Train Travel in Georgia: Routes, Tickets & Why You Should Ride the Rails

You land in Tbilisi in July, the sun is already hammering the pavement, and the plan is to reach the Black Sea by afternoon. The usual advice is “just take a marshrutka”. That means a packed minibus, no fixed timetable, and a departure whenever the driver decides it is full. There is another option. Georgian Railway runs modern double-decker electric trains on the main routes, with assigned seats, air conditioning and a toilet. In 2026 it is the most relaxed way to cross the country, as long as you know which routes exist and how to book a seat.

Why Ride the Rails in Georgia

The first reason is space. Trains give you more legroom than a marshrutka, especially the modern double-deckers. The second is predictability. Trains are generally punctual and are less affected by traffic jams or bad weather than road transport. Georgians also consider rail a very safe way to travel.

The third reason is the view. Routes through the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park area and towards the Black Sea show you the Georgian countryside without the stress of watching the road.

Most modern trains have onboard toilets and air conditioning. Some have a small café or vending machine for snacks and drinks. Wi-Fi is often available but can be inconsistent, so download your maps and music before you board.

Georgian Railway Routes and Journey Times in 2026

Georgia’s rail network is limited, but its main routes work well. Georgian Railway is called Sakartvelos Rkinigza in Georgian, and most routes start at Tbilisi Central Station (Vagzlis Moedani).

Tbilisi to Batumi

This is the flagship route, served mainly by modern Stadler Kiss double-decker electric trains. In peak summer season (June to September) you can find up to 5–6 services a day. Off-peak it drops to 3–4 daily. The fastest journey takes about 3 hours 45 minutes.

Tbilisi to Kutaisi

There are 2–3 direct services daily from Tbilisi to Kutaisi-1, the city-centre station. The trip takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. A further 4–5 services daily link Tbilisi with Kutaisi International Airport (KUT), either by a dedicated shuttle train from Kutaisi-1 or by a direct service from Tbilisi. Allow about 4 hours to the airport, including the transfer if you need one. This is useful if you land on a budget flight into Kutaisi and want to reach the capital without a taxi.

Tbilisi to Zugdidi and Poti

One or two daily services run to Zugdidi, the gateway to Svaneti, and to Poti. The journey to Zugdidi takes about 5.5 hours. Seating is mainly second class.

Tbilisi to Borjomi

One or two daily services run to the spa town of Borjomi. The trip takes about 4 hours, and seating is second class.

Choosing Your Class and the Sleeper Question

Class choice matters mostly on the Tbilisi–Batumi line, where all three classes are available.

• Second class (about 40 GEL): Standard seating, comfortable for the whole trip.
• First class (about 85 GEL): Wider seats and more legroom. It is often on the upper deck, which gives better views.
• Business class (about 140 GEL): Premium seating, often with a power outlet at every seat, plus complimentary water and a snack. Ticket holders also get access to a lounge area at Tbilisi Central Station.

On the Kutaisi route you will mostly find second class only. The same goes for Zugdidi, Poti and Borjomi.

Many visitors ask about a Tbilisi–Batumi sleeper train. As of 2026 there is no regular, dedicated sleeper service. Georgian Railway has focused on more daytime services instead. If you need to travel overnight, people generally go by marshrutka or private car. Check the booking portal close to your travel date in case anything changes.

How to Buy Tickets Step by Step

Online (recommended)

1. Open the official Georgian Railway site at www.tkt.ge or www.railway.ge. Both redirect to the main booking portal.
2. Select your departure and arrival stations, the date and the number of passengers.
3. Choose your train and class.
4. Enter each passenger’s name, surname and ID or passport number.
5. Pay with Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also supported.
6. You will get an e-ticket by email. Print it or show it on your phone to the conductor.

At the station

1. Go to the ticket office at Tbilisi Central Station or another major station.
2. Show your ID or passport.
3. Say your destination, date and class.
4. Pay with cash (GEL) or a Visa or Mastercard bank card. Contactless payment has been widely available at ticket counters since 2025.
5. Collect your physical ticket.

