Navigating Tbilisi: A Guide to Local Transport
Getting Around Tbilisi
When visiting Tbilisi, understanding the local transport system can make your trip smoother. The city offers various options that cater to different needs and preferences. Whether you prefer public transport or private options, Tbilisi has something for everyone.
Public Buses
Public buses are a convenient way to travel around Tbilisi. They cover most areas of the city and are quite affordable. You can buy a ticket directly from the driver or use a travel card for added convenience.
Municipal transport in Tbilisi operates from 06:00 to 00:00, and a one-way ticket costs 1 GEL.
You can pay the fee using a bank card (Visa, Mastercard) or Travel Card.
If you intend to use public transportation daily, then purchasing a Travel Card is a good idea. Travel Card also offers a subscription (abonnement) for daily, weekly, and monthly fares at reduced rates. The card is suitable for buses, minibusses, metro, and cable cars.
You can purchase the car at the desk office inside any metro station.
Tbilisi buses are adapted for PWD (persons with disabilities) and equipped with charging ports.
Track bus movement in real-time using mobile apps: Moovit and Tbilisi Transport, or at https://ttc.com.ge/
Metro System
The Tbilisi Metro is another efficient way to get around. It has two lines that cover key parts of the city. The metro is fast, reliable, and avoids the traffic that can sometimes slow down buses.
To use the metro, you need to purchase a travel card. These cards are available at metro stations and can be recharged as needed. The metro operates from early morning until late at night, making it a flexible option for most travelers.
Tbilisi Metro
Georgia has well-developed transportation systems. One of the most important means of transport in the capital of Georgia is the metro. Tbilisi metro was opened on January 11, 1966. It was the fourth metro system in the Soviet Union after Moscow, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), and Kyiv.
Today, the Tbilisi Metro has 2 lines and 23 operating stations. 16 of them are located on the Gldani-Varketili line, and 7 on the Saburtalo line. The total length of the lines is 26.4 km.
Gldani-Varketili (first line) stations:
Varketili m/s (Javakheti Street)
Samgori m/s (Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue)
Isani m/s (Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue)
300 Aragveli m/s (Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue)
Avlabari m/s (Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue)
Freedom Square m/s (Freedom Square)
Rustaveli m/s (Merab Kostava Street)
Marjanishvili m/s (Kote Marjanishvili Street)
Station Square m/s (Station Square)
Nadzaladevi m/s (Tsotne Dadiani Street)
Gotsiridze m/s (Zestafoni Street)
Didube m/s (Tornike Eristavi Street; Transport Street)
Ghrmaghele m/s (Guramishvili Avenue)
Guramishvili m/s (Guramishvili Avenue)
Sarajishvili m/s (Guramishvili Avenue)
Akhmeteli Theater m/s (Khizanishvili Street)
Saburtalo (second line) stations:
Station Square m/s (Station Square)
Tsereteli m/s (Tsereteli Avenue)
Technical University m/s (May 26 Square, Pekini Avenue)
Medical University m/s (Vazha-Pshavela Avenue)
Delisi m/s (Vazha-Pshavela Avenue)
Vazha-Pshavela m/s (Vazha-Pshavela Avenue)
State University m/s (Vazha-Pshavela Avenue)
Tbilisi Metro is open from 6:00 to 24:00.
A one-way fare is 1 GEL. After the first payment, the user can travel for free in any direction for up to 90 minutes.
You can pay the fee using a bank card (Visa, Mastercard) or Travel Card.
If you intend to use public transportation daily, then purchasing a Travel Card is a good idea. Travel Card also offers a subscription (abonnement) for daily, weekly, and monthly fares at reduced rates.
The card is suitable for metro, bus, minibus, and cable cars.
You can purchase Travel Card at the desk office inside any metro station.
Minibus-Marshrutkas
Marshrutkas are minibuses that offer a more flexible route compared to regular buses. They are a popular choice among locals for their speed and convenience. However, routes can be confusing for first-time visitors, so it's a good idea to ask locals for guidance.
There is a variety of public transportation systems in Georgia. A minibus is one of them and is widely used in the country.
In Tbilisi, municipal transport includes the metro, buses, cable cars, and minibusses. Minibusses operate from 06:00 to 23:00 and a one-time fare is 1 GEL.
You can pay the fee using a bank card (Visa, Mastercard) or Travel Card.
If you intend to use public transportation daily, then purchasing a Travel Card is a good idea. Travel Card also offers a subscription (abonnement) for daily, weekly, and monthly fares at reduced rates.
You can purchase the car at the desk office inside any metro station.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available in Tbilisi and can be hailed on the street or booked through apps like Bolt and Yandex. They are relatively inexpensive compared to many Western countries. Always make sure the driver uses the meter or agree on a fare before starting your journey.
Bike Sharing
For those who prefer an eco-friendly option, bike-sharing services are available. These services allow you to rent a bike for short periods, offering a great way to explore the city at your own pace. Look for bike stations around popular tourist spots and parks.
Electric Scooter
In several cities of Georgia, you can rent an electric scooter to get around.
The first electric scooter-sharing service in the country was launched in 2020 in Tbilisi by the company Scroll in cooperation with the American company Bird, and with the support of Tbilisi City Hall. The rapid development of digital technology has made it easier and more convenient for citizens to use electric scooters.
Tbilisi in particular is distinguished by the variety of electric scooters available.
Scroll - was the first brand to start renting scooters in Tbilisi. The process is very simple. You will just need to download the mobile application - BIRD (www.scroll.eco) on your mobile device and then follow the simple process of finding and “unlocking” the scooter. The app also provides rules and other details concerning how to use the vehicle safely.
There is a range of other companies in the country offering electric scooters for rent, such as:
KICK https://kicky.city
JET https://jetshr.com
Qari https://qari.eco