Route guide
Batumi to Kutaisi
About 150 km north along the coast and then inland across the Colchis plain. Roughly 2.5-3 hours of driving, and Petra Fortress, the Guria beaches and Prometheus Cave all lie close to the road.
Leaving Batumi, the road follows the Black Sea past Kobuleti before turning inland at Grigoleti and crossing the flat, humid lowland to Samtredia and Kutaisi. It is a short transfer, often used to reach Kutaisi airport for a flight home.
Even with a flight to catch, a car gives you time for something: a seaside fortress, a last swim at Shekvetili or Ureki, or the caves and canyons north of Kutaisi.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast train to Kutaisi Airport stationBatumi Central station | About 1.5-2 h | from about 30 GEL (about $11) in 2026 | A few departures a day, more in summer |
| Airport coachBatumi city centre; check the operator's stop | 2.5-3 h | about 25 GEL (about $9) in 2026 | Timed to flights from Kutaisi airport |
| MinibusBatumi bus station | 2.5-3 h | about 15-25 GEL (about $6-9) in 2026 | Frequent in the daytime, leaves when full |
| Private transfer with stopsYour hotel in Batumi | 2.5-3 h driving, 5-6 h with stops | see vehicle prices below | Any day |
- Time
- About 1.5-2 h
- Price
- from about 30 GEL (about $11) in 2026
- How often
- A few departures a day, more in summer
- From
- Batumi Central station
- Fast and comfortable, ideal for flights out of Kutaisi
- Not in Kutaisi centre; the city train from Batumi takes over 4 hours
- Time
- 2.5-3 h
- Price
- about 25 GEL (about $9) in 2026
- How often
- Timed to flights from Kutaisi airport
- From
- Batumi city centre; check the operator's stop
- Goes straight to the airport
- Only useful if you are flying
- Time
- 2.5-3 h
- Price
- about 15-25 GEL (about $6-9) in 2026
- How often
- Frequent in the daytime, leaves when full
- From
- Batumi bus station
- Cheap
- No luggage space to speak of
- Time
- 2.5-3 h driving, 5-6 h with stops
- Price
- see vehicle prices below
- How often
- Any day
- From
- Your hotel in Batumi
- Hotel to the Batumi seafront and on to Kutaisi, stopping on request
- Costs more than the train
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
5 stops, adding about 2 h 50 min to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1BatumiStart
- 23 km2Petra FortressStop about 30 min · Byzantine ruins on the seaside hills at Tsikhisdziri.
- 32 km3KobuletiStop about 15 min · Long pebble beach for a coffee by the sea.
- 55 km4ShekvetiliStop about 30 min · Pine-backed beach with dark sand and a music park.
- 62 km5UrekiStop about 20 min · Magnetic black sand said to be good for the joints.
- 150 km6Prometheus CaveStop about 75 min · Show cave with lit halls and an optional underground boat ride, near Tskaltubo just north of Kutaisi.
- 150 km7KutaisiArrive
Private transfer prices
Whole car with driver, one way, stops included. Sample prices
| Vehicle | Seats | One way |
|---|---|---|
| SedanComfortable saloon such as a Toyota Camry or similar hybrid. Right for one to three people with normal luggage on paved roads. | up to 3 | $95 |
| MinivanMercedes Vito, V-Class or similar. For families and groups of four to seven, or three people with a lot of luggage or ski gear. | up to 7 | $130 |
| SUV (4x4)Real four-wheel drive such as a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or Mitsubishi Delica, with a driver used to mountain tracks. Needed for Tusheti, Khevsureti, the upper Truso valley and snowy winter roads. | up to 4 | $125 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | $220 |
- For an evening flight from Kutaisi, a morning departure from Batumi leaves time for Prometheus Cave or Sataplia.
- The coast road is slow on summer weekends; allow extra time in July and August.
- Kutaisi airport is about 20 km west of the city, so it is a little closer to Batumi than Kutaisi itself.
Do it with us
Batumi to Kutaisi, privately
Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.
Ready-made tourKutaisi Canyons Day Trip1 day · from $110 pp (sample)Batumi to Kutaisi: FAQ
How long does it take from Batumi to Kutaisi?
Allow 2.5 to 3 hours on the road for roughly 150 km. The fast train to Kutaisi Airport station takes under 2 hours.
How do I get from Batumi to Kutaisi airport?
Take the fast train to Kutaisi Airport station, the airport coach timed to flights, or a private transfer to the terminal.
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
Tours on this road
Book a private transfer with stops
Batumi to Kutaisi in your own car with driver, stopping at Petra Fortress, Kobuleti, Shekvetili and more. Fixed price, any time.
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