The fastest and cheapest way to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city centre, where to buy a SIM card, and everything else you need to know before arriving in Kutaisi.
While many people start their Georgia travels by flying into Tbilisi, Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) in the country’s west is a great alternative.
Budget carrier Wizz Air is based in Kutaisi and offers low-cost flights to and from dozens of locations around Europe.
Kutaisi is a wonderful city – more than worthy of a few days of your itinerary – and a great base for exploring Georgia. If you need to travel straight to Tbilisi or Batumi, there are direct buses and fast trains available from the airport to these cities as well.
Kutaisi International Airport is located 23 kilometres west from the centre of Kutaisi city or 30-45 minutes by road.
The airport underwent extensive renovations in 2021. Now three times its original size (and with a swish new design), it’s still a small airport with just one terminal for arrivals and departures. There is nothing too complicated about it – but there are some handy things to know.
In this Kutaisi Airport Guide, I’ll show you the best way to get from the airport to the city and elsewhere in Georgia, where to buy a SIM card at Kutaisi Airport and where to get cash, and other tips for a smooth arrival.
Important note: As of January 1, 2026, insurance is mandatory for all visitors entering Georgia, even if you qualify for the visa-free scheme. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the requirements before you travel.
Fun fact: Officially known as David the Builder International Airport, the airport is named after David IV, the fifth king of Georgia who led the famous battle at Didgori, united the country, and presided over Georgia’s ‘Golden Age’. It was originally a military base hastily developed into an airport in the 1960s ahead of a state visit by the Egyptian president, Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.
How to get from Kutaisi Airport to city centre
There are 4 ways to travel from Kutaisi Airport to Kutaisi city:
- Airport Shuttle Bus – 24/7; every 2 hours; 5 GEL (<2 USD)
- Private transfer with GoTrip – 24/7; on demand; from 50 GEL (19 USD)
- Bolt taxi – 24/7; on demand; from 25-30 GEL (10-11 USD)
- Marshrutka van – daytime; 2-3 GEL (<1 USD)
A private airport transfer is the most comfortable and efficient option, while the airport shuttle bus is both affordable and convenient (as long as the sparse timetable matches up with your flight).
You should always use an app to book taxis in Georgia. I recommend Bolt. Never take a street taxi from the airport, and never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside or outside the terminal.
- Flight arriving late at night? Book a GoTrip or schedule a Bolt taxi
- On a budget / flexible with your schedule? The shuttle bus is the best value
- Travelling direct to Tbilisi or Batumi? Use Georgian Bus (more info below)
- Continuing to Mestia or other destinations? Book a GoTrip or head into Kutaisi city for more transport options
Tip: There are very few restaurants or cafes in Kutaisi that are open 24/7, and options at the airport are limited. If you are arriving in the middle of the night, your best option is to book an extra night at your hotel (i.e. the night before) so that you can go directly to your accommodation from the airport, check in, and rest. Most hotels will accommodate this as long as you give them prior notice.
Option 1: Kutaisi Airport Shuttle Bus
The official airport shuttle bus that links Kutaisi Airport and the city launched back in March 2024.
It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in both directions.
The schedule for the airport bus is as follows:
- Airport to the city: 1am, 3am, 5am, 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm
- City to the airport: 1am, 3am, 5am, 7am, 8am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm
At the airport, you will see the bus waiting on the curb right in front of the arrivals hall. It is a small white bus with ‘Kutaisi International Airport’ printed on the side (pictured above).
The airport shuttle costs 5 GEL one-way. Payment is made onboard the bus, and only Visa/Mastercard is accepted (you cannot pay with cash). Board the bus through the front doors, and tap your card on the driver’s terminal to pay for your fare.
The bus makes two stops on the way into the city: Gamsakhurdia Street and Kikvidze Park. If you’re staying on the western side of Kutaisi, you can hop off early – otherwise, stay on board until the final stop, which is closest to most hotels and the centre.
Once in Kutaisi, the bus terminates at the end of the Red Bridge, close to the Green Bazaar (see the exact location here).
Average journey time to the centre is 40 minutes.
The buses are new and modern, with plenty of seating and luggage space.
Option 2: Private airport transfer with GoTrip
A private transfer is the most comfortable and efficient way to travel from Kutaisi Airport direct to your hotel. I especially recommend this option if your flight arrives late at night or if you have luggage.
