Bolt taxi is cheapest — always use the app, never street hail
Trust L4Updated May 7, 2026
Old Town · Experience date Apr 5, 2026
Tbilisi
How to get around efficiently with clear cost comparisons.
You'll quickly learn that flagging a taxi on the street can cost 30-50GEL for a short ride, while the Bolt app (or YandexGo) reliably charges 8-12GEL ($3-4.50) for the same trip-so always book through the app. The city bus network is cheap and comfortable: a single ride is only 0.50GEL if you tap a Metromoney card on the reader, and routes like Bus50 (RustaveliVake) get you across the main districts without the chaos of marshrutkas. For longer excursions, the overnight Georgian Railway train to Batumi leaves Tbilisi Central around 11pm, arrives at 6am, and costs 35-70GEL for a couchette; a day trip to Kazbegi (157km) is the most popular mountain getaway. If you decide to drive, expect aggressive, informal traffic-lanes are treated as suggestions, double-parking is routine, and speed limits drop to 60km/h in the city, so stay alert and give yourself extra travel time. **Next step:** download Bolt, purchase a Metromoney card at any kiosk, and tap the card on a nearby bus to test the system today.
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Old Town · Experience date Apr 5, 2026
Bolt rides across Tbilisi are typically 8-12 GEL ($3-4.50). Much cheaper than flagging a taxi on the street where tourists get quoted 30-50 GEL for the same trip. Yandex Go is a good alternative.
Saburtalo · Experience date Dec 1, 2025
Tbilisi has a city bus network alongside marshrutkas. Buses: 0.50 GEL fare, paid via Metromoney card (tap on reader). More comfortable and less chaotic than marshrutkas. Key routes: Bus 50 (Rustaveli to Vake), Bus 37 (Old Town to Saburtalo), Bus 1 (Didube to Isani via centre). Bus schedule and route info: available on Tbilisi Transport Company app (Georgian only) and partially on Moovit. Buses run 7am–11pm. Combined Metro + bus monthly pass: 40 GEL — excellent value for daily commuters. For occasional city travel: Bolt is more convenient than navigating bus routes.
Didube · Experience date Jan 7, 2026
Georgian Railway (railway.ge) connects: Tbilisi–Batumi (4.5 hours, frequent, $5–20), Tbilisi–Kutaisi (3.5 hours, several daily), Tbilisi–Zugdidi (5.5 hours, gateway to Svaneti). Trains are comfortable, air-conditioned, on time. No trains to Kazbegi or most mountain areas. The overnight Tbilisi–Batumi train with sleeping compartments is particularly popular with expats for weekend trips. Book online at railway.ge (English available) or at Tbilisi Central Station (Sadguris Moedani). Prices are very low by European standards — most routes cost $5–20 per ticket.
Rustaveli · Experience date Mar 30, 2026
Metro is 1 GEL per ride and covers the main east-west axis. For other routes take marshrutkas (minibuses) at 1 GEL. Bolt and Yandex Go taxi apps work well — typical ride across the city is 8-15 GEL.
Saburtalo · Experience date Dec 28, 2025
Renting a car opens up much of Georgia that's impractical by public transport. Reputable rental companies at TBS airport: Sixt, Europcar, Budget, and local Georgian companies (cheaper but verify insurance carefully). Cost: $20–35/day for a basic car, $40–60/day for an SUV (recommended for mountain roads). Insurance: always take full coverage — Georgian mountain roads and Tbilisi traffic mean minor scratches are common. Georgian roads: excellent new highways to Batumi and Kutaisi, moderate roads to Kazbegi, variable condition on rural routes. International driving licence: recommended but technically optional for EU licence holders.
Isani · Experience date Mar 1, 2026
Bolt is the dominant ride-hailing app in Tbilisi. Prices are extremely low: $1.50–3 for most central city trips, $3–5 for longer trips across the city. Always reliable — average wait time 3–5 minutes in central areas. App works in English. Payment: card or cash. Bolt drivers expect cash in outer districts — keep 10–20 GEL coins available. Surge pricing: rare but occurs during peak evening hours (7–9pm) and late nights at weekends. Cheaper than any Western city by a factor of 3–5x. Using Bolt instead of owning a car in Tbilisi is a completely rational choice — most expats do exactly this.
Saburtalo · Experience date Feb 15, 2026
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is 18 km from the city centre. Metro: Red line to Isani station, then Airport Express shuttle bus — but this bus has been unreliable; verify current status. Taxi via Bolt: $6–10 from central Tbilisi, 25–35 minutes. Fixed-price official airport taxis at arrivals: $15–20 — not necessary when Bolt works perfectly. Yandex Taxi: similar pricing to Bolt for airport trips. Journey time: 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Traffic warning: avoid airport taxi during 8–9:30am and 5:30–7:30pm rush hours — allow extra 20–30 minutes. Bolt works from inside the airport immediately on arrival.
Rustaveli · Experience date Feb 16, 2026
Yandex Taxi operates alongside Bolt in Tbilisi. Pricing similar to Bolt — typically within 10–15% for the same route. Yandex sometimes has shorter wait times in outer districts (Saburtalo, Gldani) where Bolt driver density is lower. Requires a phone number for registration — a Georgian +995 number or international number both work. Payment: card or cash. Note: some expats avoid Yandex due to its Russian origin and prefer Bolt. Both apps are available on Georgian App Store and Google Play and function identically from a user perspective. Having both installed gives you price comparison and backup.
Rustaveli · Experience date Apr 10, 2026
Tbilisi traffic is notoriously aggressive by European standards. Lanes are treated as suggestions, double-parking is routine, and priority rules are informally negotiated. Speed limits: 60 km/h in city, 90 km/h on roads, 110 km/h on highways — rarely enforced. Georgian driving culture: assertive and fast. If you drive: a European or international licence is valid in Georgia for 1 year. Road conditions in central Tbilisi: generally good on main roads, poor on side streets (potholes, cobblestones). Parking: see housing section. Car rental: $20–40/day from Budget, Europcar at the airport. Most expats use Bolt rather than drive.
Saburtalo · Experience date Nov 16, 2025
Tbilisi has been building cycling infrastructure since 2022 — dedicated lanes along the Kura riverfront and in Vake Park. Central Tbilisi cycling: challenging due to hills, cobblestones in Old Town, and aggressive drivers. Flat cycling: the riverside route from Old Town past Metekhi bridge to Isani and beyond is pleasant and safe. Vake Park has a dedicated cycling loop. Bike rental: Tiflis Bike Shop (near Fabrika) rents by the day ($15–20). E-bikes: available to rent via TBC app (TBC Moto e-bikes). For daily commuting: cycling is practical only in flat areas — Saburtalo, Isani, riverside. Old Town and Vera are too hilly for comfortable daily cycling.