city centre. It will be much cheaper because the airport is around 1 hour away from the centre.
Disclamer - we have selected the polis.ge service as our partner for its comfortable way of booking, adherance to the insurance requirements and relatively low cost on the market, parallel to a great coverage and online support. We get a little share of each purchase. You are free to chose any insurance you will find appropriate for yourself.