Tbilisi Metro Card: Where to Buy, Top Up & Save on Public Transport

If you landed in Tbilisi in 2026 and searched for “Metromoney top up”, you probably found outdated forum posts and conflicting advice. The old Metromoney brand is gone. The system has been fully unified under a single card, fares went up in 2025, and the mobile app that barely worked two years ago is now the fastest way to manage your balance. Getting this wrong means fumbling at metro gates with a card that has zero balance — not a great start to the day. Here is everything you need to know, updated for 2026.

What Is the Unified Transport Card?

Tbilisi runs all of its public transport — metro, city buses, and the Rike Park cable car — on a single prepaid card called the Unified Transport Card (Georgian: ერთიანი სატრანსპორტო ბარათი). Before 2025, most visitors knew it as “Metromoney”, the name printed on the older generation of cards. That rebrand is now complete. If someone in Tbilisi still calls it Metromoney, they know what they mean, but the official name, the app, and the ticket windows all use the unified branding.

The card is a simple contactless smart card. You tap it against the yellow reader at metro turnstiles, bus validators, or the cable car gate, and the fare is deducted automatically. There is no personal data stored on it — it is not linked to your name or passport unless you choose to register it in the T-ticket app. For most visitors, it works perfectly fine as an anonymous prepaid card.

The card covers:

• All lines of the Tbilisi Metro
• All Tbilisi municipal bus routes
• The Rike Park cable car (Rike to Narikala Fortress)

It does not work on intercity buses, Georgian Railway trains, marshrutka minibuses, or taxis. Those are separate systems with separate payment methods, covered later in this guide.

Where to Buy Your Card in Tbilisi

The card costs 2 GEL as a one-time, non-refundable purchase fee. That 2 GEL buys the physical card — it does not load any credit. You top up separately.

You can pick one up at the following locations:

• Any Tbilisi Metro station ticket window — This is the most reliable option. Every metro station has a small booth near the entrance staffed by an attendant. Hand over 2 GEL, receive your card. The attendant can also top it up on the spot if you want to add credit immediately.
• Rike Park Cable Car station — The ticket office at the cable car also sells the card. Useful if you are starting your day in the old town.
• Select TBC Bank Express branches — TBC’s self-service mini-branches (the small glass kiosks found in shopping malls and major streets) sell and top up the card at their terminals.
• Select Bank of Georgia Express branches — Similar to TBC, some Bank of Georgia express points offer card purchase and top-up services. Coverage varies by branch, so a metro station window remains the most dependable first stop.

How to Top Up Your Unified Transport Card

There are three ways to add credit. Each suits a different situation.

Option 1: Metro Station Ticket Windows

Walk up to any metro station booth, place your card on the counter, say the amount you want (or hold up fingers), and hand over cash. The attendant processes it immediately. This is the simplest method and works even if your phone is dead or the app is playing up. Minimum top-up is typically 1 GEL, though adding at least 5–10 GEL at a time makes more sense given the 1.20 GEL fare per ride.

Option 2: Express Pay / TBC Pay Self-Service Terminals

These are the green or orange self-service payment machines found across Tbilisi — in metro lobbies, supermarkets, pharmacies, and on many street corners. They are one of the most useful pieces of infrastructure in the city once you know how to use them.

1. Approach the terminal and tap the screen to wake it.
2. Find the “Transport” or “Metro Card” (მეტრო ბარათი) category on the main menu. It is usually on the front page.
3. Place your card on the flat card reader on the terminal. If it does not read automatically, look for a prompt to enter the card number manually — it is printed on the back of your card.
4. Select the amount you want to add: common options are 5 GEL, 10 GEL, 20 GEL, or a custom amount.
5. Feed cash into the slot. The terminal accepts most standard GEL denominations. It does not give change, so use the correct amount or accept a slightly higher top-up.
6. Confirm the transaction. The screen will show a success message. Take the printed receipt — it shows your new balance.

The balance updates almost instantly. You can tap your card at any metro gate right after.

Option 3: T-ticket Mobile App

The T-ticket app (full name: თბილისის სატრანსპორტო ბარათი — Tbilisi Transport Card) is available on both the App Store and Google Play. As of 2026, it is significantly more functional than it was before 2025. The major upgrade completed in late 2024 added full card top-up via linked bank cards, which was previously limited or unreliable.

1. Download “T-ticket” from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Create an account or log in if you already have one.



3. Link your Unified Transport Card using the unique ID number printed on the back of the card.
4. Tap “Top Up” and enter the amount you want to add.
5. Pay using a linked Visa or Mastercard. Georgian-issued bank cards work seamlessly. International cards (non-Georgian) generally work but may require 3D Secure verification and occasionally encounter payment gateway issues — have a backup top-up method ready if you are relying on a foreign card.
6. The balance usually updates within seconds. Occasionally the metro gate will not reflect the new balance until you physically tap the card once at a validator — this triggers a sync.

