Armenia has borders with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran, but is only accessible overland through Georgia and Iran. Whatever you think about the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, to get there you must also pass a border checkpoint, so this is included here as well.
For an exact location of these and all other border crossings on the Silk Road, see the border crossing map.
Armenia – Georgia border crossings
Bagratashen – Sadakhlo: Main road between Tbilisi and Yerevan. There is lots of transport between these 2 cities. Easy-breezy-beautiful.
Gogavan – Guguti: Border is open for international travelers. Very easy. The final 13 kilometres in Georgia goes through a beautiful beech forest, but it is a mud track.
Bavra – Ninotsminda: Border is open for international travelers. Hassle-free.
Armenia – Iran border crossings
Nordooz – Agarak
A beautiful, little-used border crossing with mountains on the Armenian side and stark desert as soon as you cross into/leave Iran. Traffic is very light here.
Experiences point to an easy, quick border crossing, but when entering Iran, there might be a man asking 1$ for insurance. Don’t pay. Updates can be posted here. There is a cafeteria as well as several exchange offices both on the Armenian and Iranian side. On the Iranian side, the rates are better than the official rate but worse than the street rate. No sim cards available at the border.
Armenia -> Iran
Comfortable Iranian VIP buses drive Yerevan – Goris – Tabriz/Tehran (12000 dram, 14 hr / 15000 dram, 24 hr). If your destination is Tabriz, you will be left in the outskirts of the city, where taxis are not readily available if you arrive at night – make arrangements for someone to pick you up if necessary.
All travel agents in town can book it for you – just don’t count on the wifi working. Royal Safar Iranian contacts:
- Yerevan: +374 94 070089 / 099929050 / 096929050
- Iran: 09143929050 / 88544952 / +989142419050
Armenian buses ply the route Yerevan – Meghri/Agarak. From Kapan and Karajan finding transport could prove tricky/expensive, while from Meghri you will have to hitch or take a taxi for the remaining 8km to the border. Once on the Iranian side, taxis await to take you to Agarak, and onwards to Julfa (3$), from where public transport is available.
Iran -> Armenia
Royal Safar Iranian buses to Yerevan cost 1 800 000 rials from Tehran and 1 000 000 rials from Tabriz.
Armenia – Nagorno-Karabakh border crossings
You can cross between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh at any point. The authorities prefer you to enter at the main crossing, on the Goris – Stepanakert highway, which is worth the drive for the views. In other places there is no border demarcation, and no controls whatsoever.
Tegh – Berdadzor: Between Goris and Stepanakert. There are direct minibuses from Yerevan to Stepanakert and back – 20 euros, a few per day. A taxi to Stepanakert will cost 60-100 euros for the car, you can stop en route at Khor Virap, Noravank and Tatev Monasteries. There is a petrol station at Tegh. There is no exit stamp for leaving what is officially Armenian land. From the border it’s a 2 hour drive to Stepanakert. Since you probably don’t have a visa yet, you will get a paper slip telling you to register at the MFA at the border.
Armenia – Turkey border crossings
Gyumri – Akyaka: Meetings have been held, agreements have been signed, but until further notice, this border is still closed. Very, very closed.
Armenia – Azerbaijan border crossings
Qazax – Sofulu: This border crossing is closed.