Georgia: urban transport in Tbilisi and transport within the country. Public transport in Georgia. Car rental in Georgia
Why did I first of all decide to write about public transport in Georgia? Because for an independent traveler without a car, this is the very first and necessary assistant, and in Georgia these integral links are fixed-route taxis and ordinary taxis. These modes of transport can take you anywhere in the country, to all regions - any whim for your money.
Shuttle taxis are convenient to travel between big cities And settlements and the price is much cheaper than regular taxis. For example, the most expensive route that we traveled was also the longest, it was Zugdidi-Mestia and back, 3 hours each way, and it cost 20 GEL (516 rubles, exchange rate on the day of writing) in the water direction. Such routes involve a couple of stops along the way. The rest of the trips were shorter and, accordingly, cheaper: ranging from 1.5 (39 rubles) to 11 (284 rubles) GEL. Moreover, the price in one direction there and back can be different, for example, Tbilisi-Borjomi (2 hours on the way) -7 GEL, Borjomi-Akhaltsikhe (1 hour on the way) -4 GEL, and we drove back from Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi in just 6 GEL. There is a lot of competition among taxi drivers and they go to any tricks just to get a client. There are also so-called barkers who, right at the metro exit at the huge Didube bus station, with a trained eye, pick out a potential passenger or tourist from the crowd. And here you have no other option but to just trust and say in which direction you want to go, because Didube is a nightmare, a cloaca, chaos:
For the first time, all the surrounding fuss will shock you, and there is no point and time in trying to figure out the location yourself, take my word for it. And the barker, delighted with your question, will tell you everything, show you and even help you bring your luggage to the right minibus.
As such, bus stations are not at all what we are used to seeing in our country, do not expect to see the station building, ticket offices, waiting rooms and buses, everything is much simpler - they stand in certain places, just on some site, sometimes quite small and that's all - this is the type of station.
Shuttle taxis come in different sizes and almost all have a luggage compartment or trunk at the back: for example, from Revenge, our suitcases traveled on the roof, blown by the winds of Svaneti!
Payment for travel in fixed-route taxis occurs in different ways, but mostly at the exit, which, in our opinion, is not very convenient and only a couple of times the money was collected according to occupancy. And two more times we paid for the fare to the cashier: at the Didube station to Mtskheta and in Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi. Minibuses are not always convenient for passengers, this is especially felt on long journeys: there is very little space between the seats and even we used to be very crowded, our legs were really numb.
We were lucky with trips and never more than half an hour we did not expect a fixed-route taxi. Learning about the schedules for some directions, I can say that, for example, from the Navtlugi bus station at the Samgori metro station (after leaving the metro go straight for about ten minutes, the parking will be on the right, you just need to cross the road) Tbilisi-Sighnaghi first leaves at 9-00 and then the next two hours apart! And this is in the famous town of Kakheti! But they go to Sagarejo in the same direction from 7 in the morning with an interval of 20-30 minutes, costing 3 GEL, and from there you can already hire a taxi to get to the cave city of David Gareji. I smoothly move on to describing the need to use independent travelers in Georgia, there are ordinary taxis, which in this country are not just a lot, but a lot, and all trips to sights with the expectation while we work up and see enough, and often the luggage left in the car, we boldly trusted Georgian taxi drivers.
The Georgian taxi driver is a whole layer of the male population of Georgia, and in this format and in large numbers it has existed for 23 years, since the collapse Soviet Union and it's hard to even imagine what kind of information these men do not have!!! You can safely trust them only by saying what you need - to get somewhere, to see something, to settle somewhere, and even if you are just plain hungry and. They will advise, take, call, arrange and other, other, other ....
But sometimes you don’t need taxi services and you need to friendly refuse the annoying service, saying that all services will be provided to you by the owners of the booked by you. guest house. This is exactly what happens, do not forget to immediately find out this information when you check in, agree on the route of travel, departure time and price. The price for the services of a driver from a guest house is sometimes lower than that of ordinary taxis, although they are people who want to make money on us, tourists, and you can bargain with them. For example, for the whole day in Akhaltsikhe, when visiting four sights, we paid 70 GEL for a car, in Stepantsminda for six hours, with 100 GEL waiting for us from trekking. In both cases our hosts were the drivers.
