This Tbilisi Airport guide includes up-to-date information about getting from Tbilisi Airport to city centre, buying a SIM card, hiring a car, airport hotels, and other essential info.
Most people who travel to the Caucasus start and finish their itinerary in Georgia. While budget flights land in Kutaisi, most airlines including Turkish, Emirates, Qatar, Lufthansa and KLM fly into Tbilisi, the capital city.
- Related: How to travel from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi.
- Also read: How to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city centre.
As I live in Georgia, I have flown in and out of Tbilisi Airport dozens of times. Yet I always find myself madly searching for information about something airport-related the night before.
Since there isn’t a whole lot of information online about how to get to Tbilisi Airport from the city – or about what to expect when you land in Tbilisi – I thought I would put together this post to bring it all together.
This Tbilisi Airport guide is designed to help anyone flying into or departing from Tbilisi. I cover all the basics, from transportation to and from the airport (including the best private airport transfer service), to buying a sim card at the airport, withdrawing cash, storing luggage, and more.
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.
Looking for an easy and reliable Tbilisi Airport transfer?
I recommend using GoTrip.ge to pre-book your transfer to or from the airport. Cars are available 24/7, and the driver will greet you in the arrivals hall. They can take you anywhere in the city (or elsewhere in Georgia), direct to your door, for a fixed price – and they’ll stop off at an ATM on the way if you need it.
Prices start from 50 GEL per car. → Book your airport transfer here.
Where to Stay in Tbilisi:
- Ibis Tbilisi Airport – new (and only) hotel at Tbilisi Airport.
- The Blue Fox Hotel – wake up in your own Tbilisi courtyard.
- Communal Hotel Plekhanovi – my favourite boutique hotel has a wine bar & gift shop.
- Vagabond B&B – budget-friendly option for solo & social travellers.
- Unfound Door Design Hotel – luxe rooms set inside a historic mansion in Chugureti.
- Fabrika Hostel & Suites – popular creative space & co-working hangout.
Best Tbilisi Tours & Day Trips:
- Tbilisi Food & Drink Tour – a food-themed walking tour of the city.
- Day Trip to Kazbegi – with plenty of stops along the Georgian Military Highway.
- Off-road Adventure to David Gareja & Udabno – use WANDERLUSH for 10% off.
- Telavi Wine Experience with Eat This! Tours – mention WANDERLUSH for 5% off.
- Day trip to Northern Armenia – another stamp in the passport!
Go Your Own Way:
Car hire in Georgia doesn’t have to be expensive – I regularly use Local Rent to find great deals. Pick-up & drop-off from any address in the country for complete flexibility.
Tbilisi Airport: The basics
Tbilisi Airport – officially Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) – is the main airport in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is located 17 km southeast of the city centre or around 45-65 minutes by road depending on traffic.
There is one terminal for both international and domestic flights. Twin arrival and departure halls are located side by side in two separate but connected buildings.
Tbilisi International Airport is very small (there are just 7 gates!) and very easy to navigate.
It is also pretty basic in terms of amenities.
There isn’t much in the way of food or drink, and there are very few shops. It is not a bad airport by any means, but it’s not the kind of airport you want to be hanging out in for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Construction on a brand new international airport in nearby Vaziani is set to begin in 2025. For the time being, all flights in and out of Tbilisi arrive/depart from the current airport.
How to get from Tbilisi Airport to the city centre & old town
There are three reliable options for getting to Tbilisi city centre from Tbilisi Airport:
- Public bus
- Private airport transfer booked through GoTrip
- Taxi booked through an app
‘Regular’ (non-app) taxis are also available at the airport, but I strongly recommend avoiding these at all costs (more details below). There is a train from the airport to Station Square, but since it only runs twice a day, I won’t even bother covering it here.
Personally, when I travel to and from the airport, I normally opt for the public bus. It is reliable, affordable, you don’t have to mess around with an app, and it eliminates the opportunity for taxi drivers to take advantage (unfortunately, this happens rather frequently).
If you have a late or early arrival – or if you’re travelling with kids and/or a lot of luggage – the more convenient option is a pre-organised transfer with GoTrip. GoTrip charges a flat fee of 52 GEL (around 19 USD), which is half the price of most hotel transfers that I have been quoted.
If you are able to get online at the airport, a taxi booked through the Bolt app is slightly more affordable.
Option 1: Tbilisi Bus 337
City bus number 337 (previously the 37) runs between Tbilisi Airport and Tbilisi Central Railway Station via Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. At just 1 GEL per person, it is by far the easiest and cheapest way to travel to the centre of the city and the Old Tbilisi area.
Once upon a time, this bus ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At present, the bus is running on a limited timetable between 7am and 11pm only. This has been the case since 2020, and it is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
Buses depart every 15-20 minutes from the marked bay in front of the airport departures hall. As you exit from the arrivals hall, turn right and walk to the far end of the next building. You will see a blue bus sign, an electronic timetable board, and hopefully a green bus idling.
There is only one bus that services the airport, so you can’t go wrong.
