You've landed. Cleared passport control (quick — Georgians don't make it a drama). Collected your bags. Walked into arrivals. And then it starts: 15 men simultaneously offering "taxi, taxi, good price, very cheap." The going rate they quote: ₾40–60. That's 2–3 times what you should pay.
Don't panic. Here are 4 ways to reach the centre — from ₾1 to ₾60 — plus the one trick that saves you both money and stress. And once you arrive, we have a day-trip guide to Kazbegi to plan your next move.
Option 1: Bus №37 — ₾1 (Cheapest)
The cheapest option by far. It stops right outside the arrivals exit and runs all the way to Freedom Square (city centre) via a metro station. Frequency: every 15–20 minutes. Runs 24 hours (less frequently at night — every 30–40 min). Journey time: 30–40 minutes.
You need a Metromoney card (Georgia's transport card). Buy one at the airport (there's a vending machine near the exit) or at any metro station. Deposit: ₾2, then top up any amount. One trip costs ₾1. If you transfer to the metro within 90 minutes, it's free.
Downside: With two large suitcases during rush hour it gets cramped. Waiting 30–40 minutes at night after a long flight is no fun.
Option 2: Bolt — The Smart Choice
Here's the trick: Install the Bolt app before you fly. Link your card. Then when you walk out of the airport — order a car through the app.
Why not take one of the taxis outside? The drivers without an app charge ₾40–60. Bolt shows you the price upfront: ₾15–25 depending on your destination. The difference is ₾20–30 — enough to cover a decent meal.
Pro tip: Walk 50 metres along the pavement away from the arrivals exit before placing your order. There's less pressure from taxi touts there, and Bolt drivers pull up faster.
I meet tourists at the airport 3–4 times a week. In my experience, Bolt arrives within 5–7 minutes in 90% of cases. If you're arriving late at night, download an offline Tbilisi map in Google Maps beforehand — the airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable.
Journey time: 20–30 minutes by day, 15–20 minutes at night.
Option 3: Yandex Go — The Backup
Essentially the same as Bolt. Works the same way, prices are similar. If one app isn't showing drivers, try the other — they complement each other well.
Option 4: Pre-booked Transfer — ₾30–60
Arranged through your hotel or guide. The driver waits in arrivals with a name sign. Comfortable, but roughly twice the price of Bolt. Worth it if there are 4+ of you with a lot of luggage, or if you're landing at 3 AM and want zero hassle.
What to Do Right After Landing
SIM card. Buy one immediately — Magti and Geocell kiosks are right at the arrivals exit, before you step outside. Open 24/7. Cost: ₾15–25 for 15–30 GB for 30 days. Without mobile data you can't call a Bolt, open Google Maps, or let anyone know you landed safely. If you plan to stay in Tbilisi long-term, our Georgia budget travel guide covers all the nuances of connectivity, housing and visas.
ATM. TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia have ATMs in the arrivals hall. Withdraw lari directly with your card — you'll get the best exchange rate. Commission: 0–2%.
Exchange office. Airport exchange rates are slightly worse than in the city. If you need cash right now, change ₾50 at the airport for immediate expenses, then change the rest in town.
Water. Expensive in the airport. Grab a bottle from the small shop after you exit (₾1–2) or wait until you're in the city.
Which SIM Card to Buy at Tbilisi Airport
Two operators — Magti and Geocell — have booths immediately after the arrivals gate, before you reach the street exit. Both open 24/7.
| Operator | Plan | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magti | 10 GB / 30 days | ₾15 | Best in the mountains (Kazbegi) |
| Magti | 25 GB / 30 days | ₾25 | Best in the mountains (Kazbegi) |
| Geocell | 15 GB / 30 days | ₾20 | Strong in the city |
You'll need your passport. The process takes 5–7 minutes and the SIM activates immediately.
My recommendation: Magti. If you're planning to visit Kazbegi, Geocell can drop signal in the mountains. Magti stays stable even at the Cross Pass (2,395 m) — essential for navigation and keeping in touch with your group. For two weeks of active use with maps and messaging apps, the 25 GB plan at ₾25 is plenty.
Where to Exchange Money at Tbilisi Airport
Airport exchange offices are officially the worst-value option. The spread compared to city rates: up to 3–5%. On €200, that's a ₾5–10 loss.
The right order of operations:
- At the airport — withdraw ₾50–80 from a TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia ATM at arrivals. That covers your taxi and first expenses.
- In the city — exchange at the street offices on Rustaveli Avenue or Freedom Square. Rates there are 3–5% better than at the airport.
- Best option of all: withdraw lari directly with your card from ATMs everywhere — you get the Central Bank rate with minimal fees.
Bolt vs Street Taxis at Tbilisi Airport
| Factor | Bolt / Yandex Go | Street taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Price (airport → centre) | ₾15–25 | ₾40–60 |
| Fixed price | Yes, shown before you confirm | No, haggling required |
| Wait time | 5–10 minutes | Immediate |
| At night | Works 24/7, ~20% surge | Even more expensive |
| Safety | GPS tracking + driver details | No guarantees |
| Tipping | Not expected | Expected around 10% |
The conclusion is obvious. The only advantage of a street taxi is that you don't need to install an app. Install Bolt before you fly and that advantage disappears.
Getting from the City Back to the Airport
The same options work in reverse: Bolt (₾15–25) or bus №37 (₾1). Allow 40–50 minutes during rush hour (8–10 AM and 5–7 PM); outside those windows, the drive takes 20–25 minutes.
I recommend leaving for the airport at least 2.5 hours before your flight. Twice I've had tourists get stuck in a traffic jam on the Vakhushti Bridge — a normal 20-minute journey stretched to 50 minutes. It's far better to arrive early and sit in the café than to spend the ride sweating.