How do you get to Tbilisi?
Getting There7.3/10Easier to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: flightconnections.com, tbilisilocalguide.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- The metro does NOT serve Tbilisi International Airport—this surprises many visitors. Bus #337 (1 GEL) is cheapest; Bolt or taxi (35-40 GEL) is most practical for first arrivals or heavy luggage.
- All public transport (metro, buses, marshrutkas) uses the MetroMoney card system or contactless bank cards. Cash rarely accepted on buses now.
- Marshrutka stations are scattered across Tbilisi by region: Didube (north/west), Ortachala (east/Kakheti), Station Square, Samgori. Confirm your destination's station before heading out.
- Marshrutkas follow loose schedules—many leave when full rather than at fixed times. Arrive early if you want to secure a seat.
- The Tbilisi metro has only 2 lines and 23 stations. It's fast within its network but doesn't cover all areas. Use buses or Bolt for areas the metro misses.
- Metro lines run from 06:00 to midnight; buses until ~23:00. For late-night returns, Bolt is your only practical option.
- Train to Batumi (5h) is more comfortable and scenic than the 5+ hour marshrutka journey; better for longer stays, not ideal day trips.
- Free 90-minute transfers between metro, buses, and most marshrutkas on the same card tap.
- Taxis via Bolt or Yandex are affordable and recommended over street hails; they provide GPS tracking and fare certainty.
- All major airlines and Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld networks operate from TBS; no direct flights to US, Canada, East Asia, Africa, or Oceania.
Ground Transport
Airport → Freedom Square → Station Square
- Cost
- GEL 1.00
- How to get there
- Bus #337
- Operating Hours
- 07:00-23:00
- Duration Minutes
- 35-40
- Notes
- Cheapest option, no metro connection to airport
Taxi / Bolt
- Cost
- GEL 35
- Duration Minutes
- 20-30 depending on traffic
- Notes
- Available 24/7, fixed route pricing with app
Car Rental
- Notes
- Multiple companies with pickup points in arrivals area
Operators
- Dollar
- Europcar
- City Rent Car
- Localrent
International Connections
- Summary
- Regional hub with connections across Europe, Middle East, and limited intercontinental routes
- Countries Count
- 32
- Destinations Count
- 65
Major Carriers
- Georgian Airways
- Red Wings
- Flynas
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
Day Trip Access
Nearby Popular Destinations
Mtskheta
- Transport
- Marshrutka from Didube (1 GEL) or hire taxi
- Highlights
- Ancient capital, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari Monastery
- Distance Km
- 20
- Journey Time Minutes
- 30-45 by marshrutka
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
- Transport
- Marshrutka from Didube or taxi
- Highlights
- Gergeti Trinity Church, Caucasus Mountains, Georgian Military Highway
- Distance Km
- 160
- Journey Time Minutes
- 120-150 by marshrutka
Kakheti Wine Region
- Transport
- Marshrutka or organized tour
- Highlights
- Wine tastings, Sighnaghi, Telavi, Bodbe Monastery
- Distance Km
- 100+
- Journey Time Minutes
- <120
Gori & Uplistsikhe
- Transport
- Marshrutka from Didube (3 GEL)
- Highlights
- Stalin Museum, Uplistsikhe cave city
- Distance Km
- 75
- Journey Time Minutes
- 60-90 by marshrutka
Borjomi
- Transport
- Train (~5 hrs) or marshrutka from Didube (hourly from 07:00)
- Highlights
- Mineral springs, Borjomi-Bakuriani narrow-gauge 'Kukushka' train
- Distance Km
- 167
- Journey Time Minutes
- 120+ by train or marshrutka
Batumi (Black Sea)
- Transport
- Train or marshrutka/bus (longer, less comfortable)
- Highlights
- Beaches, casinos, Adjarian cuisine; better as overnight destination
- Distance Km
- 370
- Journey Time Hours
- 5-6 by train
Metro
- Fare
- GEL 1.00
- Lines
- 2
- Key Info
- Does NOT serve airport. Line 1 (Red) covers Old Town, Rustaveli, Didube. Line 2 (Green) connects north-south. Interchange at Station Square.
- Stations
- 23
- Frequency
- Every 2-4 minutes peak, 5-10 minutes off-peak
- Operating Hours
- 06:00-00:00 (midnight)
- Transfer Window Minutes
- 90
Card System
- Card Cost
- GEL 2.00
- Card Name
- MetroMoney Card
- Card Refundable
- Yes
Marshrutkas
- Booking
- No online booking; arrive at station or flag down
- Payment
- MetroMoney Card or cash
- Fare Intra City
- GEL 0.80
- Description
- Minibuses for intra-city and intercity routes
Types
- Blue (newer, scheduled routes)
- Yellow (older, flexible stops)
Key Stations Intercity
Didube Station
- Destinations
- North & West Georgia (Kazbegi, Mtskheta, Gori, Borjomi, Kutaisi)
Ortachala Station
- Destinations
- East Georgia, Kakheti wine region
Station Square
- Destinations
- Some intercity departures also from main railway station area
Samgori Station
- Destinations
- Select routes
Booking
- Advance Booking
- Tickets usually available 40 days in advance
Platforms
- tre.ge/en
- tkt.ge/en/railway
- biletebi.ge
Domestic
Tbilisi → Batumi
- Train Type
- Electric Stadler double-decker (modern, air-conditioned)
- Departures Daily
- Multiple (08:00, 10:25, 17:05 sample)
- Fare First Class
- GEL 75
- Fare Second Class
- GEL 35
- Journey Time Hours
- 5.1
Tbilisi → Zugdidi (Via Kutaisi/Rioni)
- Train Type
- Older Soviet-era trains
- Journey Time Hours
- 6
- Note
- Gateway to Svaneti/Mestia; also stops at Kutaisi/Rioni
Tbilisi → Borjomi
- Access
- Via central railway station
- Journey Time Hours
- Variable
International
Tbilisi ↔ Yerevan (Armenia)
- Type
- Overnight sleeper
- Frequency
- Varies by season (odd/even days)
- Summer Schedule
- Departs 22:45, arrives 08:59 (+1 day)
- Winter Schedule
- Departs 20:20, arrives 06:55 (+1 day)
- Note
- Two border stops for passport/customs control
Name
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
IATA Code
TBS
Distance From Center Km
15
Buses
- Fare
- GEL 1.00
- Payment
- MetroMoney Card or contactless bank card only (no cash)
- Operating Hours
- ~07:00-23:00
- Network Coverage
- Extensive, blue and green modern buses with AC
- Transfer Window Minutes
- 90
- Notes
- Real-time tracking available via Moovit or TTC app
Station
- Name
- Tbilisi Central Railway Station
- Location
- Station Square, city center
- Metro Access
- Yes, Station Square metro nearby
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 Tbilisi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.