Georgia to Russia Border crossing (Zemo Larsi - Chertov Most)

[steven]

Hi Rögnvaldur,

In terms of traffic-related deaths, Russia is on par with Armenia and twice as safe as Iran. Turkey and Georgia are much better, though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... death_rate

Bandits and burglars? I guess that happens. Couldn't comment, but haven't heard of them sofar.

Police: yes, I think that is the likeliest option, especially in Chechnya and Dagestan police might question you thinking you are a spy. And if you break the rules, they will catch you, and you will have to pay. Bribes without reason are less likely in Russia these days I would say.

[stephjoy]

Hello,

I struggled to find up to date and specific information on crossing the border from Russia to Georgia, so I'm sharing the route I took in November 2017.

I flew from Moscow to Vladikavkaz and stayed in a hostel for a night. In the morning (Friday), the hostel manager (who spoke no English, we were using google translate) said there was a bus leaving from Bus Station No 1, which is located on Arkhonskoye Highway in Vladikavkaz, at 10:10am and it was 700 rubals. When I arrived by taxi to the bus station, the bus was already full. Apparently there was a minivan leaving at 11am for 900 rubals however, that too was full.

There were a number of taxi drivers standing out the front of the bus station, and a helpful Russian lady and a random man who spoke some English helped me find a driver who was going to Tbilisi. When the car filled up we left. It cost me 1,500 rubal for the journey.

When we got to the Zemo Larsi/Verkhnij Lars border crossing (about an hour or so from Vladikavkaz) we showed our passports to the Russian offical. 3 of 5 people in the car were allowed to pass (all Russian) however, me (Australian) and a Russian passenger were asked to step to the side and wait for a minute. We were both then interrogated by Russian officials for about an hour. No one at the border spoke English, and it was only by luck that there was an English speaking Russian in my car who could act as my translator. If he was not there, I was told they would have had to call a translator which could have taken a serious amount of time. The interrogating wasn't intimidating, but they wanted where I had spent each day in the country, if I knew any Russians, if I had made friends, where I was going, how I could afford to travel etc etc

When they finally gave us back our passports we drove through no mans land to Georgia, and from there it was a pretty painless process. A quick check that Australians were allowed in the country without a visa, a stamp in the passport and away we were.

We did get caught in a blizzard along the Georgian Military Highway, but the driver was experienced and handled it well.

We got dropped off at a central bus station in Tbilisi, walked a very short distance to the metro and jumped on a train to the city.

I am 24, female, travelling alone and speak basically no Russian.

[jelger]

on the other hand i read much about being bribed by police, road bandits, burglars en traffic accidents in Russia. Therefore i am not sure if it´s worth to take the risk and drive through Russia. Most forums on the internet about this are some years old. Does someone know how the roadsafety is from Georgia to Latvia by Rostov on Don, Voronezh, Smolensk?

Probably outdated to reply this, but for future travellers.

In the North Caucasus republics that you'll cross (North Ossetia-Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, Stavropol Krai and Krasnodar Krai) you will see quite a few traffic police, more than further up north. Higher risk of getting bribed. Happened to me. It always happens to me at least once in Russia. There a few DPS checkpoints to be passed as well.

The road to from Kazbeg/Larsi to Moscow is safe, and mostly upgraded in recent years and in good condition.. Most of it is upgraded to 2 + 2 highways. I haven't experienced any seriously dangerous situations.

[brigante32]

16th April crossing from Georgia. One hour questioning by the FSB. Reason? First time in Russia and my passport (especially visas from Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan). After that they help me catch hitch-hiking.

[CallumT]

Crossed this border today with my partner. Like most foreign tourists we were pulled aside for questioning, although the man who spoke to us was actually quite friendly. Perhaps it was because I knew some basic Russian, but compared to when we crossed into Russia from Mongolia this was a breeze. Nobody there speaks any English though.

Fortunately for me I had brought what was essentially a complete biography of myself translated into Russian with me. As an Australian I needed one to apply for the Russian visa in Tbilisi and being able to give that to the officer made a huge difference I think.

Total crossing from arriving at the Georgian post to leaving the Russian post took about 3 hours. Surprisingly easy if still annoying with the whole background check questioning

[zoey_wong]

I entered Russia from Georgia on 9 October this year. There is a bus departing everyday at 5am from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz at Dibube terminal, if you miss this bus there are private drivers going the same way before 5pm. I paid 50 Gel after bargaining, and it should take 4 hours without problems at border.

I used British passport (overseas nationals) for Georgia and Hong Kong SAR passport for Russia. Both sides went very smooth they just asked me one or two simple questions. They even didn't check my luggages. It may help that I understand a little Russian.