GoTrip is a Georgian platform that allows you to book a transfer from Kutaisi Airport to any address in the city (or any other destination in Georgia).
Prices start from 19 USD (~50 GEL) per car, fixed at the time of booking and paid to the driver in cash at the end of your trip.
GoTrip drivers are vetted and reviewed, and held to high road safety standards.
This is important because the highway into Kutaisi from the airport road is long, straight, and poorly lit at night. Overtaking at speed is common. Even as a nervous flier, I always dread the drive into the city more than the flight itself.
GoTrip offers a meet-and-greet service for airport pick-ups. Provide your flight details when you book online, and the driver will monitor your flight for delays. When you land, they will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall to help you with your luggage.
→ Book your GoTrip airport transfer here.
Option 3: Kutaisi Airport taxi (Bolt)
Another option is to book a taxi using an app. I do not recommend using the airport FlyTaxi service. As mentioned, you should never accept a ride from a driver who approaches you at the airport – even (or especially) if they try to tell you they work for Bolt.
Bolt is the best ridesharing app in Georgia, with drivers available for Kutaisi Airport pick-ups 24/7. Bolt drivers monitor incoming flights and wait on the road nearby, so there are always cars available as soon as you land.
The price of a Bolt from Kutaisi Airport to the centre of the city is a flat 25-30 GEL depending on the time of day and demand. Premium cars and XL cars for up to six passengers are also available.
If you don’t yet have a local Georgian SIM and you want to use Bolt on the free airport WIFI, you will need to download and verify the app before you leave home. You might not be able to do this if you live in a country where Bolt is unavailable.
If you are using an eSIM for Georgia, most global eSIMs don’t come with a local phone number. In this case, you will need to download and verify the app using your home phone number in order to use the app when you land in Georgia.
Local SIMs and eSIMs are available to purchase at the airport – but I recommend waiting until you get into the city to buy a SIM (more below).
Tip: Kutaisi Airport WIFI is free and open, but you do have to navigate through an activation page. If you are having trouble getting past the full-screen ads that often block out the ‘Connect’ button, try clicking the three dots at the top right of your screen and selecting ‘Connect as is’.
Option 4: Marshrutka van
If your flight arrives during the day, you might be able to hop on a passing marshrutka van to get dropped off at Kutaisi’s Central Bus Station. No marshrutka vans originate at the airport, but vans coming from Batumi, Guria and Samegrelo do pass by.
Sometimes vans will call into the airport arrivals area if they have a passenger to drop off. But you have a better chance of finding a van if you head to the main highway in front of the airport and cross to the opposite side of the road. Then it’s simply a matter of flagging down a passing driver.
The fare is essentially at the driver’s discretion, but I would be prepared to pay between 2-3 GEL per person (cash only, exact change preferred).
How to travel from Kutaisi Airport to other locations in Georgia
If you’re travelling onwards to Tbilisi, Batumi, Gudauri or Mestia, you don’t need to go into Kutaisi first – there are direct transport options from the airport.
Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (bus)
Direct coach buses to Tbilisi depart from Kutaisi Airport to coincide with arriving flights.
Travel time is 3.5 hours, including one or two 20-minute rest stops along the highway.
Tickets cost 30 GEL one-way or 50 GEL return, and can be purchased online in advance (recommended for ease) or in-person at the airport kiosk.
There are three companies that operate on this route: Georgian Bus, OmniBus, and Metro Georgia. They are all effectively the same – the only real difference is that OmniBus and Metro allow you to choose your seat when booking online, whereas Georgian Bus does not have allocated seating.
Each company terminates at a different location in Tbilisi (see below).
I have used all three multiple times, and I usually prefer to travel with Georgian Bus. Buses on this route are large coaches. They have USB charger ports and free WIFI on board, and passengers get a complimentary bottle of water.
Buses depart the airport around 30-45 minutes after each flight lands.
When you exit the airport, you will see buses waiting in the car park directly in front of the arrivals hall. Buses are clearly marked, and there is always an English-speaking staff member available to help.
You can bring large luggage items and equipment (such as skis) on board for free, while stowing a bicycle will cost you an additional 20 GEL. Georgian Bus can accommodate wheelchairs, but you need to give them advance notice.
Once in Tbilisi, Georgian Bus terminates behind Central Railway Station (Station Square) (see location here), OmniBus terminates at the Central Bus Station in Ortachala (see location here), and Metro stops at Didube Bus Terminal (see location here) and Ortachala.
