How to Travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi in 2026: Complete Transport Guide

An up-to-date, comprehensive guide for travelling from Tbilisi to Kazbegi by marshrutka van, taxi or private car. Includes schedules, ticket prices, and everything you need to know about travelling to Kazbegi from Tbilisi.

The town of Kazbegi, sometimes referred to by its new name, Stepantsminda, is one of Georgia’s premier mountain regions and a must-visit destination.

Located 150 kilometres or 93 miles due north of Tbilisi in the Greater Caucasus mountains (around 3-3.5 hours’ drive), Kazbegi is on the magnificent Georgian Military Highway.

The sole road link between Georgia and Russia is one of the region’s most scenic drives and with a dozen or more interesting stops, it is an attraction in and of itself.

It is not the kind of journey you want to rush – and you definitely don’t want to waste it by being sandwiched in the back of a marshrutka van.

Tbilisi to Kazbegi is not the kind of journey you want to rush – and you definitely don’t want to waste it by being sandwiched in the back of a marshrutka van. Road safety (windy roads, a constant flow of freight trucks, fast-changing weather) is also a consideration in the mountains and should definitely factor into your decision.

There are currently four transport options available to travellers, ranging from flexible private transfers to affordable local vans. I have been to Kazbegi more than a dozen times over the past five years and have tried them all.

In this post, I will explore the pros and cons of option in detail, and show you exactly how to travel to Kazbegi fuss-free.

• Read my 21 things to know before you visit Kazbegi
• See my Kazbegi accommodation guide for where to stay
• For the return journey, check out my guide to travelling from Kazbegi to Tbilisi

Tbilisi to Kazbegi distance

Kazbegi is located 152 kilometres (94.4 miles) north of Tbilisi city.

Tbilisi to Kazbegi travel time

There is only one road to Kazbegi: The Georgian Military Highway. It can take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi depending on traffic, weather conditions, and the type of vehicle you use. The average travel time is 3-3.5 hours.

If you want to make sightseeing stops along the Military Road, you will need at least 6-8 hours.

The fastest way to get to Kazbegi from Tbilisi is by private car (GoTrip transfer, hire car or shared taxi). This takes 2 hours and 45 minutes on average in summer (without stops). Travelling by marshrutka van, it takes a minimum of 3-3.5 hours to reach Kazbegi in summer. Winter travel times are always a touch longer.

In 2026, a new tunnel between Kvesheti and Kobi will come online, reducing travel times by up to an hour.

Essential reading: The perfect Georgia itinerary for 1-4 weeks.

When is the best time to visit Kazbegi? When is the road from Tbilisi to Kazbegi open?

Kazbegi is a year-round destination. I have visited in every season, and it’s always a different experience. The weather has a significant impact on transport, too.

If you’re planning to go hiking in the Juta Valley or to walk to Gergeti Trinity Church, the best time to visit Kazbegi is in summer or autumn between the middle of June and the end of September. This is the safest period for travel, when the valleys around Kazbegi are likely to be clear of snow (and filled with wildflowers instead), and you are far less likely to encounter travel disruptions due to road closures.

Spring can also be a nice time of year in Kazbegi, especially late May when there is some colour on the mountains. March and April can be rainy/snowy or slushy/muddy depending on the year.

Visiting Kazbegi in winter can be an adventurous experience. Because the Military Road is an important thoroughfare for cargo trucks moving between Russia, Turkiye, and further afield, the highway to Kazbegi is open year-round. Gudauri (30 kilometres south of Kazbegi) is Georgia’s most popular ski resort, so the roads have to be cleared in winter.

(If Gudauri ski resort is your final destination, you can find a separate transport guide here.)

However, there is a big avalanche risk around the Jvari Pass, the highest point on the Military Road, located between Gudauri and Kazbegi. It is not unusual for this section to temporarily close several times throughout the winter – usually for short periods of a couple of hours, and occasionally for 1-3 days.