These buses are modern, air conditioned, and have plenty of floor space for luggage. They do fill up fast, but I have always been able to get a seat.
Rule of thumb when using buses in Tbilisi is to board first and worry about paying later. Tickets are not pre-sold – you can only pay for your fare once you are on board.
There are no longer coin machines on the buses in Tbilisi, but you can pay for your fare using any chipped credit or debit card, or with contactless pay. Just tap your card/phone on the electronic reader and wait for the ‘ding’ of approval.
International cards work fine, but the fare is slightly more expensive (~1.50 GEL per trip plus an international transaction fee if you don’t have a GEL balance). If you are arriving in Tbilisi for the first time, the easiest option is to tap on with your regular bank card.
Another option is to purchase a rechargeable Transport Card before you leave the airport. These are available for 2 GEL from the orange Bank of Georgia service counter located inside the arrivals hall.
Note: There are two types of public transport card in Tbilisi (see this guide for a detailed breakdown). The Bank of Georgia shop at the airport will only sell you a blue Transport Card, not a white MetroMoney card. The Transport Card works on a subscription basis, with the cheapest subscription being a 1-day pass for 3 GEL. In the long-term, the white MetroMoney card is more convenient for most travellers (it also works on the Rike Park Ropeway, for example). Thus my tip is to use your credit card for the airport bus then buy a white MetroMoney card later from any metro station in the city.
Travel time to the centre of the city is around 60 minutes. The journey might be faster or slower depending on traffic. The bus stops frequently to pick up passengers from Tbilisi’s outer districts.
If you are headed to Old Tbilisi or Sololaki jump off the bus at Pushkin Park (Freedom Square). If you need to connect to a train or a marshrutka (more in the next section), you can ride the bus all the way to the last stop, Station Square.
If your accommodation is anywhere along Rustaveli Avenue or in Chugureti, you can disembark at any of the stops en route. All buses in Tbilisi are linked up with Google Maps, so you can use the app to find your nearest stop and track your journey.
Option 2: Private airport transfer with GoTrip
My preferred transfer service in Georgia, GoTrip, offers private airport transfers starting from just 19 USD per car. This is half the price of some hotel transfers that I have been quoted.
GoTrip is a great option for families or groups (14-seater minivans are available), and is ideal if you have bulky luggage or if you need to travel to/from the airport when the buses are not running (GoTrip operates 24/7).
GoTrip is a web platform (it is not an app). I recommend you book online a few days in advance. Remember to put the name of your hotel and the address in the comments field, and also supply your flight details. The price is locked in at the time of booking, so you never have to worry about negotiating. Payment is made in cash (Georgian lari) directly to the driver.
When you land in Tbilisi, your driver will be there to meet you in the arrivals hall or in the parking bay out front. If your flight is delayed, they will wait. If you need to make any pit stops on the way to your hotel, you can – otherwise, the driver will take you directly to your door. Travel time to the centre by car is around 45 minutes depending on traffic.
I use GoTrip on a regular basis and in my experience, drivers are always punctual, polite and safe. You can use GoTrip to travel from the airport to destination anywhere in Georgia or Armenia.
Option 3: Taxi booked through Bolt app
If there is only one thing you take away from this guide, it is to please, please, please only take a taxi from the airport if you booked it yourself through an app! This is one of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors to Tbilisi make, and it can really throw your whole trip off course.
Bolt is my preferred taxi app by a long shot. Read my tips for using Bolt here.
I visit the airport quite frequently and whenever I try to use Bolt, Maxim or Yandex on the free airport WIFI, it does not work. I can only assume that there is a blocker to prevent people from using taxi apps on the WIFI network. You might be able to get around this by installing a VPN.
The apps work just fine on 4G, so ideally you would use an eSIM or a Georgian SIM (see below) to book a taxi this way. Remember that you will need to have the app installed and validated. This might not be possible if you live in a country where Bolt is not available.
Bolt drivers are available 24/7, and since they often wait nearby, you shouldn’t ever have to wait more than 5 minutes for your ride to be accepted.
The set up at Tbilisi Airport is very casual and it’s rarely very busy, so it’s very easy to rendezvous with your driver (the pick-up zone is combined with the bus/taxi area, and is directly in front of the terminal building as you exit).
A taxi from the airport to the city should cost 25-35 GEL depending on the time of day/night and traffic conditions. XL Airport cars that fit up to 6 passengers are also available on the Bolt app for a little bit extra. The fare should never be more than 40 GEL. You can either pay in cash or with a card linked to the app.
See screenshots below for example fares from the airport to Freedom Square:
A strong word of caution about airport taxis…
We are very lucky in Georgia that tourist scams are not really a thing. Your biggest risk of getting scammed is when using taxis – particularly airport taxis.
There is a cohort of drivers at Tbilisi Airport. They go by various nicknames that I will not repeat here! They will often approach you as you exit the arrivals hall – and in my personal experience, they can be quite aggressive. Recently I felt compelled to ask for help in dealing with a particularly intimidating driver. At the information desk, I was told to contact the police patrol outside the hall.
