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Many visitors to Tbilisi arrive expecting a day pass, only to find there isn’t one. The signs are in Georgian, the fare logic isn’t obvious, and nobody tells you whether to tap on the way out. This guide covers how the metro works in 2026, how to pay, and how to connect it to trains, marshrutkas and taxis, so you can ride it confidently from your first morning.
How the Tbilisi Metro Is Laid Out
The system is small, which makes it easy to learn. It has two lines and 23 stations in total:
- Line 1 (Red): the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line
- Line 2 (Green): the Saburtalo Line
Trains run from about 06:00 to 00:00 every day. During peak hours you wait around 3–5 minutes. Off-peak, expect 6–10 minutes. If you plan a late dinner, aim to be on a platform before midnight and keep a taxi app ready as backup.
Fares and the 90-Minute Transfer Rule
In 2026 a single metro ride costs approximately 1.20 GEL. It was 1 GEL before, so expect a small increase. Check the posted fare at the booth, since prices can shift.
The key rule is the 90-minute transfer window. One fare gives you unlimited transfers across three services within Tbilisi for 90 minutes from your initial tap:
- The metro
- Municipal buses
- Yellow municipal marshrutkas
Daily, weekly and monthly passes were discontinued in 2022–2023. By 2026 the 90-minute rule is the standard for anyone who rides often. If you plan a day with a metro ride, a bus and then another metro ride, you may pay only once, as long as you stay inside the window.
Step-by-Step: From Card to Platform
1. Decide how you will pay
You have two options. The first is a MetroMoney Card, also called the Tbilisi Transport Card. The second is tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the turnstile reader. For a short stay, your bank card or phone is the simplest choice.
2. Get a MetroMoney Card (optional but useful)
- Go to any metro station ticket booth.
- Buy the card. It costs approximately 2 GEL, but confirm the price at the booth.
- Ask the attendant to load credit onto it.
3. Top up when you run low
You can add money at ticket booths, at self-service machines inside metro stations, or at some bank ATMs. Online top-up is available at ttc.com.ge.
4. Enter
Tap your MetroMoney Card, contactless bank card or digital wallet on the turnstile reader. Wait for the gate to open before you push through. That tap also starts your 90-minute transfer clock.
5. Exit
You do not need to tap out. Walk through the exit and follow the signs to the street. The system charges you only when you enter.
What Changed by 2026
The network itself is the same size. The most recent extension was University Station on the Saburtalo Line in 2017, and no major extensions or new lines are expected to be fully operational by 2026. Plan around the existing two lines and 23 stations rather than hoping for something new.
On accessibility, modern stations and trains are generally accessible, and older stations are being improved. If you travel with a wheelchair, a stroller or heavy luggage, check the station layout before you set out and allow extra time.
Using the Metro to Reach Intercity Transport
For most trips outside Tbilisi, the metro is how you reach the departure point. Three locations matter.
Didube Bus Station (Didube Metro Station)
This is the hub for the west and north. Marshrutkas leave from here for Kutaisi, Batumi, Mestia in Svaneti, Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), Borjomi and Gori. Marshrutkas are the intercity backbone of Georgia. Destinations are displayed in Georgian, and sometimes English, on the front window, so confirm with the driver before you board.
Samgori Bus Station (Samgori Metro Station)
This hub serves the east and south, including Kakheti (Sighnaghi and Telavi) and Lagodekhi. Ortachala International Bus Station handles mainly international routes plus some longer domestic ones.
Intercity marshrutkas mostly work on a “fill-and-go” basis, leaving when full. Popular routes depart every 15–30 minutes. Mountain routes run on fixed, less frequent schedules, so arrive early. Pay mostly in cash to the driver, ideally with exact change. Small bags can sit on your lap, and larger luggage goes in a rear compartment or on the roof for a small fee. Do not count on card payment on intercity routes, even in 2026.
Station Square and the railway
Tbilisi Central Railway Station is at the Station Square metro station. Georgian Railway (Sakartvelos Rkinigza) runs the trains, and the official site is www.railway.ge. Book online in advance if you can, or buy at the station.
- Tbilisi–Batumi sleeper: usually daily, sometimes twice daily in peak season, taking approximately 5–6 hours. 1st Class has 2-berth compartments at about 65–80 GEL. 2nd Class has 4-berth compartments at about 45–60 GEL.
- Tbilisi–Kutaisi day train: several services daily, taking approximately 3.5–4 hours, with standard seating at about 25–35 GEL. Some trains stop at Kutaisi I (central), others at Kutaisi II (near the airport), so check which one you need.
These are 2026 projections based on earlier fares, so confirm the final price on the website when you book.
When to Skip the Metro
The metro does not go everywhere, and some trips are better by other means.
