How to get from Tbilisi Airport to Old Tbilisi

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) sits about 17 km from the cobbled streets and sulphur baths of Old Tbilisi, and you can get into the historic centre in 25–50 minutes by airport bus 337, train plus metro, regular taxi, ride-hailing apps, or a prebooked private transfer; this guide compares each option with travel times, costs and step-by-step instructions so you can land, clear arrivals and be wandering Old Tbilisi’s lanes with minimum stress.

At A Glance (Tbilisi Airport to Old Tbilisi)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚌 City Bus 337 (Airport → Liberty Square / Old Tbilisi)	~45–60 minutes, traffic-dependent	Cheapest ride, light luggage
🏷️ Cost: ~GEL 1–1.5 per person (with transport card) » compare airport transfers | alt. shuttle options
🚈 Airport Train + Metro	~35 minutes train + ~10–20 minutes metro/walk	Avoiding traffic, off-peak arrivals
🏷️ Cost: ~GEL 0.5–1 (train) + ~GEL 1–1.5 (metro) » see train/transfer combos
🚕 Taxi & Ride‑Hailing (Bolt / Yandex Go)	~25–40 minutes door-to-door	Late arrivals, door-to-door convenience
🏷️ Cost: ~GEL 40–60 official taxi; Bolt/Yandex often cheaper. Prebooked cars from ~US$25–40 per car » compare taxis | sample private transfer
🚗 Private Transfer / Hotel Shuttle	~25–40 minutes door-to-door	Families, lots of luggage, first‑timers
🏷️ Cost: ~US$25–60 per car depending on size and time » airport pickup | alt. private cars

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Cheapest / Local experience: City Bus 337 is ideal if you arrive in daytime or early evening, don’t mind a slightly longer ride and are comfortable wheeling your bags a short distance in Old Tbilisi.
• Best balance of comfort & price: Taxi or ride-hailing works well for 2–4 people sharing, especially late at night when buses are less frequent.
• Most reliable in rush hour: Airport train + metro avoids some traffic and can be a fun first taste of Georgian rail, as long as your flight aligns with the limited departures.
• Least hassle / With kids or heavy luggage: Private transfer or hotel shuttle gives you a named driver in arrivals, fixed fare and direct drop at your accommodation.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Check arrivals & transfers together: If you’re still planning flights, compare arrivals into Tbilisi on Booking.com Flights, then match your landing time with bus/train/transfer options on 12Go or airport transfers on GetYourGuide.
• Prebook a car for late arrivals: If your flight lands after 22:00 or you’re nervous about navigation, arrange a meet‑and‑greet transfer with Welcome Pickups Tbilisi or compare door‑to‑door rides on GetTransfer. Both complement local apps like Bolt and Yandex Go.
• Have some local cash: Although you can pay for taxis and transfers by card, it’s handy to withdraw a few dozen GEL for bus/metro tickets and small purchases. ATMs are in arrivals and in Old Tbilisi.
• Travel light into Old Tbilisi: Streets around Abanotubani and the sulfur baths are cobbled and hilly. If you want to explore before check‑in, stash luggage at a central location via Radical Storage Tbilisi.
• Consider two wheels: Confident riders can rent a scooter or bicycle once in the city for exploring further neighbourhoods—compare options on BikesBooking Tbilisi scooters or bicycle hire.
• Book accommodation in or near Old Tbilisi: To minimise transfers, choose a stay around Liberty Square, Abanotubani or Metekhi—browse options on Booking.com Tbilisi.

🚌 Option #1 — City Bus 337 (Cheapest, Daytime-Friendly)

Lowest cost Runs 24/7 Less comfy with big bags

• Overview: Municipal bus 337 runs between Tbilisi Airport and the city centre, stopping near Avlabari, Liberty Square and along Rustaveli Avenue—within walking distance or a short taxi hop from most Old Tbilisi guesthouses.
• Schedule & frequency: Buses run roughly every 30–40 minutes in the day, with reduced frequency at night. Journey time is usually 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
• Tickets & payment: You can tap a reloadable transport card or buy a single ticket from the validator machine onboard. Keep small notes/coins ready if paying cash.
• How to book (with price): No prebooking required—pay onboard for about GEL 1–1.5. If you prefer a backup option or onward transfer later in your trip, you can also compare airport transfer prices on 12Go or browse city transfer ideas on Trip.com.
• Pros: Extremely cheap, safe and reasonably straightforward; a nice first look at the city.
• Cons: Can be crowded in rush hours; not ideal with multiple suitcases; slower than taxi/transfer.

