🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Georgia
✈️ Flying to Georgia
Main Airports
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) — Georgia's primary international gateway, 17 km southeast of central Tbilisi. Over 45 airlines operate direct flights from more than 25 countries. Well-connected to Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia.
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) — Georgia's second airport in western Georgia, about 100 km west of Tbilisi. Budget airlines including Wizz Air and Ryanair operate from many European cities, often significantly cheaper than Tbilisi. Shared marshrutka minibus connects to Tbilisi for around 15 GEL (€5), taking 2.5–3 hours.
Batumi International Airport (BUS) — Serves the Black Sea resort city of Batumi. Useful if your trip focuses on the coast or western Georgia.
💡 Insider Tip: Check Both Airports
Kutaisi (KUT) flights from Europe can be €40–80 cheaper than Tbilisi. The marshrutka connection is comfortable and cheap. If you're on a budget, always compare both airports before booking.
🚖 From Tbilisi Airport to City Center
Bolt or Yandex Go (Best Option)
Ride-hailing apps (Bolt and Yandex Go) are the cheapest and most convenient option. Journey: 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Cost: 18–30 GEL (€6–10). No airport surcharge. Price shown upfront.
Official Taxi
Licensed yellow taxis available at the arrivals hall. Agree price upfront—typically 30–50 GEL to city center. Always confirm before entering. Avoid unmarked taxis from touts inside the terminal.
Public Bus
Bus line 37 runs between the airport and Isani metro station. Journey: 40–50 minutes. Cost: 1 GEL (€0.30). Runs approximately every 20–30 minutes. Buy Metromoney card at the bus stop. Budget option, slower but functional.
🚌 Other Ways to Enter Georgia
From Turkey: Popular overland route via Batumi or Sarpi border crossing. Buses run from Istanbul to Tbilisi (15–18 hours, around €25–40). Popular with overlanders and travelers combining Georgia with Turkey or the Middle East.
From Armenia: Shared taxi or marshrutka from Yerevan to Tbilisi (4–5 hours, around 15–20 GEL). A classic Caucasus travel route—many travelers combine both countries.
From Azerbaijan: Train or shared taxi from Baku to Tbilisi. Train takes about 13 hours; shared taxi around 5–6 hours. Completing the South Caucasus circuit (Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan) is popular among serious regional travelers.
Ferry from Poti/Batumi: Cargo ferries cross the Black Sea from Ukraine and Romania—very adventurous, irregular schedule, not for most travelers. Check current status as routes vary significantly.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Georgia is exceptionally welcoming for international visitors. Citizens of over 90 countries—including EU, US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and most others—can enter visa-free for stays up to one year. This makes Georgia one of the most open countries for tourism in the world.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list can apply for an e-visa online through the Georgian government portal. Process takes 5 business days and costs approximately $20.
Check visa requirements for Georgia →🚗 Getting Around Georgia
Marshrutka (Shared Minibus)
The backbone of Georgia's intercity transport. Marshrutkas run between all major cities and towns, departing when full (not on fixed schedule). Cheap—Tbilisi to Kazbegi around 10 GEL, Tbilisi to Batumi around 20 GEL. Not always comfortable, but authentic.
Train
Georgian Railway runs reliable, comfortable overnight trains between Tbilisi and Batumi (5.5 hours). Also Tbilisi–Kutaisi and Tbilisi–Zugdidi (gateway to Svaneti). Book at tickets.ge. First class is very affordable at around 25–35 GEL.
Shared Taxi
For Kazbegi and mountain destinations, shared taxis from Tbilisi's Didube marshrutka station are faster and more comfortable than marshrutkas. Cost around 15–20 GEL per person. Negotiate at the station or book through your guesthouse.
Domestic Flight (Mestia/Svaneti)
Vanilla Sky airlines operates small planes from Tbilisi to Mestia (Svaneti). The 45-minute flight is dramatically cheaper than the 8-hour marshrutka ride, and the approach through the mountains is spectacular. Around €30–50, weather-dependent.
🎫 Tbilisi Transport Card
Buy a Metromoney card at any metro station (2 GEL deposit). Load credit and use for metro, city buses, and Rike cable car. Metro runs 6am–midnight. Single trip: 1 GEL. Day use in Tbilisi is very affordable by European standards.
🚋 Local Transportation in Tbilisi
Tbilisi has a functional metro (2 lines, covering main tourist areas) plus city buses. For tourists, Bolt and Yandex Go ride-hailing are more practical for most trips.
Key Metro Stations for Tourists
- Rustaveli: Rustaveli Avenue, Opera House, National Museum
- Avlabari: Old Town, Metekhi Church, Narikala cable car
- Station Square / Vagzlis Moedani: Central railway station, marshrutka connections
- Didube: Main marshrutka station for intercity travel
Rike Cable Car
Connects Rike Park (near Peace Bridge) to Narikala Fortress. Single trip: 2.50 GEL using Metromoney card. Spectacular city views. Runs 10am–8pm daily. Worth it even if you walk back down.
🚙 Renting a Car
Highly recommended for exploring Kakheti wine region, remote monasteries (David Gareja, Vardzia), and the Lesser Caucasus. Roads have improved significantly since 2020 but remain challenging in mountain areas.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Georgian driving style is assertive—stay alert at intersections
- Military Highway to Kazbegi is paved but steep and narrow in sections
- 4WD strongly recommended for Svaneti, Tusheti (July-September only), and mountain side roads
- Speed cameras operate on main highways. Fines apply to rental cards
- International driving license recommended alongside national license
⚠️ Tusheti Warning
The road to Tusheti (Georgia's most remote highland region) is one of the most dangerous roads in the Caucasus. Only attempt in a good 4WD with experienced mountain driving. July-September only. Check conditions before going.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Georgia
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Fly into Kutaisi: Often €40-80 cheaper than Tbilisi. Marshrutka connection is cheap and comfortable
- Use Bolt/Yandex Go: Never take unmarked street taxis—always 2-3x more expensive
- Marshrutka for intercity travel: A fraction of taxi prices. Tbilisi-Kazbegi return under 25 GEL total
- Metro in Tbilisi: 1 GEL per trip vs 5-10 GEL Bolt ride. Metro covers key tourist areas well
- Book train advance: Tbilisi-Batumi overnight train sells out in summer. Book at tickets.ge