Cable cars
The Tbilisi cable car links Rike Park to Narikala Fortress, usually from 10:00 to 22:00–23:00. A one-way ride costs approximately 3 GEL and is paid only with the MetroMoney Card. In Batumi, the Argo Cable Car connects the seaside boulevard to Anuria Mountain. A round trip costs about 20–25 GEL, and you can pay by cash or card at the ticket counter. The historic Chiatura system is being modernised and is expected to be fully operational by 2026. Fares and payment method there are still unconfirmed, so ask locally before you go.
Bolt and Yandex Go
These are the dominant taxi apps in Tbilisi and other major cities. Install one, register with your phone number, enter your pick-up and drop-off, and check the estimated fare. You can link a bank card or pay cash to the driver. A short city ride of around 15 minutes costs roughly 7–15 GEL, depending on demand. A ride from the city centre to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) costs approximately 35–50 GEL. The metro does not reach the airport, so a taxi app is the practical choice there. Always check that the licence plate and driver’s name match the app.
4×4 hire
For Tusheti, parts of Svaneti and some Kazbegi routes, you often need a 4×4. Local agencies such as LCC Rent a Car, Geo Rent Car and Local Rent often offer suitable vehicles like the Mitsubishi Delica or Toyota 4Runner, often at better prices than international brands. Expect to pay about 150–300 GEL per day. A security deposit of about 500–1500 GEL is usually blocked on a credit card. The minimum age is typically 21 or 23, sometimes 25. Carry an international driving permit alongside your national licence, and make sure the insurance covers off-road driving. Inspect the vehicle and tyres before you leave, and ask locals about road conditions.
Your 2026 Transport Budget in GEL
These are estimated daily totals for a visitor staying in Tbilisi, based on the projected 2026 prices above.
- Budget (about 9–10 GEL a day): a MetroMoney Card at 2 GEL, plus around six metro rides at approximately 1.20 GEL each. Use the 90-minute rule to cut the number of paid rides.
- Mid-range (about 18–26 GEL a day): four metro rides, a return trip on the Tbilisi cable car at about 3 GEL each way, and one taxi ride at 7–15 GEL.
- Comfortable (about 35–65 GEL a day): mostly Bolt or Yandex Go rides at 7–15 GEL each, with a metro ride or two for speed. An airport transfer by taxi adds 35–50 GEL.
For trips beyond the city, add the train fares listed above, or the cost of a marshrutka seat paid in cash at the station.
Common Metro Mistakes to Avoid
- Looking for a day pass. Daily, weekly and monthly passes were discontinued in 2022–2023. Use the 90-minute rule instead.
- Tapping out at the exit. You don’t need to. Just walk through.
- Losing track of the 90-minute window. It starts at your initial tap. Note the time if you plan to change to a bus or yellow marshrutka.
- Taking only a bank card to the cable car. The Tbilisi cable car takes only the MetroMoney Card.
- Going to the wrong bus station. Western and northern routes leave from Didube. Eastern and southern routes leave from Samgori.
- Expecting card payment on a marshrutka. Bring cash, preferably small notes.
- Cutting the last train too close. The metro runs until about 00:00, so leave early and keep Bolt or Yandex Go ready.
- Waiting for new lines. No major extensions are expected to be fully operational by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Tbilisi metro ride cost in 2026?
A single ride costs approximately 1.20 GEL in 2026, up slightly from 1 GEL earlier. That fare also covers transfers on municipal buses and yellow municipal marshrutkas for 90 minutes from your first tap, so one payment can cover several legs of a trip across the city.
Can I pay for the metro with a contactless card or phone?
Yes. The turnstiles accept contactless Visa and Mastercard, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. You do not need a MetroMoney Card for the metro itself. Keep one anyway, because the Tbilisi cable car accepts only MetroMoney, and a card is handy if your phone or bank card fails.
Do I need to tap out when leaving the metro?
No. You tap in at the turnstile when you enter, and you simply walk out when you arrive. There is no exit tap. The 90-minute transfer window starts from your initial tap, so remember roughly when you entered if you plan to switch to a bus or a yellow marshrutka.
Are daily or weekly metro passes available in Tbilisi?
No. Daily, weekly and monthly passes were discontinued in 2022–2023. In 2026 the 90-minute transfer rule is the standard way to save money. One fare lets you move between the metro, municipal buses and yellow municipal marshrutkas, so most visitors do not need a pass at all.
What are the metro hours and how many lines are there?
The metro runs roughly 06:00 to 00:00 daily. There are two lines, the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line (Red) and the Saburtalo Line (Green), with 23 stations in total. No major new lines are expected to be fully operational by 2026, so plan your trips around the existing network.
