An up-to-date and common-sense guide on how to get to Mestia from Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi or Zugdidi in 2023.
Mestia is the main town and hub of Upper Svaneti, the mountainous region in north-western Georgia famed for its hiking trails and UNESCO-listed tower houses.
It’s a must-visit in Georgia in my opinion – but because of its remote location and the time it takes to get there, it can be tricky to find a logical place for Svaneti in your itinerary.
Zugdidi is the closest ‘big city’ to Mestia and is the best place to find transportation to the mountains. There are other options for travelling to Mestia from Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi, either direct or with a transfer.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how to travel from Tbilisi to Svaneti and from Kutaisi, Batumi or Zugdidi to Mestia by plane, marshrutka, shared transfer or private transfer.
I’ll also discuss road safety, self-driving, places to stop along the way, and other important things to consider.
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.
Travel Georgia Like a Pro
Planning a trip to Georgia? Here are 5 essential resources that I recommend you check out.
- For private transfers in Georgia: GoTrip.ge. Find a professional, English-speaking driver. Prices are locked in when you book & you can stop wherever you want.
- For hiring a car in Georgia: Local Rent. Save money when you rent directly from a local agent. Pick-up & drop-off are available from any address in Georgia.
- For finding accommodations: Booking.com. This website has the biggest selection of properties in Georgia, including guesthouses in rural areas.
- For Tbilisi tours & day trips: Friendly.ge. Friendly.ge has knowledgeable guides, safe drivers & creative itineraries. I especially like their off-road tour to David Gareja.
- For tailored advice: Book a call with me! My Georgia Travel Consultation service is perfect if you need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips.
Important things to know about transport in Svaneti
- There are several roads that lead to Mestia. The main route is the Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia-Lasdili Highway, which starts from Zugdidi and follows the Patara Enguri River.
- The road to Mestia is fully sealed and suitable for sedans. In winter, you need snow tyres and preferably a 4WD. The road is windy in places and quite demanding – and for this reason, I recommend going with an experienced driver.
- The road is technically open year-round, though it does close for short periods in winter due to snowfall and avalanche risk. There are two ski resorts in Svaneti so they do try to keep the road clear throughout the winter season.
- Svaneti is a seasonal travel destination so in terms of ‘public transport’, there are far fewer direct connections outside of summer. Pre-planning is required if you are visiting in spring/autumn/winter.
- Zugdidi has the highest frequency of transfers and is the overall best departure point for travelling to Mestia.
- The night train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi was suspended in 2020 and has not yet resumed. There is no overnight train to Zugdidi any more.
- In addition, as of summer 2023, the night bus to Zugdidi has been suspended due to roadworks on the main east-west highway (the highway is closed to traffic between 9pm-6am, with cars rerouted through Sachkhere).
In a hurry? Book a last-minute private transfer to Mestia with GoTrip. The price is locked-in at the time of booking, drivers are vetted for safety, and you can make as many stops along the way as you like.
Mestia travel times & distances by road
- Zugdidi to Mestia → 135 km (84 miles); minimum 3-4 hours
- Kutaisi to Mestia → 220 km (137 miles); minimum 5-6 hours
- Batumi to Mestia → 260 km (162 miles); minimum 6-7 hours
- Tbilisi to Mestia → 465 km (289 miles); minimum 8-9 hours
Should you drive your own car to Svaneti?
While it’s possible to self-drive to Svaneti, I don’t recommend it unless you are a very experienced driver.
Weather conditions in the mountains change fast. Landslides occur every year, and often the road gets damaged by heavy rain. Although the road to Mestia is sealed, it’s still challenging in parts. And you have other drivers to contend with!
If you do decide to drive to Mestia, I recommend contacting the Geo Road hotline on +995 322 31 30 76 to check conditions before you depart.
I do not recommend driving to Ushguli from Mestia (most rental companies prohibit it) or on any back roads around Svaneti unless you are familiar with the area and confident with driving off-road.
How to get from Zugdidi to Mestia
Most travellers will find themselves transiting through Zugdidi to reach Mestia. In low and shoulder season when there are no direct vans from Tbilisi/Kutaisi/Batumi, you must change in Zugdidi.
Because of the long travel distance and tiring nature of the trip, it’s actually a very good idea to break up the journey by spending a night in Zugdidi. It’s a great little city with a few notable landmarks (including the Dadiani Palace and Botanical Garden), quirky sights such as the UAZ graveyard, and a terrific food scene.
Consult my Zugdidi City Guide for more information.
There are two options available:
- Direct marshrutka – approx. 40 GEL; 4 hours
- Shared taxi – approx. 45-50 GEL; 3-3.5 hours
Marshrutka from Zugdidi to Mestia
In previous years, marshrutka vans departed Zugdidi in the early morning from outside the train station. Now that the night train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi has been suspended (more in the next section), vans seem to depart in the mid-morning instead (after 10am) plus again in the afternoon when the day train from Tbilisi pulls into Zugdidi.
In the morning, drivers depart from the small bus stand near Zugdidi market – located here. To get there from the centre, pass by the main market, cross the river, and take the first right along the riverside. You will see a sign saying ‘Mestia’ and a bunch of idling vans. There is a public toilet nearby, and food/water is available from the market.
Here is a picture of the vans waiting in the carpark:
In the afternoon, drivers wait near the railway station to meet disembarking passengers. Once you alight the train, cross the tracks and head left, walking all the way to the end of the platform. Go down the few steps to the street, and you should see at least one van waiting there.
Here is a picture of a Mestia van waiting for train passengers outside the railway station:
There is no set schedule for the vans that I’m aware of. Rather, drivers depart once the van is full.
There should be at least one van in the morning plus one van in the afternoon between late spring and autumn. I saw Mestia vans waiting at the station when I last travelled in December.
The first van is likely to leave between 10am and 11am, and the second van at around 2.30/3pm.
In deep winter when there is snow and ice on the road (roughly January to March), drivers might switch to a Delica van OR there might be no shared transfer at all.
I recommend arriving as early as possible to get a seat. It might also be an option to have your guesthouse call the driver the day before to save you a seat.
The fare is approximately 40 GEL and travel time to Mestia is around 4 hours. (In the off season the fare might be higher, up to 60 GEL, but in summer it could be as low as 30 GEL.)
The driver makes at least one rest stop along the way, usually near the dam. In Mestia, all vans terminate on the main square – located here.
Shared taxi from Zugdidi to Mestia
Shared taxis are also available from Zugdidi. Drivers normally wait around the bus stand or opposite the railway station – located nearby here.
In summer, it should be easy to find a taxi driver just by asking around. You’re more likely to find a driver in the morning or mid-afternoon, around the time the train pulls in. It’s possible that your guesthouse in Zugdidi might be able to organise a car for you.
Expect to pay approximately 45-50 GEL per seat for a shared taxi, or 180-200 GEL for the whole car. Travel time is slightly faster, around 3-3.5 hours. Note that if it’s a shared taxi, you will have to wait for the other seats to fill up before you depart.
How to get from Tbilisi to Svaneti
Tbilisi to Mestia is a long and gruelling journey by road. I don’t recommend trying to cover the whole distance in a day – if possible, break it up into stages by stopping over in either Zugdidi, Kutaisi or Martvili (see more suggestions later in the next section). A popular option is to take the train or a coach bus to Zugdidi first.
If you’re short on time and you need to travel directly to Svaneti, then I highly recommend choosing an experienced private driver rather than taking a marshrutka. Apart from being unsafe for such a long distance and challenging drive, the vans are quite uncomfortable.
You might be able to fly to Mestia from Natakhtari Airport. This is by far the fastest option, but it has its pitfalls.
There are five options available:
- Direct marshrutka – approx. 50 GEL; 9-10 hours
- Train + marshrutka/taxi via Zugdidi – approx. 55 GEL; 9-10 hours
- Bus + marshrutka/taxi via Zugdidi – approx. 65 GEL; 9-10 hours
- Private transfer – approx. 550 GEL; 7.5 hours
- Flight – approx. 90 GEL; >1 hour
Direct marshrutka from Tbilisi to Mestia
Marshrutka vans depart for Mestia from various points around Tbilisi, including from the car park outside Central Railway Station (Station Square). There is a sign that says ‘Mestia – 7am’ right in front of the entrance to the station.
In summer 2022, I saw a Mestia van collecting passengers and waiting to depart at around 9am. The schedule is flexible and outside of summer, this van might not be running at all.
The morning van from Samgori is more reliable. It is scheduled to depart at 7am from Navtlughi Intercity Bus Terminal near the Samgori Metro – see the location here on Google Maps.
The bus area is a bit tricky to find. First, exit the Samgori Metro Station in the direction of Ketevan Dedofali Avenue. You should see this avtosadguri ‘bus station’ sign pointing the way:
Once you’re above ground, walk out to main avenue and turn right. Walk a few more steps and you will come to a small waiting area with marshrutka vans parked out front (not the first large carpark, but the second smaller one) with the blue sign:
There is a cash desk on the right where you can purchase your tickets:
The fare to Mestia is approximately 50 GEL and travel time averages 9-10 hours, including several rest stops along the way.
Make sure you arrive early to secure a seat. You can reach the English-speaking driver on +995 595 700 892.
Train + marshrutka via Zugdidi
Unfortunately the popular night train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi was discontinued in 2020 and has not started up again. For now, there is just one train departing Tbilisi in the morning (around 8.30am) and arriving in Zugdidi just after 2pm.
During the season, you will definitely be able to find a marshrutka van or shared taxi to take you to Mestia on the same day. Drivers wait outside the railway station with ‘Mestia’ signs on their dashboards – ask around, and you will find someone (or, more likely, they will find you first!).
Another option is to spend an afternoon and evening in Zugdidi and continue on to Mestia the following morning, taking a van from the market carpark instead, as described above.
Train tickets to Zugdidi start from 16 GEL for second class and can be purchased up to 10 days in advance via TKT.GE or 12GoAsia.
Journey time is 5.75 hours. Be aware that this is an older train. Seats are not very comfortable, and there are no power outlets and no WIFI. I recommend travelling in first class if you can (28 GEL).
See more tips in my Tbilisi Zugdidi Train Travel Guide.
Night bus + marshrutka via Zugdidi
Note: As of summer 2023, the night bus service is suspended due to roadworks on the Rikoti Pass. There is no Zugdidi night bus at present.
Rail is definitely the best way to travel to Zugdidi, but if you prefer to go by road, you have the option to take an overnight bus or a marshrutka van instead.
OmniBus operates an overnight coach bus from Ortachala Station in Tbilisi to Zugdidi, leaving at midnight and arriving at 6am. The fare is 25 GEL and tickets can be reserved online.
I do not usually recommend travelling by road at night, but I have travelled with this company before and in my experience, the driver was quite good. The decision is yours.
If you have room in your itinerary to spend a night in Zugdidi and continue on to Mestia the next morning, they also have a midday coach from Tbilisi that arrives at 6pm.
Alternatively, marshrutka vans to Zugdidi depart from Didube Bus Station throughout the day, roughly between 9am and 7pm. The fare is approximately 25 GEL, and travel time is 5-6 hours. Never travel by marshrutka van after dark.
In the morning, it might be possible to find a shared taxi to Zugdidi from Didube station. Travel time will be slightly shorter, and it should cost around 70 GEL per seat.
When you arrive in Zugdidi, continue to Mestia using one of the options described above.
Private transfer from Tbilisi to Mestia
Private transfer is the easiest (and safest) option if you want to go directly to Mestia from Tbilisi by road. GoTrip.ge is my preferred service for transfers – drivers and cars are vetted for safety, it is a 24/7, flexible door-to-door service, and best of all you can make as many stops as you want along the way.
A direct transfer booked through GoTrip starts from 550 GEL per car. If you have four people, it does work out to be quite affordable. Travel time is around 7.5 hours with no stops. When you book online, the price is locked in and won’t change.
Alternatively, you can build a day trip itinerary and do some sightseeing along the way. For example this itinerary I created with stops in Zugdidi and Enguri costs about the same as a direct transfer.
Flights from Tbilisi to Svaneti (Mestia Airport)
Flights from Tbilisi to Mestia are available through Vanilla Sky, a small Georgian airline that operates various domestic routes including to Batumi and Racha. Prop planes to Mestia Airport run throughout the year with a reduced schedule in winter.
Vanilla Sky is the only operator on the market and is notorious for two reasons: Firstly, their online booking system is a nightmare and it can be difficult to find and purchase tickets. In summer, tickets sell out extremely quickly.
