Full Kutaisi Batumi transport guide for this year, with updated timetables, ticket prices, and helpful travel tips.
Kutaisi Batumi is one of the most frequently travelled routes in Georgia.
Whether you’re arriving/departing from David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport or you’re just touring around the country, Kutaisi is a convenient place to stop between the capital and the Black Sea Coast.
There are multiple ways to move between the two cities depending on your budget, timeframe, and tolerance for bumpy roads! I have travelled this route more times than I can count, and now that I live in Kutaisi, I have figured out the best transport options available.
Inside this guide, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the different transport methods including timetables and ticket prices, map pinpoints for all the relevant stations, ideas for where to stop along the way, and other insider tips.
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Distance from Kutaisi to Batumi
Batumi is located south-west of Kutaisi.
The distance from Kutaisi to Batumi is roughly 150 kilometres (93 miles) by road.
Kutaisi to Batumi travel time
The fastest way to travel between Kutaisi and Batumi is by train, taking 1 hour and 50 minutes from Kutaisi Airport Station (plus the 30 minutes it takes to reach the airport station from the city centre by taxi).
The journey by road takes between 2.5-3 hours on average depending on the type of vehicle and traffic conditions.
There are several new bypass roads in Guria that drivers now use to make the journey a bit quicker.
Marshrutka minivans use the E692 highway and the new Japana-Lanchkhuti Bypass Road to get to the coast. Some connect to the new bypass expressway, while others use the old coastal road, stopping in Kobuleti, Shekvetili and Ureki along the way.
There are no domestic flights from Kutaisi to Tbilisi.
How to travel from Kutaisi to Batumi: Transport overview
Travellers currently have 5 options: Private transfer, coach bus, train, marshrutka minivan, or hire car.
In the next section, I will explore each option (and its pros and cons) in detail.
Here is a quick overview:
1. EFFICIENT OPTION
PRIVATE TRANSFER
- 24/7 on demand
- 2.5 hrs travel time
- From 180 GEL/car
2. SCENIC OPTION
TRAIN FROM KUTAISI AIRPORT STATION
- 2-5 services daily
- 1.5 hrs travel time
- From 32 GEL/person + taxi fare
3. COACH OPTION
CITY BUS
- 3-4 services daily
- 2.5 hrs travel time
- 30 GEL/person
4. BUDGET OPTION
MARSHRUTKA MINIVAN
- 20+ vans daily
- 2.5 hrs travel time
- 20 GEL/person
5. DIY OPTION
RENTAL CAR
- On demand
- 2.5+ hrs travel time
- From 35 USD/day
What is the best way to travel from Kutaisi to Batumi?
TL;DR: City Bus (option #3).
Why?
- Departs from Kutaisi city (no need to go to the airport)
- More affordable than the train (when you factor in the railway station taxi fare)
- Comfier (and safer) than a marshrutka van
- Reserve bus tickets here
BUT – limited departures (max 4 buses per day).
If you want total flexibility over your departure time and stops along the way, a private door-to-door transfer with GoTrip is the best option.
In a hurry? Book a last-minute private transfer to Batumi with GoTrip. The price is locked-in at the time of booking, drivers are vetted for safety, and you can make as many stops along the way as you like.
Option 1: Private transfer from Kutaisi to Batumi
If you’re looking for a fast and fuss-free way to travel between Kutaisi and Batumi and you don’t mind paying a little bit more for extra comfort and convenience, then a private transfer with GoTrip.ge is your best option.
It is possible to reach Batumi in as little as 2 hours and 30 minutes when travelling by car.
GoTrip is a platform that matches travellers with drivers for intercity trips (sort of like a long-distance Uber). In this guide, I discuss the service in detail.
As well as observing good road safety standards and only using quality cars with AC and seat belts, another advantage of GoTrip is that you can make unlimited rest and photo stops during your journey.
Or you can use the GoTrip Trip Planner to build a multi-stop itinerary and do you Black Sea sightseeing at the same time. Later, I’ll run through some of my favourite places to stop on the way.
You can start your trip from any address: If you’re flying into Kutaisi, the driver can meet you at the airport or you can get picked up from your hotel.
Prices start from 180 GEL per car. Fares are completely transparent and once you book, the price is fixed and won’t change. Pay in cash directly to the driver when you arrive in Batumi.
