Georgia

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This article is about country in the Caucasus region. Georgia may also refer to Georgia, a state in the USA among other places.

Flag of Georgia Georgia
Information
Language: Georgian is the official language. In the west of the country Mengrelian and Svan are also spoken. Abkhazia and South Ossetia each have their own languages. Russian is universally understood except by some of the young, but they usually speak English instead.
Capital: Tbilisi
Population: 4,774,4732
Currency: Lari ( GEL )
Hitchability: <rating country='ge' />
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<map lat='42.277' lng='43.824' zoom='6' view='3'/>


Hitchhiking in Georgia.

Georgia is a country in Western Asia, that borders Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. Two part of Georgia in the North, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are de facto independent countries though few nations recognize their independence.

Hitching in Georgia is easy most of the time! Short waits and very friendly people. Road conditions in some places are quite bad so it can take some time but in most of cases there are renovated roads. Spots are very easy to find, just head in the right direction and you will find a suitable place to stand. Sometimes if luck isn't on your side though and you may have to wait for a while and the only cars who will stop for you are marshrutkas (microbuses) which expect payment. But remain patient! Eventually someone will stop for you.

Unlike most European countries, usually no one cares if you hitchhike directly on highways, so it's not a problem to find a spot.

Older generations speak Russian as a foreign language, but people in their twenties and younger are able to speak more English, at least in the bigger cities. In villages even youngsters might only speak Georgian but in the last couple of years many young people from English-speaking countries have been sent to the villages to teach English. A few phrases of Russian will be handy or with a little extra effort people will be amazed if you know some Georgian.

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).

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 first is from Türkgözü 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.

The 2015 reopened Georgian-Turkish border close to Akhalkalaki.

In 2015, the 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

Regions

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