High-speed train launched between Sochi and the capital of Abkhazia

The route has become more convenient for vacationers and residents of the two cities — now there is no need to cross the border and stand in queues. The new route will become a regular one, not a tourist one.

A Swallow has been cruising towards Abkhazia for several years, but only as far as Gagra.

"I used to drive only by car. There were very big traffic jams because of customs. And now it will be very interesting on the train," admitted passenger Zlata Chepurnaya.

Speed is one of the main advantages of the pioneer express train. The train gets from Sochi to Sukhum in less than four hours. This is what impresses passengers, said Yaroslav Bogat, a correspondent for Izvestia.

"The entire transport infrastructure should show its maximum capabilities for the tourist season. Therefore, according to the plane report, we have decided that regular scheduled flights to Sukhumi Airport will begin on May 1. And the train is constant. There will be two full trains that will run back and forth," said Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.

Abkhazia will be able to choose its own trains. Russian Railways will accept projects from its Abkhaz colleagues on a competitive basis and finally decide what the high-speed train will be called and what it will look like.

Earlier, on February 6, the Ministry of Transport announced plans href="https://iz.ru/1834972/2025-02-06/mintrans-zaiavil-o-planakh-vozobnovit-priamye-perelety-mezhdu-rf-i-abkhaziei-v-mae " target="_blank">resume direct flights between Russia and Abkhazia in May of this year after a break of more than 30 years.