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    Between cities

    Buses, trains and flights between cities

    How to reach the regions from Tbilisi: which bus station to go to, when the trains run, which domestic flights exist and where to rent a car.

    Tbilisi bus stations

    Minibuses (marshrutkas) and coaches leave from three main stations. Minibuses usually go when full, so mornings are best. Pay the driver in cash.

    North and west

    Didube

    Next to Didube metro. Minibuses to Mtskheta, Kazbegi, Gudauri, Gori, Borjomi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi.

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    East

    Samgori

    By Samgori metro. Minibuses to Kakheti: Sighnaghi, Telavi, Lagodekhi. Bus 337 to the airport stops here.

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    Coaches

    Ortachala Central Bus Station

    Large coaches to Batumi (Metro Georgia, Omnibus) and international buses to Yerevan, Baku and Turkey.

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    Most intercity minibuses leave from three Tbilisi stations: Didube (next to Didube metro) for the north and west, Samgori (by Samgori metro) and Ortachala for Kakheti and international buses. Trains leave from the central station at Station Square. Minibuses usually leave when full; mornings are best. Prices below are typical for 2026 and change often.

    DestinationFrom TbilisiTimeApprox. fare
    MtskhetaMarshrutka from Didube30–40 min3 ₾
    Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)Marshrutka from Didube, via Ananuri and Gudauri3 h15–20 ₾
    GudauriKazbegi marshrutka or ski shuttle2–2.5 h10–15 ₾
    SighnaghiMarshrutka from Samgori2 h8–10 ₾
    TelaviMarshrutka from Ortachala or Samgori2–2.5 h8–10 ₾
    Gori / UplistsikheMarshrutka from Didube, then taxi 10 km1–1.5 h5 ₾
    BorjomiMarshrutka from Didube2.5–3 h10–12 ₾
    KutaisiBus from Didube or train from Station Square3.5–4.5 h15–20 ₾
    BatumiFast train from Station Square (best), bus, or flight5–6 h by train30–40 ₾
    Mestia (Svaneti)Train or bus to Zugdidi, then marshrutka; or a small-plane flight8–10 h40–60 ₾
    VardziaMarshrutka to Akhaltsikhe, then local bus or taxi5–6 h20–25 ₾

    Trains

    All trains leave from Tbilisi Central Railway Station on Station Square (metro Station Square). Buy tickets on tkt.ge or at the station with your passport. In July and August, book several days ahead.

    RouteTypical departuresTimeFare
    Tbilisi → Batumiabout 08:00 and 17:00, more in summer, plus a summer night trainabout 4.5–5 h2nd class 35 ₾ · 1st class 75 ₾ · business 125 ₾
    Batumi → Tbilisiabout 07:30 and 18:00, more in summerabout 4.5–5 hsame as above
    Tbilisi → Kutaisi (Rioni / Kutaisi Airport)Batumi trains stop at Kutaisi Airport stationabout 3 hcheck tkt.ge
    Tbilisi → Zugdididay and night trainscheck tkt.gecheck tkt.ge
    Tbilisi → Yerevan, Bakuinternational overnight trains, schedule varies by seasonovernightcheck railway.ge

    Timetables change with the season. Always check the current schedule on tkt.ge or railway.ge before you travel.

    Domestic flights

    Small planes fly from Natakhtari airfield (about 30 minutes north of Tbilisi, transfer offered after booking) to the mountains. Flights depend on weather, so leave a spare day.

    RouteDaysNotes
    Natakhtari → Mestia (Svaneti)several days a week (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun)about 1 hour instead of 9 by road
    Natakhtari → Ambrolauri (Racha)Friday or Sundayalso scenic flights and air taxi
    Kutaisi → Mestiaseasonal, usually Wednesdayfor travellers in western Georgia

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    Car rental

    At the airports

    International companies such as Sixt and Europcar have desks at Tbilisi airport. Local companies are often cheaper and deliver the car to your hotel.

    Compare prices

    Aggregators such as Localrent and Discover Cars compare local and international firms. Check the deposit, insurance excess and whether mountain roads are allowed.

    Rules of the road

    Traffic drives on the right and speed cameras are common. Mountain roads are narrow and livestock is often on the road. An international driving permit is recommended.