Landing at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), most travelers just want the fastest, affordable way into town.
This Tbilisi airport transfer guide covers every option — the official taxi rank, ride-hail apps, the public bus, and pre-booked private transfers — with real prices and travel times.
- Tbilisi Airport is about 17km from the city center — a 20 to 30 minute drive.
- The public bus 337 is the cheapest way in, at 1 GEL (about $0.35) with a transport card.
- Bolt and Yandex Go usually beat curbside taxi quotes, and both take card payment.
- Car rental desks — Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo and others — are all in the arrivals hall.
- Mtskheta is a 30-minute drive from the airport; Kazbegi and Borjomi are full-day, 2.5 to 3-hour road trips.
How far is Tbilisi Airport from the city center?
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) sits about 17km southeast of central Tbilisi. The drive along the Kakheti Highway into town takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, longer during rush hour.
That short distance is why so many transfer options exist side by side. Which one makes sense depends mostly on your budget, luggage, and what time you land.
Tbilisi airport transfer options compared
Here’s how the four main ways from TBS into the city stack up on price and time.
Taxi from Tbilisi airport
The official taxi rank is right outside the arrivals hall, open around the clock. A metered ride to downtown Tbilisi typically runs 40 to 60 GEL (about $15–22), taking 20 to 30 minutes.
Curbside drivers sometimes quote arriving tourists 50 to 80 GEL before you’ve even asked for the meter. This isn’t universal, but it’s common enough to plan for.
Stick to the marked official rank, confirm the meter is running, or agree a price before you get in. An app-based ride removes this guesswork entirely.
Bolt and Yandex Go from the airport
Bolt and Yandex Go both operate 24/7 at TBS and are usually the cheapest door-to-door option. Expect to pay roughly 15 to 35 GEL (about $6–13) into the city center, with the fare shown upfront before you confirm and surge pricing possible late at night.
Both apps take card payment, so you don’t need Georgian lari on arrival. Pull up the app inside the terminal and match your ride to the car and plate number shown, rather than approaching a driver who flags you down first.
Public bus 337 to the city center
The municipal bus stop sits directly in front of the arrivals hall. This route was renumbered from 37 to 337, so don’t be thrown if an older blog post or map still shows the old number.
Buses run from about 7am to 11pm, roughly every 15 to 20 minutes. The route runs into the center via Freedom Square (Liberty Square) and Rustaveli Avenue, ending at Tbilisi Central Railway Station.
The bus does not run overnight, so for a late-night arrival, use a ride-hail app or the taxi rank instead.
Fare is 1 GEL for 90 minutes of unlimited transfers if you tap a contactless bank card or a rechargeable transport card (2 GEL to buy at the Bank of Georgia counter in arrivals). Cash payment is accepted on some buses but doesn’t include the transfer package.
Pre-booked private transfers
A pre-arranged private transfer costs roughly $15 to $30 for a sedan, or $25 to $45 for a minivan, door to door. A driver waits in arrivals with your name, so there’s no haggling and no app to download.
This is the most predictable option for a late-night landing, a family with luggage, or a first-time visitor who’d rather not sort out cash or apps on arrival.
Renting a car at Tbilisi airport
Car rental desks line the arrivals hall, just past baggage claim.
Major brands with an airport presence include Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Thrifty and Dollar, alongside local Georgian operators.
Several major brands offer one-way rentals within Georgia if you want to pick up at the airport and drop off somewhere else. Confirm one-way availability and any drop-off fee directly with the company when you book, since terms shift by season.
Renting makes the most sense if you’re planning day trips or a multi-day road trip beyond Tbilisi.
If you’re staying in the city center and mostly sightseeing on foot or by taxi, skip it, as parking and driving in the Old Town are more hassle than they’re worth.
Day trips and road trips from the airport by rental car
Picking up a car at TBS puts several of Georgia’s best day trips within easy reach. Here’s how they rank by distance from the airport.
Mtskheta is close enough to combine with a half-day city arrival, while Gori and Sighnaghi work well as a single full-day trip. Kazbegi and Borjomi are best treated as their own dedicated day, since both involve 2.5 to 3 hours of driving each way.
Kazbegi’s Georgian Military Highway is shorter on paper than the road to Borjomi, but mountain switchbacks and weather can slow it down, so the two end up taking a similar amount of time in practice.
With a one-way rental and more than a day to spare, some travelers push on past Borjomi toward the Black Sea coast instead of circling back. Batumi makes a scenic final stop, especially if you can fly out from there instead.
Where to stay in Tbilisi
Most transfer options above end near Old Town or Rustaveli Avenue, which is also where most visitors base themselves.
Compare hotels in Tbilisi close to these drop-off points before you book your transfer, so the two line up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from Tbilisi airport to the city center?
Public bus 337 is the cheapest option, at 1 GEL (about $0.35) with a contactless card, running roughly every 15 to 20 minutes from about 7am to 11pm. The bus does not run overnight, so for a late-night arrival, use a ride-hail app or the taxi rank instead.
How much does a taxi from Tbilisi airport cost?
An official metered taxi from the arrivals-hall rank typically costs 40 to 60 GEL (about $15–22) into the city center. Curbside drivers sometimes quote tourists more, so confirm the meter or agree a price before you set off, or use Bolt or Yandex Go instead.
Is Bolt or Yandex Go cheaper at Tbilisi airport?
Both typically cost 15 to 35 GEL (about $6–13) into the city, usually less than a curbside taxi quote. Pricing varies with demand on both apps, so it’s worth checking the fare on each before you book.
Can I rent a car at Tbilisi airport?
Yes. Car rental desks for Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Thrifty and Dollar are all in the arrivals hall, just past baggage claim. Several of these brands offer one-way rentals within Georgia if you want to drop the car elsewhere — confirm availability directly with the company.
What day trips can I reach by car from Tbilisi airport?
Mtskheta is the closest at about 25km, roughly a 30-minute drive. Gori (~85km) and Sighnaghi (~110km) both work as a full day out, while Kazbegi and Borjomi (~150–160km) each take 2.5 to 3 hours each way and are best treated as their own dedicated trip.
Getting into Tbilisi, sorted
For most arrivals, an app-based ride or the official taxi rank is the easiest way into the city, while bus 337 covers it for under a dollar if you’re not in a rush. If day trips or a road trip are part of the plan, picking up a rental car right at the arrivals hall saves a second trip back out to the airport later.
Compare flights to Georgia and book your stay on Wego.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Tbilisi International Airport (distance and location)
- Tbilisi International Airport — Official taxi information
- Tbilisi International Airport — Official bus 337 schedule and fares
- Wander-Lush — Tbilisi Airport to city centre (ride-hail fares, bus schedule and duration)
- Sixt — Car rental at Tbilisi International Airport
- Europcar — Car rental at Tbilisi International Airport
- Alamo — Car rental at Tbilisi International Airport, including one-way terms
- Travelmath — Driving distance from Tbilisi to Gori
- Travelmath — Driving distance from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi
- Georgia Spirit — Day trips from Tbilisi (distances and drive times)
- Wander-Lush — How to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbegi (Georgian Military Highway drive time)
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
