How to Get to Georgia and Around: Plane, Train, Bus
Most flights land in Tbilisi, Wizz Air flies from Europe to Kutaisi, and from Batumi airport the bus takes about 20 minutes to the centre. Between Batumi and Tbilisi the train is fastest: about 4 hours.
Getting to Georgia: flights and overland routes
Three international airports - Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Overland, travellers come from Turkey through Sarpi near Batumi and by train from Yerevan and Baku.
Search flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi from your city
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Which airport
- For the sea, fly to Batumi: from the airport to the centre is about 20 minutes by bus.
- Tbilisi has the most flights; from there the train to the sea takes about 4 hours.
- Kutaisi is the Wizz Air base and often cheaper. A bus to Batumi meets the evening flights, about 2.5 h; a taxi costs about 150 GEL.
To see both the sea and Tbilisi, fly into one city and out of the other.
From Europe
Wizz Air flies to Kutaisi from more than 20 European cities, among them Warsaw, Budapest, Rome, Milan, Prague, Barcelona, Athens and Berlin; on the October 2026 schedule most routes run 2-5 times a week. Larnaca - Kutaisi is daily. Prices for your dates are in the form above.
From Turkey
Istanbul - Batumi: Pegasus and Turkish Airlines; Pegasus also flies Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen) - Kutaisi. Overland, the Sarpi border crossing is 20 km from Batumi and open 24 hours, on foot or by car; city minibus No. 16 runs there from Batumi.
From Israel
Tel Aviv - Batumi takes about 2 h 15 min. From Batumi airport the bus to the centre takes about 20 minutes.
From Armenia
Yerevan - Tbilisi train: until 13 June 2027 it leaves Yerevan at 21:00 on even dates and Tbilisi at 20:00 on odd dates, about 10 h, a berth in the open sleeper car costs 115 GEL. Marshrutkas (minibuses that leave when full) go from Kilikia bus station in Yerevan, about 6 h. A car with driver, either direction - book Yerevan - Tbilisi on GoTrip (opens in a new tab).
From Azerbaijan
Baku - Tbilisi by plane takes about 1 h 10 min, from 445 GEL. The Baku - Tbilisi train takes about 10 h, from 192 GEL: trains to and around Georgia.
From Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus
Almaty - Tbilisi: Air Astana daily; FlyArystan flies to Kutaisi. From Russia and Belarus there are direct flights to Tbilisi and Batumi; overland from Russia the only crossing is Upper Lars, and the bus Moscow - Batumi takes about 36 h: Moscow - Batumi bus.
You need travel insurance to enter Georgia. Since 1 January 2026 every tourist needs a policy covering at least 30 000 GEL for the whole stay, on paper or electronic, in English or Georgian; the police check it at the border. A Georgian policy pays out inside the country. What the policy must cover
Between cities in Georgia
| Route | Train | Bus, marshrutka | Car with driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batumi - Tbilisi | about 4 h, from 35 GEL | 6-7 h, 40-50 GEL; marshrutka 35 | from 342 GEL |
| Batumi - Kutaisi | 1 h 25 min | marshrutka about 2.5 h, 20 GEL | from 208 GEL |
| Tbilisi - Kutaisi | 2 h 35 min | about 4 h, from 24 GEL | from 244 GEL |
| Batumi - Kobuleti, Ureki | 16 min / 36 min | marshrutka to Kobuleti 3 GEL | no |
Times do not include getting to the station. The Batumi - Tbilisi flight runs only in season: about 45 minutes, from 250 GEL
Train, bus or car
The train is faster and cheaper, but tickets go on sale 15 days ahead and seats for tomorrow or the day after are rarely left - buy as soon as you know your date. Buses and marshrutkas run more often. A car with driver suits families and anyone who wants stops on the way: it picks you up at your address.
If the train is full
Trains for the next few days are usually sold out. Then take a bus or a marshrutka: between Batumi and Tbilisi there are more than thirty a day. Or book a car with driver. If you would rather not plan the day yourself, look at our day trips from Batumi with pick-up near your hotel.
How to pay
A foreign bank card works for train and bus tickets online - compare Batumi - Tbilisi trains and buses on 12go (opens in a new tab); Georgian Railway also sells tickets on its own site and at station ticket offices.
A marshrutka without a booking is paid in cash to the driver, in lari (GEL, the Georgian currency). Exchange offices are easy to find, including near the stations.
Airport to city: bus and taxi
Tbilisi airport
bus No. 337 to the centre - 1 GEL with a Metromoney card or a bank card; taxi at the arrivals exit - 40 GEL
Kutaisi airport
bus to Batumi meeting evening flights - 30 GEL, about 2.5 h; taxi to Batumi about 150 GEL, to central Kutaisi about 20
Batumi airport
bus No. 10 to the centre - about 20 minutes, 0.70 GEL with a transport card or a bank card
Book the Kutaisi airport - Batumi bus in advance online: at the ticket desk in the arrivals hall seats sometimes sell out
SIM card: all three airports have mobile operator desks in the arrivals hall. Or set up an eSIM before you leave home - get a Georgia eSIM on Airalo (opens in a new tab)
Tickets by type of transport
Questions about travel to Georgia
Can I buy train and bus tickets in Georgia with a foreign card?
Yes, online a card from a non-Russian bank works for trains and buses. A marshrutka without a booking is paid in cash to the driver.
Do I need cash in lari?
For marshrutkas, yes. City buses from Batumi and Tbilisi airports take a bank card, and you can change money at exchange offices, including near the stations.
How do I get from Kutaisi airport to Batumi?
A bus meets the evening flights: 30 GEL, about 2.5 h; buy the ticket online in advance, as the desk in the arrivals hall can sell out. A taxi costs about 150 GEL.
Can I cross from Turkey into Georgia on foot?
Yes, at Sarpi, 20 km from Batumi: the crossing is open 24 hours for pedestrians and cars.
Is there a train from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
Yes, until 13 June 2027 it leaves Yerevan at 21:00 on even dates and Tbilisi at 20:00 on odd dates; the trip takes about 10 h.
Is there room for luggage on the Batumi - Tbilisi train?
Each passenger can bring 35 kg free. Space for suitcases is tight: they go on the overhead shelf or in free spots in the aisle.
Do I need travel insurance to enter Georgia?
Yes, since 1 January 2026: a policy covering at least 30 000 GEL for the whole stay, in English or Georgian.
Checked: November 2026 · Written and checked by the Travel Batumi team