The queue and the language barrier are real at busy times, so online booking is the easier route for most visitors.

2026 Budget Reality

Here is what moving around Georgia costs in 2026, in lari. All prices are approximate.

Budget

• Tbilisi to Batumi, second class train: about 40 GEL
• Tbilisi to Kutaisi-1 by train: about 23 GEL. To Kutaisi Airport: about 28 GEL
• Tbilisi to Borjomi by train: about 15 GEL
• Tbilisi to Zugdidi or Poti by train: about 30–35 GEL
• Metro single ride: 1.20 GEL
• Marshrutka Tbilisi to Sighnaghi: about 20 GEL

Mid-range

• Tbilisi to Batumi, first class train: about 85 GEL
• Short Bolt or Yandex Go ride (3–5 km) in Tbilisi: 7–12 GEL
• Taxi from Tbilisi city centre to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS): 45–60 GEL
• Batumi cable car round trip: 17 GEL

Comfortable

• Tbilisi to Batumi, business class train: about 140 GEL
• Private 4×4 with driver, Tbilisi to Kazbegi and local sights: 300–400 GEL per day
• Self-drive 4×4 rental: 350–500 GEL per day

When the Train Doesn’t Go: Marshrutkas and 4x4s

Rail covers only a handful of corridors. For everything else, marshrutkas are the intercity backbone. They run on fixed routes but often with no strict timetable, and many leave when full. You pay the driver in cash (GEL), usually on departure or arrival.

In Tbilisi, Didube Bus Station serves destinations north and west, including Kutaisi, Batumi, Borjomi, Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and Gori. Ortachala serves the south and east, including Kakheti and the Armenian border. Samgori also serves Kakheti and some eastern routes. Printed timetables are rare, and online information is often outdated. The most reliable method is to go to the station and ask drivers or locals.

Typical 2026 marshrutka fares from Tbilisi:

• Batumi: about 45 GEL
• Kutaisi: about 28 GEL
• Kazbegi (Stepantsminda): about 25 GEL
• Sighnaghi: about 20 GEL

Fares rose roughly 5–10% since 2024 because of fuel costs and inflation. Some routes now have newer, more comfortable minibuses, though older ones are still common. A few larger operators on popular routes like Tbilisi–Batumi are experimenting with online booking or apps, but this is not widespread, so expect to book in person.

Mountain regions are where a 4×4 becomes essential:

• Tusheti: The high-altitude Abano Pass road is open only from late May or early June to October. A 4×4 with an experienced local driver is mandatory.
• Upper Svaneti: Mestia has a paved road, but the road to Ushguli is unpaved and often needs a 4×4, especially after heavy rain or snowmelt.
• Racha: Some remote villages and high passes are best reached by 4×4.
• Juta to Roshka: This popular hiking route connects to a challenging 4×4 road over the Chaukhi Pass.

Private 4×4 with a driver costs about 250–350 GEL for Mestia to Ushguli (return) and 400–600 GEL for a full day from Omalo to Dartlo or Shatili in Tusheti. You can find drivers at marshrutka stations, in Mestia, or through guesthouses. If you rent a car instead, check that the agreement allows unpaved mountain roads and consider full insurance. Platforms such as Localrent.com now list more local drivers and small rental firms. Demand has pushed prices up slightly, especially for Tusheti. Road maintenance on the Mestia–Ushguli road has improved a little, but conditions can still change quickly. Major upgrades to the Tusheti road are still at the planning stage and are unlikely to be finished in 2026.

City Transport at Either End: Metro, Cable Cars, Taxi Apps

Most rail journeys begin or end in a city, so it helps to know how to get to the station.

Tbilisi Metro

The metro has two lines: the Ahmeteli-Varketili Line (red, north-south) and the Saburtalo Line (green, east-west). A third line, the Rustaveli-Vazisubani Line, is under construction. The first segment, from Rustaveli to Freedom Square via a new Tabukashvili station, is expected to open by late 2026, and the full extension to Vazisubani is projected for 2030. Treat those dates as plans, not promises.

