Getting around the city, and which apps to install
One Tbilisi fare of 1 GEL covers metro and bus with 90 minutes of transfers. Bolt replaces Uber entirely, and the Stadler double-decker to Batumi is a proper train at 34 GEL in second class.
- Uber does not operate in Georgia. Bolt is dominant in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, with a typical city-centre ride at 6 to 12 GEL.
- Tbilisi transit is 1 GEL a ride including 90 minutes of unlimited transfers across metro and buses, paid by contactless card or a Metromoney card.
- Marshrutka minibuses are cash-only everywhere and are how you reach most small towns and trailheads. Keep small notes.
- Between Tbilisi and Batumi take the Stadler double-decker - five hours, 34 GEL in second class, and your passport number is required to book.
- Mountain roads close. The Georgian Military Highway over the Jvari Pass blocks with snow in winter and mudslides in spring.
Bolt is the default for everything short, and it is cheap enough that most visitors barely use the buses.
- Uber does not operate in Georgia. Bolt is dominant in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi; Yandex Go is the secondary option. A typical city-centre ride is 6 to 12 GEL, at roughly 1.50 to 2 GEL per km.
- Tbilisi transit costs 1 GEL a ride, including 90 minutes of unlimited transfers across metro and municipal buses. Pay by contactless Visa or Mastercard, or with a rechargeable Metromoney card (2 GEL for the card). Passes: 3 GEL a day, 20 GEL a week, 40 GEL a month, sold at metro stations.
- Batumi buses are 0.30 GEL by card. Regional marshrutka minibuses are 0.80 GEL, paid in cash as you get off.
- Marshrutkas are cash-only everywhere, and they are how you reach most small towns and trailheads. Keep small notes.
- Between Tbilisi and Batumi, take the Stadler double-decker. Five hours, 34 GEL in second class, 74 GEL first, 124 GEL business. Book on gr.com.ge or through TKT.ge or Biletebi.ge, which let you pick a seat on the upper deck and take foreign cards. Your passport number is required to book.
- Mountain roads close. The Georgian Military Highway to Stepantsminda over the Jvari Pass blocks with snow in winter and mudslides in spring. Check before setting out.
Apps and platforms
Bolt for every ride, TKT.ge for trains and events, and Google Maps, which handles Tbilisi transit better than the local apps.
- Bolt - https://bolt.eu/en-ge/ - The ride-hailing app in Georgia. Install it before you land; it is how you leave the airport.
- Yandex Go - https://go.yandex/ - Secondary ride-hailing, useful when Bolt surges.
- TKT.ge - https://tkt.ge/ - Train tickets, buses and events, with seat selection and foreign card support.
- Georgian Railway - https://gr.com.ge/en - Official intercity rail booking.
- Tbilisi Transport Company - http://ttc.com.ge/ - Metro and bus information and passes.
- Google Maps - Reliable for Tbilisi metro and bus routing, and better than anything local.
- Saily - International eSIM, installed by QR code before you fly, if you would rather not queue at a kiosk.
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