Georgia-Turkey
 

Hello travellers !

I'm in Kazakhstan right now, going west, and given the situation in Turkey I'm hesitating within 2 paths : south Russia-Georgia-Turkey, or Russia-Ukraine.
For those who are travelling (or travelled in the past weeks) in Georgia and Turkey, do you have some advices ? Are borders open ?

Thanks !

PS : except the political/security matters, what are the driving conditions in Turkey and Georgja ?

Hi Jil - No help from us, but will be watching this with interest as two of us face the same dilemma on Thursday/Friday next week when we depart Tbilisi. Up to Russian and then into Ukraine, or into Turkey and skirt across the Black Sea coast and avoid Istanbul.

How is Georgia ? Did you enjoy the country ? How is the border Russia/Georgia ?

Our bikes are there, we fly in to collect them so haven't travelled through the borders. But the Russian/Georgian border should be a breeze according to posts here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...opol-how-87271

When will you be crossing? Be nice to hear your experience.

Initialy, by the end of the week. But given the situation in Turkey I think I will go trough Ukraine instead (avoiding Crimea and co !)

The Russia / Georgia border is fine and more importantly, the road from the border to Tbilisi is open after the slides of some six weeks ago.

As to Turkey, the two main borders are open (Vale and Sarpi) and I would not hesitate to bike in Turkey. Was riding in northern Turkey last week and there was not a bit of an issue, but did stay away from the center of Ankara and Istanbul and of course the Syrian border.

Thanks for the info Cliff.

Tbilisi Aug 18
 

I was in Georgia last year and loved it. Ended up leaving my bike in Tbilisi and finally getting around to returning to it next week. I found Georgia to be a fantastic country, great people, great scenery and a good food and wine culture. I intend to spend a couple of weeks in and around Tbilisi sorting out the bike and then making my way west through Turkey.
Me and the bike got to Georgia via Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and across the Caspian to Azerbaijan. :scooter:

I really enjoyed Georgia, it is an interesting country and from what I can gather from a Turkish friend who uses this forum it is perfectly safe to travel there, probably more so than your alternative.