Taxi and Private Driver Services in Georgia (Including Cross-Border Travel)

Georgia is compact compared with many countries, but its mountains, winding roads, and rural regions make private transport a practical and often comfortable way to travel.

Taxis and private drivers are widely available and relatively affordable. Many travellers rely on them for airport transfers, day trips, and reaching places where buses and trains run less frequently.

You’ll commonly use:

• City taxis for short urban trips

• Rideshare apps in major cities

• Private drivers for day trips and multi-stop routes

• Airport transfers for easy arrivals and departures

• Cross-border drivers for travel to neighbouring countries

Georgian and Russian are widely spoken. In tourist areas, basic English is increasingly common.

A few useful words: taksi (taxi), fiksi ts'ena (fixed price), aeroporti (airport).

Airport Transfers in Georgia

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → Tbilisi City

Tbilisi’s airport is about 17 km from the city centre.

Taxi / rideshare

• 20–30 minutes

• GEL 30–50 depending on destination

Private airport transfer

• 20–30 minutes

• GEL 60–90

Pre-booked transfers provide fixed pricing and meet-and-greet service.

Official taxis are available at the terminal, but rideshare apps are usually cheaper.

TBS → Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

Many travellers head straight to the mountains.

Private driver

• 3–3.5 hours

• GEL 250–350 per vehicle

The road follows the Georgian Military Highway, one of the country’s most scenic routes.

Kutaisi Airport (KUT) → Kutaisi / Tbilisi / Batumi

Kutaisi airport serves many European budget flights.

Taxi to Kutaisi

• 25 minutes

• GEL 25–40

Private transfer to Tbilisi

• 3–3.5 hours

• GEL 350–450

Private transfer to Batumi

• ~2 hours

• GEL 200–300

Taxis in Georgian Cities

Taxis are easy to find in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi.

Typical fares:

• Short city ride: GEL 5–10

• Cross-city ride: GEL 10–20

Most taxis do not use meters, so agree on a price in advance unless using an app.

Common rideshare apps include:

• Bolt

• Yandex Go

These provide clear pricing and are widely used by locals.

Private Drivers for Day Trips

Hiring a private driver is common and often the most efficient way to explore outside cities.

Typical day rates:

• GEL 250–400 per vehicle per day

Drivers usually speak some English and can wait while you explore.

Popular day trip routes include:

Tbilisi → Kakheti Wine Region

• 2–3 hours each way

• Visits to Sighnaghi, Telavi, and wineries

• GEL 250–350

Wine tasting is best done with a driver, as Georgia has strict drink-driving laws.

Tbilisi → Kazbegi (Gergeti Trinity Church)

• 3–3.5 hours each way

• Stops at Ananuri Fortress and Gudauri

• GEL 300–400

The scenery along the Georgian Military Highway is spectacular.

Kutaisi → Martvili Canyon / Prometheus Cave

• 1–1.5 hours

• GEL 150–250

These natural sites are difficult to visit without a car.

Private Drivers for Multi-Day Trips

Some travellers hire drivers for several days to explore Georgia more deeply.

Common routes:

Tbilisi → Kazbegi → Kutaisi → Batumi

• 3–5 days

• Mountains, monasteries, Black Sea coast

Tbilisi → Kakheti → Vardzia → Borjomi

• 3–4 days

• Wine region and cave monasteries

Multi-day drivers typically charge:

• GEL 300–450 per day, sometimes including fuel.

Accommodation and meals for the driver are occasionally expected when travelling far from cities.

Cross-Border Taxi & Private Driver Services

Private drivers are often used for border crossings, especially where public transport requires multiple connections.

Common destinations include:

Georgia → Armenia

Tbilisi → Yerevan

• 5–6 hours including border

• GEL 450–600 per vehicle

Shared taxis also run between the cities.

Georgia → Azerbaijan

Tbilisi → Baku

• 8–9 hours

Note: land borders with Azerbaijan periodically close or restrict entry, so check current regulations before planning this route.

Georgia → Turkey

Batumi → Trabzon

• 3–4 hours

• GEL 250–350

The Sarpi border crossing near Batumi is busy but usually efficient.

Georgia → Russia (Upper Lars / Kazbegi)

Tbilisi → Vladikavkaz

• 4–6 hours depending on border traffic

• GEL 300–450

This route passes through the Dariali Gorge and can experience delays in winter.

Practical Tips for Taxis & Drivers

• Confirm a fixed price before starting the trip.

• Cash is common, though some drivers accept cards.

• Rideshare apps are often the easiest option in cities.

• Border crossings may require changing vehicles depending on regulations.

• Winter weather can affect mountain routes.

For many travellers, private drivers provide the easiest way to experience Georgia’s diverse regions — from the Caucasus mountains to the vineyards of Kakheti and the Black Sea coast.

Prices shown are indicative and reflect typical costs in Georgia as at March 2026.