It is entirely your choice, but know that when you accept a ride with a driver who approaches you at the airport, there is some level of risk involved. I often hear horror stories of drivers upping the fare at the last minute, tourists getting dropped at the wrong location, or people getting fleeced for huge sums of money.
Again, my advice is to avoid taking a taxi from the airport unless you book it via an app. For peace of mind and convenience, pre-book a transfer with GoTrip instead. The price is better, the service is more personalised, and there is zero chance of getting scammed.
Arriving in Tbilisi: Before you leave the airport
Here’s what to expect if your flight is landing at Tbilisi Airport.
Remember: Most flights into Tbilisi arrive late at night or very early in the morning. Despite this, you will find that SIM card providers, exchange desks and other services are all open and working.
As long as there are flights landing, all shops/kiosks/desks will be open.
Getting a visa for Georgia
First things first: If you’re arriving at Tbilisi Airport on an international flight, you’ll need to check if you need a visa to enter Georgia.
Most nationalities do not require a tourist visa for Georgia. Some are eligible for a visa on arrival, and others must apply for a visa in advance. The most reliable place to get information about visas is on Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
You can check if you need a visa and apply for a visa online through my partners at iVisa.
As you pass through immigration, you may or may not be given a tiny bottle of Georgian wine! This is a special scheme that pops up every now and again and lasts for a few months at a time. I was lucky enough to get my little bottle when I arrived back in Georgia in 2020.
Withdrawing local currency (lari) at Tbilisi Airport
Once you land in Tbilisi, pass immigration and collect your bags, your first priority will probably be to get your hands on some local currency, Georgian lari or GEL.
Lari is the only legal currency of tender in Georgia. Some tour agencies and drivers quote prices in USD or Euro, but legally, they must accept payment in GEL.
All ATMs in Georgia accept foreign cards (Visa and Mastercard). For AMEX, you should use Bank of Georgia.
The two ATMs I always use are TBC Bank (light blue colour) and Bank of Georgia (orange colour with a lion logo).
Find the ATMs on the right-hand side of the automatic doors before you exit the arrivals hall. Note that the freestanding machines directly outside customs are pay boxes, not ATMs! They do not issue cash.
Most ATMs charge a small withdrawal fee in addition to any tariffs your bank or credit card company might issue. TBC Bank, for example, has a 2 GEL fee.
If you want to withdraw a larger sum of GEL later, I recommend using Basisbank or Cartu Bank. Both these ATMs have higher withdrawal limits to help you keep fees down.
Read more tips for managing your money and travel budget in Georgia.
Exchanging money at the airport
There are half a dozen currency exchange desks inside the Tbilisi Airport arrivals hall, immediately as you exit customs. Exchange rates quoted at the airport often aren’t as good as those offered in the city, so I only recommend exchanging cash if you absolutely have to.
A better option is to head to a bank (TBC) or a Rico Credit branch in the city. Some ‘informal’ money exchange offices in Tbilisi (especially around tourist areas such as Freedom Square) are known for charging big commissions and even for scamming people, so steer clear of those.
In general, you can usually get a better rate for Euro compared to USD when changing money in Georgia.
Buying a SIM card at Tbilisi Airport
Georgian SIM cards are incredibly affordable and provide excellent coverage, even in mountainous areas. I recommend picking one up as soon as possible so that you can use taxi apps and navigate Tbilisi’s public transport system.
The mobile provider I recommend is Magti.
There is a Magti kiosk at the airport – however, they will only sell you a ‘Tourist Welcome Package’, which can be more expensive than a regular SIM/eSIM and data bundle (depending on the duration of your stay and how much data you need).
For most people, I suggest you wait until you get into the city to visit a regular Magti office.
If you don’t mind paying a bit more to have your SIM set up straight away, you will see the red Magti desk immediately to your right as you enter the arrivals hall. It is open 24 hours a day. (If you find it closed, it’s because staff are changing shift. When I asked, staff reassured me the desk is never left unattended for more than 20 minutes at a time.)
Present your passport and pay with cash or card. A staff member will set up the SIM for you. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to activate.
Check out my full guide to choosing, buying and activating a Georgian SIM card for more details.
Hiring a car at Tbilisi Airport
Avis, Budget, Hertz and other big-name companies all have desks at Tbilisi Airport. However, I recommend you go through a local agent when hiring a car in Georgia. Local Rent aggregates local agents and offers very competitive prices – from as little as $25/day (a huge saving compared with the bigger brand names).
One of Local Rent’s biggest advantages is that you can order the car to be delivered to any address in the city. Whenever I hire a car, I usually pick up the car on the highway to avoid having to drive through the busy centre. You definitely don’t want to jump straight into a car and drive into the city centre from the airport – that’s a recipe for disaster.
A word to the wise: Driving in Georgia (especially in Tbilisi) will give you incredible freedom, but it’s not for the feint of heart!
Getting around the city by bus/metro and using marshrutka vans and trains for the rest of the country is easy. To see what I mean, check out my Georgia itinerary, which relies 100% on public transport.
