Travel information reviewed on 20 September 2026.
Travellers planning to visit Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia often ask which direction makes more sense: start in Baku and travel west, or begin in Yerevan or Tbilisi and finish in Azerbaijan? We offer our multi-country itineraries in both directions. The sights remain the same; what changes is the order of travel and, under the current border rules, how you reach Azerbaijan.
Why we usually recommend starting in Baku
Azerbaijan’s land border restrictions began during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 20 September 2026, the land border from Georgia into Azerbaijan remains closed: you cannot enter Azerbaijan by road, but you can leave Azerbaijan for Georgia overland.
Travellers can fly into Baku and leave Azerbaijan either overland or by air. The restrictions have been extended repeatedly, most recently until 1 October 2026. We will not assume the land border has reopened until this is officially confirmed.
For most travellers, the practical route is to fly into Baku, explore Azerbaijan first, leave Azerbaijan by land for Georgia, then finish in Tbilisi or Yerevan. This avoids the extra Tbilisi–Baku flight needed in the opposite direction. The direct Armenia–Azerbaijan border is closed, so a three-country overland route passes through Georgia.
Our 16-day journey from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Armenia follows this east-to-west sequence. If you have less time, see the 10-day Caucasus Express.
Can I start in Armenia or Georgia instead?
Yes. Sometimes flying into Yerevan or Tbilisi and returning home from Baku fits your plans much better. We can arrange the same sightseeing in the opposite direction, beginning in Armenia or Georgia and ending in Azerbaijan. Because you cannot normally enter Azerbaijan overland from Georgia, that version includes a flight from Tbilisi to Baku for the Azerbaijan section. Direct flights on this route take around an hour, with several departure times available on most days.
This option is especially useful if you already have flights that cannot be changed, or if the connections from your home city are markedly better in that direction. Take a look at our Armenia–Georgia–Azerbaijan itinerary for the reverse sequence.
Which direction should you choose?
If both flight options work equally well, we recommend Baku first, then Georgia and Armenia. It lets you enter Azerbaijan by air and continue into Georgia by land, avoiding an extra regional flight. If you prefer to start in Yerevan or Tbilisi, we can arrange that too, with the Tbilisi–Baku flight included in the travel plan. Tell us your preferred dates and departure airport, and we will compare the available flights and the best sequence for your trip.
Explore our multi-country Caucasus tours or contact us to plan your journey.