Step-by-step: City Bus 337

1. After exiting customs, follow the signs for Public Bus or City Bus 337 in the arrivals hall.
2. Withdraw some local cash from an airport ATM if you don’t already have GEL.
3. Walk outside to the bus stop in front of the terminal; look for the 337 sign and digital timetable.
4. Board through the front door, validate your transport card or buy a ticket from the machine just behind the driver.
5. For Old Tbilisi, the most convenient stops are Avlabari, Liberty Square or stops along Rustaveli Avenue. Check your hotel’s nearest stop in advance on an online map.
6. Once you get off, walk or take a short Bolt/Yandex Go ride to your accommodation if the streets are steep or you’re arriving late.

Getting to the main embarking points (Tbilisi Airport / City Centre stops)

• From the airport: The 337 stop is directly outside arrivals. You can’t miss the blue/yellow municipal buses and route signage.
• From Old Tbilisi back to the airport: Check which direction the 337 is heading (airport vs. city). Popular boarding points include Liberty Square and Rustaveli Avenue; use your maps app to locate the nearest stop.
• With large luggage: Try to avoid peak commuter times (08:00–10:00 and 17:00–19:00) when buses are busiest.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚈 Option #2 — Airport Train + Metro (Traffic-Free, Limited Departures)

Avoids traffic Very cheap Sparse timetable

• Overview: A short suburban train connects Tbilisi Airport with the main Tbilisi Railway Station. From there, you can hop on the metro or take a taxi to Old Tbilisi (Liberty Square, Avlabari, Metekhi, Abanotubani).
• Schedule: Only a few trains run per day, typically early morning and evening. It’s best when your flight lands in sync with a departure; otherwise, you may wait a long time.
• Tickets & price: Expect to pay around GEL 0.5–1 for the train and another GEL 1–1.5 for a metro ride into Old Tbilisi.
• How to book (with price): Tickets are bought at the small station or on the train, not usually online. If you prefer to keep things simple, compare rail/transfer combinations on 12Go Tbilisi Airport→City and check your onward hotel options on Booking.com.
• Pros: Very cheap; no road traffic; a scenic way to first see the city.
• Cons: Infrequent departures; not ideal with lots of luggage or young kids; requires a connection at the main station.

Step-by-step: Airport Train + Metro

1. From arrivals, follow signs to the Railway Station; it’s a short walk outside the terminal building.
2. Check the posted timetable; confirm your train is heading to Tbilisi Central (main station).
3. Buy a ticket at the kiosk or on board and take a seat. Journey time is about 30–35 minutes.
4. At Tbilisi Central, follow signs down into the metro and buy a metro card if you don’t already have one.
5. For Old Tbilisi, ride the metro to Liberty Square or Avlabari, then walk or grab a short taxi/Bolt to your hotel or guesthouse.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Station / Tbilisi Central)

• Airport station: Located just outside the terminal; allow 5–10 minutes to walk from baggage claim to the platform.
• Tbilisi Central Station: Connected to Station Square (Sadguris Moedani) metro; from here you can reach almost anywhere in the city by metro or bus.
• Backup if you miss the train: Simply switch to bus 337 or use a taxi/ride‑hailing app from the airport.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚕 Option #3 — Taxi & Ride-Hailing (Fast, Door-to-Door)

Direct 24/7 More expensive

• Overview: Licensed airport taxis and popular apps like Bolt and Yandex Go offer fast, door‑to‑door rides from Tbilisi Airport straight to Old Tbilisi hotels and guesthouses.
• Typical duration: Around 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and your exact address.
• Fares: Official airport taxi fares into the city usually fall around GEL 40–60. App rides can be cheaper, especially off‑peak, and often show a fixed price before you confirm.
• How to book (with price): At the airport, follow signs to the official taxi rank or open your ride‑hailing app once you have data. For fixed‑price rides you can also compare options on 12Go taxis or pre‑arrange a car via Trip.com private transfers.
• Pros: Easiest with luggage, kids or a group; no need to navigate public transport after a long flight.
• Cons: More expensive than bus/train; minor risk of overcharging if you don’t confirm the fare first when hailing on the street.