The T-ticket app also lets you check your balance and recent journey history, which is handy for budgeting. A bonus feature added in 2025: the same app can be used to buy Georgian Railway train tickets, making it a genuinely useful all-in-one transport app for Georgia.

Fares, Passes and the 90-Minute Transfer Rule

Understanding how the fare structure works saves money immediately. These are the 2026 figures:

• Single ride (metro or bus): 1.20 GEL — up from 1.00 GEL in 2024
• Rike Park cable car (one way): 3.00 GEL — up from 2.50 GEL in 2024
• Daily pass (24 hours from first use): 3.50 GEL
• Weekly pass (7 days): 22.00 GEL
• Monthly pass (30 days): 45.00 GEL

The single most important thing to understand is the 90-minute free transfer rule. When you tap your card for the first time, a 90-minute window opens. Any subsequent metro or bus ride within that 90 minutes is free. This means you can take the metro, hop off, catch a bus to your final destination, and pay nothing for that second leg.

The rule applies across metro and bus in any combination. Metro to metro, bus to metro, metro to bus, bus to bus — all free within the window. The one exception: the Rike Park cable car charges its own flat 3.00 GEL every single time, regardless of when you last tapped. It sits outside the transfer system.

Children under 6 ride free. Certain resident categories (veterans, disabled citizens, students with official city-issued cards) travel at reduced fares or for free — these are personalised cards tied to the Georgian welfare system and are not available to tourists.

The daily pass at 3.50 GEL is excellent value for anyone making more than three separate tap-in events in a day — which is easy if you are sightseeing across multiple neighbourhoods. The weekly pass at 22.00 GEL pays off if you are spending a full week in Tbilisi and using the metro or bus more than five times per day on average.

2026 Budget Reality: What Public Transport Actually Costs

Here is what a realistic daily transport spend looks like in Tbilisi in 2026, broken down by travel style.

Budget Traveller

You walk when it is under 20 minutes, use the metro and buses for everything else, and apply the 90-minute transfer rule strategically. A typical day involves two or three tap-in events.

• Daily transport cost: 2.40–3.60 GEL
• Weekly transport cost: 17–25 GEL (cheaper with a weekly pass at 22.00 GEL if you stay seven days)

Mid-Range Traveller

You mix metro and bus with occasional Bolt rides for late nights or airport runs. You might take the cable car once or twice for the view.

• Daily transport cost: 15–30 GEL (metro/bus + 1–2 Bolt rides at 7–15 GEL each)
• A Bolt ride from Tbilisi city centre to the airport (TBS) runs 35–50 GEL depending on traffic

Comfortable Traveller

You use Bolt or Yandex Go as your primary transport, metro only for predictable commutes, and do not stress about fare optimisation.

• Daily transport cost: 40–80 GEL
• Still worth having the Unified Transport Card loaded with 5–10 GEL for metro use — it is faster than a taxi through Tbilisi’s midday traffic

For context: the card itself costs 2 GEL. A 10 GEL top-up gives you more than eight single rides. Most visitors to Tbilisi staying three to five days find that 15–20 GEL on the card covers all their metro and bus needs comfortably, with some left over.

Navigating the Tbilisi Metro in 2026

The Tbilisi Metro has two operational lines. The system is not large — 23 stations total — but it covers the main corridors that matter to visitors.

Line 1 (Akhmeteli–Varketili): Runs east-west through the heart of the city. Key stops include Rustaveli (the main boulevard), Liberty Square (old town access), Avlabari (Avlabari neighbourhood and the Presidential Palace area), and Isani. This is the line most visitors use daily.

Line 2 (Saburtalo): Branches north from Vagzlis Moedani (the main train station square) up into the Saburtalo residential district. Less critical for tourism but useful for reaching Didube station, which is the main departure point for marshrutka minibuses heading north and west.

Trains run from around 06:00 to midnight. During peak hours (08:00–09:30 and 17:30–19:30), the metro is the fastest way to move across the city — Tbilisi traffic can be severe, and taxis sit in the same jams as everyone else. The metro skips all of that. The carriages have a particular atmosphere in the evening rush: the smell of warm metal from the old Soviet-era tunnels, the hiss of doors, the occasional Georgian pop song leaking from someone’s headphones. It feels lived-in, not polished, and very much like a local experience rather than a tourist one.

Station signage is in Georgian script and Latin letters. Announcements are in Georgian but the station names are easy to match against a map. Download an offline Tbilisi metro map before you go — Google Maps shows metro routes and integrates with the real-time schedule.

Using the Card on Tbilisi Buses and the Rike Cable Car

The city bus network fills gaps the metro does not reach. Key routes for visitors connect the metro stations to places like the Turtle Lake trail, Vake Park, and outer residential areas. Bus stops have route numbers posted, and Google Maps shows bus routes and estimated arrival times with reasonable accuracy in 2026.