In Georgia, everything is very simple: in Georgia you don’t need to look for a taxi, in Georgia a taxi will find you, and you just relax and have fun, and I’m not sure if we could see so much beauty in this country if not for a taxi, because in some places other transport simply does not go.
You ask: what about normal urban public transport? Well, yes, there is one in Tbilisi, the yellow fixed-route taxis are visible in the photo - this is the city one, but we did not use it. There are also buses, they are also yellow.
Today we will talk in detail about transport in Georgia. How to get into the country? How profitable to buy a plane ticket to Georgia? How to move around the country for independent travelers? This is important, because flying in and sitting in Tbilisi without going out is simply boring.
The easiest way to get to Georgia is airplane. Georgia has three major airports — in and. Each option is good in its own way.
What are the airports in Georgia?
Yes, fly in Batumi makes sense if you want the sea. beautiful in Georgia. There is a clear sea, beaches equipped with showers, sunbeds and umbrellas.
If you get tired of lying on the beach at some point, go towards mountainous Adjara. You can find hidden waterfalls, wild mountain rivers and picturesque landscapes. Adjara - very beautiful region well worth the trip for a day or two. But traveling to “big” Georgia from Batumi is not very convenient, so if your goal is still not the sea, you should choose another airport.
Most of the guests arrive to Tbilisi airport. It is convenient to travel from Tbilisi to the side, and the Georgian Military Highway, the city, to cave cities and , as well as drive around and the region . In a word, if you arrived in Tbilisi, you will definitely not be bored!
Kutaisi Airport- Also a good choice both in terms of logistics and in terms of economy. It is this airport that is the base of low-cost airlines in Georgia. From here it is convenient to go to the side, and. And the city itself also deserves attention. 
However, if not a plane, then what? There are several more options.
What transport can be used to arrive in Georgia?
Automobile. If you are traveling by car, the easiest option is to cross the Georgian-Russian border through Lars. In this case, you will pass through and end up in Tbilisi. Please note that roads may be closed due to weather. It is best to check the condition of the roads just before the trip. You can do this on the website of the Georgian Roads Department www.georoad.ge or by calling +995 322 31 30 76. 
And another option for arriving in Sakartvelo is by water. A passenger ship will also help you here. 
Choose an adventure to your liking and do not worry about anything - we will take care of all the worries. Write [email protected] website
If you want to travel on your own, read this article carefully.
How to travel in Georgia
With transport within the country, everything is quite good. You can travel between cities on trains. Most popular destination- Tbilisi-Batumi. There is a convenient express train running twice a day, but tickets can be a problem during the high season. It is wise to order them in advance. You can find out the timetable, prices and buy tickets on the website www.railway.ge. 
Another popular form of intercity transport are minibuses and buses. There are two main bus stations in Tbilisi.
from the station Metro Samgori minibuses depart in the direction (Sighnaghi, Telavi, etc.).
Station Metro Didube for minibuses of western directions and. 
When traveling by minibuses, it is worth considering the local specifics. The main disadvantage of this type of transport is the lack of timetables. That is, of course, there is, but often cars depart as they fill up, and not according to time.
In addition, sometimes the driver can stop on the way for some business, as a result of which the road will take half an hour longer. This is not a big problem if you are going to take a walk around Borjomi, but if you are late for the airport, you will have to be pretty nervous.
Well, do not forget that Georgian minibuses are not called Schumachers for nothing - they drive famously. If you are not a fan of extreme driving, do not sit in the front seats. It's better not to take the bus at all.
There is an alternative to such minibuses. In Georgia, two companies are engaged in bus transportation to European level. It's nice that tickets cost the same as for ordinary minibuses. However, here you are guaranteed a clear schedule of movement and comfort.
Georgian Bus Company www.georgianbus.com is convenient because its buses do not come to bus stations, but directly to the city center. In addition, this company serves Kutaisi Airport in all directions for each flight.
Metro company www.geometro.ge. Their buses depart from Ortachala station in the direction of Batumi.
