How to Travel from Kazbegi to Tbilisi in 2026: Detailed Transport Guide

An up-to-date guide for travelling from Kazbegi to Tbilisi by marshrutka van, shared taxi or private car. Includes bus schedules, fares, and everything you need to know about travelling to Tbilisi from Kazbegi.

Visiting Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church is a highlight of any Caucasus travel itinerary – as is the trip up to Kazbegi via the magnificent Georgian Military Highway.

In my Tbilisi to Kazbegi transport guide, I cover how to travel to the mountains from the capital. If you’re looking for info about the different options for getting back to Tbilisi, this guide will show you how to do the reverse route with a few important modifications.

I’ll also show you how to efficiently transit through Tbilisi to other destinations across Georgia.

Important note: When making your decision, remember that road safety is a serious consideration in Georgia. The Military Highway is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the country because of the constant stream of freight trucks, the fast-changing weather and the risk of avalanche/landslide. Personally I have had one too many hairy marshrtuka trips and now prefer to travel with a private driver whenever possible.

Kazbegi to Tbilisi distance

The distance between Kazbegi and Tbilisi is 152 kilometres (94.4 miles).

Kazbegi to Tbilisi travel time

It can take anywhere from 2.5-3.5 hours to travel from Kazbegi to Tbilisi by road depending on traffic and weather conditions. It always takes a little longer in winter. The journey down the mountain is faster than the trip up.

The fastest way to get back to Tbilisi from Kazbegi is by private car. Travelling by marshrutka bus, it takes 2.5-3 hours on average to get down to Tbilisi.

How to travel from Kazbegi to Tbilisi

Here is an overview of the 4 different options for travelling from Kazbegi to Tbilisi. In the next section, I’ll go through each option in detail.

My preferred way to travel between Kazbegi and Tbilisi is with a private car and driver booked through GoTrip. This option gives you the flexibility to travel directly back to Tbilisi, or to make a day of it and do some sightseeing along the way.

If you are continuing your Georgia itinerary and you want to travel somewhere else on the same day, you can arrange to get picked up in Kazbegi in the morning and dropped off anywhere in the country.

GoTrip is a terrific service that matches professional English-speaking drivers with travellers for routes all around the country. It’s a door-to-door service, you can stop anywhere you want along the way for as long as you like, and all for flat fare that’s set before you travel and paid in cash to the driver. Prices are very fair, and you can save up to 40% compared to hiring a taxi from the street.

Book a car from Kazbegi to Tbilisi with GoTrip here. For more information, read my review of GoTrip.

Note: New regulations that prohibit minivans from transporting passengers on journeys of more than 150 kilometres have been deferred until 2027. Vans on this route operate as normal.

The cheapest way to travel to Tbilisi from Kazbegi is by marshrutka minivan. There are 11 vans departing from Kazbegi’s bus stop every day, and terminating at Didube Station in Tbilisi.

Vans take 2.5-3.5 hours on average to get to Tbilisi depending on traffic, road conditions and how many pick ups the driver makes on the way out (and honestly, how fast they are speeding). You will find the trip down the mountain is faster than the way up (thanks, gravity!).

Along the way, vans make one 10-minute rest stop in Sakuriani where there are bathrooms and snack stands.

Kazbegi to Tbilisi marshrutka schedule & ticket prices

Marshrutka vans to Tbilisi run on a set schedule that is signposted at the station. Vans run 7 days a week.

The schedule for Kazbegi to Tbilisi is as follows: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, and 6pm.

Important: Outside of summer, there is less demand for this route, so departures might be less frequent. Oftentimes the last few vans of the day get cut from the schedule if there are not enough passengers. If you’re travelling outside of June/July/August/September, your best bet is to take one of the morning vans. Note that on significant holidays such as Orthodox Easter Sunday, New Years Day and Orthodox Christmas Day, vans probably won’t be running.

I highly recommend you take one of the earlier vans to avoid being on the road at night. In winter, that means leaving Kazbegi by 2pm at the latest.

Marshrutka vans have limited space and only seat 15 or so people. Once they’re full, they leave – so there’s no use arriving at 9am on the dot and expecting to get a seat.

I recommend arriving 30-45 minutes before your intended departure time. Otherwise, you can try reserving a seat through your accommodation in Kazbegi (see the next section for more details).

