From the airport to the city centre Georgia

Tbilisi International Airport is 17 km east of the city. Bus number 37 (outside the airport, on the right) runs a regular service between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. every 15 minutes with a terminus at the Station Square in both directions. From there, you can continue by taking the metro or taxi to your destination. The 137 runs from 11:35 a.m. to 7 a.m. every 35 minutes. Depending on the traffic conditions (day or night), the journey takes about 1 hour. The most convenient way is to take a taxi, given the schedules of flights arriving for the vast majority around 3 or 4 am. Count between 40 and 50 GEL the trip, that is to say between 12 and 15 €. Most hotels offer a transfer between the hotel and the airport, the price varies according to the standing of the establishment. If you book a taxi, the rate is 50 GEL.

Public transport Georgia

By bus. The marchroutky (minibuses) are the most popular means of transport. Very cheap, they serve both each district of a city, others all over the country, leaving at any time, filled or not. You buy your ticket from the driver or at the stations. Depending on the frequency of rotation, the driver can have a very sporty driving style.

By train. Trains are relatively slow, and travel time can be much slower than expected. There is only one railway line between Batumi and Tbilisi, which takes between 6 and 8 hours. In the high tourist season, from April to the end of October, it is best to plan to buy your ticket in advance, especially in summer, as far in advance as possible of the planned departure date, given the very high tourist numbers. Before your departure, please enquire, as timetables may change. Always remember to bring your passport with you when you buy your ticket. You can buy tickets from any city in Georgia at Tbilisi railway station. Outside the borders, trains connect Tbilisi to Baku (15hrs.) in Azerbaijan and Yerevan in Armenia (11hrs.) National trains connect Tbilisi, in addition to Batumi, to Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Borjomi by slow train.

In the subway. Tbilisi has two metro lines, operating from 6 a.m. to midnight, with directions in Georgian and English. The city is well served and tickets are cheap (0.50 GEL). You can get the Metromoney card (2 GEL) by buying it at the metro ticket offices. You can also use it on buses (more convenient because in these you need the exact change) and the marchroutky in the city and the cable car in Tbilisi; it is recharged at multilingual automatic terminals.

With a driver Georgia

This is of course the fastest and most convenient means of transport, and given the distances involved, relatively cheap, especially if there are several of you. Make sure your driver speaks at least basic English, this will make the logistics of your journey easier. He will be able to inform you about the state of the roads and the feasibility of the routes (mountain roads are sometimes impassable in winter or in heavy rain due to landslides or mudslides). Before departure, set the fare for the whole trip, plan the itinerary, the places to visit and the waiting time on the spot together, counting large.

Before getting into the vehicle, always negotiate the price with the driver. The Bolt app on smartphones for private cars and shared mobility taxis offers a fixed price and no nasty surprises in terms of pickup and route.

You can also take collective taxis to get from one city to another, many of them are available at bus stations. They can stop wherever you want. However, you have to wait until they are full before leaving, and driving, like in a marchroutky, is also a sport!

By car Georgia

Driving in Georgia is sporty, especially on secondary roads. The almost complete absence of signs, the sudden appearance of vehicles and the unpredictable Georgian driving style sometimes resembles an obstacle course. One has to share the road with pedestrians, horses, cows, pigs in the middle of the road or other cars, carts and any type of vehicle that tend to disembark from just about everywhere without announcing themselves. No yellow lines on the roads and it is best to avoid driving at night. If the French driving licence is tolerated for a while, get an international driving licence.

Beware, due to weather conditions and lack of maintenance on the secondary networks, the state of the roads can be very precarious. If you plan to visit sites away from the main roads, it is imperative that you find out about them and the travel time. The number of kilometres and the distance sometimes have nothing to do with travel time, depending on the weather, road conditions, traffic, etc. The speed limit is 110 km/h on motorways and 100 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 60 km/h in towns.

In late fall or winter, roads through the mountains (even in central Canada) can be abruptly closed due to snowfall to allow time to clear them. In mountainous regions, avoid taking the road in heavy rain or thunderstorms, as rock falls are very common. Always be vigilant and remain very careful.

The main roads are made up of motorways in good condition. In the main cities, car rental networks offer all ranges of vehicles. Opt for a 4 x 4 if you go to mountainous areas or when leaving the main roads. The road network in Omalo-Touchétie and Shatili-Khevsoutérie is not always in good condition, closed in winter in Touchétie from the end of October (and difficult to access the rest of the year). They are not included in the insurance. Respect the speed limit and fasten your seatbelt, it can be useful! Respect the highway code, the fines are high.