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Tbilisi Airport Guide: How to Get to the City, Bus 337, Taxis & Tips
Landing in Georgia for the first time? This guide explains exactly how to get from Tbilisi Airport to the city centre — every option compared by price, time and comfort — plus what happens on arrival, how to handle money and SIM cards, what to do on a late-night flight, and how to plan your departure. All information is checked for 2026.
17 km
to the city centre
25–40 min
by car, traffic depending
1 GEL
cheapest way: bus 337
$25
private transfer, per car
Where Is Tbilisi Airport?
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) sits about 17 km southeast of the city centre, on the road towards Kakheti. It is a compact, modern airport with a single passenger terminal, so arrivals, baggage claim and the exit are all close together — on a normal day most travellers are out of the building within 20–30 minutes of landing. The drive to the centre usually takes 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic and where your hotel is.
How to Get From Tbilisi Airport to the City: All Options Compared
There are five realistic ways to reach the city. Here is how they compare:
| Option | Typical price | Time | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 337 | 1 GEL (about 1.50 GEL with a foreign card) | 45–60 min | Roughly 7:00–23:00 | Solo travellers with light luggage |
| Bolt / Yandex Go | Roughly 20–35 GEL | 25–40 min | 24/7 | Travellers with a working data connection |
| Airport taxi rank | Roughly 30–60 GEL | 25–40 min | 24/7 | Spontaneous arrivals — agree the price first |
| Private transfer | From $25 per car (sedan) | 25–40 min | 24/7, pre-booked | Families, groups, night flights, first-timers |
| Train | Very cheap | Short ride | Only a few departures a day | Rarely practical — check the official schedule |
Prices are approximate for 2026 and can change. GEL = Georgian lari.
1. Bus 337 — the cheapest way
City bus 337 (formerly numbered 37) runs from the stop right outside the arrivals hall to the central railway station area, passing through the city centre. The fare is the standard 1 GEL municipal fare, which also gives you 90 minutes of free transfers to the metro and other city buses. With an international bank card it works out at about 1.50 GEL.
Three things to know before you rely on it:
- No cash. Pay by tapping a contactless bank card or phone wallet, or with a Metromoney transport card.
- Not 24 hours. Buses run roughly from 7:00 to 23:00 from the airport, every 15–20 minutes. If you land at night, it is not an option.
- Diversions in 2026. Because of the Rustaveli Avenue rehabilitation works (expected to continue until around November 2026), bus 337 runs on a temporarily changed route through the centre. Check your stop before boarding and allow extra time.
The bus is great value for a solo traveller with a backpack, but with large suitcases, children or a late flight it quickly becomes hard work.
2. Bolt and Yandex Go
Ride-hailing apps work well in Tbilisi and are usually the cheapest door-to-door option, typically around 20–35 GEL to the centre. You'll need mobile data on arrival to order a car, and pickup points and waiting times can be inconsistent when several flights land at once. Paying by card in the app avoids any cash discussion with the driver.
3. Taxis at the airport
Taxis wait outside arrivals around the clock. Prices are higher than the apps and can vary a lot, especially late at night — always agree the price before you get in, or insist on the meter. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride.
4. Private transfer — the stress-free option
With a pre-booked private transfer, your driver tracks your flight, waits in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name and takes you straight to your hotel at a price agreed in advance. It costs more than Bolt for a solo traveller, but for families, groups with luggage, night arrivals and first-time visitors it removes every uncertainty after a long flight — and for three or four people sharing one car, the price per person is often close to an app ride.
Our private Tbilisi airport transfer costs $25 per car to any hotel in Tbilisi (sedan, 1–3 passengers) or $40 in a minivan for up to 6, with bottled water, name-sign welcome and flight tracking included. You see the exact price instantly in the booking form.
Want your driver waiting at arrivals?
Fixed price from $25 per car · name sign · flight tracking · 24/7 on WhatsApp
5. Train
There is a railway link between the airport and Tbilisi's central station, but it runs only a few times a day, so for most arrivals it simply doesn't fit. If you want to try it, check the current timetable on the official Tbilisi Airport website before you travel.
What to Expect When You Land: Step by Step
- Passport control. Have your passport, return ticket and accommodation details ready. Since January 2026, all visitors must hold travel insurance covering health and accidents, so keep your policy handy — details in our travel insurance guide. Check whether you need a visa in our Georgia visa guide.
- Baggage claim. The hall is small and easy to navigate.
- Customs. Most travellers walk straight through. Cash above 30,000 GEL must be declared.
