Transportation in Georgia
Transportation to, from and around Georgia is readily available in all forms, from buses to airplanes, and cars to ferries. Georgia's chronic power crisis contributes to regular blackouts that darken the capital city of Tbilisi, causing occasional disruptions to air traffic and the cities transportation system. Public transportation is reasonably priced in the capital city of Tbilisi, with options ranging from an underground train system, extensive bus network, cable cars and trams.
[read more]Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia has attracted traders, explorers and holiday makers to her shores from the dawn of time.
Our Georgia transportation guide gives you some handy tips and tricks for travelling to from and around Georgia. Georgia is makings its way back on to the world stage after the collapse of the Soviet Union, slowly improving its transportation options for locals and travellers alike. A great way to explore the country side in the mean time is by joining one of the great Georgia tours available through our network.
Check out our transportation guides for Georgia's capital city, Tbilisi, and nearby Turkey, Armenia, Albania and Bulgaria.
Georgia Transportation Guide
Getting to Georgia
By Air
Georgia is fairly well connected by air. There are direct flights to Tbilisi from Paris, Munich, Koln, Frankfurt, London, Prague, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Vienna, Tel-Aviv, Moscow, Tehran, Kiev, Athens and the major cities of CIS that are operated by a many airlines like British Airways, Georgian Airways, KLM, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, DBA to mention a few.
The International airport of Tbilisi (TBS) is about 18 km (11 miles) to the east of the Tbilisi city centre. A few years ago, a new airport was constructed which has limited facilities. You may not find public telephones or restaurants at present. Taxis and buses are available to transfer passengers to the city centre.
By Land
You can drive down from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia into Georgia. There are many check-points enroute, so factor in for these halts while planning your trip.
You can arrive at Georgia by bus via Hopa on the Black Sea. Once you reach the bus terminal, which is quite chaotic, take a mini van to Sarp. It will cost you three Turkish Lira to Sarp.
Once you are at the border get your passport stamped and walk through the four check points. The first is where a guard will check the stamp on the passport. Second is where the passport details are entered into the computer. Be prepared to join a long line for the third check. The fourth is at the tourist information centre where you can book the taxi and accommodation. The English speaking staff at the centre will find you accommodation in Georgia and transport to get you there for about 10 USD.
By Sea
Poti, Batumi and Sukhumi are the major ports of Georgia that have connections with the Black Sea ports of Trabzon, Istanbul, Odessa, Sochi and the Mediterranean ports of Piraeus and Genoa. Currently passenger service boats are not organised and hence not recommended.
Getting around Georgia
Travelling within the city is not a comfortable experience because of the bad road conditions and slow traffic. Although public transport in Georgia is incredibly slow, crowded and uncomfortable it is cheap.
You can hire a car in Georgia but beware of pot holes, lack of signs and the omnipresent extorting police. The best option is to hire a car and a local driver who knows the place. Explore the fabulous scenery of the country by leaving the navigation to the expert.
Another reasonable and quick way to travel around Georgia is by Marshrutka or shared taxi. Marshrutkas are mini vans that ply different routes. They are relatively efficient and can be used for short trips, day trips and long distance hauls. They are not the most comfortable means of transport in Georgia as they tend to pack in people and their luggage. They also keep picking up passengers enroute, so chances are that you might find yourself packed like a sardine in a can. The bright side of it is that it is faster than a bus.
Most of the historical monuments and places of interest in Georgia are located outside the city with no organised transportation to get there. You could take a Marshrutka or hire a private taxi if you are not a budget traveller. But they are not necessarily luxurious.
Georgia Visa Information
The best thing about travelling to Georgia is you can just pick up your passport, bags and go there if you are a citizen of Canada, USA, Japan, Switzerland, Israel and countries of the European Union. If you plan to stay in Georgia for up to 90 days, you don't need a visa. However, if you plan to extend your stay beyond 90 days, you will need a visa.
For the rest of the population who are not among the above mentioned citizens, there is no need to fret. Visa is exempted for tourists arriving by cruise ships in Georgia and staying in Georgia for less than 72 hours. Just make sure your passport is valid beforehand.
As visa regulations can change substantially overnight we suggest you check visa requirements with your local embassy before
The best thing about travelling to Georgia is you can just pick up your passport, bags and go there if you are a citizen of Canada, USA, Japan, Switzerland, Israel and countries of the European Union. If you plan to stay in Georgia for up to 90 days, you don't need a visa. However, if you plan to extend your stay beyond 90 days, you will need a visa.
For the rest of the population who are not among the above mentioned citizens, there is no need to fret. Visa is exempted for tourists arriving by cruise ships in Georgia and staying in Georgia for less than 72 hours. Just make sure your passport is valid beforehand.
As visa regulations can change substantially overnight we suggest you check visa requirements with your local embassy before travelling to Georgia.
