How to Travel From Tbilisi to Batumi in 2026: Detailed Transport Guide

Looking for the best way to travel between Georgia’s two biggest cities? This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the 6 transport options for every budget and shows you the best way to travel from Tbilisi to Batumi (and Batumi to Tbilisi) in 2026. Includes insider tips for the Tbilisi-Batumi train.

I have travelled between Tbilisi and Batumi more times than I can count. When I lived in Batumi, I had to go back and forth several times. I’ve done this journey every which way you can imagine – by marshrutka, taxi, train, and even driving myself.

There are a couple of factors to consider when planning your route, including road safety, your budget and timeline.

If your Georgia itinerary allows for it, I recommend giving this journey a full day. There are plenty of places to stop between Tbilisi and Batumi. My Georgia Road Trip Itinerary covers this route.

If you’re in a rush, you can get to Batumi in just over 5 hours when you travel by train (or in less than an hour if you fly).

Read on for a detailed guide to Tbilisi Batumi transport, updated for 2026 to reflect current services and schedules.

I update this guide regularly. If you have an update to share or a question, feel free to leave me a note in the comments.

Tbilisi to Batumi: The basics

Distance from Tbilisi to Batumi

Georgia’s two largest cities are located on opposite sides of the country. The distance between Tbilisi and Batumi is 350 kilometres or 218 miles.

Travel time from Tbilisi to Batumi

In December 2025, the new Rikoti Highway that links Tbilisi with Western Georgia officially opened along with several new bypass roads on the Black Sea Coast. This has reduced the travel time between Tbilisi and Batumi by 2 hours or more.

Currently, travel time to Batumi from Tbilisi is roughly 5-6 hours by road depending on traffic, road conditions and the type of vehicle you use.

If you are travelling by private car, you can expect to reach Batumi in as little as 4.5 hours without stops. If travelling by bus or van, the journey time is slightly longer.

The journey by train is faster: 4 hours (reduced from 5 hours thanks to a new tunnel that opened in summer 2026).

Transport overview

Here is a quick overview of the different transport options that are currently available. In the next section, I’ll look at each option in detail.

What is the best way to travel from Tbilisi to Batumi?

TL;DR: Stadler train.

All things considered, the train (option #1) is the safest, fastest and most comfortable overland option if you’re looking for a way to get from A to B.

If you prefer to travel by road for some reason, I would opt for a coach bus (option #3) over a marshrutka. This is always my Plan B if train tickets sell out (which they regularly do in summer and autumn).

If you want to draw out the journey and make stops along the way, I recommend using GoTrip (option #2).

Option 1: Tbilisi Batumi train

Let me start by saying the train from Tbilisi to Batumi is not like most other trains in Georgia. These are not the clunky trains that you find on routes to Gori and Borjomi that make dozens of stops along the way. These are double-decker, high-speed Swiss Stadler trains.

Currently, this is the only route in Georgia where such trains are used. When it launches, the BTAK (Batumi-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars) passenger train will also use Stadler rolling stock.

This train reaches faster speeds (around 80 km/h), spiriting you to the Black Sea Coast within 3 hours and to Batumi in 4 hours. It is budget-friendly and comfortable. For these reasons, it is by far my preferred way to travel.

The train is more or less non-stop, calling into only three stations between Tbilisi and Batumi: Kutaisi Airport Station, Ureki, and Kobuleti.

Most importantly, taking the train is a lot safer than travelling by road. The journey is quite scenic in places.

Train schedule, classes & ticket prices

There are at least two daily trains between Tbilisi and Batumi throughout the year: One in the morning (around 8am), and another in the evening (around 5pm). Two or three extra services are added during the busy summer months, along with a weekend night train.

Travel time to Batumi is now just 4 hours thanks to a new tunnel that opened in August 2026.

In my experience, it is very rare to experience delays on this Georgian Railway flagship service.

The Tbilisi-Batumi train has three classes:

• Second class: 35 GEL
• First class: 75 GEL
• Business class: 125 GEL

Second class (pictured below left) has regular seats in rows of two or three, with power outlets below each central armrest.

First class has seats that recline, more power outlets, and more legroom.

Business class (pictured below right) has larger seats, tray tables, and is a lot roomier, with chairs spaced out quite a bit.

Business class tickets only become available to buy 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you decide you want to upgrade from first to business (or from second to first) after you board the train, you can pay the attendant the difference (cash or card). Availability is limited.

Buying Tbilisi Batumi train tickets online

I strongly recommend buying your train tickets online in advance, especially in summer and early autumn when this route is in high demand.

In July and August especially, tickets always sell out – even when extra services are put on. I recommend buying tickets a full 20 days in advance in this case. If there are no tickets available, keep refreshing the website – sometimes they take a minute to pop up. Sometimes people cancel at the last minute so you can also try buying a ticket at the railway station on the morning of travel.

