Tbilisi has an affordable public transport system that includes the metro, city buses, municipal minibuses and several cable cars and ropeways.
The standard public transport fare is 1 GEL and includes unlimited transfers between the metro, municipal buses, municipal minibuses and the Bagebi–University Ropeway for 90 minutes. Payment is possible with a contactless bank card or a Metromoney card.
Last updated: August 2026
Temporary transport update: Rustaveli Avenue has been closed for major rehabilitation work since 23 July 2026. Several bus and minibus routes, including airport bus №337, are temporarily operating on alternative routes. Check the live route before travelling.
Tbilisi Public Transport: Fares, Tickets and Travel Cards
- Standard fare: 1 GEL
- Transfer period: 90 minutes
- Metro working hours: approximately 06:00–00:00
- Bus and minibus schedules: depend on the individual route
- Payment: contactless bank card, Metromoney or Subscription Card
- Metromoney and Subscription Card price: 2 GEL
The 1 GEL fare and 90-minute transfer system apply to the metro, municipal buses, municipal minibuses and the Bagebi–University Ropeway. Tourist cable cars and the Mtatsminda Funicular use separate fares.
Official fare information: Tbilisi Transport Company standard tariffs. Fares were last checked in August 2026.
Contactless Bank Cards
For many visitors, the easiest way to pay for Tbilisi public transport is to tap a contactless bank card directly on the validator when entering the metro or boarding a bus or municipal minibus.
Tap your card every time you enter a metro station or board another vehicle. When travelling within the 90-minute transfer period, the system should not charge another standard fare.
It is best for each passenger to use a separate bank card. If your card is not accepted, you can purchase a Metromoney card at a metro station.
Metromoney Card
Metromoney is a rechargeable Tbilisi public transport card. It costs 2 GEL and does not require identification or registration.
You can purchase it at:
- Metro station ticket offices;
- Rike–Narikala Cable Car ticket offices;
- Selected Bank of Georgia express branches.
The card can be topped up at metro stations, Rike–Narikala Cable Car stations and Bank of Georgia payment machines or service centres. Keep the purchase receipt if possible, especially if you may need to replace the card later.
Subscription Card and Unlimited Travel Passes
Visitors who plan to use Tbilisi public transport frequently can purchase a Subscription Card and add an unlimited travel package.
Current packages include:
- 1 day: 3 GEL
- 1 week: 20 GEL
- 1 month: 40 GEL
- 3 months: 100 GEL
- 6 months: 150 GEL
- 1 year: 250 GEL
These packages cover the metro, municipal buses, municipal minibuses and the Bagebi–University Ropeway. They do not include every tourist cable car or the Mtatsminda Funicular.
For most short visits to Tbilisi, paying 1 GEL per journey with a contactless bank card or Metromoney card is usually the simplest option.
TBILISI CITY BUSES
Tbilisi has a large network of municipal buses connecting the city centre with residential districts, metro stations and major attractions.
Bus schedules and working hours depend on the individual route. Some routes begin early in the morning and operate until late evening, but there is no single timetable that applies to every bus.
- Tbilisi Transport Company for routes, timetables and current transport information
Passengers should enter and leave buses only at official bus stops. Tap your bank card, Metromoney card or Subscription Card on the validator after boarding.
TBILISI METRO: TICKETS, FARES AND HOURS
The Tbilisi Metro is usually the fastest way to travel between different parts of the city, especially during busy traffic hours.
Tbilisi Metro has two lines:
- The First Line, also known as the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line;
- The Saburtalo Line.
The metro normally operates from 06:00 until midnight. Temporary maintenance work or technical interruptions may occasionally affect individual stations or sections of a line.
A standard Tbilisi metro journey costs 1 GEL. There is no separate tourist metro ticket: you can pay directly at the metro gate with a contactless bank card or use a Metromoney or Subscription Card. Metro journeys are included in the 90-minute transfer system.
TBILISI MINIBUSES (MARSHRUTKAS)
Municipal minibuses, commonly called “marshrutkas,” operate on fixed routes and complement the city bus and metro network.
They are particularly useful for reaching neighbourhoods that are not close to a metro station. The standard fare is 1 GEL, and municipal minibuses are included in the 90-minute transfer system.
Modern municipal minibuses generally use official stops. Follow the route on a navigation app and press the stop button or inform the driver before your stop when necessary.
Public Transport in Tbilisi
Plan Your Journey in Tbilisi
Use the interactive public transport planner below to find routes around Tbilisi by bus, metro and other available public transport. Enter your starting point and destination to see route options and view the selected journey on the map.
TBILISI AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
AIRPORT BUS №337
Municipal bus №337 connects Tbilisi International Airport with central Tbilisi and Station Square.
The bus stop is located directly outside the Arrivals Hall.
- Fare: 1 GEL
- Operating hours: approximately 06:59–22:59
- Payment: contactless bank card or Metromoney
- The 90-minute transfer system applies.
This means you can transfer from bus №337 to another municipal bus, municipal minibus or the metro within 90 minutes without paying another standard fare.
Because of the Rustaveli Avenue rehabilitation project, bus №337 is temporarily operating on an alternative route and bypasses part of its usual city-centre route. Check the live route on the day of travel.
For the current timetable and official airport bus information, see the Tbilisi International Airport Bus 337 information.
TAXI FROM TBILISI AIRPORT
The official airport taxi service operates 24 hours a day from outside the Arrivals Hall.
The journey to central Tbilisi normally takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. According to Tbilisi International Airport’s official information, the metered fare to the city centre is generally around 40–60 GEL.
Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt are also widely used in Tbilisi and normally show the estimated price before you confirm the booking.
For practical information about Bolt and other services, see our guide to taxi apps in Tbilisi and Georgia.
TBILISI CABLE CARS, ROPEWAYS AND FUNICULAR
Tbilisi has several cable cars and ropeways, but they do not all belong to the municipal public transport system and they do not all use the same fare or payment method.
| Transport | Fare | 90-min system? | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagebi–University | 1 GEL | Yes | — |
| Turtle Lake | 1 GEL | No | — |
| Rike–Narikala | 2.50 GEL | No | Full guide → |
| Rustaveli–Mtatsminda | 12 GEL | No | Full guide → |
| Funicular | 10 GEL | No | Full guide → |
Bagebi–University Ropeway
The Bagebi–University Ropeway is part of Tbilisi’s municipal transport system. It is included in the standard 1 GEL, 90-minute fare and in public transport subscription packages.
Turtle Lake Cable Car
The Turtle Lake Cable Car connects Vake Park with Turtle Lake.
The official one-way fare is 1 GEL. Transporting a bicycle costs an additional 1 GEL. This cable car uses its own fare and is not part of the standard 90-minute municipal transfer system.
Rike–Narikala Cable Car
The Rike–Narikala Cable Car connects Rike Park in the Old Town with Narikala Fortress.
The official one-way fare is 2.50 GEL. It is not included in the standard 90-minute municipal public transport fare. Payment is made using a Metromoney card, which can also be purchased at the cable car ticket office.
Opening hours change seasonally and may also be affected by weather or maintenance. Check the current schedule before visiting.
Rustaveli–Mtatsminda Cable Car
The Rustaveli–Mtatsminda Cable Car connects Rustaveli Avenue with Mtatsminda Park. Its lower station is located near the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, while the upper station is a short walk from the main attractions of the park.
The journey takes approximately 4–5 minutes. The current one-way fare is 12 GEL, and travelling up and down requires separate fares.
The cable car uses the separate Mtatsminda Park payment system. Metromoney cards, contactless bank cards used directly on municipal transport and Tbilisi public transport subscription passes are not valid as transport passes for this cable car.
Operating hours may change because of weather conditions or operational circumstances, so check the current schedule before travelling.
TBILISI FUNICULAR
The Tbilisi Funicular Railway runs from Chonkadze Street to Mtatsminda Park and is one of the most scenic ways to reach the mountain. The upper station is next to viewpoints, restaurants, cafés and the Mtatsminda amusement park.
The funicular is not part of Tbilisi’s municipal public transport system and uses the separate Mtatsminda Park payment card. A one-way ride currently costs approximately 10 GEL per person, and a reusable Mtatsminda Park card is also required.
Funicular fares and operating hours can change, so check the current information before travelling. For more details, including access to the lower station and practical visitor information, see our complete Tbilisi Funicular guide.
Useful Tbilisi Public Transport Tips for Tourists
Always validate your card when entering the metro or boarding a bus or municipal minibus, even when you are travelling within the 90-minute transfer period.
Avoid relying on cash as your main payment method. A contactless bank card is convenient for most visitors, while a Metromoney card is a useful alternative or backup.
Bus and minibus routes may change because of roadworks, demonstrations or special events. Check the live route shortly before travelling.
Traffic can be heavy during weekday mornings and evenings. The metro is usually the fastest option when travelling across Tbilisi during rush hour.
For short journeys inside Tbilisi Old Town, walking is often faster and more enjoyable than waiting for public transport.
Public Transport in Tbilisi