Abkhazia is often called the "country of the soul". Thanks to the hospitality of the locals and the beauty of nature, this state is one of the favorite places for spending summer holidays among our compatriots. All the advantages of a holiday in Abkhazia are obvious: there is no language barrier, no need to change currency, no need to apply for a visa or passport. Where is the Russian-Abkhazian border, and what do you need to know to cross it successfully?
General information about the checkpoint
Between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia, a significant part of the state border runs along the Psou River. The main checkpoint bears the same name and is located in the village of Vesele. Border terminals operate around the clock on three bridges: railway, road and pedestrian. The Russian-Abkhazian border has a customs inspection zone andborder control, the total length of which is about 150 meters. Abkhazia is an independent republic that has concluded an agreement with the Russian Federation on mutual visa-free travel. Today, citizens of the Russian Federation (as well as the countries of the former CIS) have the right to cross the Russian-Abkhazian border without obtaining a visa. This rule is valid for visits for any purpose, subject to stay in the territory of Abkhazia for no more than 90 days.
How can a tourist get to Abkhazia?
The Russian-Abkhazian border runs about 10 kilometers from the city of Adler in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. This is a large settlement, which can be reached from other regions of Russia by rail, air and motor transport. It is not difficult to get from Adler to the village of Veseloe to cross the border. Public transport runs from the city's railway stations, if you wish, you can take a taxi. Crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border by vacationers is carried out on pedestrian and motor transport bridges. When entering Abkhazia from the territory of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to pass the Russian checkpoint, and then the Abkhaz one. You can also cross the state border by rail. To do this, you need to purchase a ticket for an electric train or a train following the Adler-Sukhum route. At the border, the passenger train makes a stop, and border guards go around the cars, registering all passengers.
Required documents
Passing the Russian-Abkhazian border by personsover the age of 18 is carried out according to the internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign passport. No additional documents are required. Since 2006, when crossing the state border through the Psou checkpoint, it is necessary to conclude a contract of compulsory life and he alth insurance. This procedure is carried out on the Abkhaz side and takes a few minutes. Citizens of the Russian Federation who plan to stay on the territory of Abkhazia for 1 day must pay an insurance fee of 15 rubles. Persons entering the territory of the republic for a period of more than 1 day pay insurance at the rate of 10 rubles / 1 day of stay. The compulsory insurance contract protects the he alth, working capacity and life of foreign citizens during their stay in Abkhazia. The maximum payment provided for insured events is 30 thousand rubles. Keep the insurance policy until you return to Russia.
Rules for crossing the border by citizens of the Russian Federation under the age of 14
Children under the age of 14 cross the state border upon presentation of a birth certificate. Attention: the document must be stamped with Russian citizenship (sometimes a special insert is attached instead).
Minor citizens of Russia (14-18 years old) can enter Abkhazia with an internal passport or international passport. When crossing the border with one of the parents/legal representative, the consent of the second parent to take the child out is not required. To confirm family ties, you must have a certificate ofbirth. Consent to export is not required even in the event of the actual absence of one of the parents, which is confirmed by: a death certificate, documents on deprivation of parental rights, a mother's book or a statement on the abandonment of the child. For children under the age of 6 years, registration of a compulsory insurance policy is not required. If necessary, you can receive compensation under the policy of one of the parents / legal representative.
Rules for crossing the border on a footbridge
The Russian-Abkhazian border operates around the clock, seven days a week. There are information boards and signs near the checkpoints. If you believe the reviews of experienced tourists, it is simply impossible to enter Abkhazia without queues at the border at the height of the season. On the pedestrian bridge, those who enter with luggage pass border and customs control. Several windows are open on the Russian side, one of them is intended for citizens of Abkhazia returning home. Keep all necessary documents with you. After passing the Russian checkpoint, it is necessary to cross the bridge to the Abkhaz zone of border and customs control. Upon entering Abkhazia, a compulsory insurance policy is issued, documents are checked and luggage is examined according to a simplified scheme.
