Route guide
Tbilisi to Telavi
About 96 km over the Gombori Pass, a forested mountain road, or about 156 km on the longer, flatter road through Sagarejo and Gurjaani. Two to 2.5 hours either way, with monasteries and fortresses along both.
Telavi, the main town of inner Kakheti, has two approaches. The short one climbs over the Gombori range through beech forest, passing an ancient royal fortress, and drops down to the monasteries above Telavi. The long one follows the main highway east and then up the Alazani valley through wine villages.
The Gombori road had a long closure for works in 2025 and can be restricted after snow, so we check its status before every trip. When it is open, it is the more beautiful drive; otherwise the valley road through Gurjaani adds an hour but plenty of wineries.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer with stopsYour hotel in Tbilisi | 2-2.5 h driving, 5-6 h with stops | see vehicle prices below | Any day |
| MinibusNavtlughi stop by Samgori metro, with some departures from Ortachala | About 2-2.5 h | about 15-20 GEL (about $6-7) in 2026 | Every 30-60 minutes in the daytime |
| Kakheti wine day tourYour hotel in Tbilisi | 9-10 h round trip | see the tour page | Any date |
- Time
- 2-2.5 h driving, 5-6 h with stops
- Price
- see vehicle prices below
- How often
- Any day
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Your driver chooses whichever pass road is open that day
- Costs more than the minibus
- Time
- About 2-2.5 h
- Price
- about 15-20 GEL (about $6-7) in 2026
- How often
- Every 30-60 minutes in the daytime
- From
- Navtlughi stop by Samgori metro, with some departures from Ortachala
- Cheap and frequent
- No stops at the monasteries; the station has moved in recent years
- Time
- 9-10 h round trip
- Price
- see the tour page
- How often
- Any date
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Wineries and monasteries with a guide
- Back to Tbilisi the same night
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
4 stops, adding about 2 h to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1TbilisiStart
- 45 km2Ujarma FortressStop about 30 min · Royal fortress on the Iori river linked to King Vakhtang Gorgasali, beside the Gombori road.
- 65 km3Gombori PassStop about 10 min · Top of the forest road at about 1,600 m, with a view over both valleys on a clear day.
- 89 km4Old and New ShuamtaStop about 40 min · Two monastery complexes in the forest about 7 km before Telavi, 5th-7th and 16th centuries.
- 96 km5Batonis Tsikhe, TelaviStop about 40 min · The fortified palace of King Erekle II in the town centre.
- 96 km6TelaviArrive
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 | $80 |
| 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 | $110 |
| 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 | $110 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | $190 |
- If the Gombori road is shut, we go via Sagarejo and Gurjaani, about 156 km, and can stop at Ninotsminda Cathedral instead.
- Tsinandali, Ikalto and Alaverdi are all within 20 minutes of Telavi, so they fit better into the next day.
- Telavi is the usual base for the 4x4 trip to Tusheti in summer.
Do it with us
Tbilisi to Telavi, privately
Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.
Ready-made tourKakheti Wine Day Trip1 day · from $150 pp (sample)Tbilisi to Telavi: FAQ
Is the Gombori Pass road open?
Works shut it for months in 2025, and snow can restrict it to 4x4s in winter. We check before each trip; the road through Gurjaani is the dependable alternative.
How long does it take from Tbilisi to Telavi?
About 2 to 2.5 hours by either road.
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 Telavi in your own car with driver, stopping at Ujarma Fortress, Gombori Pass, Old and New Shuamta and more. Fixed price, any time.
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