The single fare rose from 1 GEL to 1.20 GEL in mid-2025. The big change for visitors is that since early 2025, contactless Visa and Mastercard are accepted directly at the turnstiles, as are Apple Pay and Google Pay linked to a contactless card. You no longer need a separate card for a short stay. If you want one, the MetroMoney card (M-Card) costs 2 GEL as a refundable deposit and can be topped up at ticket offices or self-service machines. It allows transfers on the metro and municipal buses for 90 minutes after your first tap, with a daily cap of 5 GEL.

Cable cars

• Tbilisi: Rike Park (near the Peace Bridge) to Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue. It runs continuously during opening hours, typically 10:00 to 22:00, weather permitting. A one-way ride costs 3 GEL, payable with an M-Card, contactless bank card or mobile payment.
• Batumi (Argo): From the waterfront up to Anuria Mountain, with views of the city and the Black Sea. Seasonal hours are usually 11:00 to midnight in summer. A round trip costs 17 GEL, paid by cash or card at the ticket office.
• Chiatura: A modern system of 4 main lines and several smaller ones has replaced most of the old “Stalin’s Rope Roads”. It became fully operational in the town’s public transport network in 2024–2025. It is free for residents, and tourists typically pay a nominal fee, for example 2 GEL per ride. The exact payment method for visitors may vary, so ask on site.

Taxi apps

Bolt and Yandex Go work in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori and increasingly in smaller hubs like Telavi. You can pay in-app with a linked Visa, Mastercard or Amex card, or choose cash when booking. Driver networks have grown since 2024, so average waits in major cities are now about 3–5 minutes. Surge pricing in peak hours or bad weather has become more noticeable, though rides are still generally affordable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until the station to buy a Batumi ticket in summer. Popular trains can sell out days in advance.
• Looking for a Tbilisi–Batumi sleeper. There is no regular, dedicated one in 2026.
• Forgetting your passport. You need your ID or passport number to book and for ticket-office purchases.
• Relying on onboard Wi-Fi. It is often available but inconsistent.
• Assuming the train reaches the mountains. Svaneti, Kazbegi, Tusheti and Kakheti need a marshrutka, taxi or 4×4. The rail line stops at Zugdidi for Svaneti.
• Counting on the new metro line. The Rustaveli segment is expected in late 2026, but plan your trip around the lines that exist today.
• Trusting online marshrutka timetables. They are often outdated. Ask at the station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a sleeper train from Tbilisi to Batumi in 2026?

No regular, dedicated Tbilisi–Batumi sleeper service runs as of 2026. Georgian Railway has put more daytime services on the route instead, and the fastest takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. If you need to travel overnight, people usually go by marshrutka or private car. Check the booking portal before your trip in case schedules change.

How much does the Tbilisi–Batumi train cost?

Second class costs about 40 GEL, first class about 85 GEL, and business class about 140 GEL. The fastest trains take around 3 hours 45 minutes. Summer weekends and public holidays can sell out days ahead, so booking early matters more than which class you pick.

How do I buy Georgian Railway tickets online?

Go to tkt.ge or railway.ge, choose your stations, date and train, then enter each passenger’s name and passport number. Pay with Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay. An e-ticket arrives by email, and you can show it on your phone to the conductor.

Can I take the train from Tbilisi to Kutaisi Airport?

Yes. Two to three direct trains run daily from Tbilisi to Kutaisi-1 in the city centre, taking about 3 hours 30 minutes for roughly 23 GEL. Another four to five services link to Kutaisi International Airport, taking about 4 hours for roughly 28 GEL, including a transfer where needed.

Can I pay for the Tbilisi metro with my bank card?

Yes. Since early 2025, contactless Visa and Mastercard work at the turnstiles, as do Apple Pay and Google Pay linked to such a card. A single ride costs 1.20 GEL. Short-term visitors no longer need a separate MetroMoney card, though one is still sold for a 2 GEL refundable deposit.

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📷 Featured image by Wally Holden on Unsplash.