Cheap flights land in Kutaisi, but most trips to Georgia start or end in the capital. So the question comes up on every booking: what is the best way from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi? The airport sits at Kopitnari, about 230 km west of the capital. You can cover it by airport coach, by minivan and train from Kutaisi city, by taxi, or with a rental car. This post compares all four honestly, from the point of view of a company that rents cars there. If you want the car for the whole trip, our one-way rental from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi is the page to book from; this post compares all the ways into the capital.
Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi: the four options
| Option | Time | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport coach | About 4 hours | Solo travellers going straight to Tbilisi | Fixed times; a late flight can mean a long wait |
| Minivan or train from Kutaisi city | 4 to 5 hours plus the ride into town | Travellers staying in Kutaisi first | Two steps, luggage, few night options |
| Taxi | About 3 hours | Groups who want no stops | The highest price for a single ride |
| Rental car | About 3 hours of driving | Two or more people, anyone who wants stops | Handover fee in Kutaisi, see below |
Times are for the road itself in normal traffic. Schedules and fares for buses and trains change, so check the operator before you fly. In contrast, a car leaves when you are ready.
By airport coach
Coaches meet many flights and run straight to Tbilisi. They are the cheapest way for one person. However, they keep their own timetable. If your flight is late, you may wait for the next departure. Also, the coach ends in the city, so you still need a taxi to the hotel.
By minivan or train from Kutaisi city
First you take a taxi or shuttle into Kutaisi, which is 20 to 25 minutes away. Then you catch a marshrutka minivan or a train to Tbilisi. This works well if you spend a night in Kutaisi anyway. With heavy bags and a night arrival, it is hard work.
By taxi
A taxi is fast and direct. Agree the price before you get in, or use a ride app from Kutaisi city. For three or four people, the cost per head becomes reasonable. But you will drive past every sight on the way without stopping.
By rental car: the road trip option
A car turns the transfer into the first day of your holiday. Our colleague meets your flight at arrivals, at any hour, with a sign. Then you drive east on the motorway towards Zestafoni, cross the Rikoti pass, and reach the plains of Kartli. The drive from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi takes about three hours without stops.
The best part is what you can add on the way:
- Ubisa monastery, a 9th-century church with rare frescoes, a short detour from the highway.
- Shrosha, the roadside village of potters, for a clay wine jar or a jug.
- Gori and Uplistsikhe, the fortress town and the cave city, 15 minutes apart.
- Mtskheta, the old capital, just before Tbilisi, for Svetitskhoveli and Jvari.
So a one-way rental with two stops becomes a full and easy day. Our post on the best places near Kutaisi Airport has more ideas if you stay in the west first.
What the one-way costs
A one-way rental pays the handover fee of each end. Kutaisi Airport costs $120. Tbilisi city centre is free, and Tbilisi Airport is $30. Then add the daily rate and the $20 service fee. For example, a Toyota Prius for three days from Kutaisi Airport to central Tbilisi costs 3 x $35 + $120 + $20, so $245 in total. You pay 15% online and the rest at the car.
Is that cheaper than the coach? For one person, no. For two or more people who want to stop at Uplistsikhe or Mtskheta, the car usually wins. Above all, it also gives you the car for the days that follow. The Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi one-way page has the full fee table and the cars available.
Landing in Kutaisi with a different plan? Maybe you want Svaneti first, or Batumi, and Tbilisi only at the end. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Tips for the Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi drive
- Add your flight number at booking. Late arrivals are common on budget flights, and we track them.
- Fill up near the airport. Stations line the main road, and the motorway has cafés with clean toilets.
- Drive in daylight if you can. The Rikoti section has tunnels and lorries, and it is easier when you can see.
- Keep your speed at the limit. Cameras measure speed on the motorway, and fines follow the car.
- Plan where to leave the car. Central Tbilisi is free, while the Tbilisi Airport drop-off suits an early flight home.
Which car for the drive
The route is paved motorway and highway, so any car works. The Toyota Prius at $35 a day is the cheapest to rent and to fuel. For four adults with luggage, take the Ford Fusion at $55. Families of seven choose the Toyota Sienna, and groups of eight the Mercedes Vito. If Svaneti comes first, book a 4x4 from the Kutaisi Airport car rental page instead.
Questions about Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi
How far is Kutaisi Airport from Tbilisi?
About 230 km by road. With a car, plan three hours of driving, or a full day with stops.
Can I pick up the car at night?
Yes. We meet every flight at Kutaisi Airport, including the arrivals after midnight. If you prefer, sleep in Kutaisi and start in the morning.
Can I do the trip the other way round?
Yes. Many travellers land in Tbilisi and fly home from Kutaisi. The fees are the same in both directions.