How to Travel From Batumi to Trabzon for Medical Treatment Step by Step
How to travel from Batumi to Trabzon for medical treatment: routes, distance, crossing the Sarpi border, free patient transfer and what to bring.
The most common way to travel from Batumi to Trabzon for medical treatment is by road through the Sarpi border crossing. The road distance from the Sarpi border to Trabzon is roughly 185 to 190 km, which usually takes about three hours. Patients who plan their treatment through MPGCARE can use a free Sarp–Trabzon patient transfer on weekdays.
Many patients in Georgia ask our Batumi team the same questions before their first visit. Which route is easiest? What do I need at the border? Who meets me on the Turkish side? This guide answers those questions in the order you will face them.
Routes From Batumi to Trabzon and How Long Each Takes
Most patients travel from Batumi to Trabzon by road, because the border is close to the city and the coastal road runs straight to Trabzon.
| Route | Approximate distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Batumi city centre to Sarpi border | About 20 km | 20–30 minutes |
| Sarpi border to Trabzon | About 185–190 km | About 3 hours |
| Total, including border crossing | About 205–210 km | Usually 4–5 hours |
These are approximate figures from route calculators, accessed in October 2026. Travel time depends on traffic, the weather and how busy the border is.
By road with MPGCARE transfer. You cross the border yourself. On the Turkish side, our transfer team takes you to Trabzon. This is the route most of our Georgian patients use.
By bus. Several companies run a Batumi Trabzon bus service along the coastal road. Schedules and fares change, so check them directly with the bus companies before you travel.
By air. There is no route we can confirm as a regular direct flight between Batumi and Trabzon. Flights usually connect through Istanbul, which takes longer than the road for most patients.
One more practical detail: Georgia is one hour ahead of Turkey. Georgia uses UTC+4 and Turkey uses UTC+3. Always check whether your appointment time is given in Turkish time.
Crossing the Sarpi Border as a Patient
According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (accessed 13 October 2026), Georgian citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days. They can enter with either a passport or a national ID card.
Before you cross, prepare:
- Your passport or ID card. If you travel with a passport, it should be valid for at least 60 days beyond the end of your visa-free stay.
- Your medical reports, printed or saved on your phone.
- Prescriptions for any medicines you carry. Turkish customs rules allow travellers to bring medicines for personal treatment if they can show a prescription, doctor’s report or similar document.
- Your appointment details and the MPGCARE coordinator’s phone number.
The Sarpi border crossing has served travellers 24 hours a day since 1990, according to the Artvin Governorship. Waiting times can vary, so leave extra time on busy days.
If your treatment may last longer than 90 days, our team can support you with a residence permit application.
Getting From the Border to the Hospital in Trabzon
After you cross the Sarpi border, the MPGCARE transfer team meets you at the exit gate on the Turkish side and takes you directly to your hospital in Trabzon.
The free Sarp–Trabzon transfer:
- Runs on weekdays between 10:00 and 18:00 (Turkish time)
- Uses a private bus or VIP minibus
- Is free for patients whose treatment is organised through MPGCARE
- Is planned in advance with our coordination team
If you plan to arrive outside these hours, contact our team to discuss your options.
To plan your transfer, send our coordinators your appointment date, the number of people travelling and your estimated arrival time at Sarpi. If you have limited mobility or need special transport, tell us in advance.
Our partner hospitals in Trabzon include Medical Park Karadeniz in the city centre and Medical Park Yıldızlı in Akçaabat. Medical Park Karadeniz has an international patient unit that offers support in English, Russian and Georgian. The right hospital for you depends on your treatment, the doctor and appointment availability.
If you would like to plan your appointment and transfer together, our Batumi team can help you arrange both in one call.
Travelling With a Companion
You can bring one companion on the Sarp–Trabzon transfer.
Please keep these points in mind:
- The transfer is free for the patient. A fee applies for the companion’s transfer.
- Only one companion can travel with each patient.
- Your companion also needs a valid passport or ID card to enter Turkey.
A companion is often helpful. They can carry documents, keep track of instructions and help you after examinations or procedures.
What MPGCARE Arranges for Your Journey
MPGCARE coordinates your appointment, travel and communication. Examinations, diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by the hospital’s authorised doctors.
In practice, we help with:
- Reviewing your documents. We send your reports to the relevant hospital team. You usually receive a treatment offer within about three days.
- Booking your appointment. Appointments are usually confirmed within one to two days once the doctor and hospital are agreed.
- Translating your documents. We translate Georgian documents free of charge.
- Planning your transfer, from the Sarpi border to Trabzon and back.
- Supporting you in your language. Our Batumi team speaks Georgian and Russian.
MPGCARE does not ask for any prepayment. You pay the hospital directly at its cashier, and the hospital gives you a receipt.
If you fly instead, airport-to-hospital transfers are also free for patients from Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Samsun, Trabzon and Ordu airports.
Planning Your Return to Georgia
The return trip from Trabzon to the Sarpi border is also arranged by our coordination team.
Before you leave Trabzon, make sure you have:
- Your discharge summary and test results
- Your prescriptions and a list of medicines with doses
- Your follow-up appointment dates, if any
- Your coordinator’s contact details
If you need to change or delay your return, tell our coordination team as early as possible. You can also contact us with questions after you return home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Batumi from Trabzon?
The total road distance is about 205–210 km. That is about 20 km from Batumi to the Sarpi border and about 185–190 km from the border to Trabzon. Including the border crossing, the journey usually takes four to five hours.
Do Georgian citizens need a visa to travel to Turkey for treatment?
No. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgian citizens can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa, using a passport or ID card. For longer treatments, MPGCARE can support your residence permit application.
Is the transfer from Sarpi to Trabzon free?
Yes, for patients whose treatment is organised through MPGCARE. The transfer runs on weekdays between 10:00 and 18:00. A fee applies for a companion’s transfer.
Is there a Batumi Trabzon bus?
Yes. Several companies run a bus service between Batumi and Trabzon. Check current schedules and fares with the bus companies before you travel.
Can I bring my medicines across the border?
Yes. Bring a prescription or doctor’s report for each medicine you carry. Turkish customs requires this document for medicines brought for personal treatment.
Which Medical Park Trabzon hospital will I go to?
It depends on your treatment and doctor availability. MPGCARE works with Medical Park Karadeniz and Medical Park Yıldızlı in Trabzon.
Travelling from Batumi to Trabzon for treatment is much easier when your appointment, border crossing and transfer are planned together. If you would like to know whether treatment in Trabzon is suitable for you, you can share your medical reports with our patient coordinators, and they will arrange an evaluation with a specialist at one of our partner hospitals.
Our Batumi office is at Shavsheti Street N2, Floor 1, Office A. It is open from 10:00 to 18:00. You can reach the office at +995 591 989 952 or batumi@mpgcare.com. You can also reach our main line by phone or WhatsApp at +90 850 259 5553, or contact us online.
Sources
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visa Regime for Foreigners.
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. List of Countries Whose Citizens May Enter Türkiye With National ID Cards.
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade, Customs Guide. Bringing Personal Medicines Into Türkiye.
- Artvin Governorship. Governor’s Visit to Sarp Border Gate.
