Border crossing from Georgia to Russia in Kazbegi
 

I've been to this border first week of august to find out the info for other travellers.
You can NOT cross this border. It is only open for Georgia, Azerbajan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus pasport holders.
Gr,
Vincent:thumbup1:

If I am going from Russia to Georgia and I have Estonian passport (Georgia is visa-free for Estonia passports) what may be the problem?

For Belgian passport holders there is also no visa required but this border is only open to some ex-sovjet countries (I don't know if this includes the Baltic states). I don't know if you will be allowed to cross at this border. I've been there in the first week of august and that's what the guy at the Georgian border side told us. He wouldn't let us pass onto the Russian side cause we had no visa for Russia anyway, but we just wanted to try and see the Russian border. So if you are planning to go from Russia to Georgia by this border make sure you check it with the Russian embassy or you will have to enter Georgia by boat I guess cause you cannot go via Abkhazia either! And the border via Azerbajan have the same rules!!!
Hope the info is useful for other travellers.

This would be the CIS (Commonwealth of Independant States) formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and joined by some former Soviet Union states - not the Baltic states who preferred to go towards the EU.
Current CIS members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgistan, Moldovia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Ukraine participates but is not a full member. Georgia resigned at the time of the Ossettia war.

Borders around Russia can be -
Local - open only to passport holders of Russia and the country across the border.
Restricted - open only to CIS passport holders.
International - anyone, subject to any visa requirements etc.

I believe the Russia/Georgia border falls into the 'local' category at the moment.

No. I'm Russian, and I know this problem very much.

Dut to Russian Government Decree №1223 (from 05.11.1999), see my lj:
Antiviza Project LJ - граждане каких стран могут пересекать сухопутные границы RUS-AZ и RUS-GEO ? , in Russian (use translate.google.com), all landing border points (road and railroad) RUS-GEO (only one: Verkhniy Lars-Dariali, ex-Kazbegi) and RUS-AZ(Azerbaijan, several points) are opened for citizens of CIS-countries, Georgia, Abkhazia (limited recognized state, from 2008), South Osetia(limited recognized state, from 2008), and Iran(Islamic Rep.of, from 2010).

This restriction is against terrorists.

Entry to Russia from GEO and AZ citizens of other contries is absolutely impossible.
But I heard unconfirmed info about successful attempt to exit from Russia to GEO and/or AZ foreign travellers.

And, (it's absolutelly confirmed) - the borders between RUS and Abkhazia (Vesjeloe-Psou), and RUS and South Osetia(Nizhniy Zaramag-Rok) are fully opened for citizens of all contries.

Great post, repovesi. I can confirm the bit about Abkhazia and South Ossetia borders; I drove across both last year.

I do believe it may be possible to enter Georgia at Verkhniy Lars, but I would not rely upon it.

Daniel

Daniel, do you have a web page?

No webpage I'm afraid, some pics on FB if you use the site, and the odd post on here and the TT.

Daniel

Daniel

We are two guys riding from Vladivostok (we are in Vlad at the moment waiting for our bikes to arrive from Seattle). We are planning on taking ferry from KZ to Baku in AZ then enter Georgia from AZ then Georgia to Turkey etc etc .

We have 6 month multi entry Russian business visas. Are you saying that it may be possible for us to enter Georgia from Russia at Verkhniy Lars ? If this were possible it would avoid us maybe having to waitfor the ferry in Aktau. If it doen't work out we always have the option of heading north and exiting Russia via Ukraine.

Any info would be welcome

Thanks

Martin

When I was in the area last year I was told by authorities in the area that is was possible to cross. Plus a Lithuanian citizen entered Georgia through that border. For sure the Georgians will not allow you to exit Georgia at Kazbegi, but if the Russians have already let you out, the Georgians may feel obliged to let you in.

I can't give any more info than that.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel,

We will see what happens when we get there......

Martin

Daniel, what about Nizniy Zaramag border cross? Is it open in both directions? I'm checking the maps now and I'm almost sure the road is not asphalt...

Check this page: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...eorgia-36335-6

I can confirm that currently Russia to Georgia at Verhnii Lars/Kazbegi is possible. We passed there week and a half ago without any issues. The problem is that you cannot be sure of the status of this border pass without recent info.

Crossing from Georgia to Russia via Kazbegi/Vladikavkaz border point May 2012
 

Crossing from Georgia to Russia via Kazbegi/Vladikavkaz border point:
Went Friday 11 May 2012 up from Tbilisi to Kazbegi via Georgian Military Highway. The road is very nice, except for the crossing over the pass, where you have 14 km of really bad road. The rest is brand new and fun to ride.
Went up to the border point,parked the bike and asked the guy from custom if I can cross as a non russian/georgian/CIS citizen the border. The answer was YES YOU CAN!
I asked then again, and mentioned that last year the border was closed for foreigners. They said yes, it was closed but now it's open, it is ok to cross to Russia. If you have a russian visa, of course.
I did not crossed because I wanted to go to Azerbaijan and from there to Turmenistan on the way to Mongolia and Siberia.

Border Crossing Point GEO -RUS at Verkhniy Lars is open for non-CSI citizens too; I crossed it this morning with a valid russian visa. No more then 30' to wait.