To pay on a bus, tap your card against the yellow validator near the driver when you board. The reader beeps and displays your remaining balance. If you are within a 90-minute transfer window from a previous tap, the validator beeps differently and shows 0.00 GEL charged — confirmation the transfer is working.

The Rike Park cable car connects Rike Park on the Mtkvari River bank to Narikala Fortress on the hill above. The ride takes around three minutes and offers a genuine aerial view over the old town rooftops and the river below — the kind of view that makes the modest fare feel entirely reasonable. Tap your card at the turnstile exactly as you would at a metro gate. The 3.00 GEL fare is deducted as a fresh charge regardless of your transfer status. The upper station deposits you steps from Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue, so the cable car doubles as genuine transport and a low-effort highlight.

When to Skip the Metro Card and Use a Taxi App Instead

The Unified Transport Card is not always the right tool. Here is when to reach for Bolt or Yandex Go instead.

Late at night: Metro service ends around midnight. After that, Bolt and Yandex Go are your options. Both apps work reliably in central Tbilisi at all hours. A short 2–3 km ride runs 7–10 GEL. A medium cross-city trip of 5–7 km costs 10–15 GEL.

Heavy luggage: The metro involves escalators, stairs, and sometimes long corridor walks at transfer stations. If you have a large bag, a direct taxi from the airport or train station to your accommodation is the sensible choice at 35–50 GEL for the airport run.

Groups of three or more: A Bolt ride split across three people often costs less per person than three separate metro fares, particularly for a longer cross-city trip.

Neighbourhoods not on the metro: Places like Fabrika, parts of Vera, and the upper streets of Mtatsminda are not metro-accessible. A Bolt ride fills the gap cleanly.

For Bolt, download the app, create an account, and link a card before you need a ride. Yandex Go works similarly. Both allow cash payment to the driver if you prefer, but in-app card payment avoids any negotiation. Surge pricing applies during rain, rush hour, and major events — the app shows the estimated fare before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with the Tbilisi Transport Card

Confusing the old Metromoney name with a different card: It is the same system. If someone online tells you to get a Metromoney card, they mean the Unified Transport Card. Do not buy a second card thinking they are different products.

Not loading enough credit before a Sunday: Some metro ticket windows have reduced hours on Sundays. Express Pay terminals are always available, but if you are not confident with the machine, top up on Friday or Saturday to avoid standing at a closed booth.

Assuming international cards work perfectly in the T-ticket app: They mostly do, but not always. If your top-up via the app fails with a foreign card, the Express Pay terminal is right there in the metro lobby. Use it as a backup rather than standing at the turnstile with a zero-balance card during morning rush.

Missing the 90-minute transfer window by tapping twice on the same ride: Only tap once per boarding — once at the metro gate, once at the bus validator. Tapping twice on the same journey deducts a second fare. The system counts each tap as a new journey if it is at a different validator.

Trying to use the Tbilisi card at the Batumi cable car: The Batumi Argo cable car is a completely separate system. It charges 35 GEL return in 2026 and has its own ticketing. Your Unified Transport Card does nothing there.

Forgetting the card after checkout: The card has no expiry date. If you are returning to Tbilisi, keep it. Any remaining balance stays on the card indefinitely, and you will save the 2 GEL purchase fee next visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a contactless bank card or phone instead of the Unified Transport Card?

No. As of 2026, the Tbilisi Metro and bus system only accepts the physical Unified Transport Card at validators. Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay do not work at metro turnstiles or bus validators. You must have the dedicated card loaded with credit to board.

What happens if my card runs out of credit mid-journey?

The turnstile will not open if your balance is below 1.20 GEL. The validator displays your balance when you tap. Top up at any nearby Express Pay terminal or the station ticket window before attempting to pass through again. There is no grace credit system on the Tbilisi metro.

Is there a way to check my card balance without entering the metro?

Yes. The T-ticket app displays your current balance after you link the card. Express Pay terminals also show your balance when you tap the card — select the metro/transport option and tap the card without completing a top-up transaction. The balance appears on screen.

Does the Unified Transport Card work in other Georgian cities like Batumi or Kutaisi?

No. The Tbilisi Unified Transport Card is specific to Tbilisi’s metro and city bus network. Batumi and Kutaisi have their own separate local transport ticketing systems. The Batumi Argo cable car and local buses in other cities require their own payment methods, which are typically cash or locally purchased cards.

How long does credit stay valid on the card if I leave Georgia?

There is no expiry date on the balance. Credit loaded onto the Unified Transport Card remains available indefinitely, regardless of how long you are out of the country. If you return to Tbilisi months or years later, the remaining balance will still be there and usable immediately.

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📷 Featured image by Sean Foster on Unsplash.