For me, the Railway Station stop is usually the most convenient – it’s on the eastern side of the river, close to Fabrika and Avlabari neighbourhood.
If the date of your flight gets changed, Georgian Bus will adjust your transfer accordingly. If your flight gets cancelled, the bus is cancelled too. There are no refunds, but you do get a transfer credit that’s valid for one year.
→ Book Georgian Bus tickets online here
For an airport-to-door transfer, use GoTrip to book a private driver. Fares to Tbilisi start from 250 GEL per car, and you can stop wherever you want for however long you want without the fixed price going up.
→ Book a GoTrip from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi here
→ Also read: How to travel from Kutaisi city to Tbilisi by train, marshrutka or car
Kutaisi Airport to Batumi or Zugdidi (bus)
Georgian Bus also runs buses (usually small minivans) direct from the airport to Batumi. Metro Georgia (whose flagship route is between Adjara and Turkey) runs coach buses from the airport to Batumi and Zugdidi.
Travel time to Batumi is 2 hours, and tickets cost 30 GEL one-way/50 GEL return.
In Batumi, Georgian Bus terminates on Ninoshvili Street outside the Radisson Blu Hotel (see location here) while Metro terminates at Batumi Central (see location here).
Travel time to Zugdidi is 2 hours, and tickets cost 25 GEL one-way on Metro Bus.
(As a side note: If you are trying to get to Turkiye, Metro also runs a bus from Kutaisi city to Ankara via the Black Sea Coast. There is one bus per day; tickets cost 80 GEL to Trabzon or 120 GEL to Ankara.)
There are also high-speed trains to Batumi from Kutaisi International Airport Railway Station, taking 2 hours and costing 31 GEL. See more info about getting to the train station below.
Alternatively, an airport-to-door private transfer with GoTrip starts from 180 GEL per car.
→ Book a GoTrip transfer from Kutaisi Airport to Batumi here
→ Also read: How to travel from Kutaisi city to Batumi by train, marshrutka or car
Kutaisi Airport to Gudauri (bus)
If you want to go straight to Georgia’s most popular ski resort, Georgian Bus offers bus transfers to Gudauri during the winter season (approximately mid-December until March). Normally this involves taking a coach bus part-way to Tbilisi then switching to a van. Staff will assist you with the changeover.
Tickets cost 60 GEL one-way. Travel time to Gudauri is 6 hours. If your hotel in Gudauri is central, the driver will take you all the way to your door.
Alternatively, a private transfer to Gudauri costs around 300 GEL when booked through GoTrip.
→ Book a GoTrip transfer from Kutaisi Airport to Gudauri here
Kutaisi Airport to Mestia (shared transfer)
If you want to travel straight into the mountains of Svaneti, Budget Georgia offers shared transfers from Kutaisi Airport to Mestia during the high season (May to October) for 80 GEL per person.
There is only one shared transfer per day, departing the airport at 8.20am. Since most flights into Kutaisi get in late, the more convenient option is to spend a night in Kutaisi city then join the group transfer the following morning (departing from their office in the city centre at 8am).
Travel time to Mestia is six hours.
→ Book a transfer with Budget Georgia here, and email the team mentioning Wander-Lush to save 10%
Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi, Batumi, Poti, Zugdidi & Ozurgeti (train)
In May 2022, a new railway station opened at Kopitnari 2.5 kilometres from the airport. All trains that travel from east to west now stop at Kutaisi International Airport Station, including trains to Tbilisi, Batumi, Poti, Ozurgeti, and Zugdidi.
Free shuttle buses to the railway station depart from in front of the arrivals hall and are aligned with the train schedule.
There are no special airport trains – rather, you have to rely on the regular timetabled trains. Normally there are 4-7 daily trains to Tbilisi depending on the season, plus 2-5 trains to Batumi and 1-2 daily services to the other cities mentioned.
If your flight happens to land at the perfect time, or you don’t mind waiting around at the airport, then the train might be an option for you.
→ Check times and book tickets online through TKT.GE
How to get from Kutaisi Airport to other locations around Georgia
For direct onward travel from the airport, I recommend using GoTrip for private transfers or Budget Georgia for shared transfers.
Alternatively, you can head into the city (with a taxi or shuttle bus), go to Kutaisi Central Bus Station, and connect to a marshrutka van from there. This is a good option for travelling onward to Martvili or Racha, for example.
