TRAVEL AROUND GEORGIA
Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi

Guides

Getting from Kutaisi Airport to Kutaisi, Tbilisi and Batumi

David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport lies about 14 km west of the city. Wizz Air has a base here, so most low-cost flights to Georgia land at Kutaisi. Here is how to get from the airport to Kutaisi, Tbilisi and Batumi.

The short answer

  • To Kutaisi, take the airport shuttle for 5 GEL or Bolt for 25 to 30 GEL. Either way it takes 30 to 40 minutes.
  • To Tbilisi, take Georgian Bus (3.5 to 4 hours), the train from Kopitnari station (about 3 hours) or a car with a driver.
  • To Batumi, take Georgian Bus (about 2 hours), the train (1.5 to 2 hours) or a car with a driver.

In the terminal

The airport is open 24 hours and has one terminal. In arrivals there are ATMs (TBC Pay and Cartu) and a 24-hour Magti shop that sells SIM cards. Tourist packages there cost about twice the city price. If you land at night, plan the onward trip in advance. Buses follow the flight schedule, and there are fewer taxis at night.

Georgian Bus

Georgian Bus coaches leave the airport for Tbilisi and Batumi about an hour after landing, and they wait if the flight is late. Tbilisi takes 3.5 to 4 hours, Batumi about 2 hours. A ticket costs roughly 25 to 30 GEL. Check the exact fare on georgianbus.com.

You can buy a ticket online with your flight number, or at the kiosk in front of arrivals in cash or by card.

Shuttle and Bolt to Kutaisi

The airport runs its own shuttle to Kutaisi. It goes around the clock, every two hours, and takes about 40 minutes. The fare is 5 GEL and you can only pay by card. The last stop is the Red Bridge in the centre.

Bolt works in Kutaisi. A ride from the airport to the centre is usually 25 to 30 GEL.

Train

Kopitnari station is about 2 km from the airport, and the fast trains between Tbilisi and Batumi stop there. The train takes about 3 hours to Tbilisi (about 33 GEL in second class) and 1.5 to 2 hours to Batumi (about 30 GEL). There are only a few trains a day, so check the timetable against your flight on railway.ge.

Car with a driver

The Rikoti Pass highway opened at the end of 2025. Since then the drive from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (about 240 km) takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours. Batumi is 2 to 2.5 hours away and Gudauri over 4 hours. On a night flight, with children or in a group, a transfer is easier. The driver tracks your flight, meets you with a name sign and drives straight to your hotel.

Prices and cars are on the Kutaisi Airport transfer page. The first 60 minutes of waiting after landing are free, and so are child seats. You pay the driver after the ride.

What to see near Kutaisi

If you have a spare day in Kutaisi, spend it on the places around the city.

  • Gelati Monastery was founded by David the Builder in 1106. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Bagrati Cathedral stands on a hill above the Rioni river. It is the symbol of Kutaisi.
  • Prometheus Cave, about 20 km away. Since 2026 foreigners pay 40 GEL entry and 30 GEL for the boat.
  • Sataplia, about 10 km away, has a cave and dinosaur footprints.
  • Martvili and Okatse canyons, about 50 km away. You can take a boat on a turquoise river and walk the paths that hang above the gorge.

Questions and answers

How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi?

By Georgian Bus in 3.5 to 4 hours, by train from Kopitnari station in about 3 hours, or by car with a driver in 3 to 3.5 hours.

How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to Batumi?

By Georgian Bus in about 2 hours, by train in 1.5 to 2 hours, or by car in 2 to 2.5 hours.

How much is a taxi from Kutaisi Airport to the city?

Usually 25 to 30 GEL with Bolt. The airport shuttle to the centre costs 5 GEL.

Is Kutaisi Airport open at night?

Yes, the airport is open 24 hours and the shuttle to Kutaisi runs every two hours, day and night.

Plan the trip

The transfer and the tour from this article, at a fixed price per car. Questions go to WhatsApp or Telegram.

Photos: Marcin Konsek (CC BY-SA 4.0).