Tickets for the marshrutka from Kazbegi to Tbilisi cost 20 GEL per person, and are purchased directly from the driver either before you board or once you arrive in Tbilisi. Note that it’s cash only. Drivers always carry change.

Finding the bus station in Kazbegi

Kazbegi’s small bus station is located in the centre of town on the eastern side of the river (see the exact location here on Google Maps). You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the signboard mounted on the shelter roof.

There are some lovely Soviet-era bas reliefs on the station building.

Vans wait in front of the station. As soon as you arrive, someone will likely approach you and direct you to the van that’s due to depart next.

There is a small snack stand and a currency exchange office next to the bus station. There is a larger grocery store called Market Ska 300 metres up the road.

If you need to withdraw cash to pay for your bus tickets, there is a Liberty Bank ATM directly across the road from the market.

Can you reserve seats in advance?

The easiest way to reserve a seat for the Kazbegi to Tbilisi bus is by phoning ahead to the driver directly. (It’s not possible to go down and buy tickets a day in advance, for example.) Your guesthouse host might be able to phone ahead on your behalf. Locals usually call ahead to reserve their seats.

Generally speaking, there are enough departures throughout the day that you don’t need to worry about reserving a seat. Just arrive at the station nice and early and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Arriving in Tbilisi

In Tbilisi, marshrutkas terminate at Didube Bus Terminal in the northern part of the city (see the exact location here on Google Maps).

Depending on the location of your accommodation and how much luggage you’re carrying, you can either jump on the metro (the First Line runs through Didube Metro Station and stops at Liberty Square) or use the Bolt app to book a taxi (12-15 GEL). Didube is quite chaotic, so it’s a good idea to exit the station area and choose a pick up spot just outside.

If you are travelling onward and need to go to a different bus or train station, you can find more information about transiting to other cities in the next section below.

An upgrade on the marshrutka, a shared taxi certainly doesn’t provide the same flexibility or comfort as GoTrip. It will get you back to the city faster than a van, though, and it’s cheaper than hiring a private car.

A seat in a shared sedan taxi from Kazbegi to Tbilisi costs approximately 40-60 GEL depending on the driver. You will need to wait until the car fills up, or you can pay for the empty seats yourself and depart without delay.

This is not typically a door-to-door service, but you might be able to negotiate with the driver to take you to your final destination in Tbilisi. Otherwise, they will likely drop you off inside or near Didube.

Taxi drivers wait around Kazbegi Bus Station and the main square. You can find them there throughout the day, and in the morning from as early as 7am in summer. You can easily identify them by the plastic signs sitting on the dashboard (as with the car pictured above).

If the Jvari Pass is closed due to heavy snow – or if you want to make a day of the return trip – you can always travel back to Tbilisi via Kobi and Gudauri. This option involves riding the Kobi-Gudauri gondola, which runs during the winter ski season (last week of December until mid-April) and in the summer months (end of June until mid-September). As you can see, it is particularly pretty in winter.

First, take a taxi to the village of Kobi, located 17 kilometres south (20 minutes’ drive) from Kazbegi. Prices range from 80-100 GEL depending on the time of year. Try to book using the Bolt app or ask your accommodation in Kazbegi to refer a reputable driver.

From Kobi, ride the cable car (four gondola lines in total) all the way to the last station inside New Gudauri ski resort. The cable car opens at 10am, and the trip takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes in total. Tickets cost 35 GEL per person in summer (or 45 GEL in winter). You are welcome to take luggage (including suitcases) with you on the cable car.

When you arrive in New Gudauri, you can organise to rendezvous with a driver to take you the rest of the way to Tbilisi. I recommend booking a car from Gudauri to Tbilisi through GoTrip – prices start from 180 GEL.

Alternatively, there are 3-4 scheduled marshrutka vans travelling from Gudauri to Tbilisi throughout the day, mainly during the morning. The drive takes around 2 hours. Double-check times and fares locally (the fare should be 10-15 GEL). See this Gudauri Transport Guide for more tips.

Sometimes marshrutka vans start in New Gudauri, in which case you can transfer directly to a van from the bottom gondola station. If there is no waiting van, you will need to make your way down to the bus station in Old Gudauri (see the exact location here). The distance is around 3.5 kilometres, and since it is not safe to walk on the highway, you will need to take a taxi (expect to pay around 40 GEL).