If you are travelling between November and February, you should be aware of the risk and somewhat flexible with your plans. If the Jvari Pass is blocked, there is an option to ride the 9.5-kilometre Kobi cable car from New Gudauri to Kobi village before taking a taxi the rest of the way to Kazbegi. The commuter ropeway was designed for this very purpose, and it runs throughout the winter before closing for a short period over spring (approx. April 20-June 28).

How to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi

Here is a quick overview of the four different ways to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi. In the next section, I will go through each option in detail.

There are no coach bus services to Kazbegi, and needless to say, no trains.

What is the best way to get to Kazbegi from Tbilisi?

TL;DR: GoTrip.

Why?

• Door-to-door service; depart Tbilisi as early as you want
• Complete flexibility to stop anywhere you like along the Georgian Military Highway
• Drivers and cars are vetted for safety
• The price is locked-in at the time of booking and won’t change

My preferred way to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is with a private car and driver booked through GoTrip.

GoTrip is a Georgian website that matches professional drivers with travellers for routes all around the country (sort of like a long-distance Uber). It is a door-to-door service, you can stop anywhere you want along the way for as long as you like – all for a flat fare that is locked in at the time of booking and paid in cash to the driver at the end of the trip.

GoTrip is completely flexible. You can design your own itinerary on the platform to make sure you don’t miss out on seeing anything along the way. Here is an example itinerary I created with key stops on the Military Highway.

One-way or same-day return transfers are available. Or you can book a multi-day trip with the same driver.

GoTrip offers complimentary car seats for kids, cars have plenty of luggage room, and if you’re travelling out of season, the driver will have proper winter tires fitted (now compulsory for this road and several others in Georgia). Prices are fair – you can save up to 40% compared to hiring a taxi at Didube Station – and all the local Georgian drivers are vetted to ensure high road safety standards.

GoTrip drivers I have personally travelled with and can recommend include:

• Otari (Otari speaks perfect English)
• Guram (4×4 car for winter)
• Gaga (6-seater for groups)
• Ruslan (pet-friendly car)

The cost of a private transfer to Kazbegi starts from 190 GEL (68 USD). When you consider the price of a shared transfer or a local taxi, GoTrip is very affordable for what you get, especially if there are two or more people in your group.

For more tips, read my review of GoTrip, which includes a detailed trip report about the journey from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.

For the return trip, GoTrip drivers can pick you up from your accommodation in Kazbegi to take you to Tbilisi or any other destination in Georgia. If your next stop is Kakheti Wine Region, consider taking the backroad to Telavi via Tianeti for alternative sightseeing off the Military Highway.

If you are on a budget or you are travelling solo, a shared transfer to Kazbegi could be a good way to go. This option is not as flexible as GoTrip – sightseeing stops on the Military Highway are at the driver’s discretion – but it is more comfortable and easier to navigate than public transport.

There are plenty of companies that organise small group transfers from Tbilisi. I know the founder of Budget Georgia personally, and I trust his service completely. You can book this transfer through Viator. Budget also organises transfers to Kazbegi from Kutaisi.

Plenty of people visit Kazbegi as a day trip from Tbilisi (I don’t recommend it – it’s much better to stay a night or two). It might be possible to join a guided tour and bring your luggage along with you. Instead of returning to the city with the group, you can remain in Kazbegi at the end of the day. Whether or not this is allowed is entirely at the company’s discretion, so remember to ask them directly before you book.

This option is more expensive, but I will include more sightseeing stops along the Military Highway.

Recommended Tbilisi to Kazbegi day trips

The two itineraries I recommend are:

• For budget travellers: Day Trip to Kazbegi and Gudauri (from $45) – Gamarjoba Georgia Tours are always fun, and this group tour will give you a great introduction to the region. Transfer to Gergeti Trinity is included.
• For nature/adventure lovers: Kazbegi and Truso Valley Off-road Tour (from $66) – Friendly.ge is the best tour company in Tbilisi bar none. This alternative itinerary includes off-roading in the Truso Valley (June-October) and visiting a mineral spring. Transfer to Gergeti Trinity is included.

