Road to Abkhazia by car: detailed description and tips

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Traveling by car is becoming more and more popular among Russians, because it allows you to visit the most interesting places without haste and without any additional obligations. A loyal customs regime between our country and neighboring states allows you to visit the latter with minimal restrictions. Therefore, you can go, for example, to Abkhazia by car and see with your own eyes ancient temples, majestic waterfalls and ancient fortresses.

What are the best resorts to go to?

Regardless of whether you go to Abkhazia by car, train or bus, you need to decide on a place to stay. Despite the outdated infrastructure, it is full of beaches, restaurants and entertainment venues, so it will be much cheaper to relax in this country than in Egypt or Turkey. Love to soak up the sun? Pay attention to Gagra, where the warm season begins in mid-April andends in October. This resort will also appeal to lovers of dancing until the morning - local clubs hold parties every day for everyone.

Are you interested in history and architecture? Then it is best to stop in New Athos, where the oldest buildings peacefully coexist with landscapes unearthly in their beauty. Near the architectural monuments there are large plantations of southern fruits and access there is open to everyone. There are also beaches here, which are mostly artificial and consist of pebbles, which makes them safer.

If you are traveling to Abkhazia by car with small children, it is best to relax in Pitsunda, a small urban-type settlement located not far from Gagra. A quiet and peaceful place with pebble beaches will appeal to those who prefer a peaceful holiday and are not ready to waste time on excursions.

How to get directions from the capital?

If we compare all possible vehicles suitable for international travel, it is easiest to leave Moscow for Abkhazia by car. On your way will lie: Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar, Sochi, Adler and other settlements. On average, the journey takes about 18-20 hours, the amount of time will depend on the selected speed limit, overnight stay, the presence of a second driver and other factors.

Most of the route will run along the federal highway "Don" (M4), it is mainly two-lane and aboundsa large number of hotels, roadside cafes and gas stations, whose services you can use at any time of the day. Another advantage of the highway is a high-quality roadbed on which you can drive without fear of damaging the wheels.

One of the main disadvantages of traveling from Moscow to Abkhazia by car is the toll sections into which this highway is divided. In order not to waste time and not pay every time for travel at local payment points, you can buy a transporter in the capital for 1,000–1,500 rubles, and use it for payments on absolutely all toll sections of the road.

Can I drive for free?

According to existing legislation, the state is obliged to provide an alternative to toll highways. That is why you can save on a trip to Abkhazia by car, bypassing the commercial sections of the M4 Don highway. One of the alternative options is the M2 highway, which connects Moscow and Simferopol, with its help you can bypass several paid sections and go to a free one in the Yelets area.

On the M4 itself there are always signs indicating that a toll section begins ahead. They also inform drivers about the availability of a free detour and point to another highway. After 633 kilometers of the Don, toll sections end and then no one requires you to pay for the fare, however, it is planned to introduce new sections in the Voronezh and Rostov regions, so be careful and careful.

How to properly prepare a car for a trip?

Trip to Abkhazia forthe car will require serious preparation from you, because you will have to overcome almost 3000 kilometers, taking into account the way back. That is why you need to conduct a full check of your vehicle, the easiest way to do this is by going to the nearest car service. Of course, such an inspection may require financial investments from you, but you will get a lot of free time that you can spend on more important things.

Check all the technical fluids in your vehicle and top up or replace them completely if necessary. We are talking about the oil levels in the automatic transmission and engine, brake fluid, as well as the amount of antifreeze. You can make some checks on your own, and for some you will have to contact the workshop.

Be sure to check the tire pressure before you go by car to Abkhazia. What should be paid special attention to? On tires: they must not be inflated, only in this case you will be able to safely drive your vehicle. Be sure to check the operation of all lighting devices: brake lights, turn signals, low and high beam bulbs, etc.

Prepare spare tools: wheel, jack, set of keys. Take a pump with you, as well as everything you need to repair a punctured tire. It is also recommended to prepare fuses, light bulbs and several wires of various sections, clamps and adhesive tape that is resistant to high temperatures. Candles, filters, cable, shovel, crocodiles, sets of keys and tools may also be neededyou are on the way, so pack them in the trunk in advance.

What documents may border guards require?

