Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Georgia.

National Trains (Matarebeli)

Georgian Railway — Georgian Railway (GR) runs the main intercity routes, including the fast double-decker Stadler trains between Tbilisi and Batumi. The journey takes around 5 to 5.5 hours and is comfortable and reliable.
Book ahead online — Buy tickets on the official railway.ge website or app, or at station counters. The Tbilisi-Batumi fast train sells out in summer, so book several days in advance.
Key routes — Useful lines connect Tbilisi with Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi (gateway to Svaneti) and Borjomi. Overnight trains also run toward the west coast.
Bring your passport or ID when buying and boarding, as tickets are name-linked and checked. Photograph your ticket QR code in case your phone data drops in tunnels.
Seat classes — Fast trains have first, business and economy classes with assigned seats. You must sit in your allocated seat and carriage number printed on the ticket.

Tbilisi Metro — Tbilisi has a two-line metro that is fast, cheap and the easiest way to cross the city. Trains run roughly 6am to midnight.
Metromoney card — Buy a rechargeable Metromoney card at any metro station kiosk for a small deposit. It works on the metro, city buses and minibuses with a flat, low fare and free transfers within a time window.
Buses and marshrutkas — Large blue city buses are numbered and increasingly modern, while marshrutka minibuses cover routes buses miss. Both accept the Metromoney card or contactless bank cards.
Some metro station names and bus signs are only in Georgian script, so learn to recognise your stop or use the TTC/Moovit apps. Marshrutka drivers rarely speak English.
Tap on entry — You must validate your card on every boarding, including transfers, or risk a fine during inspections. Keep the card until you leave.

Use Bolt or Yandex — Bolt is the dominant ride app in Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities, with Yandex Go as an alternative. Prices are shown upfront and far cheaper than negotiating on the street.
Maxim app — The Maxim app is also widely used and can be cheaper for longer trips. Having two apps helps when one has no nearby drivers.
Street taxis with no meter will often overcharge tourists, sometimes several times the fair price. Always agree a price before getting in or use an app instead.
Some drivers cancel the app fare and ask for cash to avoid commission; decline and rebook if a driver demands more than the app total.
Cash still useful — Many drivers prefer cash in Georgian lari even when the app allows cards. Keep small notes to avoid change disputes.

Great for regions — Renting a car is the best way to explore Kakheti wine country, mountain regions and remote sights that public transport reaches poorly. International agencies and local firms operate at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports.
Georgian driving can be aggressive, with unpredictable overtaking, speeding and casual lane discipline. Mountain roads to Kazbegi and Svaneti can be rough, foggy or blocked by weather.
4x4 for mountains — Roads to Ushguli, Tusheti and other highland areas legally and practically require a proper 4x4 vehicle. Standard rentals are unsuitable and may void insurance off sealed roads.
Documents and belts — Carry your passport, licence and an International Driving Permit; seatbelts are mandatory and police checkpoints are common. Drink-driving limits are strict with heavy penalties.
Speed cameras are numerous and fines are sent to the rental company, who bill your card later with a surcharge. Watch posted limits, which change abruptly through villages.

Main gateways — Tbilisi (TBS) is the primary international hub, while Kutaisi (KUT) is the budget base for Wizz Air and Batumi (BUS) serves the coast. Kutaisi is often far cheaper but less central.
Tbilisi airport transfer — Bus 337 and the airport train link Tbilisi airport with the city cheaply, or take a Bolt for convenience. The train has only a couple of daily departures, so check times.
Kutaisi shuttles — Georgian Bus and similar operators run timed shuttles from Kutaisi airport to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi city, synced to flights. Book online in advance, especially at night.
Taxi touts at arrivals quote inflated fixed fares, particularly at Kutaisi late at night. Prebook a shuttle or order a ride app once outside the terminal.

Black Sea ferries — Passenger and vehicle ferries link Batumi and Poti with Black Sea ports, and cargo lines occasionally carry passengers. Service is limited and mainly useful for onward regional travel.
Ferry schedules are irregular and prone to delays, cancellations and weather disruption. Do not build a tight itinerary around a single sailing.
Coastal trips — In Batumi you can take short pleasure-boat cruises along the coast from the harbour. These are tourist excursions rather than transport, priced per trip.

One card for the city — The Metromoney card is the single best buy in Tbilisi, covering metro, buses and minibuses. Top it up at station machines or kiosks.
Contactless works — Many city buses and the metro now accept contactless Visa and Mastercard directly, so you can skip buying a card for short stays. Each tap deducts the flat fare.
Book trains early — Fast intercity trains have no rail pass system, so buy individual tickets on railway.ge. Prices are fixed and low by European standards.
Keep transport receipts and card records, as inspectors on buses and trains do check and issue on-the-spot fines for fare evasion.

Buy a local SIM — Magti, Silknet and Cellfie (formerly Beeline) offer cheap prepaid SIMs with generous data. Coverage is strong in cities and along major roads.
Where to buy — Get a SIM at the airport or in official operator shops in town, bringing your passport for registration. Airport prices are slightly higher but convenient on arrival.
eSIM option — If your phone supports eSIM, providers like Airalo let you set up data before landing. This is handy for ordering a ride the moment you arrive.
Mountain regions like Svaneti and Tusheti have patchy or no signal, so download offline maps in advance. Do not rely on live navigation on remote roads.