Buses depart from Ortachala station to international destinations: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, etc.
Not so long ago there was another interesting option travel to remote regions of Georgia – local plane. There are air transportation within the country that allow you to get to and from. The cost of tickets is comparable to the cost of traveling by car. 
And of course, fans of extreme sports can hitchhike in Georgia. Hitch-hiking in Georgia is excellent, they pick up travelers willingly and often. Nuances? Often, drivers do not speak Russian, which means that they will talk to you in all languages, including sign language. Develop your imagination.
In addition, you will be treated, watered and delivered to all local attractions. So the trip threatens to stretch out in time. By the way, you should not refuse treats - this will offend the Georgian. Here they always treat from the bottom of their hearts! 
And the last of the options for traveling between cities is a car. The practice of intercity moving is common in Georgia by taxi. In addition, instead of a taxi, you can hire. It will be different from a taxi in better side cleanliness of the car and the adequacy of the driver. However, it is advisable to book a transfer a little in advance.
If you are riding own car Be sure to read the tips below.
Around Georgia in your own car
Let's make a reservation right away that the condition of roads almost throughout Georgia is good. However, if you are going to drive along the pass (and there are many of them), it is best to check the condition of the road immediately before the trip at the Ministry of Roads of Georgia: www.georoad.ge or by phone +995 322 31 30 76. Do not forget that, even if dry and sunny in Tbilisi, mountain passes may be closed due to fog or rain.
Important! Georgia has a single number for all emergency services- 112. We sincerely hope that this number will not be useful to you, but just in case it is worth knowing. 
The best way to travel in Georgia on an SUV or a car with a high seating position. In this case, you will have the opportunity to move off the asphalt onto dirt roads to the sights.
Write [email protected] website and we will select a rental car for you and help with travel logistics
Gasoline in Georgia is relatively inexpensive, there is usually no shortage of gas stations. Exception - mountain regions. For example, on the Georgian Military Highway, gas stations stop until Ananuri, and the next one is only in Gudauri. So it's better to go down this road with full tank. In principle, there are no gas stations in Tusheti and Khevsureti - gasoline must be transported there. 
There are no traffic police posts in Georgia, the police patrol in cars. There are especially severe fines for not wearing a seat belt and talking on a mobile phone.
Important! In no case do not offer a bribe to the policeman - this is very strict here. If you violated, you will be issued a receipt, which will need to be paid at the bank.
They drive differently in Georgia. Often here they “forget” to turn on the turn signals. They can also turn from the wrong row - carefully look in the mirrors. But in general, the driving culture is at a fairly good level. 
And one more nuance about Georgian roads. Remember that in Georgia a cow is an equal participant traffic. It's a joke, but you can often meet cows on the roads - they like it here. You can honk them, but it's easier to go around. Especially carefully you need to follow the road at night outside the city. Of course, nocturnal cows on the track are rare, but sometimes they can sleep right on the roadway. Don't drive too fast. 
Public transport in Tbilisi
There are many options for moving around the city. Choose.
Tbilisi has metro, which can be reached almost throughout the city. Consists of two branches.
To travel on the subway you will need to purchase a single plastic card (2 GEL). You can use it on the subway and buses. It is also suitable for a cable car ride to the Narikala Fortress in the city center. The fare in the metro and buses costs 50 tetri, the rise to Narikala is 2.5 lari.
All guests of the company site receive a single transport card for free. Write to [email protected] website and travel comfortably!
Bus stops are found at every turn, and all of them are equipped with an electronic display with the bus number, final station and arrival time. The time is accurate.
In addition to buses, there are minibuses. There are many of them, they go in all directions. To understand which minibus to take, the easiest way is to ask one of the local residents. The fare varies from 40 to 80 tetri depending on the route.
Another interesting view transport - Tbilisi funicular. This is the easiest way to get to the park on Mount Mtatsminda. To ride the funicular, you will need to buy a separate card. 
You can do this right in front of the entrance to the lower station. The same card is suitable for paying for all rides in the park. Highly recommend to ride on the ferris wheel- an unforgettable view!
