Travelers holding an Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa in 2026 must fly from Georgia (Tbilisi TBS or Batumi BUS) into Azerbaijan (Baku GYD). Road border crossings remain closed to passenger entry until at least 2 January 2027, and the restored Tbilisi–Baku passenger train only carries Azerbaijani citizens and visa-free passport holders.
The 2026 Georgia–Azerbaijan Border Reality: Road vs. Rail vs. Air
For anyone planning a South Caucasus tour linking Tbilisi and Baku in 2026, outdated blog posts from before 2020 can easily derail an itinerary. Under a series of Cabinet of Ministers decisions — most recently extended in September 2026 until 06:00 on 2 January 2027 — Azerbaijan’s special quarantine regime keeps all land and sea road borders closed to ordinary passenger entry.
That means you cannot take a marshrutka (minibus), private taxi, rental car, or tour bus across the Georgia–Azerbaijan highway checkpoints at Red Bridge (Krasny Most / Sixli), Sadakhlo, David Gareja, or Lagodekhi–Balakan to enter Azerbaijan.
- Red Bridge (Georgia–Azerbaijan Highway Border): Closed to passenger entry until at least 2 January 2027.
- Lagodekhi–Balakan (Kakheti to Sheki Road Border): Closed to passenger entry until at least 2 January 2027.
- Tbilisi–Baku–Tbilisi Passenger Train (Boyuk Kesik railway crossing): Restored 25 May 2026 ONLY for Azerbaijani citizens and visa-free foreign passports.
- Tbilisi (TBS) to Baku (GYD) Direct Flights: Fully open to all travelers holding an approved Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa or visa-free passport.
Who Can Take the Restored Tbilisi–Baku Train (Since 25 May 2026)?
Many travelers heard news headlines that passenger rail service between Tbilisi and Baku resumed on 25 May 2026 and assumed anyone with an Azerbaijan eVisa could hop on the train. However, the official notice published by the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (migration.gov.az, 26 May 2026) sets a strict eligibility rule for the railway.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers decision, entry and exit via railway transport on the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku route via Boyuk Kesik station has been restored strictly for (1) citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and (2) citizens of foreign countries who have the right of visa-free entrance to Azerbaijan. If your passport requires an Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa — which includes citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, all EU/Schengen member states, India, and Pakistan — you are NOT eligible to enter Azerbaijan on the Tbilisi–Baku train and must fly instead.
State Migration Service Rule (in force since 25 May 2026): The Tbilisi–Baku passenger train only accepts Azerbaijani citizens and foreign nationals who enjoy visa-free entry to Azerbaijan. eVisa holders must enter Azerbaijan by air.
Which Passports Are Visa-Free vs. Which Need the ASAN eVisa from Tbilisi?
To know whether you must book a flight from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) with an ASAN eVisa, check how Azerbaijan classifies your passport in 2026:
- Permanent Visa-Free Passports (17 countries): Georgia, Türkiye, UAE, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Serbia, Albania, Morocco (ordinary passports), and Maldives (90 days), plus Qatar (30 days) and China (30 days per entry).
- Temporary Unilateral Visa-Free Passports (3 entries of up to 30 days until their 2027 end dates): Hong Kong and Macao SAR (to 2 Feb 2027); Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait (to 15 Feb 2027); Japan and South Korea (to 1 Jul 2027); Bosnia & Herzegovina and Singapore (to 1 Aug 2027).
- ASAN eVisa Required Passports (Must Fly into Baku GYD): United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all European Union & Schengen countries, Switzerland, Norway, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and over 50 other eligible countries.
How to Fly from Tbilisi (TBS) to Baku (GYD) with an ASAN eVisa
Fortunately, flying between the Georgian and Azerbaijani capitals is fast and frequent. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL / Buta) operates multiple daily nonstop flights between Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), with a block time of around 70 minutes, alongside seasonal flights from Batumi (BUS).
If you are already in Georgia and decide to add Baku to your trip, you can apply online for your Azerbaijan ASAN eVisa from Tbilisi. Standard processing takes 3–5 working days ($59.99 total with Nomadic Mart), while Urgent (within 24 hours, $99.99) and Super Fast (3–5 hours, $119.99) allow you to get your eVisa approved while in Tbilisi and fly to Baku the very next day. Remember to ask your hotel in Tbilisi to print your approved A4 eVisa PDF before you head to Tbilisi Airport.
Important Caucasus Route Note: Combining Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan
Because the direct border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is completely closed, travelers visiting all three South Caucasus republics always use Tbilisi (Georgia) as the neutral hub between Yerevan and Baku. Whether you travel Yerevan -> Tbilisi -> Baku or Baku -> Tbilisi -> Yerevan, the Georgia–Armenia land border (Sadakhlo–Bagratashen) and the Tbilisi–Yerevan railway are open, whereas the Georgia–Azerbaijan leg for eVisa holders must be completed by air between TBS and GYD.
Also note UK FCDO and Canadian government travel advice: anyone who has previously visited conflict-affected districts in south-western Azerbaijan (including Khankendi) without official permission from the Azerbaijani authorities may be refused entry to Azerbaijan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Georgia–Azerbaijan land border (Red Bridge) open to tourists in 2026? — No. Azerbaijan extended its special land-border quarantine regime until at least 06:00 on 2 January 2027. All road crossings between Georgia and Azerbaijan remain closed to passenger entry.
Can I take the Tbilisi to Baku train with an Azerbaijan eVisa in 2026? — No. The restored Tbilisi–Baku passenger train (running since 25 May 2026) only accepts Azerbaijani citizens and citizens of visa-free countries. Travelers who need an Azerbaijan eVisa must fly into Baku (GYD).
Can I apply for my Azerbaijan eVisa while I am already traveling in Georgia? — Yes. You can apply online from Tbilisi or anywhere else. Choose Standard (3–5 working days), Urgent (within 24 hours), or Super Fast (3–5 hours) processing, and print the A4 PDF at your hotel before flying from TBS to GYD.
How long is the flight from Tbilisi (TBS) to Baku (GYD)? — Nonstop flights between Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Can I visit Azerbaijan if I have an Armenian stamp in my passport from earlier on my Caucasus trip? — Having visited the Republic of Armenia itself does not prohibit entry to Azerbaijan, though border officers at GYD may ask routine questions about the purpose of your visit and verify that you did not enter restricted south-western districts of Azerbaijan without permission.
Do Georgian citizens need an eVisa to travel to Azerbaijan? — No. Georgian passport holders enjoy 90-day visa-free entry to Azerbaijan and are eligible to use both direct flights and the restored Tbilisi–Baku passenger train.
