Route guide
Tbilisi to Kutaisi
About 230 km west on the E60 motorway, through Shida Kartli and the new Rikoti tunnels into Imereti. Three hours of driving with plenty of easy stops: Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori and Surami.
Kutaisi, Georgia's third city and the old capital of the western kingdom, is where east meets west. The motorway from Tbilisi runs past Mtskheta and through the wide valley of the Mtkvari, then crosses the Likhi Range that divides the country, now mostly in tunnels.
On a private transfer you can pair the drive with a short history lesson: Mtskheta's churches, Uplistsikhe's rock town, Stalin's birthplace in Gori and a fortress at Surami, and still check in to your hotel in Kutaisi by late afternoon.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Kutaisi Airport or Rioni stationTbilisi Central station (Station Square) | About 3 h | from about 25 GEL (about $9) in 2nd class in 2026 | Several a day on the Batumi line |
| Coach or minibusDidube bus station (Okriba) | 3.5-4 h | about 20-25 GEL (about $7-9) in 2026 | Frequent, from early morning to evening |
| Private transfer with stopsYour hotel in Tbilisi | 3-3.5 h driving, 7-8 h with stops | see vehicle prices below | Any day |
- Time
- About 3 h
- Price
- from about 25 GEL (about $9) in 2nd class in 2026
- How often
- Several a day on the Batumi line
- From
- Tbilisi Central station (Station Square)
- Comfortable and quick
- Neither station is in the centre: add a taxi of 20-30 minutes
- Time
- 3.5-4 h
- Price
- about 20-25 GEL (about $7-9) in 2026
- How often
- Frequent, from early morning to evening
- From
- Didube bus station (Okriba)
- Arrives at Kutaisi central bus station
- Can be cramped; little room for big bags
- Time
- 3-3.5 h driving, 7-8 h with stops
- Price
- see vehicle prices below
- How often
- Any day
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Flexible start time, and history stops on the way
- More expensive than the train for one or two people
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
6 stops, adding about 3 h 25 min to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1TbilisiStart
- 22 km2Jvari MonasteryStop about 30 min · 6th-century church on the hill above Mtskheta, with the view over two rivers.
- 47 km3Samtavisi CathedralStop about 20 min · Carved east facade of 1030, a few minutes off the motorway near Igoeti.
- 85 km4Gori FortressStop about 20 min · Hilltop citadel above the town, with views to the Caucasus on a clear day.
- 95 km5Uplistsikhe cave townStop about 75 min · Rock-cut halls, a theatre and a basilica on a cliff over the river.
- 130 km6Surami FortressStop about 15 min · Hill fort tied to a famous legend; stalls nearby sell nazuki, the sweet raisin bread.
- 240 km7Gelati MonasteryStop about 45 min · A short drive above Kutaisi: finish the day at the UNESCO monastery before checking in.
- 230 km8KutaisiArrive
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 | $140 |
| 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 | $190 |
| 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 | $180 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | $310 |
- Gori's Stalin Museum adds about an hour if you are interested in Soviet history.
- The motorway bypasses Kutaisi to the south. Your driver can drop you at your hotel, but if you take the train, check whether it stops at Rioni or the airport station.
- Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe together with the Kutaisi drive make a full but comfortable day.
Do it with us
Tbilisi to Kutaisi, privately
Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.
Ready-made tourEast to West6 days · from $1,110 pp (sample)Tbilisi to Kutaisi: FAQ
Is there a direct train from Tbilisi to Kutaisi city?
Most travellers use the fast Batumi trains, which stop at Kutaisi Airport station and, on some services, Rioni, then take a taxi into town. A slower direct service has been reported as suspended; check the railway site.
How long is the drive from Tbilisi to Kutaisi?
About 230 km and around 3 to 3.5 hours since the Rikoti tunnels opened.
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
Tbilisi to Kutaisi in your own car with driver, stopping at Jvari Monastery, Samtavisi Cathedral, Gori Fortress and more. Fixed price, any time.
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