Marshrutka vans travelling west to Samtredia, Zugdidi, Poti, etc. also pass by the airport – you might be able to board one on the road outside the airport (provided they have a spare seat).
Arrival essentials at Kutaisi Airport (SIM cards, ATMs, WIFI)
As mentioned, Kutaisi Airport is small and very easy to navigate. Here are some tips for when you arrive.
Heads up: There are quite a few street dogs at Kutaisi Airport. They are generally gentle and used to people, but they may approach you at the entrance looking for food. If you’re nervous around dogs, it’s something to be aware of.
ATMs & money exchange
Like all cities in Georgia, Kutaisi is very card-friendly, and you can pay for almost everything with a bank card or mobile wallet. You only really need cash when you leave the city.
I always recommend using an ATM to withdraw cash rather than trying to exchange currency. There is a money exchange desk in the airport arrivals hall – but for a better rate, I recommend using Rico Credit in the city centre, near the Colchis Fountain.
There are a couple of ATMs inside the Kutaisi Airport arrivals, directly on the right as you exit baggage claim. All accept international bank cards and dispense lari (GEL), Georgia’s official currency. Some machines also allow you to withdraw EUR or USD.
TBC (the light blue machine) has a 5 GEL withdrawal fee, and Bank of Georgia (the orange machine) has a 3 GEL withdrawal fee. There is more choice when you reach the city – CartuBank and Basis Bank have zero-fee ATMs with higher GEL withdrawal limits.
Buying a sim card at Kutaisi Airport
There are several mobile kiosks inside airport arrivals. They are all open 24 hours a day.
Magti is my preferred mobile provider in Georgia for coverage and price. Read more here in my detailed SIM card guide.
The Magti desk at the airport only sells Tourist Packages, which might not be the best value for money. In my experience, they are twice as expensive compared to buying a SIM or eSIM in-store.
I recommend waiting until you get into the city to buy a SIM card. There is a Magti office in the centre of Kutaisi on St. Nino Street, facing the park, and a second branch near the main bus station on Gamsakhurdia Avenue. Remember to bring your passport with you.
WIFI at Kutaisi Airport
Free airport WiFi is available throughout the terminal if you don’t have a local SIM yet.
If the login page doesn’t load properly or full-screen ads block the ‘Connect’ button, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of your mobile and select ‘Connect as is’ to bypass it.
Speeds are usually fine for messaging and booking a taxi. The signal will drop out once you step outside the building, but any Bolt booking you’ve already made will still go through.
Kutaisi Airport car rental
A few international car hire companies have desks at the airport, including Enterprise. But I always suggest hiring a car through Local Rent, an alternative platform with competitive prices.
You can either pick your car up at the airport or have it delivered to any address in the city.
→ Find a rental car on Local Rent
→ Also read: My tips for hiring a car and driving in Georgia
Food, shopping & other services at the airport
There are only a few basic dining options at the airport, so I highly recommend eating in the city. There is a Smart supermarket in the arrivals hall with a small bakery, and in the departures area (airside), there is a Coffeesta coffee shop and a Subway.
Airside, the departures hall is small but well-appointed, with plenty of seating and power outlets.
There are a few wine and souvenir shops at the gates. They don’t sell the most authentic gifts, but they do have the basics if you have left your shopping to the very last minute.
The airport rooftop terrace
One of the coolest features of Kutaisi Airport is the massive rooftop terrace on top of the departures hall. It has plenty of outdoor seating, and stairs that go up to a viewpoint where you can see the runways.
To find it, head up the cascade stairs to the restaurant above the check-in desks then use the glass doors at the back of the building. There is also a smaller outdoor area (primarily used as a smoking terrace) airside.
How to get back to Kutaisi Airport
Important: If you are flying out of Kutaisi with Wizz Air, you MUST check-in for your flight at the desk in the airport. PDF boarding passes (digital or printed) are not accepted by airport security. They will not let you through to airside without a physical boarding pass issued by airport staff.
On top of that, there are no check-in machines in Kutaisi, so you have to go to the desk. You do not need to print anything – just present your passport.
Remember to account for the time it takes to check-in when planning your journey – it does get very busy and a bit crazy if there are multiple flights departing around the same time. Thankfully, lanes have just been installed and the airport is a lot more organised than it was a couple of years ago. Normally check-in only opens 2 hours before the flight.
