How to get from Tbilisi airport to the centre

Tbilisi Airport (TBS) is about 17 km south-east of the centre. You can reach the city cheaply — by city bus or train — or quickly and door to door by taxi. Below are the options by time, cost and convenience; confirm exact fares and schedules locally.

City bus No. 337

The cheapest way is city bus No. 337, which runs from the airport into the centre (towards Avlabari and Liberty Square). You pay with a Metromoney card or a contactless bank card, just as on other city transport. The ride takes about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. The bus runs during the day and at wide intervals at night — it’s best to double-check the route, stops and schedule locally.

Train

A few times a day a train runs between the station by the airport and Tbilisi Central Station (Vagzlis Moedani / Station Square) — cheap and free of traffic. The catch is that there are few services, so this only works if the timing lines up with your flight. Check the schedule in advance.

Taxi and Bolt

The fastest and most convenient option is a taxi: a 20–30 minute ride, straight to your address. The cheapest way is to order a car through the Bolt app (popular in Georgia, with no haggling over the fare). There are also taxis at the exit — agree the price or ask for the meter before you set off. With luggage, late at night or as a group, this is often the best choice; a transfer can also be booked in advance.

At night

At night buses run less often, and there may be no train at all — at those hours Bolt or a pre-booked transfer is the most reliable. If you land in the small hours, it’s best to plan your journey in advance.

On arrival: connectivity, money, Tax Free

A few practical bits. Internet: the easiest option is to activate an eSIM before you land (it works the moment you arrive) or buy a local SIM at a counter in the arrivals area. Money: there are ATMs and currency exchange at the airport, but the rate there is usually worse than in town — withdraw or exchange just enough for the journey and do the rest in the city. Tax Free: if you’re taking out purchases with a VAT refund, process the refund before you pass through to departures (the Tax Free desk/kiosk in the departures area) — leave time for it. Confirm the exact locations and hours locally.

If you’re hiring a car

If you plan to travel around the country, you can pick up a car right at the airport on arrival — how it works is in the car hire section, and for deposits specifically, see car hire with no deposit.

In short

• Bus No. 337 — the cheapest, but the slowest; pay by card.
• Train — cheap and traffic-free, but few services.
• Bolt / taxi / transfer — fast and door to door; the best choice at night and with luggage.

Next up — our guide to Tbilisi, getting around Tbilisi by public transport and our overview of Georgia’s airports.