Tip: When booking a Kazbegi day trip, remember to check if the price of a transfer Gergeti Trinity Church is included in the price. Large tour buses cannot drive up, so sometimes a taxi is added on as an extra for around 15-20 GEL per person. Sedans can drive to Gergeti so if you’re travelling with GoTrip or on a private tour, your driver will take you all the way to the top.

Note: On June 1, 2025, new regulations that prohibit minivans from transporting passengers on journeys of more than 150 kilometres (93 miles) are set to come into effect. Essentially, long-distance marshrutka vans as we know them will be banned and replaced with buses. I will continue to update this guide as more information becomes available. Update: This has been deferred until 2027. Vans operate as normal.

If you are on a tight budget, the cheapest way to travel to Kazbegi from Tbilisi is by marshrutka.

If you’re unfamiliar with marshrutka vans, these are essentially fixed-route intercity minivans that are common in Georgia and the other former Soviet Republics. See my marshrutka guide for more information and travel tips.

Seating can be cramped, luggage space is limited, and the driving style adopted by most drivers is nail-biting to say the least. I very rarely use them anymore (especially on mountain roads) due to safety concerns. But if you need a fast and cheap mode of transport, marshrutka vans get the job done.

Tbilisi to Kazbegi is one of the most popular tourist routes in Georgia. Thus there are regular departures from Tbilisi throughout the day.

Kazbegi marshrutka schedule & ticket prices

Marshrutka vans to Kazbegi depart from Didube Station. They run 7 days a week, including on Sundays and public holidays.

The 2026 schedule for Tbilisi to Kazbegi is as follows:

• Tbilisi to Kazbegi: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm
• Kazbegi to Tbilisi: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm & 6pm.

Important: Outside of summer, there is less demand for this route, so departures might be less frequent. Sometimes the last few vans of the day get cut from the schedule if there are not enough people. If you are travelling outside of June/July/August/September, your best bet is to take one of the morning vans. Note that on significant holidays such as Orthodox Easter Sunday, New Years Day and Orthodox Christmas Day, vans might not be running at all.

I highly recommend you take one of the earlier vans to avoid being on the road at night. In winter, that means departing by 2.30pm at the very latest.

Marshrutka vans have limited space and only seat 15 or so people. Once all the seats are full, the driver will leave – even if it’s before the scheduled time. I recommend you arrive at the station 30-45 minutes before your intended departure time to make sure you get a seat.

Tickets for the marshrutka from Tbilisi to Kazbegi cost 20 GEL per person and are purchased from the cash desk or directly from the driver before you board or once you arrive in Kazbegi. Note that it’s cash only (Georgian lari). Some drivers may charge you an additional 5 GEL if you have oversized baggage.

Drivers always carry change. If you need to withdraw cash, there is a Bank of Georgia ATM at Didube on the west side of the metro as you exit.

Getting to Didube Bus Terminal & finding the right van

Didube Bus Terminal (AKA Okriba) is located in the north of the city. To get to Didube from Freedom Square, take the metro (First Line) north to Didube Station (1 GEL per person), or order a taxi through the Bolt app (around 15 GEL).

Didube Station is… Chaos! As soon as you set foot outside the metro, you will be approached by flocks of persistent (though usually friendly) drivers. In this Didube Video Tour on YouTube, I walk through the station and explain how to find the Kazbegi vans.

Here is exactly how to find the marshrutka vans for Kazbegi:

Once you get off the metro, walk to the end of the platform and head down the stairs. Make a hard right through the underpass. When you come out the other end, you will find yourself inside a small undercover market. On your left, you’ll see a row of taxis, some of them going to Kazbegi (more on taxis in the next section).

For the marshrutka vans, you’ll need to keep walking straight. Cross the road, then continue a little further through the market. After a few metres the maze of stalls opens up into a car park. You’ll notice a big white sign posted high up on your right, with a cash window right underneath. This is the waiting area for vans to Kazbegi.

See the exact location for the Kazbegi vans here on Google Maps.

Someone will probably approach you first. If not, just ask the nearest driver for Kazbegi and they will point you towards the next scheduled van.