Tourist information at Tbilisi Airport
There are two information counters in the arrivals hall, one for airport information and another for general tourist information. They are not always open, however.
Travelling from Tbilisi Airport to other places in Georgia
If your plan is to leave Tbilisi immediately and go somewhere else in Georgia, you have a couple of options.
It’s possible to pre-book private transfers to any destination in Georgia – including Georgia’s Black Sea capital, Batumi, or Kazbegi or Gudauri ski resort via the Georgian Military Highway – using GoTrip.ge.
GoTrip is by far my favourite long-distance transport service in Georgia. Drivers are professional, cars are clean, and you can stop anywhere you like along the way without the fixed price going up. Fares are paid in cash directly to the driver at the end of your trip.
→ Use the GoTrip Journey Planner to book an airport transfer to any location in Georgia.
→ Read my personal review of GoTrip.
If you prefer public transport, the Tbilisi Airport bus 337 passes by Isani Metro Station on its way into the city centre. If you’re headed to Sighnaghi, Telavi or anywhere else in eastern Georgia’s Kakheti region, you can jump off the bus at Isani and find onward transportation from there.
Refer to my comprehensive guide to travelling to Kakheti from Tbilisi for more details.
If you’re trying to connect to a marshrutka that leaves from Ortachala (for example, if your plan is to go to Yerevan by bus), I recommend getting off the bus at Isani and taking a taxi over the river to Ortachala Central Bus Station.
If you’re trying to get from Tbilisi Airport to northern or western Georgia, you’ll most likely need to transit through Tbilisi Central Station (the main railway station) or Didube Bus Station. Bus 337 terminates at Station Square, adjacent to the railway station, so again this is the best option.
Hotels near Tbilisi Airport
In October 2024, Tbilisi received its first airport hotel. The Ibis Tbilisi Airport is located outside the main terminal building, a 7-minute walk from the arrivals hall. The property has a restaurant-bar, and breakfast is available for an additional charge.
If you prefer to stay in the city, most hotels and some Tbilisi hostels offer an airport transfer service.
What to do if your flight lands in the middle of the night
For whatever reason, a lot of flights are scheduled to arrive in Tbilisi in the very early hours of the morning. Killing time at the airport is quite painful, and virtually nothing in Tbilisi centre opens before 10am.
Lui Coffee in Vake is the only 24-hour coffee shop that I am aware of. Pasanauri Restaurant off Freedom Square is also 24-hours. Some restaurants such as Cafe Daphna near the Dry Bridge Market are open all night on weekends.
Therefore, 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. Airbnbs with self check-in are also perfect.
Storing luggage in Tbilisi
If you have an early or late flight and some time to kill in the city, you might need to store your luggage. There is a baggage room at the airport, but I can’t really imagine a scenario where this would come in handy. Instead, I recommend storing bags in Tbilisi city centre using one of the services described here in this luggage storage guide.
Speaking of luggage – there is a baggage wrapping service inside the Tbilisi Airport departures hall. It costs 25 GEL.
Getting back to Tbilisi Airport from the city
To travel back to the airport, use any of the same transport options outlined above. Below, you’ll find detailed information for getting to Tbilisi Airport from the centre.
Tbilisi Bus 337
Travelling in the opposite direction back to the airport, public bus 337 stops outside the Liberty Square Metro Station, right in front of the H&M shop. If you’re staying in Kala Old Town, you can also pick up the bus from Baratashvili Street. And if you are on Rustaveli Avenue, you can board at any stop en route.
Note that the airport-bound bus does not stop at Pushkin Park where the bus coming from the airport terminates.
Again, this bus is not 24/7 – it now runs on a limited schedule between 6am and 10.45pm only (airport-bound), with departures every 15-20 minutes. Use Google Maps to find your closest stop and check the schedule. I have always found this bus to be reliable.
Remember that it can take an hour or more to get to the airport from the city in traffic, so be sure you give yourself plenty of time.
The airport website recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. In my experience, check in desks tend to open 2 hours ahead of the scheduled departure time.
Private airport transfer
A private transfer back to the airport includes pick up at your hotel when booked through GoTrip.ge. Simply add your pick up address into the comments field when you book.
Taxi
I have caught a regular taxi to Tbilisi Airport a couple of times. I don’t recommend hailing a taxi off the street, though – always use the Bolt app.
Expect to pay 20-30 GEL depending on the time of day and your pick up location.
Bolt cars are available 24/7, so this is still a safe bet if you have an early or late flight.
Departing from Tbilisi: What to expect from the airport
Tbilisi Airport departures hall is slightly bigger than arrivals but still fairly basic in terms of food options and activities for passing the time.
Free luggage trolleys are available outside the front door.
Here’s what to expect from Tbilisi Airport if you’re flying out of Tbilisi.
Eating & drinking at the airport
As mentioned, food options at Tbilisi Airport are very limited. There is one pub in the arrivals hall and a cafe inside departures before passport control. After you pass immigration and go upstairs, you’ll find a Dunkin Donuts, an expensive sports bar-style restaurant, and a wine bar. And that’s about it.
