There are many bus stations in Tbilisi, each of which is responsible for its own direction. But how to understand this confusion of numbers and routes and find exactly what you need. Where to get tickets, how much do they cost, where to look at the schedule?
Before moving on to a detailed description of each bus station and popular directions, I suggest looking at the table I made. If you are looking for a specific direction, find it and in the first column you will see the name of the station from which transport departs. Then click on the text in the last column “description, address and how to get there” and you will immediately go to the text about this bus station. Cities highlighted in bold – there is a separate story about flights there in the article.
| Bus station | International routes | Intercity routes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortachala | Artik, Baku, Elista, Yerevan, Essentuki, Gyumri, Kazan, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, Moscow, Nalchik, Nevinnomyssk, Pyatigorsk, Rostov, Samara, Saratov, Syzran, Stavropol, Istanbul, Stepanavan, Tikhoretsk, Togliatti, Kyiv, Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Zakatali, Rostov-on-Don | Akhalsopeli, Akhmeta, Alvani, Artana, Batumi, Gremi, Kakhi, Kvareli, Kedi, Kuchatani, Shilda, Telavi, Tsalka | Description, address and how to get there |
| Didube | Anapa, Shakhtinsky, Mineralnye Vody, Stavropol, Yalta, Moscow | Batumi, Kutaisi, Gudauri, Vardzia, Mtskheta, Gori, Kazbegi, Shatili, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi, Bakuriani, Martvili, Akhalkalaki, Khoni, Chiatura, Racha, Sachkhere, Senaki, Ambrolauri, Rebalo, Jihaisi, Jariasheni, Adigeni, Tkibuli, Aspindza, Zestafoni, Khashuri, Tsemi, Tsakhveri | Description, address and how to get there |
| Navtlugi | – | Sighnaghi, Telavi, Kvareli, Sagarejo, Alvani, Marneuli, Tsalka, Mestia, Ninotsminda, Kutaisi, Batumi, Sartichala, Kakabeti, Badiauri, Manavi, Gurjaani, Gombori, Ujarma, Bodbe, Dmanisi, Dedoplis-Tskaro, Akhmeti | Description, address and how to get there |
| Dedakalaki | – | Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Batumi, Samtredia, Kobuleti, Ureki, Poti, Senaki | Description, address and how to get there |
| Gldani | Moscow, Tolyatti | – | Description, address and how to get there |
| Isani | – | Lagodekhi, Telavi, Gurjaani, Tsnori, Tibaani, Ozaani | Description, address and how to get there |
My colleague and I spent a lot of time collecting this information. But I probably missed something. Tell me in the comments what else can be added or changed.
And now about everything in detail:
Ortachala bus station Tbilisi
Tbilisi’s central bus station and the capital’s main transport hub. Its main feature is that it is an international bus station, meaning that within the country you can only go to Batumi, Kutaisi, Kakheti. But there are many flights to neighboring countries, going to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Greece, Ukraine, Istanbul.
There is a service station, a waiting room, and several inexpensive cafes on the territory. The station, although central, is shabby, as it was built in the 70s, and remains so. There is nothing much to see here, so upon arrival, do not waste time and immediately go to the city.
Its advantage is its close location to the city center, it takes only 20 minutes by taxi from Rustaveli. The closest metro station is Isani, then 7 minutes by bus 371, 101, 346, 350 or by minibus 547.
Address: Gulia St., 1.
Information: +995 322 75 34 33, +995 579 551 120.
Didube Bus Station Tbilisi
The second bus station of significance for the capital’s transport system. It is located near the metro, next to the market that has grown around it. You can while away the time before departure and buy something at the market or go to the neighboring shopping center “Didube”. The station is intercity, specialized mainly in domestic flights, but there are also routes to Russia and Greece. It is a system of 4 independent bus stations, with stops named “Okriba”, “Rusetti”, “Nige” and, in fact, “Didube” itself.
Which one is where:
“Didube” near the station building, after the ticket office.
“Okriba” is a red building, located under a canopy.
“Rusetti” is in the station courtyard itself.
“Nige” is the first one when exiting the metro.
So, if you see any of the above in the name of the station on your tickets, don’t be scared and come to Didube.
The road from the center is only 15 minutes, or you can take the metro to the Didube station and go out on the left at the bottom stairs.
Address: Karaleti St., 4.
Information: +995 579 01 52 01, +995 322 34 49 24.
Dedakalaki Bus Station
This bus station is located near the railway station and metro “Station Square”. It has only routes within Georgia, to popular tourist cities (Batumi, Kutaisi, Kobuleti, etc.).
Here’s how to get there: enter the Tbilisi Central building, take the escalator to the 2nd floor, go through the waiting room and go left through the glass door, that’s where the bus and minibus stop is. Inside Tbilisi Central there’s Miniso, clothing and accessories stores, home goods, electronics and a gold market (look at the cloisonné enamel products that Georgia is famous for). Nearby is the Deserter’s Bazaar and many cafes with local pastries, shawarma and pizza – in short, there are all the classic attributes of a train station. If you have to wait a long time for a flight, you’ll definitely find something to do.
