Posof (TR) - Vale (GEO): border crossing reports

[andrewk]

In January 2020 we travelled from Akhaltsikhe in Georgia to Kars in Turkey. 

We found some of the information online and from locals in Georgia (ie taxi driver) to be confusing or contradictory. Also many of the forum posts were about travelling from Kars to Georgia, and not the other way around. So we wanted to update with what we found:

- The border crossing is definitely open 24 hours. - From Akhaltsikhe we took an early morning taxi to the Vale
- Posof border crossing (leaving at 7am), this was 20 Lari, 30minute journey.
- It took us 30 minutes to cross the border/immigration, as we had to wake a number of the border control staff up, I think we were the first people to cross that morning! 
- From the border crossing we took a taxi to Posof (again we had to wake the taxi driver up), this cost 60 Lira, 20minute journey.
- We arrived in time to catch the daily 8am bus from Posof to Kars (40 Lira per person). Note that we don't know if there are buses later in the day, which is why we had to cross the border so early in the morning (we think there may be in Summer but that this is the only one in Winter).
- Actually the 8am bus didn't arrive, after 45 minutes (phone calls were happening with the ticket guy but we didn't understand why), so us and the other passengers were directed onto an Ardahan bus and refunded the price difference (only 30 Lira to Ardahan). We then changed in Ardahan for Kars (assisted by the other Kars passengers), without having to wait at all. That leg was 25 Lira. We arrived in Kars at 11am, the roads are good and it was faster than Google Maps had predicted. 
- In retrospect we could have just crossed the border later and gone via Ardahan, as it seems there are plenty of buses from there to Kars and it doesn't take much longer/cost much more. 

If coming direct from Tbilisi then there is a direct bus to Kars that leaves from the Ortachala bus station once a day.

[steven]

Got this via e-mail:

We are traveling by bike and were today refused border crossing (crossing from Turkey to Georgia). The Georgian police didn't let us pass because this crossing is only open for trucks (so no car, bike, pedestrian can pass). We tried and argued for 1h, it was impossible, we had to turn away. They told us that it is the same situation at the Cildir-Aktas border crossing.

[Sarapicci]

Hi! Any news about the turkey-georgia borders? At the end did you manage to arrive in Georgia from Turkey?
Thanks

[Daretotravel]

Hi Im in the same boat as yours. I'm in Kars and wondering if its still the same issue with crossing borders via Kars. Is it closed from Turkey from Posof or Cilder is it opened or still closed?

[Rutgerthomas]

We tried to cross the posof-vale border from turkey into georgia today, in a car. Unfortunately still closed for everything except trucks. They now won’t even let you through at the turkish side because the turkish border guards got in trouble for letting everyone through only to be refused at the georgian side. Sarpi still the only option!

[JeromeL]

Hello!
Did someone have recent informations about this border from Georgia to Turkey?
As i understand the first message it should be opened by any way (pedestrian/car/whatever) but someone on Akhatsike just told me today it is closed, only open for trucks.

[JeromeL]

I confirm, just coming back from the border, on Georgian side, it is only for trucks. This border is closed (21/08/2021) for tourists. Have to go Batumi

[adi]

Only read this thread after arriving in Achazhkide after a 5 hour ride from Batumi the long way round.
Alas turned up a Turkish newspaper article that a local bigwig had visited the crossing and said he was glad it reopened March 1st 22. So much for Google translate.

Thus not totally discouraged I hopped in a taxi, off to go.
And to be promptly turned back by the Georgian border guard: it's still trucks only.

[_Ellen_]

I don't quite understand. Can someone please clarify...

Is border crossing from Turkey to Georgia in Batumi possible?

[Ecotrail]

Hi Ellen, yes the Sarpi border crossing from Turkey to Georgia (on the main coastal highway near Batumi) is open to tourists on foot, bicycle, auto, and transport. You will need a negative PCR to cross. The officials may also ask you to fill out the online entry form. We were directed to simply scan a QR code on the window of the booth which directed us to the form. This thread is primarily discussing the Vale Posof border crossing from Turkey to Akhaltsikhe. Have Fun!