It is relatively easy to get around Georgia. During your stay and depending on your chosen itinerary, you will need to travel across the country using different modes of transport. Here are the options available to you for your journey.

Airplane

Domestic flights operate between Tbilissi, Batumi, Natakhtari, Mestia and Kutaisi.

From Tbilissi, several flights daily are offered heading to Batumi.

The price of a one-way plane ticket is 125 GEL.

However, the number of flights and the ticket price are set according to the season.

From Natakhtari airport, located 28 km from Tbilissi, flights to Mestia are offered 4 times a week, namely Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

The fare is 90 lari for a one-way ticket.

Flights to Ambrolauri are also scheduled every Friday and Sunday.

The fare is 50 GEL for a one-way ticket.

From Kutaisi airport, flights to Mestia are offered twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday. A one-way ticket costs 50 GEL.

Train

It is possible to come to Georgia by train from Azerbaijan or Armenia.

Trains arrive at Tbilissi station.

Georgia's railway transport is underdeveloped due in particular to the country's mountainous terrain.

Indeed, this terrain does not favor the construction of an extensive railway network. In fact, only one railway route operates, starting from Tbilissi, passing through Gori, then Kutaisi, ending at Batumi.

Georgian trains have an appearance identical to Russian trains. They are divided into two categories,

compartment trains and general trains.

An express train, equipped with proper comfort, allows you to travel each morning from Tbilissi to Batumi. It completes the

journey in 6 hours.

Minibus

Minibuses are very popular in Georgia. They have the advantage of being economical and often comfortable.

Also called marshrutka, this mode of transport allows you to easily travel from one district to another in a Georgian city or make long journeys across Georgia.

For routes outside cities, minibuses have no fixed schedules. They depart as soon as they are full.

These minibuses are yellow in color and can accommodate between 16 and 18 passengers.

The mode of operation of minibuses differs for each city.

In Tbilissi, minibus services start at 8:00 am and end at 8:00 pm at bus stations and markets throughout the city.

Furthermore, in this city, passengers can take advantage of reusable passes.

Bus

Municipal buses run throughout all cities in Georgia.

Yellow in color, these are medium-sized buses that can accommodate 40 to 60 passengers.

Buses stop only at designated stops and operate strictly according to schedule, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. They are also equipped with electronic display boards showing the route in English or Georgian.

A standard bus ticket costs 50 tetri.

Moreover, when traveling by bus in Georgian cities, it is better to purchase a plastic card, which is convenient to use and especially economical.

With this card, you can also travel easily by metro and free of charge on the various bus lines for 1 hour.

Car

Road Conditions

Generally speaking, the condition of Georgian roads is average. As soon as you move away from main routes, they tend to deteriorate rapidly.

Remote regions of the Caucasus experience significant temperature fluctuations and severe weather conditions between late autumn and early spring. Thus, roads there are generally poor.

Check conditions before undertaking a trip to this part of Georgia.

Georgia is accessible by road from the republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Car Rental

Major car rental companies are present in large numbers in Tbilissi.

It is also possible to use local operators. It is moreover recommended to rent a 4x4 if you wish to drive off main roads.

Before departure, check the general condition of the vehicle and tires. Also be aware that Georgians have their own way of viewing traffic laws. In fact, if you rent a car, be vigilant on the road. Avoid exceeding 50-60 km/h outside of town. In case of a fine, it should not exceed 20 lari.

Also pay attention to street names which change quite regularly and are not always displayed on signs.

Hitchhiking

This is a transportation technique that works quite well in Georgia. Locals are happy to pick up travelers walking along roadsides. But before getting in, it is essential to confirm with the driver whether the ride is free or not.

Urban Transportation

Metro

Tbilissi is the only city in Georgia to have metro lines.

Thus, 22 stations and 2 lines serve the main districts of the Georgian capital.

This mode of transport is affordable, with a card costing 2 GEL and a trip costing 0.50 GEL.

Cards can be purchased at any station. Furthermore, the metro is safe and operates from 6:00 am to midnight.

The main advantage of Tbilissi's metro is that it easily connects the city center to the railway station, as well as to the Didubé and Ortachala bus stations. It is easy to

understand the direction of the different metro stations, as it is announced in two languages: Georgian and English.

Waiting times range from 2.5 to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Taxis

They are very numerous in downtown Tbilissi. Unfortunately, drivers rarely know street names. You should try to find a reliable landmark, such as a metro station, a square, a monument or a museum.

Taxis do not have meters, so you need to agree with the driver on the fare before getting in. However, crossing Tbilissi should not cost more than 10 GEL.

Bicycle

The bicycle is another extremely popular mode of transportation in Georgia. With the poor condition of some roads and the country's mountainous terrain, mountain biking is highly appreciated.

Mountain bikers can follow rocky and steep paths on the high plateaus of the Svaneti, Tusheti, Kazbegi and Khevsureti regions.

Mountain bikes can be rented from specific clubs located in major cities.

Maritime Route

It is also possible to reach Georgia by sea. The country's main maritime ports are located in Batumi and Poti.

For example, there is a ferry service for passengers wishing to travel from Illichivsk or Odessa to Batumi.

Ferries arrive at Poti port from the ports of Odessa or Illichivsk, located in

Ukraine.