Tbilisi Metro 2026 — Complete Guide

Tbilisi Metro is the fastest way to move around the city centre during rush hours. Opened in 1966 during the Soviet era, it now has 2 lines and 23 stations. A single ride costs ₾1 (about €0.33). This guide covers everything a visitor needs: how to get a card, which stations are worth seeing, and where the metro is simply not useful.

Two metro lines: routes and stations

Tbilisi's metro is a compact system you can learn in a single day. Two lines cross at two points, making navigation straightforward even without knowing Georgian.

Line 1 — Akhmeteli–Varketili (Red Line)

The longer line, running across the city from west to east. Key stations for visitors:

• Didube — bus terminal; marshrutkas to the regions (Mtskheta, Kazbegi, Kakheti)
• Freedom Square (Tavisuplebis Moedani) — city centre, next to Rustaveli Avenue pedestrian street; interchange with Line 2
• Rustaveli — Rustaveli Avenue, theatres, the National Museum, beautiful station mosaics
• Marjanishvili — young, lively neighbourhood; cafes, bars, Deserter's Market 15 minutes on foot
• Varketili — eastern terminus; residential, no tourist interest

Line 2 — Saburtalo Line (Yellow)

A shorter line connecting the centre to the Saburtalo district to the north-west. Useful stops:

• Freedom Square — interchange with Line 1
• Technical University — Soviet architecture and bas-reliefs
• Delisi — near the Delisi shopping centre, popular with expats
• Varaziskhevi — western terminus; Saburtalo residential area

Full metro maps are displayed at every station and inside every carriage. Google Maps handles Tbilisi metro routes correctly — use it for planning, including transfer times and waiting estimates.

Metromoney card — how to buy and top up

Tbilisi Metro is card-only — you cannot put cash directly into the turnstile. The card is called Metromoney: load credit onto it and tap it at the gate.

Where to buy

At any metro station — from the ticket window or self-service terminal. Windows operate 06:00–23:00. The deposit is ₾2, refunded when you return the card. Top it up by at least ₾5–10 when you buy it.

How to top up

• At the ticket window — cash or Visa/Mastercard
• At the station self-service terminal — cash only
• Via TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia app (requires a Georgian bank account)
• At some Bank of Georgia ATMs

Returning the card

Hand the card back at a ticket window when you leave — you get the ₾2 deposit back, plus any remaining balance. For a stay of one or two days, the ₾2 deposit is usually not worth the extra trip to find a window; most people simply pocket the card.

Fares in 2026

Tbilisi Metro is one of the cheapest in the world. ₾1 is roughly €0.30. For comparison: a Bolt taxi ride across the centre costs ₾5–8; a marshrutka costs ₾1–1.50.

Operating hours and frequency

Tbilisi Metro runs daily 06:00–24:00, with no days off — including public holidays.

During peak hours (08:00–09:30 and 18:00–20:00) trains are full, but the wait is short. Off-peak you can ride comfortably with space around you. The last train leaves the terminus stations at around 23:50–23:55.

Soviet mosaics at the stations

Tbilisi Metro was built during the Soviet era — from 1966 through the 1980s. Several stations retain unique mosaics and bas-reliefs from that period, works of art in their own right. This alone is a reason to ride the metro even if you have nowhere particular to go.

Rustaveli Station

The most beautiful station in the Tbilisi network — monumental mosaics on the theme of Georgian literature and Shota Rustaveli's epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin. The coloured mosaics cover entire walls in the classic Soviet monumental style. Do not skip this one.

Freedom Square

The central interchange station with rich decoration: marble columns, a high vaulted ceiling, and Soviet ornamental work — the "palace" style of the Moscow Metro transplanted to Tbilisi. Always busy.

Technical University

Bas-reliefs on science, technology, and progress — the standard Soviet narrative, but executed with quality. This station is on Line 2 and is frequently missed by tourists.

Metro and the airport — why it won't get you there

One of the most common questions from tourists: "How do I get from the airport by metro?" The direct answer: you cannot. There is no metro connection to Tbilisi airport.

The nearest station to the airport is Isani (red line), but from there to the airport is still around 8 km by bus or taxi. A metro extension to the airport has been discussed in various city plans for years; as of 2026, it does not exist.

How to get from the airport to the centre

• Bus No. 37 — ₾1, runs from the airport to Freedom Square (stop near the Marriott hotel). Journey time approximately 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Pay with Metromoney or cash to the driver. Runs around the clock.
• Bolt taxi — ₾15–25 to the centre, 20–30 minutes. The most convenient option for 1–2 people.
• Guided transfer — from ₾30, met in the arrivals hall with baggage assistance. See airport transfer from Tbilisi.

Tips for tourists

After years of guiding in Tbilisi I have seen every common metro mistake. Here is what genuinely saves time and money:

• Buy a card on your first day — even if you plan to use the metro rarely. Buses also accept Metromoney, and the ₾2 deposit is trivial.
• Top up ₾10 immediately — that covers most stays. No need to hunt for a ticket window every day.
• Google Maps works — metro routes are planned correctly, including transfers and waiting times.
• Tbilisi Transport app — the official city transport app. Shows real-time bus and marshrutka arrivals. Less critical for the metro but useful for surface transport.
• Avoid large luggage at peak hours — carriages get packed; a big suitcase makes things awkward. Take Bolt instead during rush hour.
• Multiple exits — some stations have several exits to the street. Check the map before surfacing to pick the one closest to your destination.

When you don't need the metro

The metro only covers the city centre and main residential areas. Many tourist attractions are outside the network or inconveniently far from any station.

Where the metro will not take you

• Sulphur baths — nearest station is Freedom Square, 20–25 minutes on foot from there. Bolt is easier (₾3–4).
• Narikala Fortress — same situation. The cable car departs from a park near the embankment, 15 minutes on foot from Freedom Square.
• Tbilisi Sea — no metro; bus or taxi only.
• Mtatsminda — cable car or bus; no metro access.
• Airport — as described above; bus or taxi only.
• Kazbegi, Kakheti, Mtskheta — out-of-town destinations. Marshrutkas depart from Didube or Isani stations, but the metro itself does not go there.

For getting around the centre during rush hours the metro is the best option. For most tourist routes, walking is more pleasant — Tbilisi is a very compact city — or a Bolt taxi for ₾3–5. For day trips outside the city, a private guided tour makes more sense: see the Old Tbilisi walking tour or the Soviet Tbilisi tour.

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