A driver's license, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and a vehicle registration certificate - that's all you need when traveling to Abkhazia, it is not difficult to cross the border by car with these documents. For passengers, the corresponding terminal of the checkpoint is intended, and they pass through passport control and inspection separately from the driver. The customs officers inspect the car quite quickly, usually it takes about 30 minutes.

If you are traveling with children under the age of 14, you will need to bring their birth certificates or passports, if any. Adolescents aged 14 to 18 can go through customs using a Russian citizen's passport or a foreign passport. Are you traveling with children, but without your significant other? It's okay, her consent is not required in this case.

At customs, you will need to fill out a special declaration for your car, as well as pay a small fee of 150 rubles. Here it is necessary to clarify that when traveling to Abkhazia by car, the OSAGO policy does not apply there. You cannot buy local insurance, which is why you need to drive as carefully and carefully as possible.

Please note - if you are not the owner of the vehicle, you will need to have a general power of attorney for the car to pass the border. This document must be officially certified by a notary, otherwise you will not be able to enter the territory of the state. Ifyou have some other situation, you can contact the Embassy of Abkhazia in the Russian Federation for clarification by calling 6501145, Moscow code - 495.

How to behave on local roads?

Even if you know how long it takes to get to Abkhazia by car, this is not enough for a perfect vacation. Drivers here behave quite freely and constantly violate traffic rules, but you should not imitate them, since local traffic safety inspectors are quite strict about violations. Be as prudent as possible, because there are quite a few reckless drivers who love to fit into sharp turns at high speeds and even drive into the oncoming lane.

Those motorists who have been to Gagra and Pitsunda say that local traffic police inspectors rarely stop vehicles with Russian numbers. However, there are cases when they try to provoke drivers into a conflict, it is not recommended to respond to this. If you are sure that you have not violated anything, prove your case to the victorious, in this you may need to buy and read traffic rules in advance, as well as a DVR.

If suddenly you find yourself in some kind of unpleasant situation, you can contact the official embassy of our country in the territory of Abkhazia. It is located in Sukhum, at the address - st. Lakoba, 103, it is there that you can get the most detailed advice on all issues, including finding a consensus for the problem that has arisen.

However, do not think long about whether you canwhether in Abkhazia by car feel comfortable. Most of the Russians who have visited this country were satisfied with the local roads and communication with local law enforcement officers. The hospitality of the Abkhazians, magnificent nature and smooth highways will make your trip enjoyable.

What attracts tourists from Russia here?

Freedom of movement is one of the main advantages of traveling to Abkhazia by car, travelers quite often note this fact in reviews of this country. Indeed, you can visit many more cities, historical sites and beaches if you do not depend on the schedule of buses, trains and taxis.

Another main advantage of this state is low prices. For example, the cost of spending the night at a campsite is only 500 rubles. For a thousand rubles, you can visit a couple of excursions and get a lot of pleasure. Food here is also much cheaper, especially for fruits, which are in abundance here.

Significant savings of money on the way is another reason why it is worth going to Abkhazia by car, according to the guests of this country, traveling in this way allows you to save up to 5 thousand rubles per passenger. This budget reduction is achieved by the fact that you yourself decide on the services you would like to receive, and do not use offers from travel companies where the price is initially too high.

Negative reviews about holidays in this country are primarily related to the familiar behavior of its population andconstant attempts to "divorce" tourists for money. On the other hand, the responsiveness, hospitality and generosity of the Abkhazians can pleasantly surprise and convince you that you have come to this little paradise with azure shores for a reason.

How much does housing and food cost?

The cost of food and accommodation is an important factor to consider in your budget for traveling to Abkhazia by car. With limited money, it is easier to move into a house with one of the local residents who trade in rent. It is unlikely that more than 1,000 rubles per day will be taken from one person, and meals are often included in the cost of living.

There is another option - to live in the car throughout the trip. Sleeping in this case will be somewhat problematic, but you will save a fairly large amount. Products here can be purchased in stores or in numerous markets, where anyone will be happy to bargain with you. Since Abkhazia has certain eastern roots, bargaining on the market is considered a tribute to the seller, but everything has its own line, which is better not to cross.

Bread here costs about 20 rubles, a carton of milk - about 60, a kilogram of sausages can be purchased for 250-300. However, it is better to turn your attention to fresh fruits and vegetables filled with vitamins and minerals. In particular, fresh tangerines can be purchased here at a price of 40-50 rubles per kilogram, and watermelons - for 20.

