Tbilisi Auto Museum

Tbilisi Auto Museum is one of the city’s most unusual specialist museums and an excellent destination for travelers interested in classic vehicles, Soviet history and automotive design.

Located away from the main tourist center in Tbilisi’s Isani-Samgori district, the museum displays a private collection of carefully restored cars and motorcycles. Many of the vehicles were manufactured in the Soviet Union, while several earlier European and American models add extra variety to the exhibition.

Unlike a large state museum, Tbilisi Auto Museum feels personal and informal. The collection tells the story not only of automotive engineering but also of everyday life, social status and political privilege during the Soviet period.

Why Visit Tbilisi Auto Museum?

The museum offers a rare opportunity to see vehicles that once appeared on the streets of Georgia and other Soviet republics.

Some were designed as affordable cars for ordinary families, while others were reserved for government officials, Communist Party leaders, the police or state institutions. Looking at them side by side reveals how strongly a person’s position in Soviet society could influence the type of vehicle they were allowed to use.

Even visitors who are not dedicated car enthusiasts may enjoy the museum for its retro atmosphere, restored interiors and connections to Georgia’s 20th-century history.

From a Private Collection to a Museum

Tbilisi Auto Museum was created from a private collection assembled over approximately 18 years. It officially opened on 25 October 2014 during the annual Tbilisoba festival.

The original exhibition included around 25 cars, but the collection has continued to expand. Vehicles have been found in different parts of Georgia and carefully restored, sometimes requiring rare components and extensive mechanical work.

The museum’s location eventually gave its name to the surrounding street, now officially known as Auto Museum Street.

What Can You See Inside?

The collection includes restored Soviet passenger cars, official vehicles, utility models and motorcycles from different decades.

Visitors may see automobiles produced by well-known Soviet manufacturers such as:

• GAZ
• Moskvitch
• ZAZ
• UAZ

The exact arrangement of vehicles may change as restoration work continues and new exhibits are added.

Rare GAZ Models

Among the museum’s most notable exhibits are the GAZ-M1, commonly known as the “Emka,” and the extremely rare GAZ-4 pickup truck.

The GAZ-M1 became one of the most recognizable Soviet cars of the 1930s and was widely used by government institutions and officials. The GAZ-4 was an early Soviet pickup model, and only a very small number are believed to have survived.

Another important vehicle is the open-top GAZ M20 Pobeda-Phaeton. The Pobeda became one of the defining automobiles of the early post-war Soviet period.

Foreign Cars and Motorcycles

Although Soviet vehicles form the heart of the collection, the museum also contains older foreign models. Examples associated with the collection include a 1928 Ford Model A and a BMW R35 motorcycle produced during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

These exhibits allow visitors to compare Soviet vehicle design with automobiles and motorcycles manufactured elsewhere during the same period.

Cars as Symbols of Soviet Society

The museum is particularly interesting when viewed as a social history exhibition.

Cars such as the Volga were associated with officials, successful professionals and state institutions. More modest vehicles, including various Moskvitch and Zaporozhets models, were intended for a wider section of the population, although purchasing a private car in the Soviet Union could still involve long waiting lists and official restrictions.

For additional historical context, consider visiting Stalin’s Illegal Underground Printing House Museum or the Soviet Occupation exhibition inside the Georgian National Museum.

Tbilisi Auto Museum Tickets and Opening Hours

Opening hours:

• Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00–18:00
• Monday: Closed

The museum is also normally closed on 1, 2 and 3 January and during the Easter holiday period. Because it is a privately operated museum, calling ahead is recommended, especially on public holidays.

Admission:

• Foreign visitors: 10 GEL
• Georgian citizens: 5 GEL
• Children under 6: Free

Tickets can normally be purchased at the museum. Online tickets may also be available through the current Tbilisi Automuseum ticket page.

Prices and opening arrangements can change, so check the latest information before making a special journey across the city.

How Long Do You Need?

Most visitors should allow approximately 45–60 minutes for the museum.

Car enthusiasts, photographers and visitors who spend time discussing the vehicles with museum staff may want to allow up to 90 minutes. Try to arrive at least one hour before closing so that you do not have to rush through the collection.

How to Get to Tbilisi Auto Museum

Address: 7 Auto Museum Street, Isani-Samgori, Tbilisi
Telephone: +995 599 54 56 28
Email: tbilisi.automuseum@gmail.com

The museum is located in the eastern part of Tbilisi, outside the main sightseeing districts. It is not within convenient walking distance of Old Tbilisi or Freedom Square.

By Taxi

A taxi booked through an application is normally the easiest way to reach the museum.

Enter “Tbilisi AutoMuseum” as the destination and check that the map pin points to Auto Museum Street in the Isani-Samgori area. Avoid entering only the street name if the application displays several possible results.

Travel time from central Tbilisi is usually around 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Read the guide to online taxi apps in Georgia for information about Bolt, Yandex Go and Maxim.

By Metro and Taxi

There is no metro station directly beside the museum.

Varketili is one of the closest metro stations, but an additional taxi or bus journey is still required. Taking the metro to Varketili and ordering a taxi from there can reduce the cost of traveling from the city center.

For current fares and payment methods, see the complete guide to public transport in Tbilisi.

By Municipal Bus

Municipal buses serve the wider Isani-Samgori area, but routes and stops may change. Check Google Maps or an official Tbilisi public transport journey planner shortly before departure.

A bus journey generally takes longer than traveling by taxi, and the final stop may still require some walking.

Tips Before Your Visit

• Call ahead if you are visiting on a public holiday.
• Arrive at least one hour before closing.
• Ask staff before touching a vehicle, opening a door or sitting inside.
• Confirm photography rules when you arrive.
• Groups should contact the museum in advance.
• Check the precise map pin before starting your journey, as the museum is located outside the central tourist area.
• If card payment is important, confirm the available payment methods beforehand.

Is Tbilisi Auto Museum Worth Visiting?

Tbilisi Auto Museum is worth visiting for classic-car enthusiasts, photographers, families and travelers interested in Georgia’s Soviet and post-Soviet history.

Its location requires more planning than the museums around Rustaveli Avenue or Old Tbilisi, but the collection offers something very different from the city’s conventional historical and art museums. Restored cars, motorcycles and rare utility vehicles turn the exhibition into a visual journey through several decades of automotive and social history.

For more cultural attractions, browse the complete collection of museums in Tbilisi.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entrance fee for Tbilisi Auto Museum?

The currently listed admission price is 10 GEL for foreign visitors and 5 GEL for Georgian citizens. Children under six can enter free of charge.

When is Tbilisi Auto Museum open?

The museum is normally open from 11:00 to 18:00, Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and on certain official holidays.

Do I need to book in advance?

Individual visitors can normally purchase a ticket at the museum. Advance contact is advisable for groups, public holidays or visitors making a special trip from outside Tbilisi.

Can I reach the museum by metro?

There is no metro station beside the museum. Varketili is one of the closest stations, but you will need to continue by taxi or municipal bus.

How much time should I allow?

Approximately 45–60 minutes is enough for most visitors. Car enthusiasts may want to spend up to 90 minutes.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Yes. The visual nature of the collection can be interesting for children, even if they are unfamiliar with Soviet automotive history. Admission is currently free for children under six.

Is Tbilisi Auto Museum only about Soviet cars?

Soviet vehicles form the main part of the collection, but visitors may also see older foreign cars and motorcycles, including models associated with Ford and BMW.