On arrival in Tbilisi you do not want to bother with buying MetroMoney transport cards, studying subway branches and bus routes. To help comes a taxi – a fast, comfortable and fairly budget way to travel around the capital. And if you come with a family, a taxi ride will cost the same price as public transport.
I’ll talk about the three most popular services, compare their features and characteristics, so you can choose the most suitable for you.
Tbilisi taxi: features
To call a taxi through the application you will need the Internet. There is a free Tbilisilovesyou WiFi in the city, but it can work badly and be unreliable. It is best to buy a Georgian SIM card with an Internet package for a week or a month.
For rush hour trips it is better to have 2-3 apps. Then you will have the opportunity to compare the cost and choose the most profitable.
White taxis not older than 10 years can now ride «bus lane» (bus lane). This feature will definitely come in handy if you are in a hurry. Below I have indicated which services you can find this type of car.
Economy class taxis are usually Toyota Prius, Opel, Mercedes.
Keep your petty cash. The driver can say that there is no change, and thus keep a «tip».
To save your wallet, it is better to call a taxi through the app. In Tbilisi there are a lot of private citizens who work illegally. They can be identified by the absence of checkers on the roof of the car. Such a taxi ride will cost 2 times more, and if you go from the airport of Tbilisi, the prices soar to the space size. Drivers don’t hesitate to “rip off” you more money.
Most Georgian taxi drivers are very talkative. For newcomers will begin the narrative of all mandatory places to visit, even if you did not ask for it.
Taxi fare in Tbilisi
All services in the capital have the same rate, but at rush hour may differ within the pair of lari. Here are the most popular destinations and approximate taxi cost in Tbilisi:
Tbilisi Airport – Freedom Square: GEL 24.
Tbilisi Railway Station – Freedom Square: GEL 8.
Ortachala Bus Station – Freedom Square: GEL 8.
Freedom Square – Tbilisi Sea: GEL 18.
Prices may vary depending on the time of day, weather and traffic congestion.
Yandex Taxi (Yandex Go) in Tbilisi and Georgia
Yandex taxi is the leader in popularity among all taxi services.
Cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi.
Tips:
1) Family account (link family accounts to one card).
2) Taxi «bus lane», which will bypass all traffic jams on the bus lane. Among the available cars it is signed as “line”.
3) Order History.
4) You can pay extra for cars with a car seat, animal transport, snowboarding, skiing.
5) Option «wait 5-10 minutes more», then the price of the trip will be a few lari less. If you’re taking your time.
6) Yandex shipping option by regular or truck.
Bolt taxi
Bolt is the same price and quality as Yandex Go.
I often use it. I can’t say for sure, but it feels like they have higher requirements for drivers and cars.
Cities: Tbilisi, Batumi.
Tips:
1) Option to schedule a trip in advance (up to 3 days).
2) Bolt Food (food delivery, fast).
3) Bolt Send (package delivery, longer).
4) Extra charge for animal transport.
5) Tracking the app monthly taxi bill.
6) Promotions that can be connected after 3 trips.
Taxi Maxim (Maxim)
Taxi Maxim is a worthy competitor to the first two services. Besides, he has more options and special offers than others.
Cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Rustavi, Kobuleti, Zestafoni and other cities of the region.
Tips:
1) Order a taxi with the option «bus lane» to bypass traffic jams. Just what I need in rush hour.
2) For extra charge you can order a ride with luggage, animals, the help of the driver (move things), meet with a sign.
3) Option of planned trip (as in Bolt).
4) Keeping the Order History.
5) Option «add to favorites» the most important addresses.
6) Cashback, promo codes.
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.