Know Before You Go: Tbilisi

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is located approximately 17 kilometers (10.5 miles)southeast of the city center. Bus route 337 runs between the airport and central stops such as Avlabari and Freedom Square in the city center, taking approximately 45 to 60 minutes. A single ticket costs around 1 Georgian lari (GEL) and can be purchased on the bus or using a Metromoney card. A local train connects the airport to the main station, though less frequently than the bus. Using taxi and ride-hailing services such as Bolt and Yandex Go, the journey to the city center usually takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions, and costs between 25 and 40 GEL, while a taxi costs between 40 and 60 GEL.

Public transport in Tbilisi comprises the metro, city buses, and minibuses (marshrutkas). The metro mainly serves the central districts of Rustaveli, Marjanishvili, and Didube. Tickets and the Metromoney card can also be purchased at metro stations and cost around 1 GEL. Meanwhile, marshrutkas serve the outskirts and towns close to Tbilisi. Tickets are available for cash only and cost between 1 and 2 GEL. Conventional taxis are not always equipped with a taximeter, meaning you should always agree the fare in advance, while Bolt and Yandex Go allow you to enter your destination via the app, ensuring clarity on prices.

The Georgian lari is the official currency. 1 GEL is divided into 100 tetri. Banknotes typically range up to 100 lari; coins are used for smaller amounts. ATMs are widespread in the city center and in most residential districts. Currency exchange offices are common and often offer better rates than airport counters. Cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted in hotels, modern restaurants, larger supermarkets, and chain stores. Contactless payment, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, is increasingly common in the city center and on public transport ticket machines. Cash remains important everywhere else. Keeping a mix of small bills and coins for taxis, tips, and small purchases is a good idea.

Shops and boutiques in central districts such as Rustaveli, Vera, and Vake usually open around 10 a.m. and close between 8 and 9 p.m. Supermarkets and convenience stores often operate from early morning until late in the evening, with some staying open on weekends. Cafés tend to open late morning and stay open until late, while restaurants frequently serve until 11 p.m. or even later, especially on weekends. Museums and galleries are typically open from around 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., with Mondays off. Traditional markets (bazaars) start early and wind down by the late afternoon.

In Tbilisi, a tip of around 10–15% is customary in restaurants and cafés, unless a service charge has already been added to the bill. Many venues list this charge separately, so no additional tip is expected. If you’d like to ensure the tip goes directly to your server, it’s best to leave it in cash. For taxi rides, rounding up the fare or leaving a small tip for good service is also appreciated.

The name Tbilisi comes from the Old Georgian word "tbili," meaning “warm,” a reference to the natural hot sulfur springs still bubbling away in the Abanotubani district. These have been part of city life for centuries and remain a favored ritual for locals and visitors alike, with a traditional sulfur bath followed by a massage considered both social and restorative. The bathhouses are architecturally striking as well, with their brick domes and tiled interiors reflecting the Persian and Ottoman influences in Tbilisi’s layered history.