Transport system
The transport system of Georgia is well developed, especially in such large cities as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi. There are extensive networks of buses and minibuses that connect all key areas. Residents and guests of the capital actively use the metro - it is a fast, affordable and convenient way to get around the center and main districts of Tbilisi. The public transport system in Georgia also includes cable cars. Here it is not just entertainment for tourists who want to enjoy the mountain beauty, but also a way to move between urban locations. Trolleybuses used to run along Georgian streets, but since the early 2000s they have been gradually decommissioned.
Taxis in Georgia are relatively inexpensive, and car rental services operate in large cities and tourist places like Borjomi, Kakheti, Mestia. Intercity communication is provided mainly by buses and minibuses. Rail and flights are used for long-distance travel, but they do not cover all regions of the country. Let's tell you more about each type of transport.
Urban and intercity buses
In large cities of Georgia, bus routes cover almost all areas and are often duplicated by minibuses. The fleet, as a rule, is represented by comfortable vehicles equipped with video cameras and air conditioners. Most buses have placards where the route and the next stop are marked. The names of the stops are announced in Georgian. In the capital and large cities, bus stops are equipped with electronic displays that indicate the arrival time of the nearest routes.
The fare to Tbilisi is 1 GEL. You can pay for it using a Metromoney card or mobile applications. In the capital, the Metromoney card is valid in all types of public transport - metro, buses and cable car. The cost of the card itself is 2 GEL. It is bought and replenished at both metro stations and in some shops and kiosks. The second and subsequent trips on the Metromoney card are free for 1.5 hours. The card still needs to be attached to the terminal, but money will not be debited from it. The Metromoney card is unnamed, it can be transferred to other people.
In Batumi and Kutaisi, bus travel is cheaper - about 0.40-0.50 lari. In Batumi, you can pay for travel with a regular bank card or a transport card Batumi Card – so it will be a little cheaper. In Kutaisi, a ticket for public transport can be purchased from the driver for cash, or using a transport card, which is purchased at specialized points of sale.
The comfort of intercity buses depends on the city and route, but most of them meet modern standards. They are spacious, with a large luggage compartment, equipped with air conditioning and free WI-FI.
Intercity bus service in Georgia is provided by several companies:
- Metro Georgia – in addition to flights within Georgia from Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi airport, Kobuleti and Lanchkhuti, the company has about 30 destinations to cities in Turkey. You can also send parcels between cities via Metro.
- Georgian Bus is the official carrier of Kutaisi airport, the company has buses to Tbilisi, Gudauri, Batumi. The schedule is linked to the arrival and departure of flights. Citybus Georgia – flights of the company can reach Tbilisi, Sarpi, Ureki, Gonio, Kvariati, Batumi and Kutaisi, including airports, as well as in any other direction.
- Omnibus – flights operate in both directions on the routes: Tbilisi – Batumi, Tbilisi – Kutaisi Airport, Tbilisi – Zugdidi, Kutaisi – Batumi Airport. It is convenient that you can take a ticket for a certain flight from Kutaisi airport.
Minibuses
Minibus taxis are very popular in Georgia, especially in small towns. They are minibuses with 15-20 seats and run between towns and villages, as well as to all major tourist destinations - Kazbegi, Mtskheta, Borjomi and others. You can catch a minibus at bus stops, train stations and bus stations. The destination is usually indicated on the windshield.In Tbilisi and Batumi, minibuses cover areas where buses do not run. They perform the role of high-speed transport operating without a schedule. They are inexpensive and run quite often. The fare inside the city is about 1-2 lari, and long-distance trips will cost from 5 to 20 lari, depending on the distance. The fare is paid in cash.
In terms of comfort, minibuses are inferior to buses, especially on long-distance routes, as they are often crowded. Also, the minibus can leave earlier than the scheduled time if it is already completely filled with passengers.
Metro
There is a metro only in Tbilisi. The network consists of two lines: Akhmeteli-Varketili (red line) and Saburtalo (blue line). The Red line is the main one, it includes 6 stations and connects the north-west and south-east of the city. The blue line includes 7 stations and covers the western part of the city. The metro itself is quite old, but at the same time convenient. Its stations pass through most of the popular tourist locations. Train travel intervals are from 2.5 minutes to 12 minutes. The cost of the trip is 1 GEL. Payment is made using a Metromoney card or a regular bank card. Stations are announced in Georgian and English, diagrams and inscriptions inside the subway are also indicated in two languages.
Cable cars
Cable cars in Georgia are not just a tourist attraction, but a part of the public transport system due to the country's landscape. Tbilisi's main cable car "Narikala" connects Europe Square in the city center with the Narikala Fortress on top of the hill. Another road leads to Mtatsminda Park and the TV tower. The longest cable car with a length of 2.5 kilometers is located in Batumi. The Bakuriani, Gudauri, Tetnuldi, Hatsvali, Goderdzi cable cars are part of the infrastructure of ski resorts and provide access to mountain routes and ski trails. This type of transport is also used in other cities of Mestia, Borjomi, Chiatura.
Railway connection
If we are talking about long-distance trips, then trains are a much more convenient and budget option than minibuses or transfers. Railway communication in Georgia connects the main cities and tourist destinations: Tbilisi, Batumi, Borjomi, Bakuriani. Trains vary in class and speed. There are both more comfortable and expensive, as well as more economical options. For example, Swiss stadlers with 1st and 2nd class carriages equipped with sockets and WI-FI travel along the Tbilisi-Batumi route.
The disadvantage of the railway connection is that trains run only in the west and in the central part of Georgia, as well as on several routes south of Tbilisi.The difficult mountainous terrain prevents the construction of a full-fledged railway track, therefore it will not be possible to get by train to any corner of the country.