Decent coffee can be found at the Illy cafe stand. For anything more than that, I highly recommend eating before you get to the airport. Pasanauri and Samikitno, both open until late, have branches near the number 337 bus stop at Freedom Square.
Passing the time at Tbilisi Airport
Aside from a couple of gift stores, a small bookshop and a single cafe, there’s not much else inside the Tbilisi terminal before you pass customs. There is, however, plenty of seating and free WiFi.
There is ample seating and plenty of power sockets near the departure gates as well. There’s also a large duty free shop and a couple more souvenir shops upstairs.
Inside the shop, look for products with the Ethnodesign tag – these are all handmade in Georgia and hand-picked by the Crafts Association. Wine is expensive and there are a limited number of labels stocked at the airport, so I recommend buying your wine in the city (here are my suggested wine shops).
There is just one airport lounge, a Prime Class, on the upper floor of the departures hall.
Sleeping at Tbilisi Airport
Lucky for me, I’ve never had occasion to sleep at Tbilisi Airport; but it is permitted to spend the night in the departures hall. I’m told the most comfortable place to hunker down is on the Astroturf underneath one of the two escalators.
Do you have a question about Tbilisi Airport? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to help.
Where to stay in Tbilisi
See my Tbilisi neighbourhood and accommodation guide for a detailed break-down of the different areas and options. Here are my top overall Tbilisi hotel recommendations:
TOP CHOICE: The Blue Fox Hotel (⭐ 9.7). Located in the heart of Kala Old Town, this intimate 17-room hotel features turquoise balconies overlooking a typical Tbilisi courtyard. Complimentary breakfast is served at the onsite restaurant-bar, Blue Fox, while some of the city’s best restaurants are an easy stroll away.
BOUTIQUE: Communal Plekhanovi (⭐ 9.2). Located in my favourite Tbilisi neighbourhood, this boutique hotel is among the finest in the city. Rooms are thoughtfully decorated with modern art and antiques, and there’s a fantastic restaurant, a wine bar and a gift shop onsite.
MID-RANGE: Graphica Hotel (⭐ 9.2). Explore the lesser-travelled Avlabari neighbourhood when you stay at this chic boutique hotel. Graphica is footsteps from the metro for easy access to the rest of the city. Rooms feature work desks, and a complimentary breakfast is included.
BUDGET: Pushkin 10 Hostel (⭐ 9.2). Located footsteps from both Orbeliani Square (near the Dry Bridge Market) and Freedom Square, this popular hostel has bright dorms and private doubles. The breakfast room overlooks the city from its 3rd floor location.
Georgia essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend for Georgia. Check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.
FLIGHTS: Search for affordable flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi on Skyscanner.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo, my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (get 5% off when you book with my link).
SIM CARD: Magti is my preferred provider, with prices starting from 9 GEL/week for unlimited data. See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Most flights into Georgia arrive in the early hours. For ease, pre-book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel (from $19) or from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (from $90) with my partners at GoTrip.ge.
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. Use it to find family guesthouses, private apartments, hostels and hotels around the country.
CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia – use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $20/day).
DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Use Viator or Get Your Guide to browse a range of day trips and city tours. For off-beat programs, I recommend Friendly.ge (use the promocode wanderlush for 10% off). For in-depth day trips to Georgia’s wine regions, I recommend Eat This! Tours (use the promo code wanderlush for 5% off).
PRIVATE TRANSFERS: GoTrip.ge is a terrific service for booking a private professional driver and car for the day. Use it for A-to-B transfers, a customised round-trip itinerary, or a multi-day trip. You can stop wherever you like for as long as you like without the fixed price going up.
NEED SOME HELP?: Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? I offer a one-on-one consultation call service for Tbilisi and Georgia. More information and bookings here.
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
Hey,
Thank you for a wonderful guide to Georgia. We are arriving on the 29th of December. Based on the current situation – where would you recommend a suitable area to stay at given that rustaveli avenue (our first choice) seems to be a risky area at the moment especially since we are coming with a toddler.
We were suggested a hotel or an apartment near meidan square – as its a touristy area and still a little further away from the protests. Would you recommend this? we are tourists who love to explore on foot, so would want to stay in a central location (without the current risks) which are near restaurants / shops / tourist sites. Thank you!
Hi Aneeb, the demonstrations are very small now so there is really no need to stay away from Rustaveli Avenue except late at night. If you want to avoid disruptions, you should stay in Avlabari or Chugureti.
Hi Emily… i m so happy reading this helpfull information about Georgia. i will arrive this thursday very early in the morning. i would prefer to find an appartrment rather than a hotel. Which is the best zone for 3 day journey?
Hi James – Sololaki, around Rustaveli Avenue or Avlabari would be perfect. Happy travels!
This is such amazing info. We bought the Lonely Planet Guidebook for the Caucasus Countries. While it is good for each interesting place, it lacks the practical help I need to plan and book our trip, especially we simply don’t have a lot of time. Then, I found your blog!