- Arrivals hall. This is where you'll find ATMs, currency exchange, mobile operator desks and, if you've booked one, your driver with a name sign.
Money, SIM Cards and Wi-Fi at the Airport
Cash: you'll find ATMs and exchange counters in the arrivals area. Airport exchange rates are usually a little worse than in the city, so change only a small amount — or withdraw lari from an ATM and always choose to be charged in GEL, not your home currency. Our Money in Georgia guide explains cards, cash and tipping in detail.
SIM and eSIM: Georgia's mobile operators have counters in the arrivals area where you can buy a tourist SIM with data, and eSIMs can be set up before you fly. Having data from the first minute makes everything easier — maps, messages to your driver and ride apps.
Wi-Fi: the terminal has free Wi-Fi, useful if your SIM isn't working yet.
Arriving at Night
Many flights from the Gulf, India and Europe land in Tbilisi between midnight and early morning. At those hours the bus isn't running, taxi prices tend to rise and you may have no data yet to order a ride. This is when a pre-booked transfer makes the most sense: your driver is already waiting, the price is fixed, and you go straight to bed. Let your hotel know about a late check-in in advance as well.
Departing From Tbilisi Airport
For international flights, plan to leave a central Tbilisi hotel about 3 hours before departure — that allows for the 25–40 minute drive, check-in, security and passport control without stress. Allow a little more during peak summer weekends and holidays. Bus 337 runs to the airport on a shorter schedule (roughly 6:00–22:45), so for early-morning departures a booked transfer or app ride is the safer choice. Our hotel to airport transfer uses the same fixed prices as arrivals.
Going Straight From the Airport to the Mountains or the Sea
You don't have to stop in Tbilisi first. Direct private transfers from the airport run to Gudauri and Kazbegi, Borjomi and Bakuriani, Kakheti and Batumi — handy for ski trips in winter (see our Gudauri vs Bakuriani guide) or for heading straight into the Caucasus. Many travellers also combine their arrival with a Kazbegi tour from Tbilisi or the Kakheti wine tour during their stay.
Flying Into Kutaisi Instead?
Many low-cost flights use Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) in western Georgia, roughly 3.5–4 hours by road from Tbilisi. Coach companies run shuttles between Kutaisi Airport and Tbilisi, usually timed around flight arrivals, for roughly 30 GEL per person; book online in advance when you can. For families, groups or late arrivals, a private car is far more comfortable and lets you stop on the way — our Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi transfer costs from $150 per car.
Top Tips for a Smooth Arrival
- Save your hotel address offline or as a screenshot, in Georgian too if you can.
- Carry a contactless bank card — buses and many shops don't take cash.
- Keep a little lari for small purchases in the first few hours.
- Share your flight number with whoever is picking you up, so delays are tracked.
- Ignore unofficial drivers approaching you inside the terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Tbilisi Airport to the city centre?
The main options are bus 337 (1 GEL, roughly 7:00–23:00), Bolt or Yandex Go (around 20–35 GEL), airport taxis (around 30–60 GEL) and pre-booked private transfers (from $25 per car). The drive takes about 25–40 minutes.
How far is Tbilisi Airport from the city centre?
About 17 km, or 25–40 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Does bus 337 run at night?
No. It runs roughly from 7:00 to 23:00 from the airport, so travellers landing at night need a taxi, a ride app or a pre-booked transfer.
Can I pay for the airport bus with cash?
No. Tbilisi buses are cashless — tap a contactless bank card or phone, or use a Metromoney card.
Does Bolt work at Tbilisi Airport?
Yes. Bolt and Yandex Go both operate at the airport, though you need mobile data to order and waiting times can vary when several flights land together.
How much is a taxi from Tbilisi Airport?
Airport taxis typically charge around 30–60 GEL to the centre. Agree the price before you get in. A pre-booked private transfer costs from $25 per car with the price fixed in advance.
Is there an ATM and currency exchange at Tbilisi Airport?
Yes, both are in the arrivals area. Exchange rates are usually slightly better in the city, so change only what you need at first.
How early should I leave for my departure flight?
For international flights, leaving a central Tbilisi hotel about 3 hours before departure is a comfortable rule of thumb.
How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?
Shuttle coaches run for roughly 30 GEL per person and take about 4 hours. A private transfer costs from $150 per car and is more comfortable for families and groups.
Planning your arrival? Book a private Tbilisi airport transfer with an instant price, or message us on WhatsApp with any question — we reply 24/7.