Step-by-step: Taxi & Ride-Hailing

1. Once you have your bags, switch on data or airport Wi‑Fi and open Bolt or Yandex Go, or follow signs to the official taxi rank outside arrivals.
2. Enter your Old Tbilisi accommodation address (for example, near Liberty Square or Abanotubani) into the app, check the quoted fare and confirm the ride.
3. If taking an airport taxi, either agree the price beforehand or make sure the meter is on before departure.
4. Drive into the city via the main highway; journey time is usually under 40 minutes outside peak hours.
5. Ask the driver to drop you as close to your door as possible—some Old Tbilisi lanes are narrow or pedestrian only, so you may have a short final walk.

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Taxi Rank / Old Tbilisi)

• Airport taxi rank: Step outside arrivals and follow the taxi signs; use only clearly marked cabs or your ride‑hailing app.
• Old Tbilisi drop‑offs: Typical drop points include Liberty Square, Metekhi Bridge area, and the streets around the sulfur baths.
• Cash vs. card: Many taxis now accept card, but it’s safest to have enough GEL in case the terminal is offline.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚗 Option #4 — Private Transfer / Hotel Shuttle (Most Comfortable)

Door-to-door Meet & greet Higher cost

• Overview: A prebooked private transfer or hotel shuttle is the smoothest option, especially after a long flight, with kids, or if you’re carrying heavy luggage or camera gear.
• Typical duration: Similar to a taxi—around 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Fares: Expect around US$25–60 per car to most central addresses, varying by vehicle size and time of day.
• How to book (with price): Arrange a fixed‑price pickup with Welcome Pickups or compare vehicles and prices on GetTransfer. You can also browse airport transfer options bundled with tours on GetYourGuide or via trip packages on Trip.com guides.
• Pros: Driver meets you in arrivals with a sign; no language barrier or payment surprises; great if you’re new to the region.
• Cons: Costs more than bus or train; you’ll pay per vehicle, so it’s best-value when shared by 2–4 people.

Step-by-step: Private Transfer / Hotel Shuttle

1. Before you fly, enter your flight details and Old Tbilisi hotel address on Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer and choose a car size that fits your group and luggage.
2. Receive confirmation with your driver’s name, meeting point and emergency contact number.
3. On arrival, clear immigration and customs, then walk into the public arrivals hall—your driver should be waiting with a sign.
4. Confirm your name and destination, then walk with your driver to the car park just outside the terminal.
5. Enjoy a direct ride to your accommodation in Old Tbilisi; payment is usually handled online in advance, so you can head straight to check‑in.

Getting to the main embarking points (Arrivals Hall / Old Tbilisi Hotels)

• Arrivals meeting point: Most transfer companies use a standard meeting spot in the arrivals hall—check your confirmation email.
• Old Tbilisi access: Some streets are pedestrian‑only; your driver may stop at the nearest accessible point and help with luggage.
• Combine with your stay: Many hotels in Old Tbilisi can also arrange their own airport pickup—compare that rate with Booking.com hotel offers and standalone transfers.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Tbilisi Airport to Old Tbilisi)

How long does it take to get from Tbilisi Airport to Old Tbilisi?
Most journeys take 25–40 minutes by taxi or private transfer, and around 45–60 minutes by bus 337, depending on traffic and where exactly you’re staying in Old Tbilisi.

What is the cheapest way to reach Old Tbilisi from the airport?
The cheapest option is City Bus 337, which costs roughly GEL 1–1.5 per person. It runs 24/7, but is most comfortable during the day when you can easily see your stop.

Is it safe to arrive late at night and take public transport?
Tbilisi is generally considered safe, and bus 337 operates through the night. However, if you arrive very late or are travelling alone with luggage, many travellers prefer using a taxi or ride‑hailing app or prebooked transfer for convenience and peace of mind.

Can I pay by card for transport from the airport?
Ride‑hailing apps and many private transfers accept card in‑app. Some airport taxis and ticket machines may accept cards, but it’s wise to carry cash for buses, small purchases and as a backup.

Where should I book accommodation in Old Tbilisi?
For easy airport access and sightseeing, look around Liberty Square, Rustaveli, Metekhi or Abanotubani. Check reviews, access and airport transfer options on Booking.com Tbilisi.