Vans travelling down to Tbilisi from Kazbegi usually make a pitstop at the nearby Smart Supermarket at approximately a quarter to the hour every hour. If you are lucky, you might be able to snag a seat on one of the vans bound for Didube for 20 GEL.

How to get to Tbilisi Airport from Kazbegi

If you are scheduled to fly out and you want to travel directly to the airport from Kazbegi without stopping in the city first, the easiest option is to book a private car. There is no direct shared transport to or from the airport.

When booked through GoTrip, a private transfer starts from 200 GEL per car. Check prices for a Kazbegi airport transfer on GoTrip.

Transiting in Tbilisi to another destination in Georgia

GoTrip drivers can take you directly from Kazbegi to any address in Georgia. But if you’re using a van/shared taxi and you want to travel elsewhere on the same day, you will have to transit through Tbilisi first.

Vans and taxis to Gori, Mtskheta, Kutaisi, Batumi and Zugdidi all depart from Didube Station – the same place where Kazbegi vans terminate. Watch my Didube Video Tour here on YouTube to see the different locations of bus stops for these destinations.

If you plan to travel to Kakheti in Eastern Georgia, you will need to make your way to Samgori bus station (for marshrutka vans) or Isani Metro Station (for taxis). For full details, here is my guide for getting from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi or Telavi.

For the journey from Tbilisi to Batumi or Tbilisi to Kutaisi, I always prefer to travel by train. To get to the railway station from Didube, you can either take the First Line metro three stops south to Station Square (1 GEL per person), or call a taxi (approximately 15 GEL when booked through Bolt).

What to do in Kazbegi

• Things to know before you visit Kazbegi – the ultimate Kazbegi guide
• 8 best day trips from Kazbegi for hiking & mountain scenery
• Juta Valley hike – visiting the Georgian Dolomites
• Gergeti Trinity Hike – tips for walking to the church from town
• Sno Giant Stone Heads – quirky sculptures near Juta
• Where to eat & drink in Kazbegi – my favourite restaurants
• Where to stay in Kazbegi – the best hotels, guesthouses & cabins
• Georgian Military road trip guide – where to stop on the way
• Skiing in Gudauri – my tips for Georgia’s premier winter resort
• Things to do in Gudauri – on & off the slopes
• Kobi-Gudauri cable car – why I think it’s a must-do in Kazbegi

Tbilisi travel resources

If it’s your first time visiting Georgia’s capital city, here are my favourite things to do in Tbilisi, including the sulfur baths, the Dezerter Bazaar and the Dry Bridge Market.

For more inspiration, check out these guides…

• 23 Tbilisi travel tips – essential reading for first-timers
• How to plan your Caucasus travel itinerary
• What to pack for a trip to Georgia (and what to wear in Georgia)
• How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city
• The best things to do in Tbilisi – my city guide
• The best restaurants in Tbilisi – where to eat out
• The best cafes in Tbilisi – coworking & coffee
• The best breakfasts in Tbilisi – including traditional Georgian meals
• The best gift shops in Tbilisi – where to buy your souvenirs
• The best walking tours in Tbilisi – discover the city by foot
• Tbilisi’s best neighbourhoods – architecture, people-watching & street photography
• The best boutique hotels in Tbilisi – art hotels, wine hotels & more
• The best hostels in Tbilisi – accommodation on a budget
• Visiting Gulo’s Spa – the best thermal bath in Tbilisi
• Visiting the Dezerter Bazaar – Tbilisi’s incredible green market
• How to get from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi and what to do in Georgia’s wine region

For even more inspiration and resources, check out my new Georgia Travel Guide and my Georgia itinerary.

Kazbegi to Tbilisi: Final thoughts

For convenience and affordability, the best all-round transport option is to travel with GoTrip. If you’re on a tight budget, a marshrutka van is perfectly adequate, provided you don’t have large luggage items.

A shared taxi is a nice compromise, but just be aware that it doesn’t offer the same flexibility as a private car.

I hope this transport guide proves helpful! If you have any questions about travelling to Tbilisi from Kazbegi (or if you’ve made the trip recently and have something else to add), please consider leaving a comment below to help other travellers.

When planning the first part of your journey, remember check out my guide for travelling from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.