The capital Tbilisi is the only city in Georgia that has a metro. It was built in Soviet times, and the grand opening took place on January 11, 1966. That is, the metro appeared in Tbilisi exactly 53 years ago.
Tbilisi metro
The only metro in Georgia is the second largest in the Caucasus. The largest metro in the region can be found in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. And the third place is occupied by the Armenian underground, which also operates in the capital of the state, Yerevan.
Among the metros of the former USSR, the Tbilisi metro ranks 8th in terms of the length of its lines. According to the same indicator, it is in 131st place in the world ranking.
The metro is a complex construction project, the development, implementation and operation of which require enormous resources. Over 2.5 thousand people were initially involved in the construction of the Tbilisi metro, just construction workers.
Be sure to visit the Tbilisi metro, even if you don’t need to use it to get around the city. It is one of the city’s important attractions. At the same time, the Tbilisi metro also has great practical value.
Advantages of the Tbilisi metro:
- The underground is the fastest way to get to most of the city’s most popular attractions.
- Traveling by metro is more comfortable, due to the lack of need to stand in traffic jams, as well as endure the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter.
- Clear diagrams allow you to travel independently at your own pace.
- One of the most economical ways to travel around the capital.
Tbilisi metro fares
Payment for travel on the Tbilisi metro is made using a plastic card. It is called the Metromoney card, and you can buy it at the ticket office at each Tbilisi metro station.
The card costs 2 lari. To make trips, you need to top it up with the required amount, which can be done at the ticket office or at any payment terminal in the city.
The cost of travel on the Tbilisi metro is 1 GEL per trip. The Metromoney card is valid only in Tbilisi and has a number of great options:
- The same card can be used to pay for travel on the cable car (not to be confused with the funicular), city buses and large yellow minibuses.
- If you take another metro or bus ride within 1.5 hours, it will be completely free. You need to put the card to the payment terminal, but no money will be debited from it.
- The card can be used collectively, i.e. it can be given to other people. Thus, an unlimited number of people can pass through the metro turnstile using one card.
- If you have kept the receipt issued when purchasing the card, you can return it to the metro ticket office within 30 days and you will be refunded the deposit value of the card, as well as the remaining funds in the account.
The metro operating hours are from 6.00 to 00.00 daily. On holidays, the metro operating hours may be extended, city authorities additionally report this. And during rush hours, trains run every 2.5-3 minutes. During periods when passenger traffic drops, you can wait for a train for a maximum of 10 minutes.
You can check the current price on the website of the Tbilisi Transport Company.
Tbilisi metro scheme
The Tbilisi metro scheme is very simple – the underground consists of 23 stations on two lines. The length of the tracks is about 29 km.
- Akhmeteli-Varketilskaya branch. It consists of 16 stations and is of the greatest interest to travelers. It easily reaches the capital’s main attractions – Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, Rike Park, Metekhi Temple, the Peace Bridge, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral, the Mother Georgia Statue, and also travels to the historical Old Town.
- Saburtalo branch. Shorter, it consists of 7 stations and leads mainly to the residential areas of Tbilisi. It is useful for tourists only if they rent accommodation in one of these budget areas.
You can get such a map for free at tourist information centers. The names of the metro stations on the map are written in two languages - Georgian and English. They are also announced in the carriages over the loudspeaker in these languages.
As you can see, everything is quite clear and it will be difficult to get confused.
Tbilisi metro map
This Google map of Tbilisi metro in Russian and English will help you navigate the geographic location of the metro relative to the city limits. Here you can also easily find one of the key metro stations Avlabari in Tbilisi – on the map it is in the city center, 5th from the final station Varketili.
Tbilisi metro stations
One of the interesting features of the Tbilisi metro is that it has two ground stations, called Didube and Gotsiridze. There is also one transfer station, in Georgian its name is Sadguris Moedani (Station Square).
Tbilisi metro stations are designed for trains of 5 cars. However, as a rule, trains consist of only 3-4 cars, based on expediency. Several years ago, the Tbilisi metro underwent a large-scale restoration. But the appearance of many stations is still not very impressive. But the train cars look very modern and neat. Against the background of white walls and ceilings of the salons, the red seats and handrails stand out brightly, causing a direct association with the colors of the Georgian national flag.
Of greatest interest to tourists are those metro stations near which important objects and attractions of the Georgian capital are located. Please note that you cannot get to Tbilisi International Airport by metro. You can only get there by land transport – buses or taxis.
- Sadguris Moedani (Station Square). This station is located near the only railway station of the capital, Tbilisi Central. Domestic and international trains depart from here. In addition, there is a bus station nearby, from which minibuses and buses depart in the direction of Zugdidi, Samtredia, Kutaisi, Batumi.
In the immediate vicinity of the station there is one of the largest markets in Georgia and the most popular market in the capital – the Deserter Market. Here you can buy literally everything in a huge assortment, including spices, peasant products, things, dishes, equipment and much more. - Didube. Next to this station is the Didube bus station, from where transport departs in the direction of all corners of Georgia, except Kakheti. In particular, from here you can go to Mtskheta, Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Batumi, Akhaltsikhe, Kutaisi, Borjomi.
- Samgori. Nearby is the Samgori bus station, from which transport goes to the cities of Telavi, Kvareli, Mestia, Sighnaghi and Akhaltsikhe.
- Isani. From the Isani metro station you can get to the bus station, from where transport goes to the Kakheti region. There is one of the most picturesque national parks in Georgia – Lagodekhi, a unique corner of wild nature, access to which was opened only in 2005.
- Avlabari. This is a must-see for those who want to stroll through the historical part of the Old City, visit the famous sulfur baths in the Abanotubani area, and walk at the heights of the ancient Metekhi area.
The Avlabari metro station is also the most convenient way to get to the main cathedral of Georgia – Tsminda Sameba, as well as to the main attractions of the center of Tbilisi – Rike Park, the Bridge of Peace, the presidential palace, the cable car. From here you can get to the ancient fortress Narikala, the Botanical Garden, and see the Mimino monument.
- Freedom Square. This station leads to the central street of the capital – a great place for walking around the Old Part of the city, the ancient Sololaki district, from here you can also get to the sulfur baths.
The metro also leads to Tbilisi’s oldest church, Anchiskhati, the funicular, and Mount Mtatsminda with its stunning panoramic viewpoint. In addition, there are many good restaurants, taverns, and cafes in the area of the Freedom Square metro station.
- Rustaveli. Rustaveli metro station in Tbilisi is located at the beginning of the central avenue of the capital. It is home to a large number of museums and beautiful old buildings. Here you can also see many popular tourist attractions and monuments, including the Bicycle monument. We recommend visiting the Khinkali House located here – this is one of the best khinkali houses in the city.
-
- Marjanishvili. Not far from this station is the pedestrian part of Agmashenebeli Avenue with many nice cafes, clothing stores, pastry shops, etc. Nearby is the famous art and flea market “Dry Bridge”, the largest in Georgia.
The Tbilisi metro is convenient and allows you to save money on travel around the city. But even if you are not short of money and are not in a hurry, do not deny yourself the pleasure of using the subway. You will be able to get to know Tbilisi, its color and style, and for a while become an ordinary resident of the Georgian capital.
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