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== Border crossing ==
Citizens of EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries don't need a visa to enter and stay in the territory of Georgia for 360 days.
=== [[Abkhazia]] ===
Foreigners with a valid Entry Permit can enter [[Abkhazia]] from Georgia, but have to return to Georgia. Travelling from Russia through Abkhazia towards Georgia is impossible, as you'll then be regarded as having illegally entered Georgia.
=== Armenia ===
There are three border crossings with [[Armenia]], through the towns of Ninotsminda (Georgia), Dmanisi (Georgia) and Bagratashen (AM)/Sadakhlo(GE). There is frequent traffic between these countries, especially between Yerevan and Tbilisi. The Bagratashen-crossing won't give you much trouble - border guards are OK and it will most probably take you less than 10 minutes to cross it.
=== Turkey ===
As of 2017, there are three border crossings between Georgia and Turkey, all of which are passable on foot.
When arriving from the west, your likely point of entry to the country will be [[Sarp-Sarpi border crossing]] with [[Turkey]] on the Black Sea coast. That border crossing has steady traffic. The majority of truck traffic between Georgia and Turkey travels through this crossing, so it is very easy to find rides in either direction. This is the busiest border between the two countries, so it can take time to get across here. It's easy to get a ride in either direction though, just walk a few hundred metres away from each border complex and you'll be able to find a good spot.
There are two other crossings further east. The furthest norther is the [[Posof-Akhaltsikhe]] crossing from Posof to the Turkish border settlement of Türkgözü, crossing to the village of Vale and on to [[Akhaltsikhe]]. The Turkish border road is large and in good condition, and the road from the border to Akhaltsikhe is smaller, but has been repaved. This border crossing is fairly quite, but there's still a steady flow of traffic and it's easy to find a ride in either direction.
[[File:Georgia-turkey-border.JPG|thumb|250px| The 2015 reopened Georgian-Turkish border close to Akhalkalaki.]]
In 2015, the [[Ardahan-Akhalkalaki]] border crossing between Çıldır and Kartsakhi reopened, having been closed for the previous two decades. It is 30 kilometres from Akhalkalaki, Georgia - which is on a main trucking route to and from [[Yerevan]]. On the Turkish side, you will be 10 kilometres to Çıldır. From here, it is easy to get to [[Ardahan]] and onwards. Hitchwiki user Ben hitchhiked through this border in September 2017 and found the road on the Georgian side newly refurbished with plenty of traffic to and from Akhalkalaki including a regular flow of large trucks. On the Turkish side the highway is fresh for a few kilometres, before becoming a smaller road. Construction of a new duel carriageway is underway as of September 2017, but despite that, there's plenty of traffic. The truck driver who took Ben told him that many trucks travel from here from Georgia to Istanbul via [[Erzurum]] or the Black Sea coast at [[Hopa]]. It was a quicker hitchhike from [[Yerevan]] to the coast than hitching a ride to the border further away in [[Batumi]]. The road from Ardahan, through Artvin, to Hopa at the coast is thoroughly spectacular and switchback filled. It's well worth hitching down here purely for the scenery. The road from this border also passes the intersection to head south to [[Kars]] as well as north to the coast.
=== [[Russia]] ===
Since July 2011 it is also possible to cross the border to/from [[Russia]] for all passport holders at the [[Verkhny Lars-Darial Gorge border crossing]].
== Sleeping ==
Pitching a tent is a normal thing for the local people, forbidden only in city centres and near ruins.
As usual in the former Soviet Union, it is possible to rent private rooms from local people. In any city or small town one need only go into a shop or small restaurant and ask if someone has a room. Prices start from around 10 lari, and sometimes tea and even dinner is included.
Georgians are very hospitable people. When hitchhiking in the evening or at night, there is a high chance of your driver inviting you to stay at his home. If you are seen at nightfall on the outskirts of a town, villagers may literally pull you into their homes. Note that if you accept Georgian hospitality, your hosts may insist on a marathon drinking session, and you may not get much sleep before having to leave early the next morning.
== Food ==
It's hard to be hungry in Georgia. There's easy to find delicious and very cheap food in every city, in small villages you will be often invited to eat with locals.
If you are looking for vegan options, just ask for ''samarkhvo'': this word denotes food suitable for the religious (Orthodox) fasting, that is actually completely free of meat, fish (though this is sometimes allowed), milk/cheese/dairy and eggs.
== Climate ==
Summer can be pretty hot in Georgia with temperatures around 35–40 °C so you'll need a lot of water and shelter from the sun. Water is easy to find and in fact most Georgians drink tap water.
Winter is quite cold and snowy, especially the north parts.
== Using police cars ==
In Georgia it is possible to "hitchhike" with [[police]] cars. Due to the country's desire to become more European, a major reform of the police was undertaken, affecting also the way the police work and deal with people. You should not be afraid of asking policeman for information or help. Most probably they will help you and even more. You may not even need to ask, as it's not uncommon for police cars in Georgia to pick up hitchhikers, and then pull over other cars or trucks on the road to find a ride going straight to your destination.
The police also provide a special type of service - they can deliver you to the address you are asking - for people who are in a position to be harmed or injured, for example when you are a foreigner and traveling alone in Georgia. They can bring you to the address you name or to a hotel. Keep in mind that you will have to fill out and sign a form. It is recommended to use this service in the evenings and nights.
== Cities ==
* [[Tbilisi]], the capital, also known as ''Tiflis''
* [[Batumi]]
* [[Gori]]
* [[Kobuleti]]
* [[Kutaisi]]
* [[Mestia]]
* [[Poti]]
* [[Telavi]]
* [[Vale]]
* [[Zugdidi]]
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no edit summary
The Georgian hospitality is incredible and the most remarkable experience in this country but sometimes also a small risk as it can become a little bit pushing from time to time. Refusing alcohol can be offending for some people (if there is another person next to the driver in the car the chances are very high that the famous national drink chacha is offered to you) and if you are vegetarian, there could be a similar problem. If you're traveling as a couple, try not to be too affectionate in public places, as some people are extremely conservative and can be offended by this, and drunk guys may try to fight you (this happened to one hitchhiker after kissing his girlfriend on a marshrutka).
== Regions ==
* [[South Ossetia]]
* [[Tusheti]]
== Cities ==
* [[Tbilisi]], the capital, also known as ''Tiflis''
* [[Batumi]]
* [[Gori]]
* [[Kobuleti]]
* [[Kutaisi]]
* [[Mestia]]
* [[Poti]]
* [[Telavi]]
* [[Vale]]
* [[Zugdidi]]
== Using police cars ==
In Georgia it is possible to "hitchhike" with [[police]] cars. Due to the country's desire to become more European, a major reform of the police was undertaken, affecting also the way the police work and deal with people. You should not be afraid of asking policeman for information or help. Most probably they will help you and even more. You may not even need to ask, as it's not uncommon for police cars in Georgia to pick up hitchhikers, and then pull over other cars or trucks on the road to find a ride going straight to your destination.
The police also provide a special type of service - they can deliver you to the address you are asking - for people who are in a position to be harmed or injured, for example when you are a foreigner and traveling alone in Georgia. They can bring you to the address you name or to a hotel. Keep in mind that you will have to fill out and sign a form. It is recommended to use this service in the evenings and nights.
{{IsIn|Western Asia}}
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Georgia|*]]
[[de:Georgien]]
[[nomad:Georgia]]