I’m booking the GoTrip airport pickup to Tbilisi old town. The standard price is now $19USD as of 30th of September.
Thanks Ken and Elaine! Glad I could be of help.
Fantastic and informative website. Many thanks for your tips and suggestions.
I will arrive around 2 AM and have 5 hours to spend waiting for my next flight (leaves at 7 AM). I thought about hiring a GoTrip driver to take me to several places to see the night views. One place would be the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Another would be the new observatory platform near the Tabor Monastery of the Transfiguration but this involves a bit of a hike up stairs according to the Google reviews – is this doable at night with a GoTrip driver waiting? A third is the clock tower. Do these stay lit all night for nice photos? Any other places you would suggest? Thanks!
Hi Chris, lovely idea! I don’t think I would recommend Tabor after dark – there are a lot of stairs and its quite steep. Mtatsminda Park would be a great alternative – you can drive all the way up and get a great panorama from the top. Enjoy!
Thank you for your excellent home page.
I’ll let you know my experiences while arriving at TBS airport from July 2024.
The small complementary bottle of wine wasn’t available any longer.
The free internet is not usable in the arrival hall and in the departure hall. It only works near the gates. Otherwise it doesn’t connect and remains at an advertising page.
Therefore I wasn’t able to book Bolt taxi. “Fly taxi” has higher prices after leaving the security zone: To Tbilisi zone 1 it’s 60 GEL, for zone 2 80 GEL. They claim, that Avlabari would be zone 2.
The taxi drivers in the arrival hall are all crooks. As it was already late in the evening, the public bus wasn’t an alternative for me. So I had to pay 60 GEL for a taxi to Avlabari.
One alternative would have been buying a local SIM card.
I regret not following your advice to book a private transfer with Go trip in advance.
Thanks a lot Ralph, I have updated the pricing.
Yes, GoTrip is 100% the best option. Sorry you weren’t able to prebook a driver.
I want to tell you that your blogs have been immensely helpful in making my Azerbaijan-Georgia Itinerary. Thank you very much for sharing such comprehensive information.
Thank you, Anukrati! Have a wonderful trip!
Hello Emily,I wanted to ask you if the currency exchange at Tbilisi airport is open 24 hours because my flight to Tbilisi arrives at 4 in the morning. Thank you for all your information you give us!!
Hi Kostas – yes it is, but I caution you about exchanging money at the airport. Best to use an ATM to withdraw GEL as I describe. Safe travels!
Hi Emily,
You wrote: Whatever you do, don’t try to buy a ticket from the driver.” My question is, why not? Is it because it is impossible to get a ticket from the driver? Or some other reason? I do not have a chipped credit card and would like to take the bus. What is the best way to get a ticket, did anything changed since you wrote the post?
Thank you,
Henry
Because drivers do not sell tickets. The only way to pay for a fare is by using a card.
Hi thanks for the advice and information. We recently landed at Tbilisi airport and could only get the blue transport card. However, the 3 GEL loaded on the card lasts for 24hrs. As we didn’t land until 6pm it meant we were able to use the transport card all the next day. Just thought this might help someone else to plan their first full day in Tbilisi. Regards Zillah
Yes that’s right! Thanks Zillah for your report.
I am a bit frustrated with Tbilisi Airport. when you arrive there are lots of taxi drivers touting for business. I said yes to one and was charged 175 GEL to take me to my hotel. When the hotel desk ordered me a taxi to the airport it cost 26 GEL. I went to the airport because I thought I could buy some Euros there. Then I tried to get back. I found the bus, but I could not buy a ticket with my visa card. The bus fare would have been 1 GEL. There did not seem to be many regular taxis. I could not find the railway terminal. I was approached by someone who wanted to charge me 100 GEL. I said no. He said he would discount it to 60 GEL. I said alright, but when I arrived at the hotel he charged 105 GEL.
Hi Kevin – yes, airport transportation can be tricky to navigate. I hope you read this post in advance as I have provided detailed tips for the bus and a warning about taxis. Visa cards do work on Tbilisi buses (as long as they have a chip) so I’m not sure why yours didn’t. You can buy a transport card inside the airport hall, as detailed.
Hi,
I am travelling from India and hence it may take up some time for immigration clearance.I am arriving at midnight , so will this Gotrip taxi will wait for me ? Or should I go for bolt ? Will bolt works with international numbers ?
Hi Keshav, your GoTrip driver will wait for you. Maybe just add a note to them in the comments when you book.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for all your hard work with all the fantastic info on Georgia – it’s been really useful! Do you know if it’s possible to arrange a driver from Ushguli to Tbilisi on a Friday morning? We’re a bit tight on time and want to explore some of your recommendations in the capital. Using go trip does not allow me the option of Ushguli. Many thanks, Alex
Hi Alex – you need to go back through Mestia first. The Ushguli-Mestia leg is for local drivers only so it will be difficult to find a driver, unless you book one through your guesthouse in Ushguli.
Hi Emily,
Thank you for your clear blog about georgia. I will be traveling this friday. I just want to ask if the train from tbilisi to yerevan is operational? The schedule and the amount to pay. Thank you!