Tourists quite often buy food as souvenirs, first of all, we are talking aboutthe famous chacha, prices here vary from 200 to 500 rubles per liter. 1.5 liters of homemade wine can be purchased for 200–250 rubles, and a liter of delicious mountain honey for only 200 rubles. However, these reserves do not always "survive" to the Russian-Abkhazian border, because the temptation to drink all the delicious drinks at once is very great and not everyone is able to resist.

You can also eat in cafes, which abound in Abkhazia. Lunch in a standard catering establishment will cost approximately 300 rubles per person, and if you go to a restaurant of national cuisine, then the average bill here is higher - from 500. A standard portion of shish kebab (100 grams) can be purchased here for 150-200 rubles, main courses cost about the same, the cost of salads varies from 50 to 300.

And if you travel not from Moscow?

To calculate how many km to Abkhazia by car you have to drive, you need to determine the locality to start. However, you should keep in mind that in any case you will have to go to the Don highway, since it is the only one that leads to the border points where the customs inspection takes place.

If you are coming from the eastern part of Russia, the easiest way is to go through Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Samara, Volgograd and Belorechensk. The M5 highway (Ural), along which you will have to drive, periodically needs to be repaired, so it is necessary to observe the speed limit when driving along it. In addition, pay attention to the large number of cameras and traffic police inspectors in the Saratov and Volgograd regions, this will help you save your nerves and money.

When traveling to Abkhazia, the route by car must be laid in such a way that a large number of gas stations and roadside cafes come across on your way. If you are driving south from Khabarovsk, Vladivostok and other Far Eastern cities, you can significantly cut the path, for this you need to turn after Novosibirsk in the direction of Astana and enter the territory of Kazakhstan. In Kyzylorda, it will be necessary to turn to Aktobe, and from there - to Atyrau, and further - to Astrakhan and Volgograd, respectively.

Try to stick only to federal highways or highways marked with a "Main Road" sign. This is especially true when you are traveling in adverse road conditions. Get a navigator that will help you choose the right direction at the fork or point you in the right direction if you suddenly get lost.

How to save on fuel?

The high cost of gasoline often becomes the factor due to which drivers refuse to go to Abkhazia by car, and the advice of experienced travelers can come to your rescue here. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on fuel, use the paid sections of the M4 highway, where the maximum allowed speed is 110 kilometers per hour, which means that you do not have to spend gasoline on acceleration and deceleration.

Another savings option is to use fuel at gas stations under a less popular sign. Motorists know that at such stations, gasoline prices are somewhat lower, and at the same time it is not inferior in quality at all. Howeverif you are accustomed to using fuel from the same manufacturer, it is not recommended to experiment on a long journey, as the engine may not respond at all as desired.

Gasoline prices in Abkhazia itself are slightly lower than in Russia, however, there may be no service stations for the usual oil companies, so for a short trip it is still recommended to refuel before crossing the border. If you have the slightest doubt about the quality of the proposed fuel, do not risk it and use the services of the gas stations from Rosneft, which are located near Gagra and Sukhumi, respectively.

Should I go in winter?

Does the distance to Abkhazia by car scare you? Then you can become one of the few daredevils who go there in the winter season. Over the past few years, the number of such tourists has increased significantly due to the mild climate - in January, the air temperature can reach up to +17 degrees. The locals wear windbreakers and warm sweaters, so you don't have to take a lot of warm clothes with you.

In winter, it is recommended to undergo treatment in hydrogen sulfide sources, you can also go to the Black Sea coast and enjoy air baths. In addition, during the cold season, much fewer tourists rest here, and housing prices are much cheaper. For example, a room for one person without food can cost only 700 rubles, while it will have a TV, refrigerator, bathroom and other amenities.

Skiing hereit’s obviously impossible to ride, since the holiday season in Abkhazia is sometimes extended right up to the beginning of November. The Caucasus Mountains reliably protect the small state from the winds, so it is characterized by a very warm winter. It is unlikely that you will be able to see snow on the shores of the sea, but on the mountain peaks it is more than enough.

If you are planning a winter holiday in Abkhazia, you will have to drive as carefully as possible by car. Choose a safe speed limit, pay attention to traffic signs and pay attention to how well the highways are cleared. In case of snowfalls and other weather troubles, it is best to stay at some roadside hotel and wait it out.