Tbilis-Baku daily passenger rail service to resume on May 26

Georgia and Azerbaijan have reached an agreement within the framework of strengthening strategic partnership and regional cooperation to restore daily passenger railway service between Tbilisi and Baku, with the first train scheduled to depart on May 26.

The railway connection, which was suspended in 2020 due to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume regular operations.

Given that the land border between the two countries has remained closed for passenger traffic for the past six years, the restoration of passenger rail services represents an important, practical, and strategic alternative for connectivity between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The renewed service is expected to significantly complement existing air travel and contribute to the growth of mobility, tourism, and economic relations between the two nations.

The resumption of railway traffic will further strengthen people-to-people ties, enhance regional connectivity, and support increased mobility across the South Caucasus. It will also provide passengers with a safe, affordable, and comfortable transportation alternative in the region.

The reopening of passenger railway services is also expected to positively impact bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in the sectors of tourism, trade, and services. Azerbaijan has traditionally been one of Georgia’s key tourism markets, and the restoration of rail travel is anticipated to increase tourist flows, providing additional stimulus to the hospitality industry, small and medium-sized businesses, and the economic activity of regions located along the railway route.