A Brief Overview of
Public Transport

Relocating to Georgia for school or a fresh start? Among the first things you will
notice is how easy and cheap it is to move about. Georgia’s public transportation
system of buses, minibuses and the metro links practically every part of the country
making daily commutes convenient for locals as well as foreign students.


Buses – Dependable and Inexpensive
Buses are perhaps the most convenient mode of transport to get around Georgian
cities, particularly Tbilisi. Yellow or blue-colored buses are easy to spot and traverse
almost every neighbourhood. Electronic boards within indicate the upcoming stops in
Georgian and English, which is excellent for foreigners.
You can pay with a Metro money card or a contactless bank card by tapping when
you board. A single ticket even covers free transfers between buses and the metro
for a limited time. Buses are clean, airconditioned, and ideal for getting to class or
exploring the city on weekends.
The other large cities, such as Batumi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi, have smaller, but
equally convenient, bus networks.

Minibuses -The Local Favourite
To truly live like the locals, jump in a marshrutka Georgia’s much-loved minibuses.
Miniature yellow or white vans run nearly everywhere and are the nation’s most
old-school mode of public transit.
For short trips just tell the driver where you’d like to get off and pay in cash (so keep
small change handy). For longer intercity routes like from Tbilisi to Batumi or Kutaisi
marshrutkas leave from bus stations throughout the day.
They’re quick, frequent, and quite cheap, so they’re a winner with students who
enjoy traveling on the weekends. Not always comfortable, perhaps, but they’re safe,
sociable, and part of the authentic Georgian experience.


Metro – Quick and Convenient
For students residing in Tbilisi, the metro system is among the quickest methods of
transport. There are two principal lines that service major areas such as universities,
shopping malls, and residential areas.
The trains are frequent and very affordable. You can use your Metro money card or
contactless bank card on the gates. Metro stations are well labelled in both English
and Georgian, and several have stunning Soviet-era architecture that makes the ride
even more fascinating.

Travel Tips

  • Get a Metro money card – it is valid for buses, metro, and even some minibuses.
  • Use Google Maps or the Tbilisi Transport app to plan routes and timing.
  • Carry coins or small bills for marshrutkas, most don’t accept cards.