Taxi is also a very popular mode of transportation. Taxi a lot, sometimes even too much. Cars are caught right from the hand. Before the trip, be sure to check the price, otherwise you will go at an inflated rate. Taxis are relatively inexpensive. Within the city center, the cost will be 3-5 GEL. From the center of Tbilisi to the airport you will be charged 20-25 GEL.
If you do not want to catch a car by hand, you can use the Taxify service or order a car through a taxi service: +995 322 225 52 25 (S-taxi), +995 322 260 60 60 (Maxim).
Public transport in Batumi
Strange, but taxis here are more expensive than in Tbilisi. Buses and minibuses follow the same principles, but there is no metro in Batumi.
But there is a great bonus - bicycles. Bicycle stations are located on almost every corner, and bike paths run throughout the city. Needless to say, bicycles are the most popular in Batumi. Plus, you don't have to stand in traffic jams. 
As always the simplest and affordable way movement - on foot. Hiking in the cities of Georgia is a pleasure. So you can see the city from the inside. Walk through narrow streets, along green alleys, find an absolutely non-tourist cafe and, of course, meet new people. Don't deprive yourself of this pleasure!
Whatever transport you prefer, come and travel! We will help you organize your holiday.
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The third article of the IGotoWorld.com special project "Georgia for Tourists" will help you plan your vacation in Georgia. We have covered different modes of transport in different cities. The indicated prices, tips and notes will definitely come in handy for you.
Georgian transport allows foreign guests and Georgians themselves to get acquainted not only with major cities, but also go to intercity travel, mountains and sea. But it is quite diverse and has its own specifics: therefore, a small tourist guide transport communication for beginners it won't hurt.
Taxi, subway, buses, trains, planes, ships, cars... Georgia has many options for how to get around. Therefore, before leaving, try to consult with the locals and study the tips experienced travelers and drivers (compatriots and foreigners) - this is the optimal combination for a successful trip.
City taxi in Georgia
Taxi services in Georgia work stably in all major cities and near tourist sites. In Tbilisi, for example, a taxi to any part of the city costs 3-5 GEL, to the airport - up to 7 GEL (at night - a little more expensive). By the way, always ask the cost of the trip before getting into the car: if the taxi driver clearly overcharges, then feel free to refuse! And you will see how he himself will follow you to offer a substantial discount.
In Tbilisi, taxis are generally a universal mode of transport, they are everywhere here. You can either order a car with one call to the taxi service, or stop it on the street, or sit down with a free driver in the parking lot.
Route taxis in Georgia
In large cities of Georgia, a network of fixed-route taxis (mini-buses) is developed. The fare in Tbilisi is 3-4 lari (depending on the direction of the route and mileage). Shuttle taxis run regularly, from 7:00 to 24:00. They stop basically where you raise your hand. The same is true here, anywhere.
Metro in Tbilisi
There is a metro in Georgia only in Tbilisi. The Georgian subway consists of two lines and 21 stations. It is open from 6:00 to 24:00. The fare is 1.5 GEL. The metro here is very convenient, they can get not only to the center, but to areas of the city that are otherwise difficult and expensive to get to. Fare is paid through a special metro card: first you need to buy it at the station, and then simply replenish it as needed. The minimum price of such a card is equal to the cost of a one-time trip.
City and intercity buses in Georgia
Another option for traveling around the city and between cities is buses. Urban routes (developed in all major cities) are slightly cheaper than fixed-route taxis. They go to Tbilisi from 7:00 to 24:00, stop only at stops. The bus often has to wait.
Intercity buses often collect passengers at parking lots (bus stations) near metro stations in Tbilisi. This is one of the main types of communication between cities and villages in Georgia. In particular there are bus stations at metro stations Didube, Samgori, Isani. There are also bus stations nearby. railway station and the bus station "Ortachala" (it can be reached fixed-route taxi No. 94 from the railway station or fixed-route taxi No. 94 st. Didube).
The most popular bus station is near the station. Didube. From here you can reach, for example, Gori, Mtskheta, Gudauri, Borjomi, Kutaisi, Batumi. Details and fares should be obtained at the ticket office of the bus station or at the information offices. For example, the road from Tbilisi to Kutaisi can take from three to four hours and cost 10-14 GEL. It is faster and more expensive to travel not by a direct fixed-route taxi, but international flights, which follow both through the capital and through Kutaisi.
By the way, together with the route "there" even on short distances it is worth planning the return trip, finding out the bus schedule "from there" at the box office and directly from the drivers. It happens that return message stops pretty early, in some directions - already from 16:00. Or book a hotel right away :)
Georgian trains: intercity traffic
Trains connect Tbilisi with such cities as Gori, Kutaisi, Poti, Zugdidi, Batumi, Borjomi, Kobuleti and the like. Also ply electric train from the railway station to the airport. The fare for all directions can be found on the website of the Georgian Railway.
The train from Tbilisi to Kutaisi, for example, takes 5-6 hours. Estimated cost trips in the second class - 23 GEL. You can get to Batumi from Tbilisi in almost the same time, but already for 55 GEL. To select and buy a ticket online on the railway website, you will have to register there.
Car rental in Georgia
If you feel like a confident driver (what we are talking about, we will talk more at the end of the material), then in major cities of Georgia you can rent a car. After all, there are many tourist attractions that are otherwise very difficult to reach. In addition, even the picturesque routes of the road are much more real and interesting to inspect. Although there are routes and situations when it is better to take not only a car, but also hire a driver.
A driver can rent a car only if he is already 21 years old, and two of them are driving experience. You also need to have international driver license. The car rental service is quite expensive (depending on the type of car and the number of rental days), indicative prices start from 90-100 GEL per day although ordering online can cut costs by 20-30%.
In addition, you will need to make an insurance deposit (about 300-400 GEL) and be ready to fully take responsibility for the car. If you provoke an accident, lose keys or documents, etc., the deposit will not be returned to you. All rules and requirements of the lease must be clarified and studied in detail before you sign the documents.
Air communication in Georgia
Air communication is not the most popular mode of transport in Georgia itself. Domestic flights connect Tbilisi with Batumi, Kutaisi, Senaki, etc. More often domestic flights are made between Tbilisi and Batumi. Estimated cost - 135 GEL (if you buy a ticket in Georgia), about 270 GEL - if you need to buy a ticket outside the country. It seems that the time spent (not all flights have direct connections, there are also transfers) and the high cost rarely justify the benefits of domestic flights to Georgia.
Funicular and Georgian cable cars
Funicular and observation deck is one of the tourist attractions of Tbilisi. An excursion from the city center to the upper park on Mount Mtatsminda costs 10 GEL. This is the rise to observation deck on the mountain by funicular and descent from there. The start of the trip is the seaport. The middle stop of the funicular is the pantheon of public figures and poets of Georgia. A regular trip by the Tbilisi funicular for adults costs 2 lari, for children - 1 lari. The funicular operates seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 4:00 am.
Another type of tourist transport in Georgia is cable cars. cableways. There are two of them here, in Tbilisi and in Batumi. Metropolitan cable car the road goes to the observation deck, from where Tbilisi is visible at a glance. A particularly magnificent view from here opens in the evening and at night on brightly lit churches, streets, architectural structures... Cableway in Tbilisi combines Europe Square and Narikala Fortress. The floor in all seven gondolas (designed for 8 people) is transparent, so here you can see in detail Old city And botanical gardens. The fare is from 1 GEL. The road operates from 11:00 to 23:00.
Cable car "Argo" in Batumi.
After the success of the cable car in Tbilisi, the Georgian authorities wanted to build nine more. The first of them has already been opened - this is cable car "Argo" in Batumi. The road starts from seaport, 2,600 m are overcome in 10 minutes, so that you get to Mount Feria, to the observation deck. There are always long lines of people wishing to see Batumi from a bird's eye view. Ticket price - 5 GEL (for children - 3 GEL). Opening hours - from 09:00 to 22:00 daily. Connoisseurs recommend: romantic trips work out in good weather On the Sunset;)
There is also a special "capital" cable cars- city of Chiatura. Here are the old cable cars of the region. They perform in industrial city function of public transport. The trailers here are very old, but they still work: there are only 15 functioning cable cars left in the city, and there were dozens. You should go to Chiaturi only with one of the local escorts. Now the government is dreaming of funds for the revival of cable cars, but in fact the situation remains as it is.
Bicycles in Batumi
The "cycling capital" of Georgia - the city of Batumi. Bicycles are perhaps the most popular mode of transport here, especially among active tourists and restless youth. Of course, first of all we are talking about seasonal skiing in the warm season.
Bicycle path on the embankment in Batumi.
It's nice that tourists do not have to drag their two-wheeled friends with them to Georgia. The city has a whole system of bike rental, which makes renting a bike simple and convenient. First you need to contact the information center. It is located near the Wedding Palace and singing fountains. They will give you a special card and explain what to do with it. The only condition is to have with you not only funds, but also a passport.
Just one hour of using a bicycle costs 2 GEL. But the tariffs for bike rental when buying a card are somewhat different. For a day - 4 lari (four lari on the account, this is a seasonal card). For 10 days - 10 lari (4 - the price of the card, 6 - to the account, this is also a seasonal card). There is also a universal (annual) card in Batumi. Its price is 20 lari, 10 of which will immediately be in the account.
Bicycle rental on the embankment in Batumi.
With the purchased and, accordingly, replenished card, the world of bicycle stations opens up for you (there are many of them on the embankment and in the whole city), where they rent bicycles. Numerous bike paths in Batumi(they're everywhere) lead to everything possible interesting places around.
Walks by the Black Sea in Georgia
Romantic or adventure cruises on charter yachts in Georgia they are organized in tourist-attractive cities above the sea. These are, first of all, the coasts of Batumi, as well as various intercity sea routes on climatic resorts(for example, Zugdidi - Kobuleti - Ureki - Anaklia - Zugdidi). Estimated cost of the tour - from 150 GEL, yacht rental - 180-220 GEL per hour.
Inland maritime passenger traffic actually not practiced in Georgia(as opposed to international). Seaports perform industrial, administrative, international and tourism functions.
Seaport in Batumi.
Worth knowing for drivers and pedestrians in Georgia
The situation on Georgian roads is quite specific even for pedestrians. First impression - here they go and go, who and how they want. Unfortunately, about half of the drivers do not have a license at all. From the point of view of a pedestrian, everything looks chaotic, you will not master the art of crossing the road right away. Drivers do what they want, for which they are regularly stopped by the police. But that doesn't change the situation much.
Roads in Georgia are much better than Ukrainian ones (primarily urban and rural), but not in the mountains. There are traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, but they are rarely used by both drivers and pedestrians. And since the streets here are mostly narrow, Georgian traffic becomes even more difficult. Actually, therefore, inexperienced drivers are not recommended to drive either their own or rented cars, and pedestrians need to be very careful in terms of their own safety!
The professionalism of the Georgian police somewhat softens the impression in this respect. The police react instantly to the offense they see, but rather mildly when it comes to minor violations. There are also virtually no cases of bribery on the roads.. Although tourists sometimes notice that the rules of the road sometimes seem to change here - depending on how high the cost of the car of a traffic participant is ... Maybe that's why even in small mountain villages, even at a wretched house, there is often a solid jeep. Perhaps this is a “fly in the ointment” in the sweet and attractive image of Georgia, but experience suggests that most tourists quickly learn to cope with it.
– amazing country, rich in natural and historical . The most suitable transport in Georgia for tourists is buses, minibuses and trains. The choice depends solely on the budget and personal preferences. The government took care of in large numbers options, but some features of Georgian transport are inherent. They should be taken into account for studying all regions of the country.
Transport of Georgia - types and features
In Georgia, you can travel with different types transport, which include the following:
- Airplane. Most convenient way come here to buy a plane ticket. act in , and . Domestic air traffic is not so well developed, there are only two companies that operate domestic flights, – Vanilla and Sky Airzena.
- Train. Another convenient way to travel within the country is the train, especially if you have to long way. On it you can get from Tbilisi to cities such as Batumi, Kutaisi,. Trains do not go only to the east, although the tracks are laid. From Georgia on this transport you can go to Armenia or Azerbaijan. Railway tracks to Turkey go through. Most of the trains are daytime, since the distances between the points of departure and arrival are insignificant. But there are also comfortable night trains with reserved seats and compartment cars. They reach and. Interestingly, the fare for this type of transport is cheaper than in popular European resorts.
