How to get in Kars and travel around Kars?

In this part I will try to give some travel choices  for getting to Kars and travel around Kars.

First of all, please always take into consideration that; in winter time, it is not so easy to find a bus or to hitchhike after around 5 pm! And in winter time, it is usually under 0 Celsius degree, so hitchhiking is not a safe way to travel.

You can find a flight, train and buses to Kars daily.

Tblisi-Kars: Unfortunately there is no direct bus. I know from some people who hitchhiked from Tbilisi to Kars that it takes one day.

Shortest route is the Tblisi-Gori-Khashuri-Borjomi- Akhaltsike- Vale- BORDER-Ardahan-Kars.

It is 380 kilometers in total. The road has quite nice views. So travelling is a little bit difficult. All through the way you will want to stop and watch around. On Georgia side, if you have time in Gori you can visit Stalin’s museum. And in Borjomi you can camp in the national park (Borjomi Kharaguli National Park is one of the best places I have ever been for hiking).

In Georgia side you can stay in guesthouses, you will see many of them on the way. Most of the owners are quite nice people, they are cooking delicious Georgian food and serving delicious Georgian wine. And prices are around 15-20 Lari per person.

In Turkey side, if you have time and possibility, you can visit Şeytan Kalesi (kale means fortress) and Lake Çıldır. There is one fish restaurant named ‘Atalayın Yeri’ on the coast of the Lake Çıldır. It is at the north-east coast of the lake. 

Erzurum-Kars: It is a quite common route, it is 200 kilometers in total. Cheapest way is to hitchhike or  to take a buses. Almost every hour or every two hours you can find a bus between Kars and Erzurum. If you have possibility you can drink tea at Karakurt in local cafes which are called “kahvehane”. I have to say that usually men go there, and as you are strangers, firstly all people will stare at you. Just try to feel comfartable and show with your fingers how many tea you want and just say ‘chai’.  On this route, I ate in Horasan at a local restaurant, food was delicious and the prices are around 7 Turkish liras per plate.

Ardahan-Kars: It is a quite common route, it is 90 kilometers in total. Cheapest way is to hitchhike or  to take a bus. Almost every hour or every two hours you can find a bus between Kars and Ardahan in day time.

Iğdır-Kars: It is a quite common route, it is 135 kilometers in total. Cheapest way is to hitchhike or  to take a bus. Almost every hour or every two hours you can find a bus between Kars and Iğdır in day time.