If you’ve arrived in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, you absolutely must visit Batumi—the country’s main resort city. It’s easy to do! In this article, we’ll explore all transportation options, namely:
- Train
- Plane
- Taxi/transfer
- Bus
- Minibus
- Your own or rented car
The distance from Tbilisi to Batumi is 378 kilometers.
Train Tbilisi – Batumi
High-speed trains depart 2-4 times a day from the Tbilisi railway station. They are double-decker, comfortable, equipped with Wi-Fi and power outlets. The train offers only seated accommodations.
The main train schedules are 8:00–13:12 and 17:05–22:17. During the summer season (July 15 to September 15), two additional trains run at 10:25–17:15 and 00:35–5:47.
The average travel time is 5 hours and 15 minutes.
Tickets are available for first class (75 GEL), second class (35 GEL), and business class (125 GEL). You can purchase tickets on ticket.railway.ge. Note that you cannot choose your seat in the carriage; the system assigns seating automatically!
An alternative option is to use one of the aggregators. For example, tkt.ge. There you can choose a seat, but the ticket will be slightly more expensive than at the box office or on the above-mentioned sites.
Ticket sales begin 40 days before the departure date. During the peak season, purchase your tickets in advance (at least a week ahead), as demand is high and tickets, especially for second class, sell out quickly. From October through late spring, it’s easy to find tickets for the next day or a nearby date. Make sure to bring your passport, as it will be checked.
Children under 5 travel for free, provided they sit on an adult’s lap and do not occupy a separate seat. Children aged 5–9 are eligible for a 50% discount (don’t forget to provide the child’s birth certificate).
Russian cards cannot be used for payment on railway websites, so you’ll need to buy tickets at the station. Cards from all other countries are accepted for online payments.
Flight from Tbilisi to Batumi
The fastest way to reach Batumi is by plane. The flight takes just 1 hour, but you’ll need to account for transfer time to the airport and then from Batumi airport to the city center. Flights depart from Natakhtari Airport (23 km from Tbilisi) and are operated by Vanilla Sky Airlines. Each passenger is allowed up to 15 kg of luggage. The transfer to the airport costs 30 GEL.
Tickets from Tbilisi to Batumi can be purchased on the website Ticket.VanillaSky.ge. When searching, select “Natakhtari” as the departure point. The ticket price is 125 GEL.
Flights operate 6 days a week (except Saturdays).
From Batumi Airport, you can take city buses (30 tetri), a transfer, or a taxi. Buses run from 7:00 to 24:00 in summer and from 8:00 to 22:00 during other seasons. If you use taxi apps like Yandex or Bolt, the ride will cost 10–15 GEL. However, taxis waiting at the airport often charge significantly more as drivers tend to overprice.
Transfers should be booked in advance, specifying the address and exact time (cost: 30 GEL). The distance to Batumi’s city center is 7 km.
In 2023, the airline “Georgian Wings” launched domestic flights between Tbilisi and Batumi. Ticket prices start at 100 GEL, but it’s nearly impossible to find tickets at that rate. Most tickets are sold for 160–200 GEL. You can book them at georgianwings.com. Departures take place from Tbilisi International Airport, which can be reached by bus 337 from “Station Square” or by taxi.
Taxi and Transfer
Another option is to travel to Batumi by taxi or transfer. This is a good choice if you’re traveling with more than two people and can split the cost. Additionally, you can depart on any day that suits you without needing to buy tickets in advance.
A taxi to Batumi costs 350–400 GEL (depending on traffic, time of day, and the day of the week). You can book a ride through Yandex, Maxim, or Bolt.
You can book a transfer on various websites, choosing the type of car that suits your needs. The cost starts at 400 GEL. Essentially, it’s the same as a taxi but slightly more expensive.
The journey takes 5–6 hours, so make sure you’re comfortable for the ride. Keep in mind that Georgian drivers have a distinctive driving style—very fastand sharp. If you’re prone to motion sickness, be sure to take medication before the trip.
Getting from Tbilisi to Batumi by Bus
New and beautiful buses “Metro Georgia” go to Batumi. The ticket price is 40 GEL. Order tickets and choose seats on the website metrogeorgia.ge, at the company’s office or through the application. The schedule of buses changes periodically, so you can find out the information directly before purchasing.
Buses to Batumi depart from the Ortachala Bus Station (1 Gulia St., near Isani metro station). The buses are large and comfortable, seating up to 50 passengers. The seats are reclining, with enough legroom to stretch out. Each seat has a small built-in screen where you can watch movies in Russian, Georgian, or English. There’s also music and games available.
The bus is equipped with Wi-Fi and a guide service. Complimentary coffee and tea are provided. However, passengers are not allowed to remove their shoes or eat sunflower seeds during the ride. After about 3 hours, there’s a stop at a café where you can grab a snack and use the restroom (as there is no toilet on board).
The bus arrives near the Argo Cable Car, located in central Batumi. The journey takes approximately 6.5–8 hours.
Another option is Citybus Georgia, which offers tickets for the same price: 40 GEL. Tickets can be purchased on the website citybus.ge. Boarding takes place at the Central Ortachala Bus Station, 5 Gulia St., Platform 2. Buses run daily from Monday to Sunday, with departures from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
Minibus
Another option to travel from Tbilisi to Batumi is by minibus. They depart from the Didube Bus Station (which is a bit far from the metro, so it’s better to take a taxi to get there) or from Dedakalaki near the city’s railway station.
The only advantages of this transport are the slightly shorter travel time compared to the bus and the fact that minibuses run every hour.