- Buses. The biggest difficulties should be expected from buses, because not everyone has a clear schedule, but they depart as the passenger compartment fills up. The fare is transferred to the driver, and transport stops at the request of passengers almost anywhere. There are 2 bus stations in Tbilisi at once, from where transport departs to the east () and west (Gori, Batumi).
- Minibuses. Public transport in Georgia it is diverse - it is a “country of minibuses”, because they go literally in all directions. Most often these are old German minibuses for 15-20 people, there are also relatively new ones. The advantage of the minibus is that they are not overloaded, how many seats there are, so many passengers travel. You just need to arrive earlier than the departure time, as the minibus can set off as soon as all the seats are occupied. On long distance it is inconvenient to travel due to crowding and the manner of driving drivers. But for short trips, the minibus is ideal - fast and inexpensive.
- Metro. You can move around Tbilisi with the help of. If you buy a special card, you get access to buses and minibuses. The main thing is to correctly orient yourself in the inscriptions, which are made in Georgian and English.
- Water transport in Georgia, it is poorly developed, given the small number of navigable ships. But there are ports: these are Batumi, Poti, Kulevi, Supsa. Three times a week a motor ship departs from Batumi to Turkish city Hope. Each of them can accommodate 120 people.
- Car rental. There are small and large companies in Georgia where you can pre-book any car. She will be delivered directly to the point of arrival and picked up from final stop trips. The prices are democratic, and the choice is very large (from a small car to a trailer).
An article about urban transport in Tbilisi and internal transport in Georgia (how best to get from point A to point B within the country): air communication, buses and minibuses, Georgian railways.
Public transport in Tbilisi
Public transport in Georgia is mainly buses and minibuses. I have never seen trolleybuses, but there is a metro only in Tbilisi. The fare on the minibus is usually indicated on the windshield or on the door, you need to pay at the entrance (the only problem is that all the inscriptions in the minibuses are in Georgian). In Tbilisi, a situation may well happen that locals, recognizing you as a tourist, they will start vying with each other to give you advice on how to get to Right place, what else to see in Tbilisi and its environs and how you generally live on, while they may try to pay for your travel in a minibus. This is normal, just relax, smile and enjoy the situation - there has always been a particularly reverent attitude towards guests in Georgia.
For travel in the Tbilisi metro, buses, minibuses and cable cars, you need to pay with a special transport card metromoney. You can buy it at the box office at metro stations or at the cable car ticket offices. You will be charged 2 GEL as a deposit, which can then be returned within 30 days from the date of purchase, presenting a passport and a check for the very first payment - that is, you need a check with which you bought this card, and not checks for further replenishment of its balance .
Fare in Tbilisi buses is organized as follows: we enter through the middle or back door, in the middle of the bus there is a conductor with a card reader. We approach the conductor and put our metro card to the reader, if everything is OK, the conductor gives us a receipt for the fare.
Metro Tbilisi
On this moment consists of 2 lines: Didube-Samgori And "Suburtalo":
Tbilisi metro map
and the good old trains of the Mytishchi Carriage Works still run there: 
By the way, if you decide to photograph them, keep in mind that the Georgian police sometimes react quite nervously to attempts to photograph stations, trains and similar transport facilities: I once had an educational conversation with one such vigilant law enforcement officer. In Moscow, for example, you can at least take pictures in the metro, but in Tbilisi this is not accepted.
By the way, in the winter in the Tbilisi metro, Georgians mow down like the Chinese: a fair part of the passengers travel in gauze medical bandages - “muzzles”.
Fare in public transport in Tbilisi
Metro and buses: 0.5 GEL (next trips within an hour and a half after the first payment will be free).
Minibuses: 0.8 lari
Cableways: 1 GEL (with this card you can pay for trips on the Tbilisi cable car to the Narikala fortress and Turtle Lake).