Hi Danilo – yes it is working. You can find all the info here: https://wander-lush.org/train-from-tbilisi-to-yerevan/
Safe travels!
Great advice about Lui! Really nice place and as of May 25 2023 still confirmed to be open 24/7.
one thing to note when trying to order Bolt at the airport: the WiFi lets you access the app, but no drivers will show. Easiest way around that is to launch a VPN and go ahead.
thanks for all your great advise, looking forward to the next weeks of exploring
Thank you Steve for the tip! It was working fine for me a couple of weeks ago – I will re-add a note about the VPN. Cheers and happy travels!
hi Emily, many thanks for creating this blog. I am planning a visit to Georgia and have been reading your blog for a couple of weeks now. This can serve as the ultimate resource for every traveller planning a visit to Georgia. I am overwhelmed (in a positive way) by the coverage and I think I can find here (almost) every answer/information that I require related to Georgia.
Thanks so much for your comment, Ashish! Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with!
Hi Emily,
First of all, thank you very much for all your guides and tips in travelling to Georgia. My friend and I are actually planning to go there on the last week of June. Any additional tips for us since we are travelling on a summer season? It would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it really better and safer to withdraw money in the ATM there than exchange money in the centers? We are actually from Dubai, so we are also contemplating which one we could get higher rates and cheaper charges, either withdrawing cash on ATM or exchanging USD to GEL or AED to GEL. Thank you so much.
Hi Anne – yes I always recommend using an ATM, it’s simpler and you won’t have to bother with rates. Have a wonderful trip!
Hi Emily, we are coming to Tbilisi for a couple of weeks this Tuesday. Your blogs and YouTube videos have been a tremendous help. Thank you so much for all the effort you have put into them! OK, a quick question about the Fly Airport taxis. Is there an official Fly Airport Taxi booth inside the arrivals hall or is it a case of walking outside to a taxi rank? (this is a plan B in case our pick-up doesn’t materialize) Regards, Phil.
Hi Philip – there is a booth but as I mentioned, I highly highly recommend you steer clear!
Thanks for this information, it really helped a lot while sorting out our unplanned trip! We just booked our flight from dxb to tbilisi last week. I’m excited to go to the airport! Our flight is at 3 in the morning later and will arrive at 6am-ish. We plan to stroll straight to the city center post arrival so we’re in to your suggestion to take the public bus 337. Could you please help us where we can buy our time while we stroll for free like a park that’s also near to our hotel which is graphica tbilisi hotel located at Iliko Kurkhuli street? 🙂
Hi Marielle, great to hear that!
The airport bus starts running at 7am. I would suggest dropping off your bags at the hotel first – then you could walk up to Tbilisi Sameba or go for a stroll in King Parnavaz Garden, which is a small park with beautiful river views nearby your hotel. Just remember that virtually everything is closed until 10am so you won’t be able to find much in the way of food/drink or use a bathroom!
Thank you very much for your advice… but it seems that the airport taxi is more regulated today and is it safe? I open the airport page and there are official taxis or are they also cheats?
Hi Humberto, this is still the advice I give for 2022. I highly recommend using an alternative transport method as people continue to have issues, no matter how regulated the system appears to be.
Hello Emily,
Thanks for such detailed information about The Caucasus, it made the trip panning quite easy.
I have a question about changing flights at the Airport. We wanted to fly from Yerevan to Baku via Tbilisi. Landing at Tbilisi from Yerevan at 6:00 pm with Georgian Airways and Departing at 8:10 pm with Azerbaijan Airlines. This means we have 2h 10 minutes. You mentioned the airport is small but not sure it is enough time to pick up bags, immigration and then check bags again. Do you think is feasible? Have you heard anyone doing this?
Gaby
Hi Gaby – as long as the first flight is on time and the immigration queue isn’t too long then I don’t see any issues with that. The airport is very compact and you should be able to move through very quickly! Have a safe trip!
Many thanks Emily! I’m going to Tbilisi in September and this is extremely helpful.
Next I’m going to study all your other posts about Georgia 🙂
Thanks Lex! Enjoy planning your trip and let me know if there’s anything I can help with!
Hi Emily,
thank you for the very thorough and helpful information. Would you know how to get to Gori from Tbilissi, would you recommend the train or rather the coach or even a marshrutka?
Txs,
Mike
Hi Mike – I cover this in my Gori guide: https://wander-lush.org/things-to-do-in-gori-georgia/
The easiest option is marshrutka from Station Square (1-2 GEL). It’s a very quick trip.
Enjoy!
Hi,
Thank you for your extremely informative site. It has been super helpful in planning my trip to Georgia. I am wondering if you could help me out with a recommendation. I flying to Tbilisi in early September. Our flight arrives around midnight, local time. We would like to catch the day train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi that departs at 08:10.
Normally, I would prefer to take the bus, but it seems with Covid that it won’t be possible as it doesn’t start running until 7 AM.
