Where is Kutaisi, and what country is it in?
Western Georgia's main city and the former capital of Colchis and Imereti.
Short answer
Kutaisi is a city in Georgia, the centre of the Imereti region in the west, on the Rioni river, about 230 kilometres from Tbilisi and 150 kilometres from Batumi. It is one of Georgia's largest and oldest cities and at various times was the capital of the kingdoms of Colchis and Imereti. Kutaisi International Airport, served by low-cost airlines, is nearby.
Why
- Georgia's parliament sat in Kutaisi from 2012 to 2019.
- Gelati Monastery near the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The road and railway from Tbilisi to the coast pass through Kutaisi.
Details
Trains, buses and minibuses run from Tbilisi to Kutaisi, taking about 3-4 hours. From the airport to the city it is about 20-30 minutes by bus or taxi.
Tip
If you fly into Kutaisi, stay a day: the city and nearby caves and canyons are worth it.
Common misconception
Kutaisi is just a city with a low-cost airport.
What actually happens
Kutaisi is one of Georgia's oldest capitals, near the UNESCO-listed Gelati and caves well worth seeing.
People also ask
- Where is Kutaisi located?
Sources
Information checked on October 3, 2026.
Kutaisi: getting to know the cityRelated questions
-
What to see in Georgia and Tbilisi in winter?
In winter, people head to the ski resorts of Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi, where the season runs from December to March.
-
What can you see on the way from Tbilisi to Batumi?
Driving from Tbilisi to Batumi, stop at Gori and the cave town of Uplistsikhe, at Surami for local pastries, then at Kutaisi for Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery.
-
Georgia or Turkey: which is better for a holiday?
Turkey is usually chosen for all-inclusive beach holidays, with more sandy beaches and package hotels.
-
What is there to see and do in Racha?
Racha is a mountain region in northwest Georgia, north of Kutaisi, centred on the town of Ambrolauri.