Batumi Cable Car: Operating Hours
The cable car operates daily without any days off. Hours of operation: from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. During the off-season, the hours may be reduced to 9:00 PM.
I strongly recommend checking the operating hours right before your visit, as they change frequently, almost every six months. Additionally, avoid arriving right at opening or closing time.
The last rides are 30 minutes before closing.
Tip: The best time to visit is about an hour before sunset. This way, you can enjoy views of the city in daylight and at sunset (the most beautiful time). If you linger at the café, you’ll also get to see the stunning night view.
Be aware:
The cable car may close due to adverse weather conditions such as rain, strong winds, or thunderstorms.
How to Get There
Lower Station Address:
Batumi, 1 Baku Street.
This is effectively a square where Baku, Gogebashvili, and Chavchavadze streets intersect.
Coordinates: 41.647513, 41.645426.
Upper Station Address:
Batumi, 78 Kadir Shervashidze Rise.
Coordinates: 41.625515, 41.656155.
The lower station is located near the sea, at the edge of the Old Town. If you’re staying in the historical center, you can walk there in 5–10 minutes.
If you’re staying in the New Boulevard area, it’s best to take a taxi (approximately 5 GEL) or use a bus (you’ll need either a transportation card or a bank card to pay for the ride).
Bus numbers: 1, 2, 2A, 3, 6, 9, 9A, 10, 10A, 13, 15.
You can also take a minibus. Simply ask the driver if it’s going to the Argo Cable Car.
Note:
There is no dedicated parking near the lower station. Finding a parking spot in close proximity is also unlikely—keep this in mind.
Argo Cable Car: Facts and Figures
- Length: The cable car spans just over 2.5 kilometers, a distance covered in approximately 10 minutes.
- Height: The upper station is located on Mount Feria, at 256 meters above sea level, offering stunning Georgian views of the city and the surrounding mountains!
- Cabins: There are 20 gondola cabins, each with a stated capacity of 8 people. In practice, it’s more comfortable with six passengers. Plus, you’re allowed to bring along a pet!
- Comfort: The benches are cushioned, the doors open and close automatically, but the windows can be scratched, making it tricky to capture perfect photos from inside the cabin.
The cable car was built by the Austrian-Swiss company Doppelmayr, known for its global expertise and multiple projects in Georgia. Safety standards here are top-notch. For instance, in October 2024, routine drills were conducted for fire suppression and passenger evacuation from gondolas.
How is the speed regulated?
The cabin’s speed varies depending on the phase of the journey:
- During boarding and alighting, it moves slowly.
- At higher altitudes, the speed increases.
This is due to separate systems (wheels) operating at different speeds. Initially, the cabin moves slowly, attached to a cable that rotates gently. Then, it “takes off” as it transfers to a faster-moving cable. Finally, it slows down again as it approaches the station.
Batumi Funicular
You might hear people refer to it as the “Batumi Funicular,” but this is a mistake. A funicular operates on rails, whereas the cable car moves by being pulled along a cable. So, no, there is no funicular in Batumi!
Batumi Cable Car – Ticket Prices
- Adult Ticket: 30 GEL.
- Child Ticket (ages 5–12): 7 GEL.
- Children under 5: Free.
Note: The ticket price covers both directions (round trip). Be cautious of overly eager taxi drivers at the base station who might claim the price is for a one-way trip – don’t believe them!
Tickets are not sold at the Upper Station. While the staff rarely check tickets on the return journey, they may ask to see it, so don’t throw it away. Yes, theoretically, you could hike or take a taxi up and ride back down for free. However, not only is that unfair, but there’s also a chance your ticket will be checked.
Cable Car Stations
- Lower Station:
The pavilion houses a ticket office and a small café. However, there is no restroom here.
- Upper Station:
At the top, you’ll find: - A relatively clean and comfortable restroom.
- A café (not the cheapest).
- A wine shop.
- A souvenir store.
- A small church (closed for renovations in 2024).
- An observation deck with breathtaking views of Batumi, the sea, and the Botanical Garden.
Once you exit the gondola, head straight into the souvenir shop. This store leads to different areas:
- Left: Access the restroom via the marked door.
- Straight ahead: Reach the observation deck.
- Right: Find the café – you won’t miss it.
In 2024, the Digital Space Museum opened here, offering a fascinating blend of modern technology and classical art.
Insider Tip:
During peak season, the observation deck can get crowded. For a quieter experience, descend one level using the stairs to a natural, safe ledge on the mountain. There, you’ll find benches and enjoy equally stunning views with far fewer people around.
Impressions
This is the main reason to ride the cable car! It’s not just transportation but a thrilling Batumi attraction. As you glide above the city, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the sea, mountains, major landmarks (Ali and Nino, the Ferris wheel, skyscrapers), residential neighborhoods, authentic market streets, and new developments. It’s a chance to explore and better understand all of Batumi in a single journey.
That said, the observation deck at the Upper Station may not be worth the ticket price on its own. If your goal is simply to see the city from above, consider taking a taxi to the top. Even better, head to Mount Sameba, which is higher and offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Money-Saving Tip:
If you want to visit the Upper Station and take photos without spending too much, don’t fall for the offers of persistent taxi drivers at the entrance to the Lower Station.
They’ll shout that they’ll take you up and down for less than the cable car fare. While this is true, they usually charge 30–40 GEL for two people round trip. However, if you order a taxi through an app, the cost will be just 10–20 GEL total.
History and Design
The Argo Cable Car was initiated in 2008 and officially opened in 2013. Its construction wasn’t without controversy; the Lower Station was built on the site of a monument commemorating those who died in World War II. Although authorities promised to relocate the monument, it was ultimately dismantled instead.
The name “Argo” references the Greek myth of the Argonauts, who journeyed to Colchis (part of modern-day Adjara) in search of the Golden Fleece.
The ship they sailed on was called “Argo.” For this reason, the pavilion at the Upper Station resembles a ship, so when you’re riding above the city, it’s as if you’re sailing through the skies.
Enjoy your journey above Batumi!
More about Batumi and Georgia:
Best hotels in the mountains of Georgia
Souvenirs – what to bring from Georgia as a gift
The Best Adjarian Khachapuri in Batumi. Top 5 Places
Shekvetili Dendrological Park (48 km from Batumi)
Hello!
I am Victor, the founder of this site and its main, but not the only author.
Traveler and photographer. Visited more than 40 countries.
Born and raised in Batumi. I love to travel in Georgia.
More about me here.