My second thought was to use Bolt. However, I do not have a cell phone that will support a foreign sim card. Do you know if Bolt will work with Wifi connection only, if I already have the app downloaded on my phone?
Third, I thought I could use your suggestion to book a transfer with Friendly.ge. We will have a long period of time between when our flight lands and when the train leaves (about 8 hours). We were not planning to get a hotel room for that night. We figured we would either spend the extra time at the airport or at the train station. What would you recommend? Would it be better to book the Friendly.ge transfer to pick us up from the airport at 5 or 6 AM for example to take us to the train station, or just go straight to the train station when we get there and spend the wait there? It is quite inconvenient with the arrival time of the flight so I am wondering if you have any recommendations. Thank you!!
Hi Rebecca!
Yes Bolt should work fine on the airport WIFI as long as you have it pre-installed and registered.
The train station is not really the kind of place you want to spend the night. The airport is probably a slightly better option.
Personally I would consider booking a car to Zugdidi straight from the airport with GoTrip – it’s going to be more expensive (and it’s not ideal to be driving at night), but it will save you a lot of time and bother. (Affiliate link): https://gotrip.ge/en/transfer/from-tbilisi-to-zugdidi?p=wander-lush
Otherwise I would probably spend the time at the airport then do your transfer from there to the train station. Make sure you pre-purchase your train tickets online too, TKT.GE is easy to use.
I hope this helps!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your helpful information .
We will plan to travel to Georgia tomorrow.
Thanks again.
Sadad
Great to hear that Sadad. Thanks for your comment. Safe travels!
Emily, I really can’t thank you enough. I plan to do some digital nomading in Tbilisi and feel so much more confident about it after reading your articles. You’ve made the best guides out there. Well done!
Thank you Lara, very happy to hear that! Don’t hesitate to reach out directly if there’s something else I can help with.
Thanks for your post.
It was very helpful. Could you help me with a question ( I did not see if it was answered)? Four people will go to Kutaisi from Tbilisi airport directly. I doubt if taking bus n. 37 and then go to Didube bus station or taking a taxi to go directly to the train or bus station.
Many thanks,
Benigno
Hi Benigno,
Yes sure that’s possible – however with four people it might be just as affordable (and a lot easier) to simply book a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Kutaisi. I recommend GoTrip – here is an affiliate link for that particular journey (prices start from $50 per car).
https://gotrip.ge/en/trip-planner/from-tbilisi_airport-to-kutaisi?p=wander-lush
Such a helpful post. I’ll travelling there in few days, hopefully it’ll work exactly as you’ve written. Thanks again in advance. I’ll follow your guidance.
Safe travels!
Thank you dear for the valuable information
Can I buy a Metromoney card at the Airport?
Farooq
Hi Farooq – unfortunately I don’t think so no, you will need to head to a metro station.
Hi Emily, first of all, thank you so much for your really helpful blog guides – I have a lonely planet for Georgia, looked around elsewhere on the internet, and your guides blow them all out of the water! I had a question regarding Farooq’s question to you above where you reply that you do not think Metromoney cards are available at Tbilisi airport. Looking at your guide above, you say “There are no longer coin machines on the buses so you’ll need to buy a rechargeable MetroMoney Card or Transport Card before you board. These are available for 2 GEL from the Bank of Georgia service counter inside the arrivals hall.” – so are MetroMoney cards/Transport cards available at the airport after all? And if the travel cards are now in fact available at the airport…do you happen to know whether the Bank of Georgia service counter is in principle open 24/7? We’re arriving on a Saturday evening! I just wish the Georgians would put a machine there which issued travel cards and explicitly mention this on their website. Even the airport website is rather vague….- thanks again, Joanne
Hi Joanne – yes there has been a change, you can buy a card at the desk inside the airport. It should be open. I have also tried a couple of foreign (Australian) bank cards on the bus and those work too.
Just check the bus times as the 337 is not running 24/7 anymore.
Have a wonderful trip and thanks so much for reading!
Can I use VISA prepaid card to buy GEL at the currency exchange desks in the airport ? Is there any charge ?
Hi Manid, you’re probably better off just withdrawing cash from one of the ATMs at the airport. Most have no fee or just a small charge (2 GEL or $1).
Just wanted to say, I truly love your site. Clean, informative and clear! 🙂 Well done. Its not overwhelming, and yet gets you to view more and more.
Thank you Fatima! Glad you’re finding it helpful.
I have a (very basic) question about phones. Do you bring one without a Sim card in it that you purchased especially for travel? Or do you bring your own regular phone and remove the Sim card once you arrive and then buy a Georgian card to put in it?
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Good question! Personally, I just travel with my regular phone that I use at home. It has a dual sim card slot which is really handy. I know some people prefer to travel with a ‘back up’ phone just in case it gets lost or stolen.
You can put a Georgian sim card (or any international sim card) into any phone, as long as it’s unlocked. I bought a dozen different sims when I was recently in the Balkans and just switched them as I went.
If you’re unsure about switching over the sim card or setting up the new sim, staff at the purchase point will happily do both for you.
I hope this helps!