Option 2: Kutaisi Batumi train from Kutaisi Airport Station
There are daily trains from Kutaisi I Railway Station in the city centre to Batumi – but these are old electro trains that take over 4 hours to reach the coast (stopping at no fewer than 18 different stations along the way). I DO NOT recommend using these trains. They are unnecessarily slow and uncomfortable. Instead, I recommend taking the high-speed Stadler train from the airport station.
Stadler trains originate in Tbilisi and stop at Kutaisi Airport Station in Kopitnari, around 22 km (30-40 minutes by car) from the Colchis Fountain and centre of Kutaisi city. See the exact location here on the map.
Normally there are 2-5 trains every day depending on the season, with additional services during summer.
If you are coming from Kutaisi city, you will first need to take a taxi to Kutaisi Airport Station. This costs around 25 GEL when booked through the Bolt app.
If you are coming directly from Kutaisi Airport, use the free shuttle bus to get to the railway station. See my Kutaisi Airport Guide for full details.
The Stadler train is a modern, two-storey Swiss train. Second-class tickets cost 32 GEL, and the travel time to Batumi is 1.5 hours. Book via the TKT.ge website.
In Batumi, trains arrive at Central Station, located around 10 minutes north of the centre (see the exact location here on the map). A taxi the rest of the way to Batumi Boulevard should cost 10-12 GEL when booked through Bolt.
If you need to go directly to Batumi Airport for a flight, you can use public bus #10 to get there.
You can also take a direct train from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (see this guide), to Zugdidi (for Mestia), to Ozurgeti, or to Poti (for the UNESCO-Listed Kolkheti National Park).
Reverse route: Batumi to Kutaisi train
Trains depart from Batumi Central Station and stop at Kutaisi International Airport Station on their way to Tbilisi.
From the airport station, you can either take a shuttle bus to the airport five minutes down the road and organise onward transport from there, or you can book a Bolt taxi to the centre of Kutaisi.
Option 3: Kutaisi Batumi bus
The City Bus company operates coach buses to Batumi from Kutaisi 3-4 times a day. Normally there is an early morning bus at around 4.30am, a day bus at around 12.40pm, and an evening bus at around 7.30pm.
These buses are large 56-seater coaches. They have undercarriage luggage storage, comfortable seats, free WIFI, and either USB or two-prong charging sockets. There may or may not be a working toilet on board.
Travel time to Batumi is 2 hours, and tickets cost 30 GEL one-way.
In Kutaisi, the bus departs from Chavchavadze Avenue in front of Youth Park (see the exact location here on the map). To get there, take a Bolt taxi or city bus #1 from this bus stop at the Colchis Fountain (~1 GEL when you tap on with an international card/mobile wallet; card only – no cash/coins).
In Batumi, the bus terminates at the new Bus Station on Gogol Street (see the exact location here on the map), 4.5 km from the boulevard.
Tickets can be purchased through 12Go or on the City Bus website.
If your Georgia itinerary starts at Kutaisi Airport and you want to go directly to the coast, Georgian Bus operates direct buses to Batumi from the airport. These buses DO NOT stop in Kutaisi city.
For this route, Georgian Bus normally uses small minivans rather than the regular 56-seater coaches. It’s not a hugely popular route, so normally you’ll still have room to spread out.
The journey time to Batumi averages 2 hours including one rest stop at the halfway point.
These buses are timed to depart as flights land. The bus leaves approximately an hour after the scheduled arrival time – so if your plane gets into Kutaisi at 5am, the bus will depart at 6am. Because this is effectively an airport bus, the driver will wait if the flight is delayed.
Tickets cost 30 GEL for an adult or 20 GEL for a child under 12 years. The buses are accessible, but you need to give staff advance notice if you’re travelling with a wheelchair.
Georgian Bus also offers direct transfers from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi.
Use the Georgian Bus website to buy your tickets in advance (sales open 10 weeks or so out). Use your flight number and date to reserve, then enter your name and phone number. You can pay using a debit or credit card. The voucher will then be sent to you via email.
Alternatively, you can buy a ticket with cash or card when you land in Kutaisi. Just head to the Georgian Bus kiosk in the airport arrivals hall. There are ATMs nearby in case you need to withdraw GEL.
Unfortunately there is no seat selection available on Georgian Bus. If your flight is cancelled, the bus is cancelled too – in this case they will give you a travel voucher that’s valid for one year (no refunds).
At the airport, buses wait right in front of the main terminal building. In Batumi, they terminate on Gogebashvili Street near the Ali and Nino statue (see the exact location here on the map).