Tickets don’t need to be purchased in advance; you pay the driver directly at the station, and the fare is 35 GEL. The minibus departs once all seats are filled. Services operate from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Traveling by minibus is very uncomfortable: the seats are not designed for long trips, your back will ache, and your legs may go numb. Since the minibus departs fully packed, it tends to get stuffy inside, and other passengers might be noisy, chatting loudly or playing music. There’s very little space for luggage—you’ll likely have to place your bag under your feet or hold it on your lap. Drivers often speed on the winding mountain roads, which can be unnerving for those unaccustomed to such travel. Motion sickness is also a common issue during these trips.
This option should only be chosen as a last resort when you urgently need a cheap and fast way to get to Batumi and don’t have time to buy tickets in advance.
Traveling in Your Own or a Rented Car
A car is an excellent mode of transport if you want to be independent, travel at your own pace, and even visit some attractions along the way.
Car rental will cost you between 50 and 140 GEL per day (depending on the season) plus fuel at 2.8 GEL per liter (approximately 100 GEL for the trip). You’ll also need to pay a deposit. Additional fees may apply for returning the car in Batumi instead of Tbilisi. A passport, driver’s license, and at least 3 years of driving experience are required. You can rent a car at localrent.com. During the peak season, book your car in advance, as affordable compact cars are quickly taken.
There are three routes from Tbilisi to Batumi, each passing through one of the cities: Ozurgeti, Poti, or Lanchkhuti. The most popular and fastest route is via Lanchkhuti. If you drive without many stops, the journey takes about 5.5 hours. In summer, the road to Batumi is heavily congested, especially on Friday afternoons.
A high-speed highway to Batumi is currently under construction. Once completed, the trip will take just 4 hours. New sections are being opened in stages, and travel times are gradually decreasing. If you don’t plan to make stops along the way, it’s better to stick to the highway rather than traveling through the cities mentioned above. However, as of early 2025, the route still passes through Lanchkhuti, though the bypass around the city is nearly finished.
What to See Along the Way from Tbilisi to Batumi
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- As you leave the city, you’ll see the Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta. This 7th-century church is perched above the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers, where one river appears darker and the other lighter—a fascinating contrast you can observe.
- Stop in Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient city and its first capital. This is where Christianity began in the country, and according to legend, Saint Nino erected the first cross here. Mtskheta is rich in religious and architectural landmarks: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Monastery, the Mtskheta Museum-Reserve, Bebris Tsikhe Fortress, and more.
- Gori is a historic city with a grand Gothic palace, the Stalin Museum, and the city’s Historical and Ethnographic Museum.
- Uplistsikhe, Georgia’s ancient cave city, offers a glimpse into the country’s pagan past. The site is over 3,000 years old and a remarkable reminder of early civilizations.
- The Sazano Winery, located at the boutique hotel Sazano Wine Cellar & Hotel, is a must-visit for wine lovers. Here, you can purchase wines made from Imeretian grape varieties, aged in qvevri according to Georgian traditions. The wine’s flavor will impress even the most discerning critics.
- Ureki Beach (52 km from Batumi) is a small village known for its magnetic sands. The dark gray sand is not only visually unique but also possesses healing properties, beneficial for heart conditions, the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, respiratory organs, and more.
- The Shekvetili Dendrological Park is a vast park featuring towering unique trees in one half and exotic birds and lemurs in the other. It’s located 45 kilometers from Batumi, making it the final stop on your sightseeing route.
If you plan to visit multiple attractions and take extended breaks, completing the route in one day might be challenging. Consider an overnight stay in Kutaisi.
Here are three suggested routes to explore the sights. You can take one route on the way to Batumi and a different one on the return trip to ensure you visit all the key attractions.
First Option
Day 1:
Tbilisi -> Jvari Monastery (1 hour)
Mtskheta (1–2 hours)
Mtskheta -> Borjomi (3 hours for travel and park visit)
Borjomi -> Zestafoni, Archil’s Winery (2.5 hours) – the best organic wine in Imereti
Zestafoni -> Kutaisi (0.5 hours)
Total time spent: 9 hours
Day 2:
Kutaisi -> Martvili (2 hours)
Martvili -> Okatse Canyon (1.5 hours)
Okatse Canyon -> Kinchkha Waterfalls (1 hour)
Kinchkha Waterfalls -> Batumi (3 hours)
Total time spent: 7.5 hours
Second Option (only Day 2 changes)
Day 2:
Kutaisi -> Martvili (2 hours)
Martvili -> Shekvetili Dendrological Park (3–4 hours)
Shekvetili Dendrological Park -> Batumi (1 hour)
Total time spent: 7 hours
Third Option
Day 1:
Tbilisi -> Jvari Monastery (1 hour)
Mtskheta (1–2 hours)
Mtskheta -> Gori (1.5 hours)
Gori -> Uplistsikhe (1 hour)
Uplistsikhe -> Sazano Wine Cellar & Hotel (3 hours)
Wine tasting of Imeretian wines, overnight stay at the boutique hotel
Total time spent: 8.5 hours
Day 2:
Sazano Wine Cellar & Hotel -> Kutaisi (1 hour)
Kutaisi -> Prometheus Cave (1 hour)
Prometheus Cave -> Martvili (2 hours)
Martvili -> Batumi (2.5 hours)
Total time spent: 6.5 hours
Conclusion: the most convenient way to travel is by train, while the most interesting is by car. All other modes of transport are viable, but minibuses should only be chosen as a last resort.
More about Tbilisi and Georgia:
Souvenirs – what to bring from Georgia as a gift
Top 6 Restaurants for the Best Khinkali in Tbilisi
Best Hotels in the Center of Tbilisi
My name is Vitaly Kibitlevsky, I am a tour guide and creator of unique quests in Batumi. If you want to walk around the city with a fascinating storyteller or plunge into an exciting adventure, write to the mail: vitkibit@gmail.com
Find out more about me and my projects here