The sleeper train that runs every other night during the winter months (October to May) and daily during summer (June to September) is a safe, convenient and best of all, atmospheric way to travel between Georgia and Armenia. Important update: The train schedule for summer 2023 is different to previous years.
The quickest way to get from Georgia to Yerevan is to fly which costs $90 - $440 and takes 1h 34m. Is there a direct train between Georgia and Yerevan? Yes, there is a direct train departing from Tbilisi and arriving at Yerevan. Services depart five times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Two days is the perfect amount of time to discover Batumi, Georgia's bizarre city on the sea. Most travelers come to Batumi to indulge in forbidden cultural activities of gambling and drinking; however, this Black Sea “sin city” offers so much more.
Batumi is quite unlike any other city in Georgia and although its location is a little out on a limb (more on that later), it is most certainly worth visiting and offers a fascinating contrast to other, more traditional, destinations in the country.
If you're keen on culture, museums, old architecture, and you like to have urban experience, then Tbilisi is a good destination for you. During summer, Tbilisi is quite empty and most activities are happening near the seaside. Please note that Batumi is a great destination only in warm seasons.
Luckily for you, neither Armenia or Georgia are expensive destinations. In fact, they are as cheap as it can be. You can easily have a nice trip for less than 25 USD per day. The prices in each country are quite similar, but Georgia tends to be cheaper in about everything.
Plan to spend a minimum of two days in Yerevan to experience the best the city has to offer. And then prepare to kick yourself for not spending more time in Yerevan. We really wish we had spent longer in Armenia. Don't be fooled to think there's not much to see or do in Armenia.
It's easy and I would say that most people would probably enjoy Tbilisi more than Yerevan. But Yerevan was (for us) a more cultural experience and we felt a deeper connection to the city. But part of that was because we had the most fantastic guide George for a few days (look him up if going to Yerevan).
Yerevan has a storied history and loads of cultureTrust me—you'll never be at a loss for things to do in Yerevan. You can visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of Armenia's Apostolic Church, and marvel at what is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.
Much of Batumi's economy revolves around tourism and gambling (it is nicknamed The Las Vegas of the Black Sea), but the city is also an important seaport and includes industries like shipbuilding, food processing and light manufacturing.
Travel time from Tbilisi to BatumiIf travelling by bus or van, the journey time is longer, taking an average of 6-7 hours. The journey by high-speed train is slightly faster at 5 hours and 15 minutes.
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,037.8$ (5,471.5GEL) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 570.1$ (1,530.7GEL) without rent. Batumi is 63.8% less expensive than New York (without rent). Rent in Batumi is, on average, 85.3% lower than in New York.
The visa on arrival for Armenia is only issued at specific entry points. Travelers can obtain this document at Zvartnots and Shirak International Airports. This document is also available at the Ayrum railway station on the border with Georgia and a few land border checkpoints.