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

Option 1: Private transfer with GoTrip – efficient option

A transfer to Gudauri is definitely the most efficient, comfortable and probably the safest way to travel. Transfers are available from Tbilisi, Tbilisi Airport, Kutaisi Airport, or from any other location in Georgia.

GoTrip is one of my favourite services in Georgia. Essentially it’s a long-distance Uber that allows you to book a driver for the day and travel to any destination in the country (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 stops as you want.

When travelling with GoTrip, you’ll have plenty of room for all your luggage. 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 Borjomi from Tbilisi starts from 200 GEL per car. Click here to check prices for your travel dates. I recommend booking at least a few days in advance.

Option 2: Shared transfer with Budget Georgia – an option for summer

If you don’t mind sharing a car with other travellers, a group transfer is another option.

My preferred tour company in Western Georgia, Budget Georgia offers transfers to Borjomi throughout the summer months (May to October). They depart Tbilisi at 8am and arrive in Borjomi at 10.30am. Hotel transfers are included in the price.

Check availability and book via the Budget Georgia website. Mention Wander-Lush to save 10% off your booking.

Option 3: Tbilisi to Borjomi train – scenic option

If you don’t mind travelling (very!) slowly, then you can take the passenger train to Borjomi from Tbilisi Central Station.

There is only one train per day, and unfortunately the schedule isn’t very convenient – the train departs from Tbilisi in the evening at 6.20pm. Because this is an old Soviet-era electric train that stops at every station, it’s very slow going, too. It takes 4 hours and 20 minutes to reach Borjomi by train.

Tickets are not available online or at the station – the only way to buy tickets is from the machine on board the train using coins. The fare is 2 GEL. Make sure you have the correct change!

Be warned that this particular train has hard plastic seats and no AC. It’s atmospheric, but it’s not terribly comfortable!

Borjomi has two train stations. The one you want to get off at is the Borjomi Park Railway Station, which is a short walk from the centre and the park itself (see the exact location here).

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

There are regular marshrutka minivans between Tbilisi and Borjomi, departing Tbilisi from Didube Bus Terminal in the north of the city.

To get to Didube, take the metro to the station of the same name and exit into the market. The bus station 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.

Borjomi vans depart every hour on the hour between 7am and 7pm. It takes around 2.5 hours on average to reach the town, and the fare is 12 GEL per person. Vans will depart early if full, so it’s a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.

In Borjomi, vans terminate at Borjomi Bus Station in the southern part of town (see the exact location here). Vans travel all the way down the main road, along the river, so if you need to jump out early you can just ask the driver to stop for you.

Note that marshrutka vans are quite squishy and uncomfortable. If you’re prone to motion sickness or you’re sheepish about the fast and aggressive driving style in Georgia, then a marshrutka might not be the best option for you.

Option 5: Hire a car and drive yourself – DIY option

Renting a car in Tbilisi and driving around Georgia is a great way to get the most out of your trip. The driving style takes some getting used to, though. The road to Borjomi is very manageable, but I only really recommend driving if you’re confident behind the wheel.

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

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 hotel 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.

The road to Borjomi is fully sealed and easy to navigate. You start by following the main east-west highway, past Gori, and when you reach Khashuri you make a turn-off to follow the highway along the Mtkvari River south.

I recommend buying a Magti sim card and using Google Maps to navigate.

Check car prices and availability here on Local Rent.

Option 6: Group tour to Borjomi from Tbilisi – day trip option

If your plan is to visit Borjomi on a day trip then return to Tbilisi on the same day, then naturally it makes sense to book in for an organised group tour. Transport connections are quite tight, so if you try to do a DIY day trip then you might run out of time.

Most day trips combine Borjomi with other attractions in the area, such as Bakuriani ski resort, Vardzia Cave Monastery, and/or Rabati Fortress in the nearby city of Akhaltsikhe. It’s also possible to visit Borjomi, Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe Cave City on the same day.

Here are the top five Borjomi day trips that I personally recommend:

1. Vardzia, Rabati, and Borjomi private tour with Friendly.ge (use the promo code wanderlush to get 10% off)
2. Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe & Borjomi private tour with Friendly.ge (use the promo code wanderlush to get 10% off)
3. Bakuriani and Borjomi full day tour with Gamarjoba Tours
4. Small group tour to Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi with Gamarjoba Georgia Tours
5. Borjomi hiking day trip with Budget Georgia

Where to stay in Borjomi

Budget-friendly guesthouse: Guest House Besarioni is located on the hill above town inside a classic Georgian family home. The hosts are very sweet, and rooms are comfortable, with private bathrooms and a laundry. I have stayed here several times. Check prices & availability here on Booking.com.

Mid-range & self-contained: Borjomi Cottages offers self-contained cabins in the centre of Borjomi, each one with a mini kitchen and an ensuite. I often stay here and always enjoy it. The cabins are walking distance from one of my favourite restaurants in Borjomi, Pesvebi. Check prices & availability here on Booking.com.

Boutique hotel: Golden Tulip Borjomi is located inside a stunning heritage building at the entrance to Central Park. Built in 1892 by the Iranian consul, Mirza Reza Khan, the house has been beautifully restored and rooms feature many original elements. Check prices & availability here on Booking.com.

Luxe hotel: The Crowne Plaza Borjomi is widely considered one of the best accommodations in the area. Rooms are spacious and luxe, and the property features a terrace cafe, a wine bar, a spa and wellness centre, and even private Borjomi mineral water baths! Check prices & availability here on Booking.com.