1. Tbilisi → Hopa (Day 1 – Overnight in Hopa)

Best option: Metro Georgia Express – modern coaches, Wi-Fi, AC, USB ports, toilet on board.

Departure point: Tbilisi Ortachala Central Bus Station (Navtlughi St.) – metro “Station Square” → 5 min walk.

Schedule: Daily 10:00 AM sharp (be there 9:30 AM)

Duration: 7–9 hours total (Tbilisi → Batumi 5 hrs + border 1–2 hrs + Batumi → Hopa 1 hr)

Price: 50 GEL (~$18) cash only

Ticket counter: Window No.10, 2nd floor – open 08:00–18:00. Buy 1–3 days early in summer.

Route highlights: Zestafoni vineyards, Kobuleti beaches, Sarpi cliff views, first glimpse of Turkish tea plantations.

Arrival: Hopa Central Otogar (~6–7 PM)

2. Sarpi Border Crossing (Georgia → Turkey)

Distance between checkpoints: 300 m walk (uphill, cobblestones – wear comfy shoes)

Step-by-step (1–2 hours):

• Bus stops at Georgian exit – driver announces “Passport control!”
• Take hand luggage ONLY (backpacks, purses)
• Georgian exit stamp – usually 5–10 min
• Walk 300 m to Turkish entrance (signs in English)
• Full luggage removed from bus & X-ray scanned
• Turkish passport control + customs declaration
• Bus waits in no-man’s-land – driver loads luggage again

Documents required:

• Passport valid 6+ months
• Turkey entry: 90-day visa-free for EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
• e-Visa needed for Russia, Ukraine, India, etc. – apply evisa.gov.tr ($20–60, 5 min)

Currency: Change GEL to TRY at border (rates OK) or withdraw TL from Ziraat ATM (zero fee).

3. Overnight in Hopa – Where to Stay, Eat & Relax

Arrival: Hopa Central Otogar (exact location: 41.4055, 41.4250)

Hotels (all 5–10 min walk):

• Hopa Artvin Otel – clean, central, sea view, $25–40
• Grand Hopa Otel – balcony rooms, breakfast included, $35–55
• Öğretmenevi (Teacher’s House) – government hotel, $15–20, book via phone
• Hostel option: Hopa Hostel & Cafe – dorm $12

Dinner recommendations:

• Liman Lokantası – fresh Black Sea hamsi & kalkan fish ($8–12)
• Hopa Pidecisi – closed-top pide with kaşar cheese ($4)
• Çay bahçesi (tea gardens) along coast – unlimited çay + Black Sea sunset

Next morning: Taxi to Hopa Octogari (1.5 km) – 20 TL, 5 min. Ask hotel to call at 9:15 AM.

4. Hopa → Kars (Day 2 – The Most Scenic Bus Ride in Turkey)

Bus station: Hopa Octogari (small office, 1.5 km from center – taxi 20 TL)

Companies: Kanberoğlu Turizm, Yeşil Artvin Ekspres, Özlem Ardahan

Schedule: ONLY ONE BUS DAILY – 10:30 AM sharp

Duration: 7 hours (lunch stop included)

Price: 280 TL (~$8) cash or Biletall.com (same price)

Route highlights:

• Artvin Çoruh Valley (emerald river gorges)
• Yusufeli Dam (world’s 5th tallest)
• 2,600 m Çam Pass (snow walls in winter)
• Tortum Lake & Waterfall photo stop
• Erzurum plain at golden hour

Lunch stop: Yusufeli Restoran – 45 min, kebabs + ayran included in ticket.

Arrival: Kars Otogar (~5:30 PM) – 10 min walk or 20 TL taxi to old town.

5. Winter Alternative: Night Sleeper Train (Oct–Apr)

Route: Tbilisi → Gyumri (Armenia) → Kars (historic Kars–Tbilisi railway)

Schedule: Departs Tbilisi Central Station 20:20, arrives Kars 07:30

Duration: 11 hours (includes 2-hour border stop at 3 AM)

Classes:

• 1st class 2-berth sleeper – $45
• 2nd class 4-berth – $35

Booking: railway.gr (English) or ticket office (open 09:00–18:00)

On board: Clean sheets, blankets, tea service, dining car (limited menu).

Border: Passengers stay on train; officers board at Akhuryan (warm blankets provided).

6. Private Transfer: Door-to-Door Luxury (Any Season)

Platform: GoTrip.ge – choose car, driver, custom stops

Price: $180–220 (1–4 pax) – split = cheaper than bus + hotel!

Duration: 9–11 hours with photo stops

Popular add-ons:

• Borjomi mineral springs
• Vardzia cave city
• Akhaltsikhe Rabati Castle
• Ani medieval ruins (Turkish side)

Driver perks: Handles all border paperwork, waits during immigration, Wi-Fi in car.

Booking: gotrip.ge → Tbilisi → Kars → select stops → pay 25% deposit.