As you've read previously, after spending our time in Baku for a short time, we crossed the border from Baku to Tbilisi by overnight train. Then after enjoying our short time exploring Tbilisi and hiking the Gergeti Glacier in Georgia, our last bucket list is next - crossing the border from Tbilisi to Yerevan by overnight train!
Buying Tickets of the Overnight Train from Tbilisi to Yerevan
While we have not encounter any problems booking our train tickets with Azerbaijan Railways, it's a different situation this time. There are different blogs online advising us to book the tickets from the Armenian South Caucasus Railway website, however, I can't seem to find 'Yerevan' as the destination. I followed all the instructions on how to navigate it, but I really can’t find it. We ended up buying the tickets directly from the ticketing counters upon our arrival in Tbilisi Central Railway Station.
I heard that during summer season the tickets usually sell out fast. And when we reached the ticketing counter, true enough there are limited seats left. The only option given to us were:
- 2 seats/bed from the 2nd class but located from two different cabins and both of them are upper decks
- Or seats/bed from the 3rd class with one lower deck and one upper deck in the same carriage.
Since both of us are ladies, we do not want to stay in two different cabins and we chose the 3rd class seats/beds instead.
Train Station: Tbilisi Railway Station
Train Station Location & Ticketing Counter
If you took the train from Baku, it is the same station where you arrived. But if not and if you are taking the metro station, you have to get off at Station Square. Once you get out from the station (Tbilisi Central Exit), go to your left side and you will see the next building with some vans (white and yellow) in front of it.
Inside the building, you will have to go to two levels higher where the ticketing counter is located. It is also the same floor where you can access the train platform.
Train Station Facilities
Inside this building, there are retail shops like Terranova, LC Waikiki, and even MUMUSO. A toilet is also available in -1 floor (yes that's how it was written) however you have to pay 0.50 GEL per use. A money exchange counter and a food court on the upper floor is available but both of them are not open 24 hours. Unfortunately, there are no other food options except for the food court on the uppermost floor plus the coffee kiosk on the ground floor and the vendor outside the building who sells water bottles and ice cream. So if food is your concern (of course it is!), then buy your food before coming to the train station.
Train Platform
The platform is located OUTSIDE the building. For you to reach the platform, you will have to go down the stairs (and it's quite a lot). There is a lift/elevator but it's not working during our visit.
This is the train platform and there are no proper chairs for you to sit on. There are some stones you can use as an alternative chair or else, you can sit in the waiting area at the ticketing counter. On the opposite direction of these monitors are where the stairs connecting to the building/ticketing area.
This platform was where we arrived from Baku as well as the platform for the overnight train for our Tbilisi to Yerevan journey.
The Overnight Train from Tbilisi to Yerevan
So let's now talk about the overnight train that will take you from Tbilisi to Yerevan. The outside appearance of the train is the same as the train from Baku - looks old and ragged. But I guess that's the usual look of trains anyway.
The letters/writings looks like ‘Yerevan’ and ‘Batumi’ to me and that is the correct train. The train itself came from Batumi and stopped by Tbilisi hence the signage.
The carriage of the third-class seats/bed is an open seater style and you get to see everyone in whatever they do. If you want privacy, this is not the carriage for you. That’s why try to book your tickets early!
Similar to the train from Baku, there's no Wi-Fi and food shop/cart on board but there's a toilet and that’s about it. So remember to buy your food and drinks before boarding the train.
Our Roommates
Since we boarded the third-class carriage, we can practically see everyone in everything they do. All the other passengers were all settled and I assume they all came from Batumi. It's just me and and my friend who boarded from Tbilisi. I saw two Western foreigner from the far end of the third-class carriage and as expected, all eyes are on them
What's more interesting from this experience is that it seems everyone knows everyone. Most of them have tanned skin and parasols in their luggage so I assumed they went to the beach in Batumi. My assumption can only reach that they are Armenians who had a great time in Batumi and now coming back home. I should learn the local language and ask them next time for sure!
It is unfortunate that we didn't really had a solid interaction with the anyone specific from the passengers. However they are nice and somehow accommodating. Some of them smiled at us and welcomed us on board since we are foreigners and from Philippines too which is unusual to them. Someone even helped us how to set up the upper deck. Luckily, there’s also a gentleman next to us who offered English translation when the train attendant is trying to explain that he ran out of a bed sheet and pillowcase for us.
The Borders:
Georgian Exit Stamp
Before the train even started to move, the immigration officers already came up and asked for our passports. And before we knew it, we already got our exit stamps while we are still in Tbilisi.
Armenian Border
At 1 AM, the train attendant woke us up and kept on saying "visa, visa". So I guess we are at the border already! Both I and my friend were still sleepy as we reached for our passports, printed documents (maybe there's interrogation) and some money to pay for the visa.
Instead of just going to another cabin, we got off from the train instead this time. We waited outside the single-storey immigration office in the middle of the night while a few casual gentlemen were sitting on the bench plus some dogs barking and running around.
Before I get consumed by my anxiety of all the what ifs that can happen at that moment, we were finally asked to enter the immigration office. After the Chinese group and the Indian tourist who tried to pay using Georgian Lari (which was not accepted), it is is finally our turn.
Armenian Tourist Visa
During our turn, the immigration officer checked our UAE residence visa and asked us the duration of our stay then scanned our passports. Within 5 minutes, our tourist visa is already stamped on our passports. The entry stamp was given to us from another room.
We went back to the train relaxed as ever since there's one thing left to do, wait to arrive in Yerevan and finally enjoy the last leg of the trip! Yahoo! And there you go, hope you get to try crossing the borders of Tbilisi to Yerevan by overnight train like us! If you're looking for other ideas on what to do in Armenia, check out my post:
Day Tour to Khor Virap, Areni Cave, Noravank Monastery and Areni Winery with Yerani Travel
LOOKING FOR MORE CAUCASUS POSTS? CHECK BELOW!
- Day Tour to Khor Virap, Areni Cave, Noravank Monastery and Areni Winery with Yerani Travel
Looking for a day tour from Yerevan? Check out our day tour to Khor Virap, Areni Cave, Noravank Monastery & Areni Winery with Yerani Travel! - Border Crossing from Tbilisi to Yerevan by Overnight TrainInterested to cross the border of Georgia and Armenia by train? Read how we crossed the border from Tbilisi to Yerevan by overnight train!
- How to Go to Chronicles of Georgia by Public TransportationWondering how to visit the Chronicles of Georgia by Public Transportation? Read further to know the easy way from Tbilisi's city center!
- Day Trip to the Mud Volcanoes and Qobustan National Park with Azerbaijan Travel InternationalDo you want to see more of Azerbaijan? Check my day trip to the Mud Volcanoes & Qobustan National Park with Azerbaijan Travel International!
- Overnight Train from Baku to Tbilisi via Azerbaijan RailwaysWant to cross the border of Azerbaijan and Georgia to by train? Read my guide on how to do it on an overnight train from Baku to Tbilisi!
- How to go to Yanar Dag by Public TransportationWanting to visit Yanar Dag but you don't have a car? Check my post on how to go to Yanar Dag by Public Transportation! It's easy as 1,2,3!
- Backpacking the Caucasus RegionRead our 8-day backpacking trip within the Caucasus Region (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia) and get some ideas for your plans in the future!