To avoid extra fees, you should also check-in online before you arrive at the airport. In other words, double check-in (online and physical) is mandatory.
Kutaisi city to Airport
The 24/7 Kutaisi Airport Shuttle departs from the city centre every other hour on the hour, except in the morning when there is an 8am bus instead of a 9am bus.
Departure times are as follows:
- City to the airport: 1am, 3am, 5am, 7am, 8am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm
Buses leave from the modern bus bay at the end of the Red Bridge (see the exact location here) – i.e. the same exact place where buses coming in from the airport terminate.
The fare is 5 GEL, payable by Visa/Mastercard when you board.
Another option is to book a taxi through Bolt app for 25-30 GEL. The app works 24/7, and you can pre-schedule a ride up to 90 days in advance for peace of mind (handy if you have an early morning departure).
If you have luggage, a private GoTrip transfer might be worth it for peace of mind. Book a GoTrip transfer to Kutaisi Airport here.
Marshrutka vans travelling to Samtredia, Abasha, Senaki, etc. also call into the airport. They depart regularly from Kutaisi Central Bus Station, around the corner from the McDonalds (see the exact waiting spot pinned here on Google Maps). The fare is 3 GEL per person.
Batumi or Tbilisi to Kutaisi Airport
Georgian Bus, Metro and OmniBus also offer direct transfers back to the airport from Tbilisi and Batumi from their respective bus station locations. Travel times and fares are the same. Buses are timed to coincide with the flight schedule, arriving at the airport around 3 hours ahead of the departure time.
Note that buses coming from eastern Georgia no longer stop in Kutaisi city on the way to the airport, they use the new bypass road.
Private transfers to the airport from anywhere in Georgia can be organised through GoTrip.
Trains travelling west from Tbilisi and east from Batumi, Poti, Zugdidi and Ozurgeti all stop at Kutaisi International Airport Railway Station. From there, it’s a 5-minute shuttle bus ride to the airport. Check times and book tickets on TKT.GE.
Where to print a boarding pass in Kutaisi
As airport-issued boarding passes are mandatory at Kutaisi International, you do not need to print anything ahead of your flight. You can simply show staff at the check-in counters your passport.
If you want to print an online check-in confirmation for peace of mind (and I sometimes do!), printing can be done anywhere you see a ‘Xerox’ sign. Normally it costs 10-20 tetri to print off a single A4 page in black and white.
There are several Xerox shops in the centre of Kutaisi, including a couple on Rustaveli Avenue and one a few doors down from Sisters Restaurant.
Where to stay in Kutaisi
If it’s your first time visiting Kutaisi, I highly recommend choosing a hotel that’s located in the city centre. See this neighbourhood guide for detailed recommendations, or check out my top Kutaisi accommodation picks below.
TOP CHOICE: Communal Hotel (⭐ 9.0). Launching in autumn 2023, the latest offering from The Communal Company (also of Communal Telavi and Tbilisi) is Kutaisi’s premier boutique hotel. Rooms are cosy and perfectly decorated, and the property has an outdoor pool and onsite restaurant-bar, Doli.
BOUTIQUE: Rotel Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.3). Rooms at this micro hotel have a unique design and moody lighting. The location in Balakhvani is a short walk or bus ride from the city centre. Managed by the same team behind Kutaisi’s most popular nightclub, Rotel features an onsite wine bar.
MID-RANGE: Newport Hotel (⭐ 9.2). Located on the cusp of Kutaisi’s historic Jewish Quarter, behind the Colchis Fountain, this hotel is located inside the former Kutaisi Courthouse. Rooms are comfortable, the service is friendly, and the onsite bar-restaurant is excellent.
MID-RANGE: Hotel 1887 (⭐ 9.0). This historic 19th-century house is a 10-minute walk from the Colchis Fountain. Rooms pair original wooden panelling and parquet floors with minimal, Scandi-style furnishings. There is a garden, and some rooms have private balconies.
UP-SCALE: Hotel Grand Opera (⭐ 8.5). Situated in the heart of Kutaisi centre, this hotel has a magnificent rooftop bar overlooking the Opera Theatre. Expect well-appointed rooms and a generous breakfast from this hotel with a location that’s impossible to beat.