Secondly, flights often get cancelled at short notice. If you do decide to fly, always have a backup plan in case things go wrong on the day.
Prices start from 90 GEL per adult. Schedules and ticket announcements are normally made on the Vanilla Sky Facebook page. Note that planes take off from Natakhtari Airfield, 30 minutes north of Tbilisi near Mtskheta. Vanilla Sky offers a free shuttle from the city centre.
How to get from Kutaisi to Mestia
Kutaisi is also a convenient departure point for Svaneti as the distance by road is shorter and there are more budget-friendly transport options.
There are three options available:
- Direct marshrutka or marshrutka via Zugdidi – 40-70 GEL; 7-8 hours
- Shared transfer with Budget Georgia – 80 GEL; 7 hours
- Private transfer – approx. 420 GEL; 5 hours
Additionally there is at least one flight per week from Kutaisi to Mestia with Vanilla Sky.
Marshrutka from Kutaisi to Mestia
According to the timetable, there is one direct marshrutka van to Mestia departing every morning at 10am from Kutaisi’s Central Bus Station – located here. The fare is approximately 40 GEL, and travel time is 5-5.5 hours.
Arrive at the station early to secure a place. If you want to call ahead, you can contact the driver, Zaza, on +995 599 70 34 33 or +995 599 74 63 60.
This direct van definitely runs in summer, but in the low season, you will likely have to change drivers in Zugdidi. Make sure you communicate with your first driver – be careful you don’t get charged twice.
Vans from Kutaisi to Zugdidi depart every hour or once full between 8am and 5pm from the same bus stop. The fare is approximately 10 GEL, and travel time is 2.5-3 hours.
Try to depart Kutaisi as early as possible. When you arrive in Zugdidi, your first driver will help you find a van to Mestia. Usually the driver will call ahead and tee-up the next leg of the journey for you.
Shared transfer with Budget Georgia
My preferred tour company in Kutaisi, Budget Georgia, runs affordable group transfers to Mestia throughout the year. This option is more reliable than a marshrutka van and a lot more comfortable. It’s also more affordable.
Transfers are available every day between May and October and on Saturdays only from November to April. The price is 80 GEL per person including hotel pick up. The journey time is 7 hours with a longer break for lunch.
If you’re flying in, there’s also an option to book a transfer from Kutaisi Airport to Mestia for the same price.
→ Book a shared transfer online via Viator
→ OR book direct through the Budget Georgia website and get 10% off your transfer when you mention Wander-Lush
Private transfer from Kutaisi to Mestia
If you prefer a private car, a direct transfer booked through GoTrip starts from 420 GEL per car. Travel time is around 4.5 hours with no stops, or you can build a day trip itinerary and do some sightseeing along the way.
How to get from Batumi to Mestia
Travel time to Mestia from Batumi is much the same as from Kutaisi, slightly longer if you’re travelling by marshrutka. Like with Kutaisi, there are more transport options from Batumi, making it a good departure point for Svaneti.
There are three options available:
- Marshrutka via Zugdidi – approx. 65 GEL; 6.5-7 hours
- Shared transfer with Budget Georgia – 80 GEL; 8.5 hours
- Private transfer – approx. 400 GEL; 5 hours
Marshrutka to Mestia from Batumi
There might be an early morning direct van to Batumi from Mestia, but the more convenient option is to change in Zugdidi.
Even if a van has ‘Mestia’ written on its dashboard, it might still drop you off in Zugdidi – this happened to me on my first trip. The first driver will always liaise with drivers in Zugdidi to make sure you get on the right van to Mestia.
Vans to Zugdidi/Mestia leave from the Intercity Bus Station in Batumi – located here – starting from around 8/9am. The fare is approximately 25 GEL, and travel time to Zugdidi is 2.5-3 hours.
Shared transfer with Budget Georgia
Budget Georgia also operates transfers from Batumi and Batumi Airport to Mestia. Cars are available every day in summer (May-October) and on Saturdays only in winter.
In summer, the cost is 80 GEL per person including hotel pick up (120 GEL in winter). Travel time is 8.5 hours, including a long break for lunch.
→ Book a shared transfer online via Viator
→ OR book direct through the Budget Georgia website and get 10% off your transfer when you mention Wander-Lush
Private transfer from Batumi to Mestia
A private transfer to Mestia from Batumi starts from 400 GEL per car when booked through GoTrip. Travel time is 5 hours direct, or you can use the GoTrip planner to create an itinerary with multiple stops along the way.
