The Tbilisi to Yerevan night train was the one leg of my trip that Google Maps could not show. Maps showed me a train at 8:20 PM, and the Georgian railway site did not list mine at all. The train I wanted was leaving at 10:40 PM, and I got confirmed it was real when I checked the station board.
I took it as part of my 18-day solo route through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey. This post covers booking, the platform, the third-class berth and the border check that ran from about 12:45 AM to 3:30 AM. Timetables including running days change by season, so check the current one before you go.
Contents
Why Google Maps does not show the Tbilisi to Yerevan night train
As I understand it, this is a seasonal train and it is sold through the Armenian railway website, not the Georgian one. That explains why a search in Georgian site shows nothing for it. Maps showed an 8:20 PM train instead, which was a different service.
Two booking sites came up in my research:
- ticket.railway.am/en, the Armenian railway ticket site
- gr.com.ge/en, the Georgian railway site
At Tbilisi station: the old building and a platform change
The station is basic and old, and it was under renovation when I went. The train came in from Batumi. The platform was announced as 3 and then changed to 2, so keep an eye on the board and ask a staff member if you are unsure.
Third class on the night train
The classes are first, second and third, similar to the AC classes on Indian trains. This train did not have air conditioning (at least on the day I travelled). Third class is an open-plan coach with bunks.
I had a lower berth, next to the door. I locked my bag to the berth with a luggage chain. About an hour to an hour and a half after departure, the conductor handed out a pillow, two sheets and a towel.
My neighbours were a 19-year-old German, a Russian man and a Chinese girl. Sleep came in short pieces because of the border checks.
The border check at night, step by step
About 12:45 AM: leaving Georgia
Everyone queued at three counters for Georgian exit. The officer asked me whether I had an Armenian visa. Armenian visa rules for Indian passport holders are covered in the main itinerary post.
About 2:30 to 3:30 AM: entering Armenia
Armenian customs and immigration came inside the train. Officers used a battery-operated scanner, and the checks were finished by 3:30 AM.
After 9 AM: arrival in Yerevan
The train arrived after 9 AM. I took the metro for two stops, and the fare was 100 dram, which became 150 dram after card fees.
Tips if you take this train
- Book from the respective railway site, and check the date against the station board
- You cant pick a berth in 3rd class
- Carry a luggage chain for your bag for safety
- Keep your passport and visa handy for the 12:45 AM and 3:00 AM checks
- Carry water and a snack, and a layer for cold air at night
- Plan nothing important for the early morning in Yerevan
Night train or something else?
The night train saved me a night of accommodation and put me in Yerevan at the start of the day. The trade-off is broken sleep, because the border checks wake everyone up twice. If you value a full night of rest, a daytime option may suit you better.
FAQ
Is there a night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan?
Yes. I took one that left Tbilisi at 10:40 PM. It appears to run seasonally, so check the timetable for your dates.There is train from and to Baku too.
Where do I buy tickets for the Tbilisi to Yerevan train?
Look at ticket.railway.am/en or gr.com.ge/en.
How long does the border check take?
On my night the Georgian exit began at about 12:45 AM and took 45 minutes, and the Armenian checks inside the train finished by 3:30 AM (around 1 hour).
Does the night train have air conditioning?
Mine had none. Bring a light layer for the night.
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