More Kutaisi travel resources
- The best things to do in Kutaisi, plus a suggested Kutaisi itinerary
- Where to go on a Kutaisi day trip, popular tours & offbeat ideas
- Kutaisi in winter, 12 excellent cold-weather activities
- Hidden gems in Kutaisi, alternative things to do
- Where to stay in Kutaisi, hotel and district guide
- Best restaurants & cafes in Kutaisi, where to eat in Kutaisi
- The best bars in Kutaisi, for Imeretian wine & more
- Guide to Tskaltubo, the best day trip from Kutaisi
- Staying at Tskaltubo Spa Resort, a refurbished sanatorium
- Guide to Chiatura, riding the famous cable cars near Kutaisi
- Guide to Martvili Canyon, a green oasis near Kutaisi
- Visiting Kutaisi Caves & Canyons, a popular day trip
- Visiting Baia’s Wine, a popular family vineyard near Kutaisi
- How to travel from Kutaisi to Tbilisi, detailed transport guide
- How to travel from Kutaisi to Batumi, detailed transport guide
You might also be interested in…
- The ultimate Georgia itinerary: Four detailed & custom-designed itineraries
- Georgia Travel Guide: All of my 200+ posts plus my top travel tips
- Georgia travel tips: 25 essential things to know before you go
- Places to visit in Georgia: 50+ unique & underrated destinations around the country
- The best things to do in Tbilisi: Favourites, hidden gems & local picks
- 35+ best restaurants in Tbilisi: Where to eat Georgian food
- 15 best day trips from Tbilisi: With detailed transport instructions
- The best time to visit Georgia: Month-by-month guide to weather, festivals & events
Do you have a question about Kutaisi Airport? Leave your comment below and I will try my best to help out.
I very much enjoyed reading all the comprehensive information you published here, it’s so comprehensive and was fully decided on Kutaisi. But cities aren’t really for me, I want to check out an even smaller place for my first 2 months, specifically Kobuleti.
Well, now I am a bit confused, as there is a winter schedule for the busses and trains?
And the Georgian booking sites are even more cryptic, somehow they don’t work properly on my browser. Maybe you can point me the right way?
I’ll arrive in February at 22:45 at Kutaisi airport, and I want to go to Kobuleti.
Does the train from the airport stop in Kobuleti?
Or is there a bus from the airport at that hour that stops there?
BTW: If there is nothing at night, but a good connection after sunrise, then I can wait at the airport until morning (I don’t mind, it’s heated). Cheap is best.
Hi Andrew,
The winter schedule is the same.
A few options:
– Book the Georgian Bus transfer from the airport to Batumi, then take a taxi to Kobuleti from Batumi the next morning. If the website is not working for you, you can try using a VPN. The February schedule is not up yet.
– Stay the night in Kutaisi and take the Stadler train the next morning to Kobuleti (8am). Times and tickets here: https://gr.com.ge/en/schedule
– Or stay the night and take a van the next morning. Details here: https://wander-lush.org/kutaisi-to-batumi/
I will just warn you that February is maybe the worst month of the year for Kobuleti – it’s the height of the off season, and many places will be closed.
I hope this helps!
Hi Emily,
I read some horror stories on leaving Kutaisi airport, people not making their flights due to long lines at check-in and security, is it still necessary to go through the check-in desks even if you have a mobile boarding pass or pdf? Or is it possible now to go to security and the gates immediately if you have no bags to check in? Thank you!
Hi Sofia – you must go to the counter.
Hi! Thank You very much for the whole blog!
I have a question about the direct bus from Kutaisi Airport to Tblisi (Georgian Bus, OmniBus, etc.). Is there a possibility of getting off the bus along the way, in my case in Surami? I know it’s quite simple to just get to the Kutaisi bus station and then some marshrutka(s) to Surami, but going by this direct bus would be even better.
Hi Simon – the bus doesn’t normally stop, but I’m sure if you spoke to the driver, he could let you out on the highway since the buses go right through Surami.
thanks for the airport bus schedule. really appreciate it
No worries, Alex. Safe travels!
Dear Emily, Thank you so much for all the info. Really good site!
I will land at Kutaisi airport next month, but I would actually prefer to visit Tbilisi. I am afraid of the buses as I have lower back pain. Is the road full of bumps and chuck holes or other dangers? Will the driver even care a bit and drive carefully and smoothly? What do you think? Thank you in advance
Hi Niko, there is a new highway between Kutaisi and Tbilisi. It is nice and smooth. The coach buses are nice and smooth, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
Hi!