Reverse route: Batumi to Kutaisi bus
City Bus departs from the new Batumi Bus Station on Gogol Street three times daily and terminates in Kutaisi city. Georgian Bus departs from the same spot on Gogebashvili Street and is timed with the outgoing flight schedule from Kutaisi Airport.
Option 4: Kutaisi to Batumi marshrutka van
Marshrutka vans (fixed-route minivans) are a budget-friendly way to get around Georgia. They are not the most comfortable way to travel, and road safety standards are not always great.
However, because this trip is fairly quick and painless, I think marshrutka is a fine way to travel from Kutaisi to the Black Sea.
Journey time is roughly 2.5 hours depending on traffic and how many stops the driver makes.
Kutaisi Batumi marshrutka schedule & fares
There are several different companies that operate on this route, all departing from Chavchavadze Avenue (details below).
Imeritrans runs a van every 30-60 minutes between 6.30am and 7.30pm.
Okriba runs vans at a similar interval between 6.30am and 8.30pm.
I strongly advise against travelling after dark. In summer, the latest you would want to depart is 5.40pm.
Vans will leave early if full, so you need to arrive at the station at least 30-40 minutes early to make sure you get a seat for your desired van.
The fare is 20 GEL. Buy your ticket at the cashier desk located down the tiled corridor, between the PSP pharmacy and shawarma joint (see the exact location here on the map).
It’s also possible to pre-purchase tickets online through TKT.GE (not necessary, but maybe a good idea if you’re travelling in peak summer season July-August).
Departing from Kutaisi
Marshrutka vans leave from Kutaisi’s recently renovated Central Bus Station near McDonalds and the Grand Mall shopping centre (4.5 km from the Colchis Fountain). See the exact location here on the map.
To get to the bus station from the centre, take city bus #1 from the Colchis Fountain (see here for bus stop locations). Alternatively, a Bolt taxi should cost no more than 5 GEL.
When you arrive at the station, you will see a you will see vans with ‘Batumi’ written on the dashboard parked under the corresponding sign. The cashier desk is located down the tiled corridor. There are toilets at the back of the building (50 tetri), and plenty of grocery shops/takeaway coffee joints/pharmacies nearby.
Tip: If you’re coming straight from Kutaisi Airport, you can usually pick up a Batumi marshrutka from the side of the highway opposite the terminal. If it’s busy, there’s a chance that passing vans will be full and won’t stop for you.
Okriba Station is located on the same block and has additional van services throughout the day, with the ticket desk located undercover on the far left.
Arriving in Batumi
In Batumi, marshrutka vans terminate at Batumi Intercity Bus Station, 2.5 km east of the boulevard. See the exact location here on the map. Sometimes the driver will stop on the main road before the bus station, close to the Argo Cable Car.
You will likely be swarmed by taxi drivers as soon as you arrive. Politely decline their offers and walk away – it’s much better to either jump on a city bus from outside Batumi Plaza, or to walk a little way down the road and order a Bolt taxi. It should cost approximately 8-10 GEL to get to the Old Town area or boulevard.
Return trip: Batumi to Kutaisi marshrutka
Marshrutka vans to Kutaisi from Batumi operate on a similar schedule, departing from the Intercity Bus Station every hour or so from 8am until late (around 10pm). Additional vans depart from the parking lot opposite the JRW Welmond Hotel (see the exact location here on the map).
Travel time and ticket prices are the same. In Kutaisi, vans terminate at the Central Bus Station.
Depending on the time of day and the driver’s final destination, you might have to change vans at Kutaisi Airport or somewhere along the highway. This happened to my husband recently. Don’t be alarmed – the driver will always coordinate with his colleagues by phone and help you to get on the correct van.
Option 5: Driving from Kutaisi to Batumi
Hiring a car in Kutaisi and driving to the coast is a great option for complete flexibility. I do this drive once or twice a year, and it’s always enjoyable.
The roads are good, and there are plenty of places to stop along the coast – see my suggestions in the next section.
Hiring a car in Kutaisi
I always use Local Rent to find rentals in Georgia. The platform works with local agents, thus prices are much more affordable than if you use a big-name brand. Insurance is often included and there’s usually no deposit required. If you want to drop off your car in Batumi, you’ll need to pay a one-way fee.
Local Rent offers pick up from Kutaisi Airport or from any address in the city.
Be sure to brush up on my advice for driving in Georgia before you set off.
Kutaisi Batumi FAQ
What is the easiest way to travel from Kutaisi Airport to Batumi?