Air service
The country's largest airports are located in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Tbilisi International Airport is the main logistics hub for international flights, connecting Georgia with most major cities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Kutaisi Airport is the second most important in the country, often used by low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air. Batumi Airport serves the Black Sea coast and accepts both domestic and international flights.
The main carriers of domestic flights are Vanilla Sky and Georgian Airways. International Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Wizz Air,Lufthansa.Domestic flights are less popular than car routes because the distances within the country are relatively small. The most common domestic destinations in both directions are Tbilisi, Batumi, Batumi, Natakhtari, Kutaisi, Natakhtari, Mestia (Svaneti), Ambrolauri, Natakhtari.
Taxi
Taxis in Georgia are relatively inexpensive. For example, a trip from the Batumi Botanical Garden to the city center will cost about 10 lari. Trips around Tbilisi cost from GEL 5 to GEL 15, depending on the distance. A family or a company of three or four people will spendthere is no more money for a trip within the city than for the subway. The rates may be higher at night.
The following services operate in Georgia:
- Yandex go – operates in Batumi, Tbilisi, Kutaisi. Bolt works in Batumi and Tbilisi. In addition to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, Taximaxim also operates in Gori, Zugdidi, Poti, Kobuleti, Rustavi, Akhaltsikhe, Zestafoni, Poti, Telavi, Samtredia, Khashuri.
Yandex and Bolt have the same tariffs plus or minus.Taximaxime is cheaper, however, some of the addresses are available in the application only in Georgian.
Uber does not work in Georgia. It should also be remembered that Russian bank cards do not work in Georgia, so if such a card is linked in the application, you need to change the payment method to cash. Maps of Belarus and other countries work without restrictions.
You can also catch a taxi on the street, but private traders always have overpriced prices, so it is better to specify the cost before the trip begins. Private cabbies are especially eager to offer their services at train stations and airports. However, calling a taxi through the app will be a more economical solution.
Personal car
Since the car gives more freedom in terms of movement, many Russians come to Georgia in their cars - this is noticeable by the numbers on the roads. Cars with Russian license plates can stay in Georgia without registration for up to 90 days. Then there are several ways. The first is to travel to any neighboring country for a day and come back, so the owner will have another 90 days to move freely around Georgia. The second is to hand over Russian license plates to the patrol police (local traffic police) and get Georgian ones in return. The Russian numbers are kept by the police, and if necessary they can be put back.The third option is to pay the customs duty and issue a car for free circulation, in fact, to make it a full-fledged Georgian vehicle.
The penalty for exceeding the 90-day deadline is GEL 50 for each day of delay. The maximum amount of the fine is GEL 1000, regardless of the delay. Also, local insurance must be issued for the car.
In the big cities of Georgia, car traffic is quite intense. Accordingly, there is a problem of traffic jams and lack of parking, especially in central areas. Georgians themselves, despite the traffic jams and well-developed public transport, prefer to use private cars. In Georgia, cars are almost two times cheaper than in Russia, especially used ones. That is why Russians who come here with long-term plans prefer to buy cars upon arrival. This is especially true for people from distant regions, from where it is simply impossible to get by car. Foreigners who plan to stay in Georgia for a long time, as a rule, immediately buy cars with Georgian license plates.
Car rental
If you do not have a private car, you can rent a car. This service is provided by both companies and individuals. Prices start at $50 per day, depending on the class of the car. The feasibility of renting depends on the plans and goals. For trips around the city, taking into account the cost of gasoline, paid parking and, in general, the availability of parking spaces, a taxi is better suited. To move around the country, renting a car will be quite comfortable and advisable. When traveling to the mountains, in the same Svaneti, it is more logical to rent a jeep.
The peak of car rental is in August, so during the tourist season it is worth taking care of booking in advance. In order to use the service, you will need a passport and a driver's license.
Road quality and safety
The quality of roads in Georgia depends on the region. The main routes between Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi are in good condition. The roads leading to the main attractions also do not cause complaints. But in mountainous regions and remote villages, roads can be narrow, poorly paved, and not always equipped with fences. In winter, the situation in the mountains is complicated by snowfall.
Restaurants, guesthouses, and parking lots are located along the main routes. Despite the fact that the main roads in the country are being upgraded in a timely manner, in some places there may still be areas with potholes and pits. There are occasional stretches of soil between the regions, but they are usually small, up to 10 km. Animals such as cows, goats, horses, and pigs can often be found on roads outside the city.
To foreigners, the driving style of Georgians may seem chaotic and somewhat aggressive. Local drivers often exceed the speed limit, violate the rules when overtaking, ignore pedestrian crossings, use fast lane changes and sudden maneuvers. Therefore, on the roads, especially in mountainous regions, where serpentines are not uncommon, you need to be more vigilant and watch not only yourself, but also other drivers.
The state's attempts to remedy the situation have borne fruit. The cameras on the roads and road patrols in Georgia work clearly, so in recent years the driving culture has been gradually changing for the better. Employees of patrol services monitor the implementation of the rules quite strictly. If there are unpaid fines, you will not be able to leave Georgia; you will have to pay them right at the border. If you get into a problematic situation, you definitely should not try to solve the issue with a bribe. Firstly, it is useless, and secondly, Georgian patrolmen react to it very negatively, punishment is provided for giving a bribe.
If we talk about regional differences, then the capital's drivers are characterized by a more active and aggressive driving style, in Batumi and Kutaisi the driving culture is softer.
For safe movement in Georgia, it is important to keep a distance, avoid night trips through dangerous areas and be prepared for unpredictable maneuvers by other road users.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material Sergey Tsukanov, Sales Manager and Nikolosa Tsurtsumiu, Director of the company Kolos Residence
Photos used: Depositphotos.com