Im traveling to Kutaisi in a few weeks before heading off to Tbilisi.
I was thinking of getting a e sim from silk for the week Im in the country. Is that a good or bad idea compared to getting a physical sim?
And a bit of over course maybe but I have a one day excursion to Armenia booked from Tbilisi. But I don’t know if we are gonna be in close proximity of ATM-s. Once I have Lari from an ATM, would you suggest that it’s a good idea to exchange that for Armenian currency in a exchange office in Georgia?
Hi Zed, there is no difference between an esim and a physical sim if you are using the same provider. So, your choice!
Most day trips will make a stop at the exchange office on the Armenian side of the border after passing immigration. I recommend exchanging a small amount of cash there (GEL, Euro or USD), as there are only a handful of desks in Tbilisi that will do it for you. Enjoy your travels!
Hi!
Thank you very much for your reply. This is gonna be great.
Best regards,
Zed
Hi Emily,
i am going from zugdidi to kutaisi via train, and my stop is the airport railway station. i reach around 7:30 pm.
how do i go to my stay from there.
are there any shuttle busses or bolt and yandex booking
Hi Meg, you can use Bolt to book a taxi. Or, if you’re not in a hurry, you can use the free shuttle to travel a tiny bit further to the airport then pick up the 5 GEL airport shuttle bus to the city from there. It only departs every 2 hours, though. Safe travels!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your really useful post about Kutaisi airport. Can I ask about domestic flights? I’m in London, trying to book tickets from Kutaisi to Mestia on the Vanilla Sky plane for early September but the website doesn’t seem to work. Is it possibly blocked for users from outside Georgia? Do you have any advice on how I can go about booking the tickets?
Thanks, Cath
Hi Cath – unfortunately they are notoriously difficult to book. You can try contacting the airline through Facebook.
oh my Gosh
this blog is such a peace of mind
let me read the other also, I’m travelling next week to Kutaisi and you make it so easy.
Hi Emily,
Just wanted to say thank you so much for your Georgia blogs. I
referred to them a lot over the last 8 days here & they’ve been so helpful. I can confirm that the new Airport Shuttle is brilliant. I managed to catch it at 1am, very efficient & we were the only people on the bus, got us to the airport in 30 minutes. Seems like it’s a great asset to the city now that it’s in operation.
Thanks again & have a great day
Hi Lydia, thanks for your comment!
That is great to hear – so glad the new bus worked well for you. I appreciate the note, it’s really helpful for other travellers too. I hope you enjoyed your time in Kutaisi and will get a chance to return to Georgia some day!
Hello there! Thanks for all the help and for keeping the site updated, really useful. I was meaning to ask you two things. Thank you for your time and good will!
I am currently at Batumi and will be leaving for Kutaisi the day after tomorrow. I wanted to know if you know of a way to get from Batumi directly to Kutaisi center, besides the MARSHRUTKA. I think you can only get to Kutaisi airport by train or bus. But maybe you know if there is a train or a bus that goes directly.
Secondly, if I decide to go first to Kutaisi airport, do you know if the THE NEW KUTAISI AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS that take you to the city are now operational? I saw that in the post you said that from march you could take them but later in the comments till march 26th they were not available. Now in April do you know if I can take them?
Thank you once again!
Yes the shuttle bus from the airport is now operational. Another option is to take Georgian Bus from Batumi centre to the airport and continue on the shuttle from there.
Hi! It is currently March 2024, I am set to travel to Kutaisi in April 2024. Have you heard any update about the Georgian Bus service? Thank you!
Hi Amanda, not yet – there will be a new shuttle service (not run by Georgian Bus, I don’t think) but it has not started yet. I am keeping this guide updated and will add all the info as soon as it’s available!
Hello, cool site. I’m coming to Kutaisi tomorrow! Is there any news on the shuttle bus route from the Kutaisi airport to Kutaisi?
Not yet Simon, I will update this when it starts.
Hi Emily,
do you know any Updates about the Busservice at the End of March?
I’m arriving at 00:50 on 26th March and wanna make sure I’ll reach the city.
Best wishes
Sorry for the late reply, Lisa – as you probably discovered there is no shuttle just yet. I will return to update this as soon as it launches. Hope you made it to the city by taxi!
Hello, fantastic blog. Thx a lot.
Do you know if there is free wifi at Kutaisi airport (to book a Bolt car)?
