Georgia's airports: Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi

Georgia has three main international airports — in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. They are very different: Tbilisi is the country’s main gateway, Kutaisi is the budget-flight hub, and Batumi is the closest of all to its city and the sea. Which one to choose depends on where you’re heading and how much the ticket price matters.

Tbilisi (TBS)

Tbilisi’s Shota Rustaveli International Airport is the largest in the country, with the most airlines and destinations. It sits about 17 km south-east of the centre; by car or taxi that’s around 20–30 minutes. City bus No. 37 runs into town — the ride to the centre takes longer (a little over an hour), but it’s cheap. This is the most convenient option if your destination is Tbilisi and eastern Georgia.

Terminal of Tbilisi International Airport with signage — Tbilisi International Airport — the largest in the country and its main gateway by air. Photo: James Emery / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Kutaisi (KUT)

Kutaisi’s David the Builder International Airport is Georgia’s main budget-flight hub: Wizz Air flies from here to several dozen European destinations, and tickets are often the cheapest in the region. The downside is its location: the airport is about 20 km from Kutaisi and far from both major resort areas (roughly 230 km to Tbilisi and 140 km to Batumi). On the plus side, transport is well organised: a 24-hour shuttle into Kutaisi, direct flight-timed buses to Tbilisi (around 3.5 h, about 30 GEL) and to Batumi (about 2 h 15 min, around 25 GEL), and a nearby station where the Stadler train stops.

Modern Kutaisi airport terminal with control tower — Kutaisi airport — the low-cost hub; from here buses carry arrivals across western Georgia. Photo: Aleksandr Sapozhnikov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Batumi (BUS)

Batumi’s Alexander Kartveli International Airport is the most “urban” of the three: it’s just about 2 km from the centre of Batumi, right by the sea, and you can reach the city in 10–15 minutes. In season it handles international flights plus some domestic ones; in winter the schedule is noticeably leaner. City bus No. 10 runs to the centre (about 20 minutes, around 0.30 GEL); a taxi or Bolt is faster.

Batumi airport terminal seen from the forecourt — Batumi airport — the closest of all to its city: just a couple of kilometres to the centre. Photo: Andrey Romanenko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Which airport to choose

Flying to Tbilisi and the east — pick Tbilisi (TBS): more flights and closer to the capital.
Looking for a cheap ticket from Europe — check Kutaisi (KUT), but budget time and money for the journey on to Tbilisi or Batumi.
Heading for the sea — Batumi (BUS) is the handiest, almost in the city itself; but check whether your flight runs in the off-season.

Ticket prices, buses and schedules change over time — confirm them before you travel on the airport and carrier websites. For getting between cities once you’re here, see how to get from Tbilisi to Batumi; for travelling by your own car, the car hire section will help.