Georgia travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all travel to the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Unless you are carrying out essential business, such as humanitarian work, travellers are advised against all travel to areas near the Administrative Boundaries of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in particular Zugdidi (unless transiting on the way to Svaneti) and villages north of Gori.

Tension remains high around the Administrative Border Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. You should exercise caution if you travel along the M27 (also known as the M1) road, particularly where it runs very close to South Ossetia, i.e. between Gori and Khashuri and between the Stepantsminda/Gudauri turnoff and Gori, where there was a kidnapping in February 2009. There remains a risk of local volunteer militia or criminal activity along this road. It is not recommended that you use the M27 during the hours of darkness.

Travellers are also advised not to travel north from the M27 between the points named above, or west of the Georgian Military highway, as there is also a risk of criminal or militia activity in the Akhalgori area.

If you plan to visit any of the areas detailed above on essential business we advise that you liaise closely with the British Embassy, Tbilisi.

British nationals in Georgia who have not done so already should register with the British Embassy.

There have been some reports of mines and other explosions. There is some risk from unexploded ordnance in areas in which fighting took place last August or in military installations where Russian troops were present. You should avoid these areas until they are reported as having been cleared.

International airlines are operating normal services into and out of Tbilisi International Airport.

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel