Getting Around Georgia: Transportation Guide

By Air

Tbilisi is connected by air to some of the other major cities. Domestic services offer connections to Butami, Senaki and Kutaisi. Helicopter services in the mountains are very very expensive.

By Rail

Touring Georgia by rail is easy enough on the Trans Caucasian main line that runs along the coastline and eventually into Russia in the north. The North and northwestern parts of the country though, are virtually inaccessible by rail because of the trouble in the Abkhazia region. There are two classes of compartments, the more expensive kind being more comfortable. Children under 5 travel free, while kids between 5 and 9 years travel on a half-ticket. Rail travellers should be aware that luggage theft is not unheard of. There is a compartment below the seats into which luggage should be locked in and one’s compartment should not be left unattended.

By Road

Traffic drives on the right hand side in Georgia. A lack of shoulder markings and  demarcating centre line on the highways make night-driving a challenge. There are also reports of theft and car hijacking; do not stop for anyone except police and military. It is possible to hire a car and chauffeur in cities but you are expected to bear the price of the fuel, besides which you will be paying around 20USD as rental.

There are bus connections between Tbilisi and several major cities in Georgia.

It is not safe to travel by road or rail to the troubled region of Abkhazia in the north.

In Tbilisi, the public transport system is efficient and cost-effective. There are trams and underground railway, buses and taxis. Not all taxis are marked and one should get into one with caution. Negotiate the price before getting in (it Will be higher than what the locals are charged); do not get in if a stranger is already inside, refuse to share your taxi with a stranger.