Getting around Georgia in 2026: buses, metro, trains and taxis
How does transport work in Georgia?
Georgia has no single pass covering every city and intercity route. Tbilisi has one payment system for the metro, municipal buses, minibuses and the Bagebi - University cable car. Batumi sets its own municipal fares. Intercity journeys can be made by train, bus, minibus or car. Choose your city and route first, then confirm the operator, price and payment method.
A Tbilisi municipal ticket does not pay for a train to Batumi, and a Batumi fare is not valid in the Tbilisi metro. The facts below were checked against official sources on 10 November 2026.
What do the metro and buses cost in Tbilisi?
Tbilisi Transport Company (TTC) lists a standard fare of GEL 1 that gives 90 minutes of unlimited travel when you pay with a Metromoney card or a supported bank card. The fare covers the metro, buses, minibuses and the Bagebi - University cable car.
Paying by mobile app, or by cash on buses with a cash desk, does not give the 90-minute package. The Metromoney card itself costs GEL 2 and must be loaded separately. Keep the receipt: a lost or damaged card can only be restored with it. Cards and passes are sold at metro station payment offices in Tbilisi and at Bank of Georgia express branches.
Source: TTC, Standard tariff, ttc.com.ge/index.php/en/tariff/10 (page dated 3 June 2019); the same fares appear on the Tbilisi Airport page; checked 10 November 2026.
When is a Tbilisi travel pass worthwhile?
TTC sells unlimited-travel passes: 1 day GEL 3, 1 week GEL 20, 1 month GEL 40, 3 months GEL 100, 6 months GEL 150 and 1 year GEL 250. They can only be bought on a special subscription card. Preferential and free fares exist for certain categories of passengers under local rules.
A single GEL 1 fare suits occasional trips; a pass is worth calculating against how often you actually travel.
Source: TTC, ttc.com.ge/index.php/en/tariff/10; checked 10 November 2026.
How can you get from Tbilisi Airport to the city?
The municipal bus stop is in front of the arrivals hall. Route 337 runs airport, Tbilisi city centre, Station Square 1. The airport states the GEL 1 fare with 90 minutes of travel when you pay with an eligible card. The route passes Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square.
The airport website shows service hours of 06:59-22:59; check TTC Real-Time Bus for current operation. For late arrivals or heavy luggage, compare taxi and transfer offers: there is no single fixed fare.
Source: Tbilisi International Airport, Bus page, tbilisiairport.com; checked 10 November 2026.
How much is a municipal bus in Batumi?
Do not rely on older references to GEL 0.30 for Batumi municipal buses. Batumi City Council Resolution No. 9 of 30 January 2026 set the standard municipal bus fare at GEL 0.70 when paying with the plastic transport card. It was published on Matsne on 3 February 2026 and took effect on publication. According to City Hall, the new fare applies to the municipal buses and minibuses.
Free travel remains for certain categories of passengers under local rules. The Batumi Airport page for bus No. 10 still shows GEL 0.30, which contradicts the later resolution. Budget GEL 0.70 and confirm with the operator. Bus No. 10 links the airport and central Batumi, with the stop in front of the terminal.
Sources: Batumi City Council Resolution No. 9 (30 January 2026, published 3 February 2026), matsne.gov.ge; Batumi City Hall statement of 30 January 2026, batumi.gov.ge; Batumi Airport page, batumiairport.com; checked 10 November 2026.
How can you buy train tickets in Georgia?
Georgian Railway sells tickets up to 20 days before departure at ticket offices, pay boxes, online and in its mobile application. The passenger's personal identification number is needed when the ticket is issued, and you must show the ticket and an identity document when boarding. Sales through the ticket system stop 10 minutes before departure.
For intercity routes such as Tbilisi - Batumi, check the timetable and price for your date. Refunds of unused tickets: the full price if returned at least 15 hours before departure, 85% from 4 to 15 hours, 70% less than 4 hours before; no commission is deducted. Only the person named on the ticket can return it. More: how to get from Tbilisi to Batumi.
Source: Georgian Railway, railway.ge/en/information-for-passengers; checked 10 November 2026.
How do you use taxis and ride-hailing apps?
In Tbilisi and Batumi you can order a taxi through apps such as Bolt or directly from a local operator. Prices depend on the route, time, demand and vehicle class. Before getting in, check the car and driver, the pick-up point, the final price or how it is calculated, and the payment method. There is no reliable single taxi fare for all of Georgia. More: taxi in Georgia; in the catalogue: Bolt.
What should you check when renting a car?
A car helps where public transport is infrequent. Besides the rental price, budget for fuel or charging, parking, insurance excess, the deposit and additional drivers. Photograph the car's condition before accepting the keys and ask the rental company whether your driving licence is accepted.
Conditions in the mountains change quickly because of snow, ice and road works, so check the official announcements of Georgia's Roads Department before you set off. Summer journey times are not a guide for winter.
Which option suits daily and intercity journeys?
For everyday travel in Tbilisi, compare metro and bus connections, transfer time and the cost of a pass. In Batumi, municipal transport and short walks are usually enough. Between cities, check train timetables and whether you can buy tickets in advance. A car makes sense when the journey includes several remote stops. Compare not only the ticket price but also luggage, transfers, parking and waiting time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard transport fare in Tbilisi?
GEL 1 for 90 minutes with an eligible card.
How much does a Metromoney card cost?
The card costs GEL 2; the travel balance is loaded separately.
How much is a monthly pass in Tbilisi?
GEL 40, on a separate subscription card.
Can you get from Tbilisi Airport for GEL 1?
Yes, on bus 337 with an eligible payment method.
How much is a bus in Batumi?
GEL 0.70 under City Council Resolution No. 9 of 30 January 2026.
How far ahead can you buy Georgian Railway tickets?
Up to 20 days before departure.
Are taxi prices fixed across the country?
No, check the price of your specific order.
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