How to travel from Mestia to Ushguli
Ushguli is a must-visit in Svaneti, if only to visit the iconic Svan tower houses. This community of alpine villages is located east of Mestia, around 2 hours via a partially sealed mountain road.
The road to Ushguli has undergone significant improvements in the past couple of years. In 2017, I travelled there in a marshrutka van, and it was still a bit rough. Most years the road gets damaged over autumn/winter and is repaired in spring/summer.
You never really know what to expect, which is why I suggest going with a local driver who is familiar with conditions (rather than trying to drive yourself). Most car rental companies prohibit driving to Ushguli. GoTrip does not offer transfers to Ushguli either.
Delica cars, 4WDs and minivans are all available from the centre of Mestia. The easiest (and most affordable) option is to ask your guesthouse in Mestia to organise a shared transfer for you. This also helps prevent any miscommunication at the bus station.
A return trip should cost around 40-60 GEL per person depending on the season and demand, including 3 hours in Ushguli when the driver will wait for you.
How to travel from Ushguli to Mestia
If you’re doing the Mestia-Ushguli hike or you want to stay overnight in Ushguli, then you’ll likely need a one-way ticket back to Mestia. Do not buy your ticket in advance from the bus station in Mestia – strange things sometimes happen, and many travellers unfortunately get taken advantage of.
Instead, when you’re ready to leave, go to the main bridge in Ushguli (located here) and wait for a taxi or van to stop. This is where locals wait for transport, so it shouldn’t take too long. The price for a one-way trip is the same as a return trip: 40-60 GEL depending on the driver and the season.
A huge thank-you to traveller Michaela for this intel!
The return trip: Departing from Mestia
Mestia’s small bus station is right in the city centre – located here. Vans bound for Zugdidi and potentially for Batumi, Kutaisi and/or Tbilisi depart in the morning hours.
The Tbilisi marshrutka departs at 8am. In summer high season, direct vans to Batumi and Kutaisi also depart at 8am. There may or may not be additional vans in the afternoon – it all depends on demand.
Note that there are at least 4-5 other ‘bus stands’ in the same area, all selling tickets for the same destinations but sometimes for different prices. Many travellers face issues when trying to pre-purchase tickets in advance – the van never arrives, or there’s not enough seats, or they have to change in Zugdidi unexpectedly.
The best strategy is to check times the day before then arrive early (40-60 minutes early) to secure your seat. If possible, ask your guesthouse in Mestia to call the driver/bus station the day before you plan to travel. Tickets do sell out in peak summer and you don’t want to get stranded.
Fares and travel times are approximately the same. Again, the most convenient option is to first travel to Zugdidi and then organise your onward transport from there.
For a hassle-free alternative that eliminates having to deal with shady staff and drivers, book a shared transfer with Budget Georgia. This service is available for Kutaisi, Kutaisi Airport, and Batumi. During summer, they depart from Mestia in the late afternoon.
Book your return transfer from Mestia direct with Budget Georgia and save 10% when you mention Wander-Lush.
If you want to go directly to Tbilisi or continue to another destination in Georgia, I highly recommend organising a car through GoTrip.
Where to stop on the way to/from Svaneti
The part of Georgia between Kutaisi and the Black Sea coast is my favourite part of the country. There is SO MUCH to see in Western Georgia on the way to Svaneti – if you have the time.
Here are a couple of popular stopovers. For more ideas, see my guides to Guria and Samegrelo regions.
Enguri Dam
The world’s second-highest concrete arch dam, Enguri is located on the road between Zugdidi and Mestia. The hydro project supplies energy to both Georgia and Abkhazia.
Enguri has always been a popular place to break the journey to Mestia. Tours of the dam launched in 2021. If you want to take a 30-minute boat trip on the dam, contact David at Enguri Boat Tour.
Sisa Tura Ethno Village
Sisa Tura is a family run village that aims to give tourists a taste of Mingrelian culture and rural life. The three-acre complex has a collection of wooden oda houses, beautiful nature, and a kitchen that offers traditional meals.
Sisa Tura is open from late spring through to autumn. Advance bookings are essential – contact Marika on Facebook to organise your visit.