The easiest way to buy tickets is using TKT.GE, either the website or mobile app.

Seat selection costs an additional 1 GEL. If you want a nice view of the Black Sea as you travel down the coast, then choose a seat on the right-hand side of the train. Note that sometimes the direction of travel is reversed, so you might be facing backwards.

I have found that the WIFI reception and mobile coverage is a lot better if you sit on the lower level of the train compared to the top level. I always try to sit downstairs for this reason.

The TKT.GE site is in English and secure payment can be made with a credit or debit card. The platform works perfectly with foreign bank cards. Note that there is an extra service fee plus a transaction fee if you buy your tickets this way.

After your purchase, a PDF ticket with a QR code will be sent to your inbox. It usually takes 3-5 minutes to arrive. When it comes time to board the train, you can simply show the steward your ticket on your phone plus your passport/ID (no need to print anything).

Buying tickets at the train station

If you prefer to purchase tickets in person, you can do so at either Tbilisi or Batumi train station. You need to show ID, so don’t forget to bring your passport (hard copy is best). You only need one passport even if you are buying multiple tickets. Payment is in cash.

Boarding the train in Tbilisi

The Batumi train departs from Tbilisi Central Railway Station at Station Square, located adjacent to the metro station of the same name (see the exact location here on Google Maps). This is the same station where you board international trains to Yerevan and Baku.

The easiest way to get there is indeed by metro. Otherwise, a Bolt taxi from Freedom Square costs around 8-10 GEL.

There are grocery stores, cafes, ATMs and public toilets inside and outside the railway station building. If you are on the morning train, there is a coffee kiosk outside the main station entrance that is open 24/7. If you need a place to leave your bags, there is a luggage storage office on the far left-hand side of platform 1. Toilets (50 tetri) are located on the top floor of the station building, up the escalators.

There is no check-in process for the train: Simply show up and present your ticket (or electronic ticket) to the steward as you board. They will ask for your seat number to cross-check against their manifesto. They always ask to see your passport/ID card, so have it handy.

I recommend arriving at least 20-30 minutes early to find your seat and settle in.

Tip: If you have heavy bags, don’t take the escalators all the way to the top floor of the station – go to the second floor, then use the glass door on the right, near the hotel. It opens directly onto the platform where the Batumi train departs.

What is it like onboard the train?

This train is much like any other in Western Europe. It has air conditioning and free WIFI. There are power outlets in second class underneath every seat.

There is no dining cart on this train, but there are vending machines in every carriage. I recommend you pack enough water and snacks to see you through. Toilets are located on the lower of the two levels.

There is plenty of space for luggage on the train. Despite signs warning you otherwise, it’s not a problem to leave your bags in the aisles or near the doors.

Technically, there is a 30kg luggage limit per person on this train, but I have never seen this enforced. I once took the train with two full-sized suitcases and no one questioned me. I have also seen people carrying skis and other bulky items (including small dogs and cats!).

Each carriage has a screen display that tells you the next station and the train’s speed. It seems to run at a steady 80 km/hour – slow enough to take in the scenery.

Leaving Tbilisi, you first head north past Mtskheta then to Kaspi (look out on the left-hand side to see some coloured hills and the ancient burial tombs) and Gori (spot the fortress as you pass by). The first stop is at Kopitnari for Kutaisi International Airport. Then the train continues to Ureki on the Black Sea Coast, followed by another stop in Kobuleti before terminating in Batumi.

The last part of the trip is epic: As you approach Batumi, the emerges from the tunnel at Mtsvane Kontskhi, then hugs the coast all the way into town. The railway track runs right along the shorefront. Later, when you visit Batumi Botanical Garden, you can look down and see the trains popping out of the tunnel.

Arriving at Batumi Central Station

All trains terminate at Batumi Central Station in the city’s north, approximately 4 km from the Boulevard. See the exact location here on Google Maps.

A taxi to the centre costs approximately 10-12 GEL when booked through Bolt. If you don’t have a sim card, there is free WIFI available at the station.

Alternatively, public buses #10, #15, #20 and #31 all stop at Central and go to the city centre. The fare is 70 tetri and you can pay with the same Tbilisi MetroMoney card or any chipped bank card/mobile wallet.

If you need to travel directly to Batumi Airport to catch a flight, you can take public bus #10 all the way to the airport.

If you’re thinking about walking to the city from the railway station, don’t – I tried it once and although the first stretch along the waterfront is quite pleasant, the road turns into a highway and the footpath ends.

