How long does it take to get from Tbilisi to Batumi, and how far is it?
Distance and journey times by train, car, bus and plane.
Short answer
Tbilisi to Batumi is about 350-370 kilometres by road, roughly 4 and a half to 6 hours by car. The Stadler train takes around 4-5 hours depending on the service, buses and minibuses 5-7 hours, and the flight under an hour. The road became noticeably faster after the new Rikoti Pass highway opened at the end of 2025.
Why
- The new Rikoti section with its tunnels and bridges fully opened in December 2025.
- The train stops at Kutaisi Airport, Ureki and Kobuleti.
- Driving time depends heavily on traffic leaving Tbilisi and on the coast in summer.
Details
In summer train tickets sell out within days, so buy them early on the Georgian Railway website. Minibuses leave from Didube bus station, and coaches from various points in the city.
Tip
If driving, plan a stop in Kutaisi or Gori: the journey is easier when broken up.
People also ask
- How far is Batumi from Tbilisi?
Sources
- Georgian Railway: timetable and ticketsChecked at:
- Roads Department of GeorgiaChecked at:
Timetables, fares and journey times change, so check with the carrier before you travel.
Getting from Tbilisi to BatumiRelated questions
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Where can you fly to from Tbilisi and Batumi?
Tbilisi has direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai and other Middle East cities, Europe, Russia, Israel, Central Asia and neighbouring countries.
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How do you get from Tbilisi to Azerbaijan?
From Tbilisi you can fly to Azerbaijan or take the Tbilisi-Baku train, relaunched on 26 May 2026: it leaves daily at 21:00 and reaches Baku the next morning, after about nine and a half hours.
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Can you travel from Russia to Georgia by train?
There is no direct passenger train from Russia to Georgia: the railway through Abkhazia doesn't carry passengers to the rest of Georgia, and Georgian law bans entry via Abkhazia.
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How do you get from Batumi to Ureki?
Ureki is about 55 kilometres north of Batumi, around an hour's trip.