There are public toilets in the building directly behind the waiting area (30 tetri). There’s also a ‘luggage storage office’ in front of the waiting area, although I’d be reluctant to leave anything too valuable there (here are some alternative options for storing luggage). There are plenty of snack stands and bakeries inside the market in case you skipped breakfast and need a quick bite.

The journey from Tbilisi to Kazbegi by marshrutka takes 3.5 hours on average. If there is heavy traffic or road conditions are poor, it could take longer. And if your driver is particularly zealous, you might get there in as little as 2.5 hours!

Vans make one 10-minute rest stop along the way in Sakuriani. There are bathrooms and snack stands here selling packaged goods, coffee and cold drinks.

Tip: Occasionally in high season, ‘tourist marshrutka vans’ also depart from Didube Station and incorporate two 20-minute stops at Ananuri Fortress and the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument. The fare for these vans is double.

VIP Mercedes minivans to Kazbegi

Bus Station Nige (one of the companies located inside Didube Bus Terminal) runs Mercedes minivans to Kazbegi. These ‘VIP’ vehicles are more comfortable, and because they are smaller, they will get you there a little faster.

The fare is around 50 GEL per person, with departures throughout the day. Bus Station Nige is located immediately on your left as you exit the Didube Metro Station into the terminal area. See my video tour, linked above, for precise directions.

Shared taxis to Kazbegi

Shared four-seater taxis to Kazbegi also depart from Didube Bus Terminal. Find them in the parking lot on the left as you exit the market area from the metro station. If in doubt, just ask around.

This is an upgrade on the marshrutka van, but it certainly doesn’t provide the same flexibility or comfort as GoTrip. Rest/sightseeing stops are completely at the driver’s discretion. If there are other passengers in the car, they probably won’t want to stop. This has always been my experience.

A seat in a sedan taxi costs anywhere from 40-60 GEL depending on the car and the driver. You will have to wait until the car fills up, or you can cover the cost of any empty seats yourself if you want to depart without delay.

In addition, this is not typically a door-to-door service. A shared taxi will usually drop you at the bus station in Kazbegi (see below) and not at your accommodation – although you might be able to negotiate that for an additional fee.

While it is technically possible to use the Bolt/Yandex app to book a taxi from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, I don’t recommend it. There is a high chance the driver will cancel the trip. City taxis are not normally equipped to drive in the mountains, so you are taking a real risk by doing this.

Arriving in Kazbegi

In Kazbegi, vans terminate at the little bus station in the centre of town (see the exact location here on Google Maps).

Depending on the location of your accommodation, you might need to take a taxi the rest of the way. Drivers will be waiting around the station to meet passengers. Expect to pay around 15-25 GEL for a taxi (up to 30 GEL if you’re staying at Rooms Hotel, which is further up the hill).

Bolt app does work in Kazbegi, but the fleet of drivers is quite small. If you need to use a street taxi, remember that taxis in Georgia do not have meters. Use the app to get an idea of the fare first – and remember that you always need to confirm the price before you get into the car.

Vans returning to Tbilisi depart from the same bus station. For details about the return journey and my tips, see this guide: Travelling from Kazbegi to Tbilisi.

Driving in Georgia is not as bad as you might think – provided you familiarise yourself with the road rules and more importantly, the local driving style. This guide covers everything you need to know.

We own a car and have experience driving all over Georgia, including challenging roads such as those in Svaneti Region. Because of the hairpin bends, the constant stream (or waiting lines) of trucks and the heavy traffic, I consider the road to Kazbegi one of the most difficult. Georgian drivers are renowned for being freewheeling, and on this road in particular, people tend to fly around the sharp corners.

If you do decide to drive yourself, be extra cautious and do your research on the road conditions in advance. The weather can shift very quickly in the mountains, so be prepared for thick fog, driving rain, and low visibility. Don’t even think about driving this road after dark.

Tip: For weather reports and info about road closures, call the Roads Department hotline on +995 322 313 076.

The worst thing about this road is the trucks. On any given day there are hundreds if not thousands of lorries ripping up both sides of the highway and parked alongside the road waiting to cross the border into Russia. This creates bottlenecks and makes the road narrow down to one lane in places. It is stressful to say the least.