The price for a car a GoGrip – is that including waiting time a fx Okatse Canyon and Martvili Canyon?
Hi Lotte, yes there is free WIFI. And yes, the GoTrip price includes stops and wait times – just make sure you add those stops into your itinerary.
Hi Emily,
Your blogs are really helpful.
We are really looking forward to do Ski activities in Gudauri. We’re planning to go by 2nd week of April2024. Would that be a good month to go?
Hi Pamela, usually the season lasts until April. March might be safer, but it depends on snowfall and weather conditions. Every year is a bit different!
Hello!
Where I see a speedtrain information (time and price) from Batum to Kuitasi?
Best
Inge
Hi Inge, there is no speed train from Batumi to Kutaisi, only from Batumi to Kopitnari Kutaisi Airport Station. You can find times by following the link in the post to TKT.GE.
Hello Emily,
For anyone in the same situation.
If you need to get to Kutaisi Airport from the City Centre, this is what I think.
From the main bus station (next to Kutaisi 2 train station), you get on the marshrutka heading to Samtredia. It will pass in front of the Airport. Get off there and you are right in front of the Airport. Price. Driver charged me 5 Lari, though I think the price is 3. He was a but cheeky I think.
Hopefully this will be useful to someone.
Thanks Oscar, yes the usual price is 3 GEL as I describe in the post, above the photo of the marshrutka waiting spot at the bus station.
Hi Emily,
I hope you are doing well.
I’m flying into Kutaisi today from Frankfurt and see from your blog that the airport bus to Kutaisi centre is no longer running, I tried the bus company’s website but it won’t let me select a date which perhaps suggests that it’s still not running?
Would you have an update as to wether it’s working again?
Hi Dave – unfortunately it is still not running. I confirmed this 3 days ago. The only options now are to flag down a marshrutka or take a taxi. You need to use an app (Bolt) though as drivers will often quote you a crazy price otherwise.
Hey Emily,
thank you for your super helpful blog, it has helped a lot planning my travels in Georgia.
My flight back is scheduled at 6.30 a.m. from Kutaisi Airport and I will be in Tbilisi before. I would like to stay as long as possible and take the Omnibus directly to Kutaisi Airport. Do you have an idea how reliable they are? Or are there any back up options that late and spontaneous?
Alternatively: Do you think I could get a Bolt in the middle of the night from Kutaisi City to the airport?
Thanks a lot!
Hey Lena, Omnibus and Georgian Bus are both reliable – airport transfers are their main business. Just note that the main highway (Rikoti Pass) is closed to traffic until 6am so the bus will be rerouted and travel time is longer as a result. But they do factor this into their schedule.
Hi, Emily. May you have an idea if it could be possible to get a bolt from Kutaisi city to Kutaisi airport on Easter Monday morning (8-9 o’clock). I’m not sure how Easter can afftect their work:)
Hi Sigis – Monday should be fine, but there might be less drivers around so I would leave a little earlier and also have a back up plan in mind. There should still be taxis on the street. Safe travels!
Hi! Thank you very much for your wonderful blog, it’s amazingly helpful.
I’m going to Georgia next week, I’m almost done with planning (thanks in no small part to your blog), but I have this one problem: My flight is scheduled to depart from Kutaisi airport at 6:45am, so I guess I should be at the airport around 3.45am (on a Tuesday, if that matters). Our accommodation will be it Kutaisi, and neither Georgian bus nor Omnibus offers shuttles from Kutaisi center to the airport. What mode of transport would you recommend for getting to the airport that early? Thank you!
Hello Anna! I would definitely pre-arrange a taxi. Your guesthouse/hotel will be able to book one for you, or you can use GoTrip – they are very reliable. Compare prices and see which one works out better. Safe travels!
Hey! Thanks a lot for your info. As I am planning my trip to Georgia in April your blog is the most helpful one!
Can you please clarify for me: it it possible to get a bus ticket to Kutaisi city center at the airport or there are any problems with getting it there? And are there no marshrutka vans going from the airport to the city center?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Katerina, thanks for your comment! Yes, you can get a bus to the centre from the airport. The company is Georgian Bus. If you prefer to take a marshrutka, you can go outside and flag down a passing van on the main road.
There are plans to start a city bus route between the airport and city – I will update this guide if/when that comes into place. For now, those are your two public transport options.
I hope this helps!