Zugdidi
As mentioned, Zugdidi is a great small city with a few things to see and do, and some truly wonderful Mingrelian restaurants (Diaroni is my favourite). If you have time, I highly recommend spending a night here on the way to Svaneti.
Casa de Khasia is a cosy guesthouse with wonderful hosts. Find more things to do in and around Zugdidi in this guide.
Martvili
Also in Samegrelo region at the foot of the mountains, Martvili is a great place for hiking, waterfalls and canyons. As well as the popular Martvili Canyon, there are plenty of alternative canyons and rivers to explore. Martvili Monastery is famous all over Georgia for its frescoes and very much worth a visit.
Martvili is a great place to relax in nature on the way up or down from Mestia. I recommend staying at Karma Hostel.
Where to stay in Mestia
Budget-friendly guesthouse: Manoni’s Guesthouse is one of the longest-running in Mestia, and the family really know how to treat their guests. Rooms are very comfortable, especially the private doubles with ensuite. Meals are served in a cosy dining room. They can organise anything and everything on your behalf, including shared vans to Ushguli.
Boutique hotel: Hotel Lahili is a 5-minute walk from the local museum, with modern and stylish rooms, comfortable common spaces and a generous breakfast.
Cabin: If you’re looking for something more secluded, Bude Mestia Cottages offer gorgeous self-contained A-frame cabins set in the forest 3km from the main square.
Where to stay in Zugdidi
Guesthouse: Casa de Khasia is a gorgeous boutique guesthouse that’s run by a local couple who are extremely active in advancing the rights of IDPs from Abkhazia and promoting Zugdidi as a tourist destination. Rooms are large and beautifully furnished, and the outdoor common spaces are delightful. Breakfast is included.
Are you planning to travel from Tbilisi to Svaneti some time soon? Do you have questions, or maybe an update for other travellers? Please leave any new information you have below – it’s much appreciated!
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
Hello,
It seems that the night bus from Tbilisi to Zugdidi doesn’t exist anymore, am i right?
I looked in omnibusexpress.
We will arrive TBS Airport at 1:30pm. Will be easy to find marshrutkas from Tbilisi to Zugdidi between 3pm and 4pm on fridays (mid september)?
Thanks
Hi Marcos, yes they discontinued the night bus for now because of the roadworks on the highway (the main highway is closed to traffic from 9pm until 6am). Because of this you will be cutting it fine… I would consider spending a night in Tbilisi and taking a train/bus the following morning.
Sure,
We will be in Tbilisi in 16th September. So we are going to take the morning train to Zugdidi. Will it be easy to find marshrutka to Mestia when the train arrives, in that time of the year? Or at least will be taxi ? Thanks
Hi Marcos – yes, there will be a van waiting at the train station in the spot described.
Arriving in the Tbilisi airport at 1:30pm and take a bus/taxi to Didube to catch a marshrutka to Zugdidi, it’s not a good idea? I would get between 3 and 4pm right? So i can to in 2 days.
Hi Marcos, as I mentioned the Rikoti Pass is closed to traffic from 9pm. Best to wait until the next morning.
Hi Emily,
I’m reading your articles while planning for my trip to Georgia. The information is extremely practical. I have one question: if I take the van/shared taxi from Ushguli to Mestia in the morning, will I still be able to catch any transport back to Zugdidi the same day? Many thanks for your help!
Hi Zhaokui, it depends a bit on the time of year. In summer high season there might be an afternoon van to Zugdidi that could catch.
Hi! I have a similar question: I’ll go to Georgia in late September/early October. After sleeping in Ushguli I want to go back to Mestia in the very morning in order to take a marshrutka to Kutaisi… Do you think there will be more options after 8am?
Thanks for your information!
Hi Laro, yes there should be! Or you might have to transit through Zugdidi which is very straightforward.
Hi Emily,
Once again, thank you for your blog, it helped me a lot when I was planing my trip and when I was tehre. I am back from my two amazing weeks in the Caucasus and since I just came back, I thought I could share with you fresh information, if you want to update this page.
The marshrutka from Kutaisi to Mestia departs at 10am (only once a day), from behind the McDonald’s. It costs 40 GEL as you said. It seems enough to arrive at 8h30 in low season. The ticket office is right behind the marshrutka (if you want I have a picture of the time table, including hours to Tbilisi and Batumi, and of the location of the marshrutka).
