How to Travel From Tbilisi to Bakuriani: Complete Transport Guide for 2023

Option 1: Group tour to Bakuriani from Tbilisi – day trip option

Much like Gudauri, Bakuriani is primarily a ski resort. Aside from winter sports and riding the ski lifts, there isn’t a whole lot to do there. If your main objective is to soak up some mountain scenery, then a day trip from Tbilisi might suffice.

There are dozens of different companies that offer Bakuriani tours, normally combined with other nearby attractions such as the mineral water town of Borjomi.

My top pick is this Bakuriani and Borjomi full day tour with Gamarjoba Tours. I have travelled with Gamarjoba myself and know their guides to be engaging and very professional. This particular tour includes transfers to and from Tbilisi, and spends a whole 3 hours at Bakuriani ski resort.

Check prices & availability here on Viator.

Option 2: Private transfer to Bakuriani with GoTrip – efficient option

If you prefer to travel at your own pace in the comfort of a private car, but you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself, then GoTrip is a great compromise. It’s also the best option for families and small groups.

You can use this website to book a driver for the day and travel to any destination in the country, either one-way or round-trip. Drivers are available 24/7, and they are vetted to ensure higher safety standards. You can book a direct door-to-door transfer, or use the GoTrip Trip Planner to create an itinerary that includes as many sightseeing stops as you wish.

When travelling with GoTrip, you’ll have plenty of room for all your luggage (including winter gear and skis, if you have them). They can even provide car seats for kids on request. Best of all, the price is locked in at the time of booking and won’t change. Payment is made in cash directly to the driver once the trip is complete.

A private transfer to Bakuriani from Tbilisi starts from 210 GEL per car. Click here to check prices for your travel dates. I recommend booking at least a few days in advance, or a few weeks in advance if you’re travelling during the Christmas/New Year holiday period.

Option 3: Tbilisi to Bakuriani train via Borjomi – slow travel option

In 2020, Georgia’s one and only scenic railway, the 1902 Kukushka train from Borjomi to Bakuriani, sadly ceased operating and has not started up again. This means it’s no longer possible to travel all the way to Bakuriani by train.

Now, you can only go as far as Borjomi. The train to Borjomi is an old electric train that stops at every station. Because of this, it’s very slow – and it’s not very comfortable either! But on the plus side, the scenery on the journey is very beautiful.

There is one daily train to Borjomi that departs from Tbilisi Central Station (near Station Square) at 6.20pm in the evening and arrives at 10.40pm at night. Tickets cost 2 GEL and can only be purchased on board the train from the machine (be sure to have enough coins on you).

Once in Borjomi, alight the train at Borjomi Park Railway Station. To get to Bakuriani from there, you will need to take a taxi. This should cost around 50-70 GEL. I recommend using Bolt app to book a taxi or asking your accommodation in Bakuriani to organise a driver.

If you decide to stay the night and continue on the next morning, you can take a local bus (marshrutka van). There are 6 daily departures to Bakuriani from Borjomi Bus Station (see the exact location here), leaving at 8.30am, 9am, 10.30am, 12.15pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. The trip takes 45 minutes and the fare is a couple of GEL. Double-check times locally.

Bus is also a good option if you plan to do a day trip from Borjomi to Bakuriani.

Option 4: Tbilisi to Bakuriani by marshrutka van – adventurous option

Since there are no coach buses that go to Bakuriani, the only option here is marshrutka minivan. Marshrutka vans can be cramped and uncomfortable. Because they aren’t terribly safe, I normally don’t use them to travel long distances or for trips into the mountains.

If you do decide to go by van, you will find a couple of direct vans to Bakuriani from Tbilisi’s Didube Bus Terminal. To get to Didube, take the metro to the station of the same name and exit into the market.

The area you want, Bus Station Nige, is immediately on the left as you exit from the last tunnel. The ticket desk is located near the orange Bank of Georgia branch.

There are four daily direct vans, including departures at 8am and 9am. The fare is 15 GEL.

An alternative option is to take a van to Borjomi (every hour on the hour between 7am and 7pm; 12 GEL) then transfer to another van or take a taxi the rest of the way, as described above.

Option 5: Driving to Bakuriani – DIY option

Renting a car and driving in Georgia can be a great experience, as long as you’re confident on the roads.

As always, I recommend renting through Local Rent, a platform that offers lower priced cars from local agents (as an alternative to big-name companies). Insurance is standard, and usually there is no deposit.

Another major advantage of Local Rent is that you can pick your car up from any address in Georgia. You can organise for the car to be delivered to your accommodation in Tbilisi – or more conveniently, you can meet the agent somewhere on the highway so that you don’t have to drive through the centre of the city.

For information about the road to Bakuriani, see the next section.

Check rental car prices and availability here on Local Rent.

Where to stay in Bakuriani

Top choice: Rooms Hotel Kokhta is a beautiful boutique-luxe chalet hotel in the mountains, close to the ski resort. Created by the same team as Rooms Kazbegi, one of the finest accommodations in Stepantsminda, and Rooms Hotel, Stamba and Fabrika in Tbilisi, you can expect the same degree of quality finishes and service. Check rates & availability here on Booking.com.

Mid-range hotel: Komorebi Bakuriani Resort offers suites and double rooms with tidy, modern furnishings. Its location in Upper Bakuriani ensures easy access to the ski lifts and runs. Check rates & availability here on Booking.com.

Private house: Villa Mtashi offers cute cabin-style houses for families, with the largest sleeping up to 8 adults and 4 children. Some villas have private saunas, while all have separate living rooms, fully appointed kitchens, and balconies. Check rates & availability here on Booking.com.

Self-contained cottage: Wooden Cottage Green House is a cosy mountain cabin with three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a wood-burning stove. Check rates & availability here on Booking.com.