Address: Tsotne Dadiani St., 2.
Information: +995 322 18 05 67.
This station is located near the Navtlugi (Samgori) market, right at the exit from the metro. It is divided into 2 sectors: from one, minibuses go to Kvemo-Kartli (villages of little interest to tourists), and from the other, buses depart to Kakheti (Telavi, the city of love Sighnaghi, Kvareli, Marneuli and other interesting destinations for travelers). Next to the bus station is one of the main markets of the city, Samgori, where you can buy everything from food to furniture.
To get there, take a taxi (20 minutes from the center) or the metro to Samgori.
Address: Ketevan Dedofali Ave., 100.
Information: +995599393535,+995591663663
Gldani Bus Station
A mini-station near the Akhmeteli metro station, with only 2 directions, to Moscow and Tolyatti.
Address: Vekua St., 10.
Information: +995 322 62 65 15.
Isani Bus Station
The smallest of all existing in Tbilisi, located 5 minutes from the metro “Isani” and designed for only a couple of minibuses. There is only one route, to Lagodekhi (a small Georgian town and national park).
Address: Ketevan Dedofali Ave., 69.
Information: +995 592 03 82 20.
Where to buy tickets?
Tickets can be bought at the ticket offices at bus stations (most cashiers know Russian or English). And if it is a small station like Gldani or Isani, then pay directly to the driver. You can buy tickets online on the websites: biletebi.ge (only for Ortachala), unitiki.com and tutu.ru (other stations, as well as private routes).
Bus Tbilisi – Batumi
New and beautiful buses of Metro Georgia company go from Ortachala to Batumi. The ticket price is 40 GEL, you can buy it on the website metrogeorgia.ge, in the company’s offices or through the application.
The buses are comfortable and large, accommodating 50 passengers. The seats are reclining and equipped with screens where you can watch films in 3 languages (Georgian, Russian and English). The buses are also equipped with Wi-Fi and a conductor. There is free coffee and tea.
Arrives at the Argo cable car in the center of Batumi. The trip takes from 5 to 6 hours. This is the best way to get to Batumi. Other buses are less comfortable and have no schedule.
Bus Tbilisi – Moscow
Buses in the direction Tbilisi – Moscow depart from Ortachala, Didube (Okriba station) and Gldani. Travel time: 29 hours – 36 hours.
Tickets cost 170-250 lari, depending on the carrier company.
You can buy on the websites: biletebi.ge, tutu.ru, unitiki.com. For routes from Gldani, please contact the information desk (phone: +995 322 62 65 15), as there is no fixed schedule.
Follow the link – an article about all options for getting to Batumi from Tiflis.
Bus Tbilisi – Vladikavkaz
You can get to Vladikavkaz in just 6-8 hours and for 80-120 lari. Routes depart from Didube and Ortachala. Buy tickets on the websites: biletebi.ge, tutu.ru, unitiki.com.
Minibus Tbilisi – Vladikavkaz
The main routes of minibuses also leave from Ortachala and Didube. But in addition to them, there are many private ones that leave from other points of the city (Akaki Tsereteli Avenue, 141; Agmashenebeli Alley, 29; Kote Abkhazi Street, 40 and others). You can also view the current schedule and buy tickets for the minibus on unitiki.com and tutu.ru.
Bus Tbilisi – Istanbul
On the website unitiki.com there are tickets to Istanbul only with a transfer in Vladikavkaz. The trip is expensive (600 lari) and takes a long time. Therefore, buy on tutu.ru, you will get there on one direct flight in 26 hours. There are two bus options, one from Ortachala for 480 GEL and the second from Tiflis (Gürcistan), Tiflis Otogar for 180 GEL. The second route is little known, there are no reviews about it anywhere, so at your own risk.
Other popular destinations
To Yerevan: about 6 hours on the road, bus fare is 35-45 GEL. Departure from Ortachala and Isani Mall.
To Rostov: 13-20 hours on the road, departs from Ortachala. The best place to buy tickets for this route is on tutu.ru, can be found for only 150 GEL.
To Krasnodar: 13-18 hours and 150-240 lari. Departure from Ortachala.
Mineralnye Vody: 8-12 hours on the road and 100-200 lari, depart from Ortachala.
Useful tips
- Some intercity buses run every hour, you can come to the station and get on right away. But keep in mind that if the bus fills up faster, it may leave early.
- When boarding, they sometimes require that you have a printed online ticket on hand, just in case, take care of this in advance.
- Signs with bus directions are usually in Georgian, very rarely in English (if there are routes to Russia, then usually there is Russian), so most likely you will have to ask the locals where it goes.
More about Tbilisi and Georgia:
Best hotels in the mountains of 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