If you don’t want to spring for a taxi, you can quite easily cross the road from the station and start walking towards the city, then flag down a passing marshrutka van. Most if not all will be bound for Batumi, but do double-check with the driver before you get in. This should cost you around 1 GEL per person (cash only, preferably the exact change in coins).

The return trip: Batumi Tbilisi train

Travelling the reverse route from Batumi to Tbilisi is much the same – you can either buy tickets online in advance through TKT.GE (recommended) or at the cash desk inside Batumi Central Station.

There are at least two daily trains in winter and three or more in summer, including a morning train (around 7.30am) and an evening train (around 6pm).

If you need to store luggage in Batumi before the train departs, there is a storage office inside the main station building on the right as you enter from street level (the cost is 2-4 GEL per bag depending on the size). Toilets are located outside on the far-left (near the buses) and cost 50 tetri to use.

Option 2: Private transfer with GoTrip

If you’re looking for a fast, comfortable and hassle-free way to travel to Batumi – or if you miss out on getting train tickets – then I highly recommend booking a private transfer with GoTrip.ge.

If you’re not familiar with GoTrip, it is essentially a long-distance Uber that matches you with a professional driver and vehicle. Prices are set in advance, so there’s no need to negotiate. You can set your own schedule and design your own itinerary, stopping whenever and wherever you like on the way from A to B.

Most importantly, drivers are vetted for safe driving practices, cars are clean, and things you may take for granted such as seat belts and child car seats are standard.

Cost of a transfer to Batumi

GoTrip is a platform for private drivers so there is some variation in prices. If you want to travel directly from Tbilisi to Batumi, you should expect to pay between 300-350 GEL for the whole car. The journey by road takes around 4-5 hours if you go direct without stopping.

→ Click here to check prices for a GoTrip transfer to Batumi

Where to stop between Tbilisi and Batumi

If you have time, you can build a short Tbilisi Batumi itinerary using the GoTrip Trip Planner and do some sightseeing along the way.

Possible places to stop include:

• Gori (for the Stalin Museum, fortress and old town)
• Khashuri (for Surami Fortress and nazuki sweet bread)
• Kutaisi (also read: how to get from Kutaisi to Tbilisi)
• Zestafoni (for a look at the mosaics and lunch at Lia Deida in nearby Argveta)
• Kobuleti (for Soviet-era mosaics and the local museum)
• Poti, Ureki and/or Shekvetili on the Black Sea coast

With GoTrip, you can usually add in a couple of stops without the price going up. For example, this itinerary I created with stops in Khashuri, Zestafoni and Shekvetili starts from 300 GEL/car.

Due to the new bypass roads, you will need to make short detours for some of these stops.

Another great thing about GoTrip is that it’s a door-to-door service. Once you arrive in Batumi, just give the driver your hotel address and they will take you straight there.

→ Click here to check prices for a GoTrip transfer to Batumi

Option 3: Tbilisi Batumi bus

Coach buses are a touch more expensive than the train, but more comfortable than a marshrutka van, making this a good option for budget conscious travellers who are also attentive of road safety. Travel time is slightly longer though, at 6-7 hours depending on the service.

There are currently three or more companies that operates on this route. The major player, Metro Georgia, runs daily buses between Tbilisi and Batumi as well as coaches that continue across the border into Turkiye.

These are not minivans: They are large 45-seater buses with recliner seats, air con, WIFI, HD screen monitors in the back of each seat, and free tea, coffee and water.

Competitor City Bus runs a few coaches per day from the same departure point in Tbilisi (see below). And a third company, Omnibus, has one daily bus in summer. All in all, there are at least 30 direct buses to Batumi from Tbilisi every day.

The fare for all three buses is much the same (40-50 GEL).

Use the 12Go platform to compare prices between all three companies and purchase tickets, or go direct through the Metro Georgia or City Bus websites.

Boarding the bus in Tbilisi

Most coaches depart from Central Bus Station Ortachala on the south side of the city. The address is 1 Dimitri Gulia Street (see the exact location here on Google Maps). Select City Buses depart from Dighomi District, which is in the north of Tbilisi. Be sure to check your ticket to ensure you go to the correct location.

There is no metro station within walking distance of Ortachala, so I recommend you take a taxi. From Freedom Square, this should cost approximately 7-9 GEL when booked through Bolt.

When you arrive at the station, you will see signs pointing you to Metro Georgia’s desk on the bottom level of the station, and to the City Bus area. There are public toilets and small cafes/shops on the upper level.

Arriving in Batumi

In Batumi, coaches terminate either at Intercity Bus Station (see the location here on Google Maps) or slightly closer to the centre at the big intersection near the Argo Cable Car Station.

The return trip: Batumi to Tbilisi by bus

Travelling the opposite way, buses depart Batumi just as frequently. Travel time and ticket prices are the same.

