From the airport to the city centre Georgia
Tbilisi International Airport is 17 km east of the capital. Bus number 337 (outside the airport, on the right) runs regularly between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., every 15 minutes, terminating at Station Square in both directions. From there, you can take the metro or cab to your destination. Allow around 1 hour for the journey. The most practical option is to take a cab, given that most flights arrive around 3 or 4 in the morning. Expect to pay between GEL 40 and GEL 50 for a cab ride, and around thirty laris if you book with Bolt. Most hotels offer a transfer service between the hotel and the airport, with prices varying according to the standard of the establishment.
Batumi International Airport is located a few kilometers southwest of the city. Bus line no. 10 connects the airport with Batoumi city center in around twenty minutes. Tickets cost 0.30 GEL. By cab or Bolt, the fare will be between 10 and 20 GEL and the journey will take around 10 to 15 minutes if there are no traffic jams.
Koutaïssi International Airport is located 23 kilometers from the town of Koutaïssi. This airport offers a direct flight to Beauvais with the airline Wizzair, which can be an economical option. The airport is well connected, not only to the city of Koutaïssi, but also to Batoumi and Tbilissi. Two bus companies, Georgian Bus and Omnibus, provide connections with these cities according to flight departure and arrival times. A shuttle bus also runs between the airport and downtown Koutaïssi in 30-40 minutes. The train station is 1.8 km from the airport, with shuttle buses running between the airport and the station, so you can also reach Batumi or Tbilisi by train. By cab, it will take you around 20-25 minutes to reach downtown Koutaïssi, and will cost you around 25-35 GEL.
Public transport Georgia
By bus. Marchroutkas (minibuses) are the most popular means of transport. Very inexpensive, they serve every district of a city, others the whole country, and leave at any time, full or empty. You buy your ticket from the driver or at the station. Depending on the frequency of rotation, the driver can be very sporty.
By train. Trains are relatively slow by French standards, but this can be a good transport option. Trains run from Tbilisi to Batumi (just over 5 hours' travel time), Koutaïssi airport (between 3 and 4 hours' travel time), and Zougdidi (6 hours' travel time). There are plenty of stops on the line, for example at Gori or Mtskhéta near Tbilisi, or Kobouléti near Batoumi. During the high tourist season, from April to the end of October, it's best to buy your ticket in advance. Always remember to bring your passport with you when you buy your ticket. Outside the country, trains connect Tbilisi with Baku in Azerbaijan (15h journey) and Yerevan in Armenia (11h journey)
By metro. Tbilisi is equipped with two metro lines, operating from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., with directions in Georgian and English. The city is well served and tickets are cheap (0.50 GEL). The Metromoney card (2 GEL) can be purchased at metro ticket offices. You can also use it on buses and marchroutkas in the city and the cable car in Tbilisi (2.50 GEL); it can be recharged at multilingual automatic terminals.
With a driver Georgia
Hiring a chauffeur-driven car is the quickest, most convenient and, given the distances involved, relatively inexpensive way to get around, especially if there's more than one of you. Make sure your driver speaks at least basic English, as this will facilitate the logistics of your journey. He'll also be able to tell you about road conditions and the feasibility of routes (mountain roads are sometimes impassable in winter or in heavy rain due to landslides). Before you leave, agree on a price for the whole trip, and plan the itinerary, the places to visit and the time you'll have to wait on the spot, with plenty of time to spare.
Cabs are relatively inexpensive, but always negotiate the price with the driver before you get in. The Bolt app is very handy for getting a fixed fare on your phone, and helps avoid unpleasant surprises in terms of pick-up and itinerary. What's more, prices on this app are extremely competitive. Yandex is the other main cab operator that can be booked via an app.
By car Georgia
Driving in Georgia on your own can be a sport, especially on the secondary roads. The virtual absence of road signs, the sudden appearance of vehicles and the unpredictable Georgian driving style can be an obstacle course. You have to share the road with pedestrians, horses, cows, pigs in the middle of the road or other cars, carts and any other type of vehicle that tends to appear from just about anywhere without announcing itself. There are no yellow lines on the roads, and it's best to avoid driving at night. And due to weather conditions and lack of maintenance on secondary networks, road conditions can be very precarious. If you're planning to visit sites off the main roads, it's essential to find out about them and the journey time. The number of kilometers and the distance sometimes have nothing to do with the travel time, depending on the weather, road conditions, traffic... The speed limit is 110 km/h on freeways and 100 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 60 km/h in town.
In late autumn or winter, roads through the mountains (even in the center of the country) may be suddenly closed due to snowfall, while they are cleared. In mountainous regions, avoid taking the road during heavy showers or thunderstorms, as falling rocks are very common. Always be vigilant and take great care.
The main highways are in good condition. In the main towns, car rental networks offer all ranges of vehicles. Opt for a 4 x 4 if you're going into mountainous areas or off the main roads. The road network in Omalo-Tushetia and Shatili-Khevsuteria is not always in good condition, being closed in winter in Tuchetia from the end of October (and difficult to access the rest of the year).
Be sure to obey the highway code, as fines can be hefty. And while a French driver's license is often tolerated for a short stay, remember to bring an international driver's license with you to avoid any unpleasant surprises. It takes a long time to obtain an international driving license, so be sure to plan ahead.