Work is currently underway to build a new tunnel and road to Kazbegi. This will hopefully relieve some of the traffic. It should be open by the end of 2026.

As always, I recommend using Local Rent to search for a hire car in Tbilisi. I have used this service dozens of times – they have the lowest prices and the most flexible conditions by far. There are no restrictions on driving the Military Highway, but some roads in the region (notably the road into Juta, which is badly damaged) are no-gos. Make sure you read the fine print.

This post is all about getting from A to B – but I’d be remiss if I didn’t end by emphasising once again that the road from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is an attraction in and of itself.

You can easily make a full day of it by exploring some of the sights along the way. This is another reason why GoTrip is my preferred way to travel.

Key places to see between Tbilisi and Kazbegi include Ananuri Fortress, the impressive Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument and views of Jvari Pass, and the Giant Stone Head Sculptures in Sno village. You should also make time to stop at a restaurant in the town of Pasanauri – the restaurants along the highway are famed for their khinkali dumplings. Ask your GoTrip driver to take you to their favourite joint!

If you have time, you can also stop in Mtskheta, Georgia’s old capital, Sabaduri Forest, and/or the Chronicles of Georgia monument on your way out of Tbilisi.

Aside from the popular spots, there are lots of alternative things to see, including several notable Soviet-era mosaics and monuments. Many marked viewpoints on the highway are extremely touristy nowadays – I usually try to avoid the areas with pop-up markets.

For more inspiration, photos and trip planning tips, check out my full write-up about driving the Georgian Military Road from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.

Kazbegi is the best base for exploring the mountains, valleys, waterfalls and mineral pools around this part of Georgia. If you don’t have your own car, there are a couple of different ways to get around.

Local taxis are plentiful in Kazbegi – just remember that taxis in Georgia are unmetered, so you’ll need to negotiate the fare before you set off. For peace of mind, you can always ask your accommodation to organise a taxi for you. Hosts normally have a few trustworthy drivers on speed dial. Bolt app does work, but there is a limited number of drivers on the platform.

The popular shuttle bus service to the trailheads in Juta Valley and Truso Valley operated by Mountain Freaks were unfortunately discontinued and will not operate in 2026. Another Kazbegi-based company, Kazbek Climbing offers an alternative shuttle service.

How to get from Kazbegi to Gergeti Trinity Church

Gergeti Trinity Church is far and away the star attraction in Kazbegi. To reach the church on the hill, a 6-kilometre drive from down, you can either hike the gentle path along the stream (highly recommended – I’ve done it several times in different seasons), or take a taxi.

Taxi drivers wait around the bus station in Kazbegi and in the lot opposite the main square (by the Alexander Kazbegi statue). It is much easier to find a driver in the morning. Expect to pay around 50-70 GEL per car (or 15-20 GEL per person) return, including around 45 minutes waiting time at the church. In low season, you may be able to (politely) negotiate the price down somewhat.

In summer 2021, the sealed road to Gergeti Church was badly damaged, making it impossible for sedans to travel. The road has since been repaired and outside of winter, it is suitable for any kind of vehicle (no 4×4 required). I last drove it in 2025.

I hope this transport guide proves helpful! If you have any questions about travelling to Kazbegi from Tbilisi (or if you’ve made the trip recently and have something else to add), please consider leaving a comment below to help other travellers.

For planning the return journey, check out my guide for travelling from Kazbegi to Tbilisi.

More resources for Kazbegi & around

• My complete Kazbegi travel guide, hints & tips for your visit
• Where to eat & drink in Kazbegi, my favourite restaurants
• The best day trips from Kazbegi, for hikers & non-hikers alike
• Where to stay in Kazbegi, the best hotels, guesthouses & cabins
• Full guide to the Juta Valley hike, visiting the Georgian Dolomites
• How to walk up to Gergeti Trinity Church, with a map
• Georgian Military road trip guide, where to stop along the way
• Skiing in Gudauri, my tips for Georgia’s premier winter resort
• Things to do in Gudauri, on & off the slopes
• Kobi-Gudauri cable car, why I think it’s a must-do in Kazbegi