Buses depart from Batumi Central Station on Odisei Dimitriadis Street (NOT from the Intercity Bus Station near the market and NOT from the old train station). See the exact location of the Metro Bus station in Batumi here on Google Maps. City Bus and OmniBus also work from this location.

This is the main transport hub in Batumi, and the railway station is also located here. Metro Bus is at the south-western end of the building. A taxi to Central Station from the centre of Batumi should cost around 9-12 GEL when booked through Bolt.

In Tbilisi, buses terminate at Ortachala.

Option 4: Tbilisi Batumi by marshrutka van

The cheapest way to travel to Batumi is by marshrutka van. This option has its limitations: It’s not very comfortable, there isn’t a lot of luggage space, and depending on the driver you get, you could be in for a rough ride.

If you suffer from motion sickness, keep your medication close at hand. Usually vans make at least two brief rest stops along the way for 10-15 minutes each.

For such a long journey by road (5-7 hours depending on traffic and how many stops the driver makes), I really only recommend using a marshrutka as a last resort.

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

Marshrutka schedule & ticket price

Vans depart frequently from Didube Bus Terminal in Tbilisi, located in the northern part of the city (see the exact location here on Google Maps). To get to Didube from Freedom Square, you can either take the metro to Didube Station (the bus area is adjacent to the metro station, near the food market) or take a Bolt taxi for around 10 GEL.

There are a bunch of different companies at Didube. I recommend going with ‘Bus Station Nige’ as they are a bit more organised.

As you exit Didube metro station into the market, make a hard left towards the orange Bank of Georgia. Nige vans wait in this carpark, and there is a cash desk where you can buy tickets right next to the bank. See here for my video tour of Didube.

Vans depart every 60 minutes or once full starting from 7.15am. The last van leaves Tbilisi at midnight. It’s advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes before your intended departure time to get a seat.

For safety reasons, you should try to avoid being on the road in Georgia after dark. That means leaving Tbilisi no later than 2pm in summer.

The fare to Batumi is 35 GEL, paid in cash at the ticket desk. Double check times and fares locally.

Shared taxi to Batumi

For a slightly more pleasant experience, you can try for a shared taxi to Batumi. Taxi drivers also leave from Didube (you’ll see them parked near the vans with signs saying ‘Batumi’ propped on their dashboards or hoods). Chances are they will find you before you find them!

Unless you want to hire the whole car, you’ll have to wait until the other seats fill up. Expect to pay around 50-60 GEL per person.

Arriving in Batumi

Once in Batumi, marshrutka vans terminate either at the Intercity Bus Terminal (see the location here on Google Maps) or near the Argo Cable Car Station.

To get to your accommodation, you can either pick up a local bus from outside the Agricultural Market or take a taxi (around 5 GEL when booked through Bolt).

Shared taxis usually terminate at the bus station as well but the driver might be willing to take you into the centre of the city. This may or may not involve an extra fee.

The return trip: Batumi Tbilisi marshrutka

Heading back to Tbilisi, marshrutka vans depart from the same Intercity Bus Terminal approximately every hour from 7.15am onwards (in winter, the first van might be a little later than that).

The ticket price and travel time are the same. Shared taxis are also available here.

Option 5: Driving to Batumi

If you’re happy to go DIY, driving to Batumi from Tbilisi can be a lot of fun. There are plenty of places to stop along the way for food and sightseeing, and if you give yourself a full day for the journey, there are lots of detours you can make as well.

I only recommend self-driving in Georgia if you’re confident on the road and understand the driving style. Check out my tips here.

Where to hire a car in Tbilisi

I personally use Local Rent whenever I want to hire a car in Georgia. The platform is easy to use, and because they work exclusively with local agents, prices are terrific (from as little as 35 USD/day). Insurance is often included and some rentals don’t require a security deposit either.

→ Click here to check prices on Local Rent

Option 6: Tbilisi Batumi flight

If you’re on a tight schedule, it is possible to take a domestic flight from Tbilisi to Batumi.

There are two companies that currently service this route: Vanilla Sky (based at Natakhtari Air Field near Mtskheta) and flag carrier Georgian Airways (based at Tbilisi International Airport).

Vanilla Sky uses small planes and is very difficult to book online. Georgian Airways uses a Boeing 737 and has a better online ticketing system.

There are a dozen flights per week during summer high season. Flight time is around 45 minutes, and tickets range from 150-345 GEL one-way.

Check times and prices on Skyscanner.

Arriving at Batumi International Airport

Batumi’s small international airport is located on the south-west side of the city, roughly 6 km from the centre (see the exact location here on Google Maps). A taxi to your accommodation should cost around 10-15 GEL when booked through Bolt, or you can take the bus.

See my detailed arrivals guide for Batumi Airport for more information.