Tbilisi
Tbilisi airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Take a Bolt or Yandex Go car from Tbilisi International (TBS) to the old town: about 30–55 minutes and roughly GEL 20–40 (2026 estimate). Use the app rather than a kerbside taxi, which quotes far higher. A train runs to the city but is infrequent, so most travellers skip it. With heavy bags or a late arrival, pre-book a transfer.
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GuideTbilisi
Key facts
- Airportcheck
- Tbilisi International (TBS), about 17 km southeast of the centre
- Best default
- Bolt or Yandex Go app car, GEL 20–40 (2026 estimate)
- Time to old town
- About 30–55 min by car, longer at 08:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00
- Kerbside taxis
- Quote high; agree a price or use the app instead
- Train
- A rail link to the city exists but is infrequent; check the day's timetable
- Public bus
- City buses serve the airport; pay GEL 1 with a contactless bank card
- Payment
- Apps and most taxis take cards, but keep GEL 20–30 in cash for late arrivals
Options at a glance
Four ways reach the centre: app taxi, pre-booked transfer, city bus and the rail link. Price and door-to-door time decide it for most people.
| Option | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time to centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt / Yandex Go car | GEL 20–40 | 30–55 min | Most travellers, door to door |
| Pre-booked transfer | GEL 60–120 | 30–55 min | Late arrivals, families, groups |
| City bus | GEL 1 | 45–70 min | Cheapest, light luggage, daytime |
| Train to city | GEL 1–2 | About 30–40 min plus walk | Daytime arrivals near a station |
Fares and timetables change; confirm on the day.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Ride-hailing is the simplest arrival. Open Bolt or Yandex Go after landing, set the pickup point at the terminal exit, and pay in the app. Across Tbilisi these apps run GEL 5–20 for city trips; the airport run sits above that band because of the distance, so budget GEL 20–40 (2026 estimate).
Ignore drivers who approach you inside arrivals. Kerbside taxis at TBS are known for quoting several times the app price, and the meter is often not used. If you do take one, agree the total before you put bags in the boot.
Traffic is the variable. The run to the old town is about 30–55 minutes, and it stretches at the morning and evening peaks. Late at night the road is clear and the fare sits at the low end.
Pre-booked transfers and buses
A pre-booked transfer costs more than an app car but removes the wait and the language barrier, and the driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. It makes sense for a late landing, a family with luggage, or a group splitting the cost. Expect roughly GEL 60–120 (2026 estimate).
City buses connect the airport with the centre and are the cheapest option. You pay GEL 1 per ride with a contactless bank card. The trade-off is time and luggage: the trip runs 45–70 minutes and you may need a second bus or a short walk at the other end.
The rail link into the city is the wildcard. It exists and is cheap, but departures are infrequent, so it only works if the timetable lines up with your landing. Check the day's schedule before you rely on it.
What it costs
For two people with normal luggage, an app car is usually the best value once you count the time saved. Solo travellers on a daytime arrival can take the bus for a fraction of the price. Budget a little cash for the first hour: a SIM or eSIM, a coffee, and a tip if a driver helps with bags.
| Item | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| App car, airport to centre | GEL 20–40 |
| Pre-booked transfer | GEL 60–120 |
| City bus, single ride | GEL 1 |
| Train to city | GEL 1–2 |
| Driver tip | GEL 5–10, optional |
Practical tips
Sort your connection before you land. An eSIM activates on arrival and saves the queue at a SIM desk, and you need data to call an app car.
- Download Bolt or Yandex Go and add a card before you fly.
- Screenshot your accommodation address in Georgian script for the driver.
- Keep GEL 20–30 in cash for a late arrival or a card failure.
- At 08:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00 add 15–20 minutes for traffic.
- Agree any kerbside taxi price before loading bags.
- Tap a contactless bank card on city buses.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Tbilisi airport to the city centre?
Book a Bolt or Yandex Go car in the app: about 30–55 minutes and roughly GEL 20–40 (2026 estimate) to the old town. City buses cost GEL 1 but take 45–70 minutes. A pre-booked transfer suits late arrivals.
How much is a taxi from Tbilisi airport?
An app car runs about GEL 20–40 (2026 estimate) to the centre. Kerbside taxis quote far higher, so agree the total before you get in or use the app instead. A pre-booked transfer is roughly GEL 60–120.
Is there a train from Tbilisi airport?
Yes, a rail link into the city exists and costs GEL 1–2, but departures are infrequent. It only works if the timetable matches your landing, so check the day's schedule before counting on it.
Is the bus from Tbilisi airport worth it?
For a daytime arrival with light luggage, yes: GEL 1 and 45–70 minutes to the centre. With heavy bags, a late landing or a tight schedule, an app car is worth the extra cost.
How long does the airport run take?
About 30–55 minutes by car to the old town. Add 15–20 minutes at the 08:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00 peaks. Buses take 45–70 minutes.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialTbilisi International Airport (TAV)
- officialGeorgian Railways
- officialGeorgian National Tourism Administration
- secondaryWikivoyage – Tbilisi