Overall7.9/10Easier to reach than about 75% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Kutaisi Airport is 14 km west of the city center; buses to Tbilisi and Batumi depart directly from airport terminals synchronized with flight arrivals.
- City bus and minibus fares (0.4–0.5 GEL) are exceptionally cheap; small change needed as payment is to the driver.
- Georgian Bus operates reliable long-distance intercity buses with comfortable seats and vending machines; book online at TKT.GE or TRE.GE for convenience.
- Stadler express trains from Kopitnari Airport Station offer modern comfort and free shuttle from airport terminal (5 minutes) — far more pleasant than older vintage trains.
- Rioni train station (near Kutaisi city center) and Kutaisi Airport Station both serve major routes; choose based on your itinerary.
- No shuttle bus runs regularly between airport and city center; flag down marshrutka on the main road or use taxi apps (Bolt, GoTrip).
- Summer hours extend municipal transport to 23:00; winter service ends at 22:00.
- Intercity minibus prices range 2–20 GEL depending on distance; longer routes (e.g., to Gonio) cost more; departures frequent from Kutaisi Central Bus Station on Chavchavadze Avenue.
Taxi Services
A2B/Georgian Bus Taxi Stand
- Location
- Airport terminal exit
- Notes
- Official taxi stand at airport.
Bolt
- Notes
- Ride-hailing app available for airport pickups.
GoTrip
- Notes
- Local ride-hailing service, reliable for airport transfers.
Bus Connections
Tbilisi
- Price
- GEL 30
- Travel Time Minutes
- 210
- Notes
- One-way ticket to city center. Return ticket 50 GEL. Direct departure synchronized with flight arrivals.
Operator
- Georgian Bus
- OmniBus
- Metro Georgia
Batumi
- Price
- GEL 25
- Travel Time Minutes
- 135
- Notes
- Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes travel time.
Operator
- Georgian Bus
- OmniBus
Gudauri
- Price
- GEL 30
- Notes
- Ski resort in Greater Caucasus region.
Operator
- Georgian Bus
Kutaisi City Center
- Price
- GEL 5.00
- Travel Time Minutes
- 35
- Notes
- Local bus option available; marshrutka can be flagged on main road outside airport.
Operator
- Georgian Bus
- Marshrutka (local vans)
Rail Connection
- Station Name
- Kopitnari Railway Station (Kutaisi Airport Station)
- Shuttle To Station
- Free shuttle bus, 5-minute travel time
- Distance From Airport Km
- 2
- Notes
- Modern Stadler trains available on select routes with high comfort standards.
Destinations
Tbilisi
- Price
- GEL 33
- Travel Time Hours
- 3.5
Batumi
- Price
- GEL 31
- Travel Time Hours
- 2
Day Trip Access
Nearby Destinations
Martvili Canyon
- Distance Km
- ~30
- Notes
- Popular day trip with turquoise river and canyon hike.
Okatse Canyon
- Distance Km
- ~35
- Notes
- High bridges and scenic hiking.
Prometheus Cave
- Distance Km
- ~20
- Notes
- Underground cave system with stalactites and stalagmites.
Tskaltubo
- Distance Km
- ~30
- Notes
- Spa town; regular minibus connections from Kutaisi Central Bus Station.
Mestia (Svaneti)
- Transport
- Private transfer or shared minibus from Zugdidi train station (3.5 hours drive).
- Distance Km
- ~180
- Travel Time Hours
- 3.5
- Notes
- Day trip feasible but overnight stay recommended.
Rail Connections
- Booking
- TRE.GE website and mobile app; tickets also available at station kiosks.
- Main Station
- Kutaisi Station (in city center)
- Note On City Center Access
- Kutaisi city center has a central railway station, but the most comfortable modern trains (Stadler) depart from Kopitnari Station (Kutaisi Airport Station), located 2 km west at the airport.
Routes
Tbilisi
- Train Type
- Stadler Express (high-speed modern)
- Travel Time Hours
- 5.5
- Notes
- Most comfortable option with multiple daily departures. Free shuttle from Kutaisi Airport Station.
Batumi
- Train Type
- Mixed
- Travel Time Hours
- 5
- Notes
- Multiple train options available; schedules adjusted seasonally.
Zugdidi
- Train Type
- Longer regional route
- Notes
- Connects to Svaneti region.
Borjomi
- Train Type
- Older electro trains
- Price Range
- 50 tetri to 2 GEL
- Notes
- Vintage Soviet-era trains on less-touristed domestic routes.
Sachkhere (Via Chiatura)
- Train Type
- Vintage electro trains
- Notes
- Historic route, infrequently used by tourists.
Local City Transport
Municipal Bus
- Price Per Ride
- GEL 0.40
- Operating Hours
- 07:00–22:00 (winter); until 23:00 (summer)
- Frequency Minutes
- 5–10 average
Minibus
- Price Per Ride
- GEL 0.50
- Operating Hours
- 07:00–22:00 (winter); until 23:00 (summer)
- Frequency Minutes
- 5–10 average
Taxi
- Notes
- Typical fare for travel around Kutaisi.
Price Range
- Amount USD Max
- 3
- Amount USD Min
- 1
- Currency Local
- GEL
- Amount Local Max
- 7
- Amount Local Min
- 3
Intercity Minibus Routes
Kutaisi to Tkhaltubo
- Price
- GEL 2.00
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Departure Point
- Kutaisi Central Bus Station (Chavchavadze Ave #67)
Kutaisi to Sachkhere
- Price
- GEL 2.00
- Departure Point
- Kutaisi Central Bus Station
Kutaisi to Gonio
- Price
- GEL 10
- Departure Point
- Kutaisi Central Bus Station
Name
Kutaisi International Airport (David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport)
IATA Code
KUT
Distance From City Km
14
Distance From City Miles
8.7
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kutaisi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.