Getting Around Georgia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use metro and buses for Tbilisi. Rural: Rent a car for Kakheti wine regions. Mountains: Marshrutkas and private transfers. For convenience, book airport transfers from Tbilisi to your destination.
Train Travel
Georgian Railways
Reliable network connecting Tbilisi to Batumi, Kutaisi, and other cities with daily services.
Cost: Tbilisi to Batumi 20-30 GEL, journeys 4-6 hours between major cities.
Tickets: Buy via Georgian Railways app, website, or station counters. E-tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid weekends and holidays for better availability and seats.
Rail Passes
Multi-journey tickets available for frequent travelers, or single tickets for flexibility from 10 GEL.
Best For: Multiple regional trips, savings on 3+ journeys over several days.
Where to Buy: Train stations, official website, or app with digital activation.
International Options
Trains connect to Azerbaijan (Baku) and limited services to Armenia (Yerevan via direct bus/train combo).
Booking: Reserve in advance for cross-border routes, discounts for early bookings up to 30%.
Main Stations: Tbilisi Central Station handles domestic and international departures.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for exploring Svaneti and rural areas. Compare rental prices from 80-150 GEL/day at Tbilisi Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21.
Insurance: Full coverage advised, verify inclusions for mountain roads.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 110 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal, some highways like Tbilisi-Batumi have electronic tolls (5-10 GEL).
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads, roundabouts common.
Parking: Free in rural areas, paid zones in Tbilisi 2-5 GEL/hour.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at 3-4 GEL/liter for petrol, 2.8-3.5 GEL for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Congestion in Tbilisi during rush hours, cautious driving on winding roads.
Urban Transport
Tbilisi Metro
Two lines covering the city, single ticket 1 GEL, day pass 3 GEL, 10-journey card 7 GEL.
Validation: Use metro cards or app payments, fines for non-validation.
Apps: Tbilisi Transport app for routes, schedules, and digital tickets.
Bike Rentals
Bike Rentals
TBC Bike and other sharing services in Tbilisi, 5-15 GEL/day with stations in key areas.
Routes: Bike paths along the Kura River and in parks, growing infrastructure.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in Batumi and Tbilisi for sightseeing and hills.
Buses & Marshrutkas
Extensive minibus (marshrutka) and bus networks in cities and intercity routes.
Tickets: 0.5-2 GEL per ride, pay driver in cash or use cards in Tbilisi.
Regional: Marshrutkas connect Tbilisi to Kutaisi (10 GEL, 3-4 hours).
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro stations in Tbilisi for easy access, old town for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and festivals like Tbilisoba.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for mountain weather plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities, 3G/4G in rural Georgia including mountains.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from 10 GEL for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Magti, Geocell, and Beeline offer prepaid SIMs from 10-30 GEL with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for 20 GEL, 10GB for 40 GEL, unlimited for 50 GEL/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, cafes, and tourist spots, public hotspots in squares.
Public Hotspots: Tbilisi old town and train stations offer free access.
Speed: 20-50 Mbps in urban areas, sufficient for streaming and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Georgia Standard Time (GET), UTC+4 year-round, no daylight saving.
- Airport Transfers: Tbilisi Airport 17km from city center, metro/bus 1-2 GEL (30 min), taxi 20-40 GEL, or book private transfer for 50-80 GEL.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and train stations (5-10 GEL/day) in major cities.
- Accessibility: Metro and buses partially accessible, many sites have steps due to hilly terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains (small free, large 5 GEL), check guesthouse policies.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on marshrutkas for 2-5 GEL, trains off-peak free or low fee.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Georgia
Tbilisi Airport (TBS) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Tbilisi International (TBS): Primary gateway, 17km from city with bus/metro links.
Kutaisi (KUT): Budget hub 230km west, bus to Tbilisi 20 GEL (3-4 hours).
Batumi (BUS): Regional airport for Black Sea coast, convenient for southern Georgia.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Istanbul or Baku and bus/train to Georgia for savings.
Budget Airlines
Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Pegasus serve Kutaisi and Tbilisi with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and ground transport when comparing costs.
Check-in: Online check-in required 24 hours before, avoid airport surcharges.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, fees 1-5 GEL, use bank machines to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard common, American Express rare outside Tbilisi.
- Contactless Payment: Growing, Apple Pay and Google Pay in cities.
- Cash: Essential for markets, transport, and rural spots, carry 50-200 GEL in small notes.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airports for exchanges.