Crossing the border in private vehicles
Many tourists believe that the rules for passing the Russian-Abkhazian border are greatly simplified for persons entering the territory of Abkhazia by private car. This is a big misconception. At the entrance to the checkpoints, all passengers must leave the car and go to the footbridge. To cross the border in a personal vehicle registered in Russia, some documents are required. The driver must have a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a driver's license and a registration certificate for the car. Upon entry, a one-time fee for temporary registration with the traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia is paid. The amount of payment depends on the category of the vehicle and the length of stay in the country. You can cross the border in someone else's car, provided that the driver has a power of attorney authorizing the exit.
Does it make sense to order a transfer?
Sanatoriums and hotels of Abkhazia offer their guests a meeting in Adler and assistance in crossing the border. Such a service usually costs from 300 to 2000 rubles. Vacationers who come to Abkhazia for the first time are happy to order a transfer from the airport / train station in Adler. We will try to evaluate all the pros and cons of the service. Meeting in Adler will help those who are afraid of getting lost in an unfamiliar city feel more confident. The order of transport at the hotel in no way affects the comfort during the border crossing and the waiting time for your turn. All passengers of tourist buses and cars registered in Abkhazia pass the checkpoints on the pedestrian bridge. Immediately after crossing the border, on the Abkhazian side it is not difficult to find a taxi or wait for public transport. However, the transfer can be useful inif you are carrying a lot of luggage with you. This service will also help those who booked rooms in hotels that are difficult to reach by public transport or taxi.
Import of currency into the territory of Abkhazia
The official state currency in Abkhazia is the Russian ruble. Any citizen of the Russian Federation, when crossing the border, can import up to 3,000 dollars and / or 50,000 rubles without a customs declaration. Individuals are allowed to take out of Russia up to 10,000 dollars at a time with the submission of a written declaration. Additional documents for crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border will also be needed when importing a large amount of money in ruble equivalent. In this case, a written declaration is also submitted.
List of prohibited items and restrictions
We advise every traveler to study the full rules for crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border before traveling. Particularly noteworthy is the section of customs regulations for the import and export of various items for individuals. It is forbidden to bring weapons, narcotic substances and certain medicines into the territory of Abkhazia. Restrictions apply to many food products and household chemicals. An individual's baggage may only contain items for personal use. Do not be too lazy to study modern norms for one person, otherwise all excess will be confiscated.
Travel Tips
Features of crossing the Russian-Abkhazian border for citizens of the Russian Federation makeAbkhazia is one of the most accessible countries for the rest of our compatriots. The only thing that tourists are afraid of is long queues. Indeed, the waiting area for those entering Abkhazia is not ideally equipped today. Far from everyone who wants to get into the “land of the soul” fits under the canopies from the sun. If you are going to cross the border, try to foresee all your needs in advance. It's a good idea to bring a bottle of water and an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun, or wear a hat. Many travelers plan to cross the border at night. This is a good option, but at the height of the tourist season, even at the most unpopular time, you can get into the queue. At the entrance to the border and customs control zone there is a toilet, cafes and shops. It is not recommended to make serious purchases here due to high prices. But if necessary, you can eat and buy drinks.
Feedback on crossing the border with Abkhazia
The system of border and customs control at the border of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia is being improved every year. Despite this fact, many vacationers speak negatively about entering the territory of Abkhazia. The Russian-Abkhazian border has negative reviews, most often due to long queues. Of course, this is not a reason to refuse a vacation.
We recommend that you rest as much as possible before going through customs and border control. And go to the border with thoughts about the upcoming vacation. Experienced travelers joke that the Russian/Abkhazian border can be considered passed afterregistration of exit from Russia. It is true that registration of those entering the territory of Abkhazia usually takes no more than 20 minutes. Do not be too lazy to study all the rules in advance, and then crossing the border will seem like an ordinary bureaucratic formality.
