There are four ways into town, and the most expensive one can cost around twenty times more than the cheapest. Here is how to choose based on your arrival time, your luggage and how you feel about public transport.
Quick answer
Cheapest: city bus No. 337, about 1 GEL. It runs roughly from 7 am to 11 pm — there's no night service.
Easiest: Bolt or another ride-hailing app (Yandex Go also works in Tbilisi) — order straight from the terminal.
What not to do: accept a ride from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall. It is the most expensive option there is.
Train: it exists, but departures are few — only worth it if your arrival happens to match the timetable.
Journey time: 45–60 minutes by bus, 25–35 minutes by car.
Paying on public transport: card only. Buses do not take cash.
This season: Rustaveli Avenue has been closed to traffic for reconstruction since 23 July 2026 (planned until the end of November), and bus 337 is running on a diversion. Allow extra time.
Bus No. 337 — the main budget option
A regular city bus linking the airport with the centre and the railway station. It stops in front of the terminal.
Cost: about 1 GEL — pocket change. Some travellers report being charged slightly more (around 1.5 GEL) when paying with a foreign bank card.
Journey time: 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Route: across the city through the centre to Station Square, where the railway station is. It normally runs via Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, but while Rustaveli is closed for reconstruction, the bus follows a diversion and skips part of its usual route through the centre. Check the current stops in Google Maps before you travel.
Timetable: roughly 7 am to 11 pm, every 15–20 minutes. There is no overnight service — if you land late at night, take a car.
The catch is payment. Tbilisi buses do not accept cash. You need either a Metromoney transport card or a contactless bank card. Metromoney cards are sold from machines, but the easiest option straight off a flight is to tap your ordinary bank card on the validator.
If your card is declined or does not support contactless payment, the bus is not an option — take a car instead. How fares work across the city is explained in our guide to public transport in Tbilisi.
With luggage: large suitcases are awkward on the bus, especially at rush hour. If you have two big bags, take a car.
Bolt and other ride-hailing apps — the best choice for most people
An app-booked taxi is the most sensible option if you arrive with luggage, land at night or simply don't want to figure anything out.
Cost: noticeably cheaper than the drivers in the arrivals hall, and you see the price upfront.
Journey time: 25–35 minutes to the centre.
How to book: you need internet access. The terminal has Wi-Fi, and it is enough to call a car. If you plan to use apps throughout your trip, you can buy a local SIM card right at the airport.
Where to meet your driver: there is a pick-up zone for booked cars outside the terminal. The app will show you the exact spot.
Watch out: drivers sometimes ask you to cancel the booking and agree a "cheaper" price directly. Don't — you lose both the fixed price and the record of your trip.
Taxis in the arrivals hall
The most expensive way to get to the centre. Drivers in the arrivals area work with people who have just landed and have neither a local SIM card nor any idea of local prices.
The difference compared with an app can be three to four times.
If for some reason you can't use an app, agree the price before you get in, not at the end of the ride — and ideally walk away from the terminal to the car park, where drivers who came to collect other passengers are waiting.
General advice on getting around by cab is in our guide to taxis in Tbilisi.
Train
A train runs from the airport to Tbilisi Central Station. The trip takes about half an hour and costs very little.
There is one problem: departures are rare — literally a handful a day. If your arrival lines up with the timetable, it is a great option; if not, it isn't worth waiting.
Check the timetable before you travel, as it changes. And remember that the central station is not the Old Town: from there, you still need to take the metro to reach Sololaki.
Pre-booked transfer
Worth it in three situations: a night arrival, a lot of luggage, or travelling with children. Book through your hotel or online, and the driver will meet you with a name sign.
It costs more than Bolt but less than a taxi from the arrivals hall, and you don't need internet access when you land.
What to do as soon as you land
Money. Exchange as little as possible at the airport — rates there are traditionally worse than in the city. There are ATMs in the arrivals hall: withdraw a small amount of lari to get started and exchange the rest in town. See where to exchange money in Tbilisi.
Mobile data. Operator counters in the arrivals area sell tourist packages. You will need your passport. If you'd rather skip this, buy an eSIM before you fly.
Transport card. Not essential: a bank card works on the validator. But if you plan to use the metro a lot, Metromoney is more convenient and the fare is lower.
Water. Tap water in Tbilisi is drinkable, so there is no need to buy bottled water.
The other way: from the centre to the airport
Bus 337 runs from Station Square through the centre to the airport, roughly from 7 am to 11 pm. Allow an hour, with a margin — Tbilisi traffic is unpredictable, and the Rustaveli diversion adds time.
Bolt takes 25–35 minutes, but it can be longer at rush hour.
Early flights. There's no bus at night, and a Bolt at 4 am is harder to find and more expensive. If your flight is early, book a car in advance through your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Tbilisi Airport to the centre?
25–35 minutes by car, 45–60 minutes on bus No. 337.
How much is a taxi from Tbilisi Airport?
Through Bolt or another app it is inexpensive, and you know the price in advance. Drivers in the arrivals hall charge several times more.
Which bus goes from Tbilisi Airport to the city?
No. 337. It stops in front of the terminal and goes through the centre to Station Square. While Rustaveli Avenue is closed for reconstruction, it follows a diversion.
Does bus 337 run at night?
No. It runs roughly from 7 am to 11 pm. For night arrivals, use Bolt, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Can I pay the bus fare in cash?
No. Tbilisi buses only accept a Metromoney transport card or a contactless bank card.
Is there a train from the airport?
Yes, to the central station, in about half an hour. But there are only a few departures a day, so check the timetable.
How far is the airport from central Tbilisi?
About 17 km.
Should I exchange money at the airport?
Only the minimum you need to get into town. Rates in the city are noticeably better.