Sadakhlo–Bagratashen: crossing from Georgia to Armenia in 2026
Easiest: a car door to door: from $285 (per car, not per person)
Sadakhlo–Bagratashen is the main Georgia–Armenia crossing, 73 km (about 1 h 25 min) south of Tbilisi on the Marneuli road. As of 27 October 2026 it is open 24 hours and can be crossed on foot; the Tbilisi–Yerevan minivans and the overnight train use it. With a private car you stay in the same seat from your Tbilisi address to Yerevan — about 275 km and 5.5 hours, $285 per sedan or $350 per minivan, fixed per car. If the post is jammed we can route via Bavra or Guguti at the same price. Checked by the RideGE team on .
- Statusopen, 24 hours
- From Tbilisi73 km, ~1 h 25 min
- On footallowed
- Tbilisi → Yerevan~5.5 h door to door
Is Sadakhlo open right now?
Yes. Sadakhlo is on the Revenue Service list of 24-hour checkpoints, and the Armenian side, Bagratashen, works around the clock too. Queues build up on Armenian and Georgian holidays and on summer Friday evenings.
| Date | What we know |
|---|---|
| 2026-09 | Travellers' guide lists Sadakhlo as 24 h, road and rail, walkable |
| 2026-09-24 | Minivans Tbilisi–Yerevan from Avlabari about 50 GEL, ~6 h incl. border |
| 2026-10-27 | Re-checked by RideGE: no closure announced |
How does the crossing work by private car?
The driver stops at the Georgian exit booth, you show passports, then cross the bridge over the Debed to Bagratashen. Armenian entry control checks passports; the driver handles the car papers. Usually 30–60 minutes in total for both sides; on busy days longer.
Which documents do I need for Armenia?
Your passport (or ID card where accepted). Many nationalities enter Armenia visa-free; others apply for an e-visa in advance on the Armenian MFA portal. Check your own passport before you travel.
Train, minivan or private car: which is better?
| Way | Time | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight train | ~10.5 h | 115–218 GEL per person by class (winter 2026/27) | saving a hotel night |
| Minivan from Avlabari | ~6 h incl. border | 50 GEL per person | solo on a budget |
| Private car (us) | ~5.5 h | from $285 per car | families, luggage, stops at Haghpat or Dilijan |
Can we stop at Haghpat, Sanahin or Dilijan on the way?
Yes. Free stops up to 1 hour in total are included; for a longer sightseeing day ask about the via-Dilijan option.
What if the border is closed or blocked on my day?
We switch to the Bavra or Guguti crossing at the same price, or move your date free of charge; online payment is refunded in full if you cancel 24 h or more before pickup.
Are there ATMs and SIM cards at the border?
Change money and buy an Armenian SIM in Yerevan or at the first town; small kiosks at the crossing are not reliable. Georgian lari are accepted only near the border.
How much does a private car cost?
| Route | Sedan | Minivan | SUV 4x4 | Sprinter | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi → Yerevan | $285 | $350 | $360 | $575 | $580 |
| Tbilisi → Gyumri via Bavra | $270 | $335 | $345 | $545 | $555 |
| Tbilisi airport → Tbilisi | $40 | $55 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
Pay 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver — or 100% online. Trips under $100 are paid in full online. Full refund if cancelled 24 h+ before pickup (multi-day: 7+ days).
Questions
How far is Sadakhlo from Tbilisi?
About 73 km, roughly 1 h 25 min by car.
Is Sadakhlo open at night?
Yes, it is on the 24-hour list; we drive at any hour.
How much is a private car from Tbilisi to Yerevan?
$285 per sedan, $350 per minivan, $360 per 4x4 — per car, one way.
Do I change cars at Sadakhlo?
No. The same car and driver take you all the way to Yerevan.
How long does the border take?
Usually 30–60 minutes for both sides; longer on holidays.
I am in Yerevan and going to Tbilisi — can you help?
Yes, our sister service in Armenia (ridearm.com) runs Yerevan → Tbilisi.
Sources and checks
- Travellers' reports (independent travel guide) · published 2026-10 · checked
- Travellers' reports (independent travel guide) · published 2026-09-24 · checked
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia — e-Visa portal · checked
Status and rules change. Before you travel, check the official source; we re-check these pages before each update.
You may also need
- Georgia land border crossings: status on 27 October 2026
- Ninotsminda–Bavra: the Georgia–Armenia crossing towards Gyumri
- Guguti–Gogavan and Akhkerpi: the minor Georgia–Armenia crossings
- Tbilisi to Yerevan: train, minivan or private car?
- Tbilisi airport (TBS) at night: how to get to the city
Sister service in Armenia
- Yerevan → Tbilisi by car (ridearm.com) (ridearm.com)
Book a car
Bookings are operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong).