How to Travel from Baku to Tbilisi via Overnight Train: A Complete Breakdown (2023)

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Traveling via train is one of my favorite things, not just because I hate flying, but also because:

1. it’s way more environmentally friendly (trains release up to 90% fewer carbon emissions than a plane!);
2. I get so much more done on the train;
3. it cuts all the hassle and stress of airport security, etc.

The Baku to Tbilisi train was my first ever overnight train experience, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed my 8-hour train ride from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka, so I was feeling a little more confident about this 13-hour journey. Furthermore, the overnight train was a sleeper train which means you can lie flat throughout the trip.

Here is the information I have gathered while planning my own Baku to Tbilisi train journey.

Note: Unfortunately tourists are currently not allowed to enter Azerbaijan by land as the country’s land borders remain closed. The train service between Tbilisi and Baku is suspended in both directions. The only available mode of travel from Georgia to Azerbaijan is by plane. Although entry restrictions were lifted on March 28, land borders will remain closed until (at least) October 2, 2023. I will keep updating this information as more details become available.

Baku – Tbilisi Train Overview

The train between Baku and Tbilisi travels in both directions. The overnight train 37 runs daily from Tbilisi to Baku, while overnight train 38 runs daily in the opposite direction.

Train 37: Tbilisi to Baku

Train 37 departs Station Square, Tbilisi at 8.35pm, crosses the Azerbaijan border roughly around 11pm, and arrives into Baku station at 8.50am the next morning. The journey takes roughly 12 hours 15 mins and spans across a total distance of 551km. Tickets cost 38-97 GEL ($12-30 USD) depending on the cabin you choose.

Train 38: Baku to Tbilisi

Train 38 departs Baku Station at 8.40pm, crosses the border around 5.25am, and arrives into Tbilisi’s Station Square at 8.55am the next morning. The journey takes roughly the same amount of time as Train 37, and tickets cost 23-57 AZN ($12-32 USD), again depending on which cabin class you choose.

Baku to Tbilisi Cabin Classes & Fares

There are three different cabin classes on the Baku to Tbilisi train, all of them air-conditioned sleeper cabins.

How to buy tickets for the Baku to Tbilisi train

It’s easy to purchase train tickets online for the Baku to Tbilisi journey. You can do this via the Azerbaijan Railways website. Just select From “Baku-Pass” and To “Tbilisi-Pass”. You can select your seats and pay by credit card. But you will still have to exchange your order confirmation for physical tickets at the train station.

Unfortunately, for the journey in the opposite direction, tickets have to be bought physically at the train station itself.

Baku to Tbilisi train: My Experience

After watching YouTube videos on the train journey, and reading countless blogs, we chose the 1st class cabins for our journey. Since we were not seasoned train travelers, we weren’t sure what to expect, so we opted for the most comfortable option, which turned out to be a very wise decision.

The train departs Baku Station at 8.40pm, so we arrived at the station about an hour earlier to pick up our physical tickets and have dinner. We got to the platform around 8.35pm, where a ticket lady was standing at the train doors checking tickets and passports. Do take note of the relevant visa requirements as you will be crossing borders on this journey.

Once we got onto the train, we were pleasantly surprised by how spacious our cabin was. We had enough space for two large spinner suitcases that fit nicely under our seats. We were provided with two pillows, a quilt, and a mattress topper each. Shortly after our train left the station, the train attendant brought us fresh sheets and a towel. All this is already included in the price of your ticket. The only downsides were that the toilet can get a little stinky throughout the journey (as is to be expected), and there is no WiFi onboard, so you’ll need to get your own local SIM or stay connected with AirAlo.

I found the train ride to be extremely comfortable, comfortable enough to sleep, even for someone like me who usually has a hard time sleeping unless in absolutely optimal conditions. The train does stop a few times in the night, sometimes to an abrupt stop but did not bother me much. The best part was watching the sunrise and the sky change colors. You will probably be awake at this time anyway as this is the time the border crossing happens, and the immigration officers come on board.

Azerbaijan – Georgia Border Crossing

We heard many accounts of the border crossing to be somewhat “scary” and “intimidating”, especially due to the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, so we were a little anxious about this.

At around 5am, the train attendants knocked on our doors to wake us up to get ready for the border control. Thankfully, there is no disembarkation – everything is done on board, which makes it extremely convenient, especially when it’s 5 in the morning and you’ve probably still got crust on your eyes. First, you will stop at the Azeri border where they will collect your passports for inspection and then return it to you when you’re done.

Once that was done, our passports were returned and we were on our way to the Georgian border.  The Georgian officers came on board, collected our passports and declaration forms and left. Shortly after, we were called into a separate room where they asked for our names, took a picture, and sent us on our way. No questioning, no dramas, whatsoever.

A little while later, an officer came into our cabins and asked us if we were carrying anything illegal. He enquired about us and how we knew each other, and then asked if we were carrying any guns, to which we found hilarious since we were clearly just two female Asian tourists who would probably have no idea how to operate a gun even if we came across one. What a sense of humor these Georgian people have.

All in all, we found the whole process very easy and stress-free. Perhaps it was because we were leaving Azerbaijan and entering Georgia, which had no conflict with Armenia. The situation might be different traveling in the reverse direction when you are entering Azerbaijan from Georgia.

Baku to Tbilisi Train Packing List

We felt we did not need anything in particular during the journey, as the facilities provided are already rather comprehensive. There is no dining on board, though you probably won’t be requiring it as you will be traveling through the night, and arriving just in time for breakfast. They do however serve tea and coffee. I would recommend bringing some a reusable water bottle and some snacks if you like having something to munch on during your journey.

If you don’t have your own private cabin, some reusable silicone earplugs and a sleeping mask could come in very handy.

Besides that, if you get a little restless like me, I always have my trusty MacBook with me and a good set of AirPods Pro to help me pass the time. I also carry my Kindle with me all the time, though I have to admit I hardly have the time for it!

For more packing tips and hacks, check out my guide on The Only Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need.

Where to Stay in Baku

• Budget option! Sahil Hostel & Hotel – From $6 per night for a bed
  If you’re on a budget, this is the best and highest rated hostel in Baku! Only 600m from Fountain Square and 700m from Maiden Tower, the location is unbeatable.
• Icheri Sheher Hotel – From $33 per night
  Located right next to Shirvanshah Palace, this hotel even has its own park you can enjoy your morning walks in!
• Premier Old Gates Hotel – From $53 per night
  Featuring stylish rooms and a terrace with a stunning view of the Flame Towers. Just 300m from Maiden Tower!
• Shah Palace Hotel – From $95 per night
  Enjoy some luxury for less at Shah Palace Hotel, with elegant classic-style rooms, and only 200m from Maiden Tower!
• ART Gallery Boutique Hotel – From $142 per night
  If aesthetics are important to you, then you can trust an art gallery not to disappoint in that department. Very stylishly decorated rooms to gain you those IG likes! Strategically located just 25m from Maiden Tower! Another great thing is that this hotel has elevators, which is hard to come by in Baku’s Old City!
• Unique! Hotel Fairmont, Flame Towers – From $178 per night
  How about staying in the Flame Towers itself? Staring at the Flame Towers from the outside is pretty cool, but how about taking a look at it from the inside and be treated to stunning views of the Capsian Sea!
• Splurge! Four Seasons Hotel Baku – From $292 per night
  If your wallet can stomach it, why not? It’s the Four Seasons.

Things to Do in Baku

• Take photos of the stunning architectural marvel, Heydar Aliyev Center
• Take a walk through Baku’s Old City
• Take a day trip to the Gobustan mud volcanoes
• Photograph the iconic Flame Towers
• Take a day trip to Guba and Khinalug

Read my in-depth 3-Day Baku Itinerary here!

Tbilisi to Baku Train FAQs

Do you like train rides? Or are you planning to take the train ride between Baku and Tbilisi? Drop me a comment below!

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