Remember that Kutaisi Airport is west of the city, so you can travel directly to the coast without having to double back through Kutaisi.
A direct minibus with Georgian Bus is the best option. The fast train is also very convenient, but it costs a little bit extra. Alternatively, you can organise a private transfer with GoTrip (your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall).
What is the road from Kutaisi to Batumi like?
There are several roads you can take to get to the Black Sea coast from Kutaisi: The E60 Highway to Poti; the E692 to Grigoleti; and the old highway to Kobuleti. The former two highways are a lot faster, while the third road is windy but very scenic, taking you deep into Guria region.
Most drivers will take the E60/E692. I recently drove the E692 – it’s pretty flat and straight the entire way. Last summer there were extensive roadworks on the old highway through Guria, making it very slow going.
When you reach the coast, you connect to the E70 to go all the way down to Batumi. I recommend following the shoreline and passing through the different beach towns.
As you approach Batumi, there are several tunnels. The traffic starts to build fairly quickly as soon as you pass the railway station. Driving through the centre of Batumi is quite hair-raising, so I recommend avoiding it if you can!
Where to stop on the way from Kutaisi to Batumi?
Poti & Kolkheti National Park
For the Poti Lighthouse, the Kolkheti Culture Museum and Kolkheti National Park. See my Poti Guide for ideas.
Ozurgeti & Guria region
If you’re taking the old highway through Guria, there are lots of places to stop along the way, including Ozurgeti (the main city), Shemokmedi, the tea fields in Asureti, and Shekvetili on the coast. I recently road tripped around this part of Georgia and shared my itinerary in this guide.
Black-sand beaches at Ureki, Shekvetili & Kobuleti
The beaches on the northern end of the coast are much nicer than the ones in the centre of Batumi. Kobuleti is a very popular resort town with lots of restaurants (my favourite is Taraghana Fish). Depending on the season, you might like to stop for a swim on the black sand ‘magnetic beaches’ in Ureki and Shekvetili. I am a big of of the Miniatures Museum in Shekvetili too.
Tsikhisdziri Hidden Beach & Petra Fortress
Tsikhisdziri Hidden Beach is a popular local swimming hole. This summer, a new restaurant-bar, Shukura, opened up and a wooden swimmers deck was installed. Petra Fortress is nearby and also worth stopping off for a walk around.
Batumi Botanical Garden
As you approach Batumi city from the north, you’ll pass right by the Botanical Garden. It’s one of my favourite things to do in Batumi and worth the detour for. Budget around 2-3 hours to see the whole garden.
Should you spend a night in Kutaisi before leaving for Batumi?
Yes! Kutaisi is my favourite city in Georgia so I definitely think you should spend a few days here before you take off for the coast.
Use these guides to plan your visit to Kutaisi:
- The best things to do in Kutaisi
- 25 hidden gems in Kutaisi
- Best restaurants & cafes in Kutaisi
- The best bars in Kutaisi
- The best Kutaisi side trips
- Day trip from Kutaisi to Chiatura
- Day trip from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo
- Day trip to Martvili Canyon
Use these guides to plan your visit to Batumi:
- 35 things to do in Batumi
- Batumi street art map
- The best day trips from Batumi
- Glamping Tago, mountain retreat near Batumi
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.
Where to stay in Batumi
I recommend staying close to the waterfront and Batumi Old Town. Nice accommodations can also be found at the opposite end of the seafront on the New Boulevard. For more information, see my detailed guide to the best areas to stay in Batumi.
Here are my top picks:
TOP CHOICE: Kartuli Hotel (⭐ 9.1). Located on the 37-38th floors of a skyscraper on the New Boulevard, Kartuli commands spectacular views of the sea and city. Rooms are minimal and beautifully designed. Kartuli is one of the coolest hotels in Georgia!
BOUTIQUE: Mariinsky Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.0). This cute apart-hotel has spacious rooms, modern ensuites, and an outstanding rooftop terrace. The location three blocks back from the Boulevard, close to Batumi Old Town, is perfect for getting around on foot.
SELF-CONTAINED: Banana Apartments (⭐ 9.7). Banana Apartments offers three stylish, self-contained studio flats that sleep up to three people. Each one has a full kitchen, new bathroom, and water views.
BUDGET: Hostel 47 (⭐ 9.8). Located near the museum, this popular hostel is walking distance from both the beach and the Old Town. There are three dorms to choose from (mixed or female-only) plus a shared kitchen-laundry and several outdoor common spaces.
