Georgia / Turkey Border crossing at Sarpi

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Sarpi is a small village on the coast of the Black Sea of Georgia, on the border with Turkey. There is a border crossing point between Georgia and Turkey.

Sarpi is the main land border crossing between the two countries and a major conduit for business travel, especially for Turkish companies doing business in Batumi. Sarpi is located about 12 km south of Batumi and about 20 km northeast of Hopa, Turkey.

Sarpi border crossing between Georgia and Turkey

I used this border crossing quite often about a decade ago, first crossed it back in August 2011, when hitchhiked in Turkey. Quite awesome memories. Most of the time I've crossed this border on foot, even when going on a bus. Once I was driving Batumi - Istanbul, and even then all passengers where asked to cross the border by foot. I suppose the service is more convenient if you travel in your own vehicle. 

There is public bus service and marshrutkas available to travel to nearby Batumi from Sarpi village. Back in 2012 we lived for some 6 month in Batumi, back then we were using public bus to come to the Sarpi beach, just to enjoy a bottle of Georgian or Turkish bear (Argo/Efes)

Currency exchange in Sarpi village

For EU nationals crossing both the Georgian and Turkish border is easy. In fact many long term Georgia expats use Sarpi border crossing to get their passports stamped to obey 360 day visa free regime. For Turkey it should be about 90 days, though. Its common way how to get your passport stamped, travelling to nearby Trabzon for a day or two, for example. I have heard stories that some expats just cross the border and come back in the same day.

Stray dog at Sarpi village

There is a bus station connecting to Batumi, few cafeterias with plastic tables. Welcome to Georgia, or Enjoy your time in Turkey if leaving!

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