Beside 20 km. from Gadauri (GEO) to north, the road is good.

Anyone knows what is currently border crossing situation between Georgia And Russia?

I am planning for next summer ride through Caucasus and one planned option is to pass from Russia to Georgia. I can read anyway that there has been some border incidents between Georgia and Russia last autumn when border was still open for non-CIS nation citizens.

Currently in Finnish embasy travel advise to area it says that to cross border in Dagestan and that area to Georgia is a hmm border crime in Russia and maxium time in jail is 4 years

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphoto...63201968_n.jpg

If you have some good tips/roads/maps or even place to stay or you live in a route please drop a message. Would love to meet people on the road as that is one of the best thing in travelling.

Look here:-
 

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...2?nojs=1#links

Alec.

Umm well i know border has been open to non-CIS country residents during year 2012 but there has been some serious border incidents in august 2012 (armed group of georgians went to Russian side and killed group what they called as terrorist). A

As Finnish foreign ministery website now advices border is closed i am wondering has situation changed after that and if anyone has actually passed border during winter 2012 or early months 2013.

We passed through from Georgia late April 2013 and a friend going the other way passed through fine with no incidents. There was a lot of snow in Kazbegi where we got a homestay and overnighted before crossing. The crossing took us 4 hours mostly due to pushy Armenians and Russians but we are driving with 6 wheels not 2 ;)

We passed around the Chechen border early in the afternoon and headed for Pyatygorsk (sp?) and then onto Stavropol and Elista following the main road and away form the disputed regions of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan etc.

Border was fine and everything seemed pretty safe/normal. If you don't feel safe Just keep moving and don't tell locals your itinery is my advice. You can put a lot of KMs down in a few hours and be somewhere you feel better about.

G

I would like to cross from Georgia to Russia, anybody has updated info about the Verkhny Lars crossing? is open for everybody?

Thanks in advance

Hello!

Yes i got information from Finnish foreign ministery that it is open for all citizens to pass on both direction. There has been continuosly allso travellers passing it. At least few has been also writing ride reports and stories here (Wesley with DR-Z 400 and he also saw Colebach friend Terry there in Georgia though i dont know which road he used to get into Georgia)

A cyclist friend just passed the bordergate. And been told that cyclists are not allowed border passing on bicycles so you have to hitchhike with bike..So many friendly Russian and Turkish drivers transfer cyclists there.
No problem for vehicles and no waiting period for bikes..Just go to the front...

This pass is only closed due to weather at winter but is currently open now

Easy fast pass no issues take the E117 north of Tbilisi to Kazbek pass, i crossed the other way (Russia to Georgia and real friendly crossing with the guards)

Roads near Tbilisi fine but more North on E117 are loose gravel with pot holes which i love more than boring new roads :scooter:

If you want you could stay in a near by small village in Georgia just before the crossing as if you just turn up and stop you will be offered home stays and leave early in the morning to cross into Russia

Once in Russia after the border head to the city of Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia–Alania) which you can not miss as it is straight road all the way, there are a few turn offs on your right but they head to Dagstan

Once at Vladikavkaz you pick up the M29 motorway and i take it from there you will head North West right?

The Caucasus's for me was the best part of my trip and i spent a few days in North Ossetia, Chechnya & Ingushetia and the only danger was to my waist line due to the great friendly hospitality of the locals and amazing local dishes

Chechnya soup has dried meat in it like south African Biltong and tastes great.


If you do decided to head East once in Vladikavkaz for what ever reason then i suggest you seek local up to date knowledge as local situations do change and what was good when i was there (2 weeks ago) could be different when you go so i am not saying its super safe but it is certainty no war zone (apparently as my ex Russian girlfriend in Moscow thinks this) but they still have a few minor problems in the East Caucasus's and like anywhere in the world there is always the chance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time

Terry came up from Turkey to Georgia however he was heading to Moscow via this route last time i saw him but maybe if he changes his mind like i do he could be anywhere beer :scooter: beer

Great guy and is someone i look up to and would like to be like when i reach his age, he has alot of knowledge from years of riding & traveling

Hello. I intend to travel by train from Bucharest to Moscow, via Chisinau (Moldova). Visit Moscow for 3 days and than take the train to Vladikavkaz. From Vladikavkaz i want to go in Tbilisi via Verkhny Lars. Can anyone tell me if i can Pass the border (in 23 August 2013) with a romanian Passport? How will be the weather? I will have the Russian visa available for 4 more days from my arrival in Vladikavkaz.. How much cost the transport from Vladikavkaz to Tbilisi?

Border russia georgia
 

Hello
We crossed the border from russia to Georgia with a car sept 2013 and it was no problem.
You can se some picture from the trip on instagram expeditionlasson,
Good luck,
Martin

Crossing from Russia to Georgia via Vladikavkaz-Kazbegi-border August 2022
 

Hi Fellow Travellers

Im planning to cross from Russia into Georgia with my Toyota Landcruiser in August 2022

I would be keen to hear from anybody who has crossed this border recently.

Regards
Ray

Hi @Raycooknz as i'm about to follow you there, it would be great if you can share an update on your experience with the crossing and the way over.

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