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
You forgot to mention the train going from “Kutaisi I Station” in Kutaisi to Batumi twice a day for 2 Lari,so at about 60 cent. It has a four hour 20 minutes drive, and and it leaves “Kutaisi I” every day at 06:15 and at 16:00. That is in fact the cheapest option to go to Batumi. The bus line 1 in Kutaisi passes by the “Kutaisi I station”, and in Batumi, you can then get with Bus line 10 to the city center of Batumi.
Hi Matthias – this train is indeed listed there under option 2 – but as I mention, I do not recommend taking the slow train.
Hi! I just arrived in Batumi from Tbilisi via train today. It seems that Bolt is blocked by the train station or so. When I tried to use Bolt there, all options are marked in grey with the “busy” sign. I had no choice but to take a “taxi” that charged me 20 GEL (as pre negotiated) from the train station to my hotel in the old town. Bolt basic charges 10 GEL or so for the trip.
Hi Afra, that happens when all drivers are busy. If the app is blocked, it won’t open at all.
Good day Emily. Thanks for your very informative blog. But I am encountering some problems. My flight comes at 00:10 on 10.12.2023 (Wizzair from Prague). I would love to go to Batumi but neither train nor GB is showing any connection. Train time table is not updated since June. GB is showing connection for Tbilisi only. What budget options, I would have at that time? Will there a train available (even a slow train is ok at that time)? and a connecting shuttle bus to train station? Is an internet connection is available at the airport and/or a SIM card?
Thanks in advance for your efforts. Anil
Hi Anil, there normally isn’t a late train to Batumi in winter, only in summer. You can check the times on TKT.GE. I’m not sure why Georgian Bus hasn’t updated the schedule – you might want to message them on Facebook to ask about that specific service. Yes there is WIFI at the airport and a Magti shop where you can buy a SIM.
Thanks again.
Hi Emily,
Quite an interesting blog you have !
I have a question though. I arrive at Kutaisi airport from Charleroi (Belgium) this Sunday morning 10 September at 00.55 hrs.
I am hoping to travel straight from there to Batumi – on a limited budget, so avoiding taxis. I don’t see any Georgian Bus departures that night/early morning.
What other options do I have apart from spending the night and part of the morning at the airport? In case I decided to spend the night in Kutaisi town first, which transport options from the airport to Kutaisi centre would be preferable ? Thank you for any suggestion.
Hi Eric – that is strange, Charleroi isn’t even an option on the GB schedule. It’s a direct flight to Kutaisi?
I see there is a train to Batumi from the airport railway station (reachable via free shuttle bus from the terminal) at 4am. Otherwise GoTrip would be the only other option at that time of night, as marshrutka vans will not be running.
Taxis to the centre are available from the airport – I highly recommend booking via the Bolt app.
Thanks for te information about trains.
I have tried tkt.ge, but I can’t select Batumi to Kopitnari trains.
I can only select Batumi, Tblisi, Poti…. but I can’t write what I want…..
There is another way to book a train from Batumi to Kopitnari ?
Hi Carmen – you need to scroll down. The station is listed as ‘Kutaisi International Airport’.
Hi, Emily
It is possible to travel by Georgian Bus from Batumi to Kutasi but if I take a flight that day, since I would be staying to visit Kutasi?
Hi Carolina, the bus doesn’t stop in Kutaisi city but you can take it to the airport and grab a taxi (Bolt) from there. I do this all the time!
Hi,
impossible to buy tickets from Kutaisi airport to Batumi – neither of the 2 bus companies. And impossible to contact them by phone either. Our flight arrives at 10:30 PM on Sunday. Could you advise, taxi being too expensive? thank you!
Hi Marie – Georgian Bus shows tickets to Batumi and is letting me proceed to check out, so I’m not sure what the problem is? Give it another go and if you’re still encountering issues, contact them on Facebook (they are usually responsive).
Hello! Thank you very much for all the information because you are accompanying me day by day on my 3-week trip through Georgia. I’ll take advantage and ask you because it’s not clear to me: in Batumi, where do I get the Marshrutkas to go to Kutaisi? is there one every hour? thank you so much
Hi David, I might be too late but you can find vans from the bus station near the market (the Google Maps pin is in the post). Vans leave approximately every hour, but you might be able to find a van passing Kutaisi that you can jump on. Just check that the driver is going all the way into the city. Safe travels!