When I was there (I arrived 7h30) we were only four people (a couple of tourists and a local woman), so they offered to take us by car for 50 GEL.
Regarding the come back trip, there are one direct marshrutka from Mestia to Tbilisi departing at 8am (it seems better to by the ticket at least the day before from the ticket office in the center of Mestia). I was there in april and there was this marshrutka, so it’s not only during high season.
You don’t need to accept the comment, it was only to inform you and help the future travelers that will use your amazing blog!
Keep doing this amazing job,
Felipe
Thank you Felipe for these updates, your input is extremely helpful! I have updated the guide for other travellers. I will pop down tomorrow to get some additional photos.
Hope you had a wonderful journey and will be back to Georgia again soon!
Hi Emily, thank you for such detailed info on how to get to Mestia-Ushguli.
I’ve booked my Vanillasky tickets to Mestia on 23rd April, and i should be reaching Mestia around 10.30am. I guess I’ll miss the morning Minivans to Ushguli. Will i be able to find other minivans/buses to Ushguli around 11am?
Plus, im staying in Ushguli for the night and returning to Mestia next morning. Would you know if i can find minivans/buses in the morning hours ?
I’m looking to travel on budget, hence the vans.
Thanks Emily,
Cheers!
Hi Rahul – I am sure there will be plenty of drivers waiting to meet passengers arriving at the airport. To get back to Mestia you can pick up a van at the bridge as I describe. Have a fun and safe trip!
Hello Emily, thank you very much for tall the amazing posts, they are being the main source of inspiration to my trip to the Caucasus. However, I am struggling to find information about a direct bus from Mestia to Tbilisi. It seems they run in the summer, but do you know if I can take this bus on April? Otherwise, I imagine I will have to go through Zugdidi. Thanks, Felipe
Hi Felipe – they might be running in April but I’m really not sure. The safer option is to go through Zugdidi. It’s a good idea to break up the journey anyway.
Hi Emily , great article – will you feel safe using a private transfer with gotrip.ge as a single female traveller from Tbilisi Airport to Mestia ? Am thinking of this option for early July 2023. Can an English speaking driver be requested?
Thanks
Hi Shez – I often use GoTrip when I’m travelling alone, including for long distance trips. I have always felt comfortable, and there’s no reason I wouldn’t suggest it for solo females. Just be sure to pick a driver with good reviews.
You can filter drivers by language and check if they speak English before you book.
Safe travels!
Hello Dimitri, I am interested in using Chero for Mestia-Ushguli. If you can supply his phone number it would be appreciated.
We found a very good driver in Mestia. He drove us around Mestia to Chalaati Glacier, to the Heshkili huts where there is a astonishing view on the mountain around and to Ushguli.
I can surely recommend Chero, he drives always safe, even in the worst parts of the Ushguli “road”. His car is top clean inside and outside and moreover it’s a funny guy learning us some georgian sentences and stopping for the best pictures. If you agree, I can post his phone number
Sure thing Dimitri, I’m sure that would be helpful for other travellers! And for me too!
Hi Dimitri,
Can you share driver’s number? we are planning to hire a car but this part we can not drive and we need driver with car.
I strongly recommend OmniBus to get from Tbilisi to Zugdidi. This is by far the most convenient option as it leaves exactly on time (either at lunch time or at midnight) and you will be in Zugdidi after 6hrs. We took the 17:25 train back from Zugdidi to Tbilisi a few days later and it was one of the worst experiences during our 3 week trip through Georgia. The train stopped every few minutes, had a breakdown for more than 1 hour and without any A/C it got so unbelievably hot inside that people complained so much that the train staff had to open the doors during the train ride to let fresh air in… I strongly suggest avoiding trains at all cost (except for the new Swiss train from Tbilisi to Batumi which has A/C).
Sorry to hear that, Patrick! Actually I ended up on the Zugdidi train a few weeks ago and it was very uncomfortable. It’s one of the older trains unfortunately. The Stadler is by far the best, but the Poti train is also quite good. They are all a bit different and it takes some getting used to. Hopefully they will upgrade the Zugdidi one soon. OmniBus is indeed a good option in the meantime.
Hope you still enjoyed your time in Mestia. Cheers!