Funicular to Mount Mtatsminda does not apply to the Tbilisi urban transport system and travel on it must be paid using a plastic card of the Mtatsminda amusement park, the cost of this card in the winter of 2017 was 2 GEL, one-way fare is also 2 GEL.
How to get to the airport from the center of Tbilisi
The cheapest way to do this is by bus N37. Runs every 20 minutes, you can sit near railway station, and at the stop near the metro station "Freedom Square". You can pay for the fare both by metro card and in cash, the road to the airport takes about 40 minutes.
On some Tbilisi routes, for example N61 from Freedom Square to the area Vake, work large modern MAN buses. Others use small Ukrainian "Bogdans". It is they who run along route 37 to the airport. And, since the route passes through residential areas, a trip to the airport during rush hour can be a very uncomfortable event, especially with large and bulky luggage (I, for example, once rode it with a suitcase and skiing- so-so impressions). Although a bus ride to the airport costs 50 tetri, and a taxi costs 25 lari, it may be better to still prefer a taxi. There are so many people at rush hour that the “Bogdanchik” barely crawls uphill.
Domestic airlines in Georgia
In principle, despite the modest size of the country, there is even air communication between the major cities of Georgia, but due to the low popularity of this type internal transport tickets for these flights are relatively expensive. The main air carrier between Georgian cities is the airline Georgian Airways s (www.airzena.com), approximate price a ticket for the Tbilisi-Batumi flight is 180 GEL (during the promotions you can buy for 90 GEL), travel time is 35 minutes; it takes 20 minutes to fly from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. Repeated attempts were made to launch regular flights between mainland Georgia and Svanetia lost in the mountains - for example, a company flew along the Tbilisi-Mestia route (Queen Tamara Airport). Pegasus but now flights are suspended. There are also flights of a certain company Kenn Borek- but who they are and what it's like to fly them, I don't know.
Buses and minibuses
It is easier and cheaper to get to almost any corner of Georgia (except Svaneti) by land: by bus, minibus or train. Minibuses and buses are generally the best and most popular means of transportation in Georgia. Buses are preferable when traveling between major cities, minibuses - on mountain roads. For long (by Georgian standards) distances - for example, Tbilisi-Batumi, it is better to go regular buses, they are definitely more comfortable than minibuses and more likely to stick to the schedule. Georgian minibuses are the most diverse minibuses from brand new Mersedes to Ford Transit of a very respectable age - that is, there may well be no amenities like air conditioning.
Minibuses at Didube bus station in Tbilisi
Minibus Gudauri-Tbilisi
Prices for transfers by minibuses within Georgia are very humane - for example, a trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, located almost on Russian border, will cost 7-8 lari (210-240 rubles).
For trips over not very long distances, a minibus is often the best and most cheap look transport, associated, however, with some disadvantages:
Georgian drivers love Russian pop music. And especially "advanced" - Russian chanson. So during, for example, a 6-hour trip from Tbilisi to Batumi, you have a great chance to hear enough of all this stuff to the point of nausea. But pop music and chanson are not so bad. Somewhere in mountainous Adjara, the driver (and passengers) can easily smoke while driving. And it would not even occur to him that children or a pregnant woman could be traveling in a minibus at this time. According to my observations, in this part of Georgia, smoking is part of the mentality and image, all the “real horsemen” tar one after another.
Another point: there are usually no stops along the way, except for the most long trips Tbilisi-Batumi type. So before the road it is better not to drink a lot of water (and especially beer). In principle, if one of the passengers insistently asks, the driver will stop at some gas station, but most likely he will not do it himself.
Another nuance: the drivers of Georgian minibuses drive exactly like their Moscow ones to get together by craft (because both of them often come from mountain villages) - which may not be the best way to affect the safety of passengers.
December 2016 – we go by minibus to Gudauri
Railways of Georgia
Georgia, since Soviet times, has quite extensive network railways; railway transport is of two types: trains and commuter trains– both are a cheap and convenient way to move around the country. Schedule and prices can be found on the website. railway.ge(but it is advisable to do this in the presence of a Russian-speaking Georgian, so that he translates for you what will be written there in intricate Georgian letters - neither into Russian nor into English languages The site was never translated.
