Tbilisi public transport: metro, buses and Bolt

Tbilisi is compact, and public transport here is cheap and convenient — you often don’t need a car in the city. The main ways to get around are the metro, city buses and taxis ordered through an app. Confirm exact fares and operating hours locally — what follows is the general picture.

The Metromoney card

A single Metromoney card pays for both the metro and the buses; you buy and top it up at ticket offices and machines in metro stations. Most buses and the metro also accept a contactless bank card. The fare per ride is low, and transfers within a limited time window are usually free — check the current price locally.

The metro

The metro is the fastest way to cross the city free of traffic: two lines with one interchange, and signs in Georgian and English. It runs from early morning until around midnight. If you’re crossing the centre at rush hour, the metro almost always beats a car.

Cable cars

Tbilisi has several cable cars, and they’re not just an attraction but a handy way to get around: from Rike Park up to Narikala fortress and out to Turtle Lake. You pay with the same Metromoney card as the metro and buses. The views along the way are excellent, and the ride saves your legs on the steep slopes.

Buses

City buses (blue and yellow) run frequently, and some streets have dedicated lanes, which helps in traffic. You pay with a Metromoney or bank card. Routes are easy to check in a navigation app (Google Maps, Moovit), which shows the nearest stop and the timing.

Marshrutkas

Marshrutkas (minibuses) run along fixed routes, sometimes faster than a bus, but less predictably and with payment to the driver. They’re useful when you need to get somewhere a direct bus doesn’t reach.

Bolt (taxi)

The easiest way to order a taxi in Tbilisi is through the Bolt app: the price is known in advance, with no haggling, and there are plenty of cars. It’s a lifesaver late in the evening, in the rain or with luggage. There are street taxis too — agree the price before you get in.

Trips out of town

For excursions out of town (Mtskheta, Kazbegi, Kakheti) there are marshrutkas and trains from the city stations, and for freedom over your route, car hire is more convenient. For ready-made plans, see the routes section.

Next up — our guide to Tbilisi and how to get in from the airport.