Cars & transport in Tbilisi

How transport in Tbilisi works: what to know before you move

A city’s transport system shapes the quality of everyday life far more than you’d expect at the planning stage. In Tbilisi, it works in a non-linear way: there is a metro, but it covers less than half of the residential areas; the bus network is expanding, but routes are hard to navigate without experience; taxis are cheap, but the city centre grinds to a halt at rush hour. If you’ve already moved or are thinking about it — here is the full picture, with figures and pitfalls included.

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Public transport: metro, buses, and the Metromoney card

Tbilisi Metro has two lines: Akhmeteli–Varketili (red, running west to east) and Saburtalo (yellow, north to centre). Around 23 stations in total. The metro runs from ~06:00 to ~24:00, with peak-hour intervals of 3–5 minutes. For most centre-to-residential-district routes the metro is sufficient, but Vera, Chugureti, Avlabari, and the right bank of the Kura River require a transfer to surface transport.

As of 2025–2026, the bus network covers more than 100 routes. Navigate using the Moovit or TbilisiTransport app — enter your destination and you’ll see the current schedule and route number. Without an app, getting around is difficult: signs are in Georgian and there are no English explanations at stops.

The unified transit card is the Metromoney card. It can be obtained at metro ticket offices or service centres for a nominal fee (around 2 GEL for the card itself). A single ride costs 1 GEL on the metro and the bus. Within 90 minutes of the first validation, a transfer to a bus is free. You can top up the card at metro terminals, through the TBC or Bank of Georgia mobile apps, or via the Metromoney app.

Marshrutkas (minibuses) — a Soviet-era standard that runs parallel to the official network. Fixed fare of 1 GEL, paid in cash to the driver. Routes are unpredictable and there are no timetables, but for some destinations (such as Vake or Gldani) this is the fastest option.

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Taxis in Tbilisi: Bolt, Yandex Go, and local quirks

Taking a taxi is a practical everyday choice here, not a luxury. A city ride costs 8–20 GEL depending on distance and time of day. During peak hours (08:30–10:00 and 18:00–20:00) dynamic pricing can push fares up by about fifty percent.

Two main aggregators — Bolt and Yandex Go. Bolt is more predictable on price in Tbilisi; Yandex Go is popular among Russian-speaking drivers. There is also Maxim — slightly cheaper, but with a weaker fleet.

An insight you won’t find in tourist guides: in some residential neighborhoods (Didgori, Gldani, parts of Isani), ride-hailing drivers simply don’t accept orders during peak hours — they just don’t go there. Experienced residents keep 1–2 numbers of local private drivers in their contacts, who work at a fixed agreed price.

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Cars in Tbilisi: buying, renting, and what to do about your licence

Rental

Short-term rental starts from 80 GEL per day for a basic model (e.g. Hyundai Accent or Chevrolet Spark). Major chains include Sixt and Europcar; local options are GG Auto Rent and Geo Travel. For rentals longer than two weeks, the rate drops — you can negotiate down to 60–65 GEL/day directly with a local agency.

Car purchase

The car market in Tbilisi is one of a kind. The main platforms are myauto.ge (Georgia’s equivalent of Avito for cars) and the physical Lilo Auto Market on the city’s outskirts. Most vehicles are Japanese or American "right-hand-drive vehicles" through Copart and IAAI auctions, or European used-car markets. The price range is wide: from $3,000–4,000 for a well-worn Camry to $15,000+ for one with reasonable mileage.

Important note: when a foreigner purchases a car, the transfer is processed through the House of Justice (Sakhelisuflo Saxli). The procedure is straightforward, takes 1–2 hours, and the state fee is minimal. However, vehicles with foreign plates on Georgian roads are subject to certain restrictions — covered below.

Parking outside the centre is free and widely available in most cases. In the centre, paid zones (marked in blue) require payment via the ParkingTbilisi app or SMS — roughly 0.5–1 GEL per hour.

Driving licence in Tbilisi: Russian licences and exchange

Russian driving licences are recognized in Georgia and allow you to drive for 1 year from the date of your most recent entry into the country. The clock starts from the border stamp, not from when you receive a residence permit: holding a residence permit does not extend this period. A practical workaround many expats use: a short trip out and back in resets the year.

After 6 months, you must exchange your licence for a Georgian driving licence by passing an exam. The procedure takes place at the Roads Agency / Service Agency of the MIA. The theory exam is officially available in Russian. The practical exam follows the standard format — on a driving range and in city traffic. Preparation courses cost from 300–400 GEL; exam fees are approximately 50–80 GEL.

Prices in the table are market reference points: government fees and third-party rates at the time of publication. These are not SVOY prices — our service fees are provided on request and in the ’Services’ section.

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Common mistakes

1. Counting on the metro as a full network. Two lines cover a limited corridor. If you live on the Saburtalo plateau, in Didube or Samgori — the metro is there, but you will still need a bus.
2. Not keeping track of your entry date when driving on a Russian licence. The one-year clock starts from your last entry stamp, not from when you began living there permanently, and a residence permit does not extend it. Many people discover this only after the deadline has passed — on the road or when trying to rent a car. The good news: a Georgian licence can be obtained by exchange, with no exam required — you will need your passport or residence permit, the original licence, and a legalised certificate from the issuing authority; the procedure at the House of Justice takes just minutes.
3. Buying a car with foreign registration without understanding the restrictions. Vehicles on Armenian, Russian, or other foreign plates have a limited permitted stay in Georgia. For long-term residents this creates a legal grey area.
4. Renting a car in the centre and driving back there during rush hour. Traffic on Rustaveli Avenue, Agmashenebeli, and around the railway station on weekdays is on par with Moscow. For errands in the centre, a taxi or the metro is faster.
5. Ignoring bus navigation apps. Travelling without Moovit means losing 20–30 minutes guessing the right route. Install it before your first trip.
6. Overpaying for a rental car at the airport. Counters at Tbilisi Airport charge 20–30% more than the same agencies in the city. It’s more convenient to take a taxi and arrange the rental the following day.

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Practical takeaway

For your first 1–3 months in the city, the optimal setup is Metromoney plus taxis for non-standard routes. If you live outside the metro zone or have a family, renting a car from the start makes sense. Buying your own car becomes worthwhile if you’re planning to stay in Tbilisi for a year or more: the myauto.ge market is fairly transparent, and registering through the House of Justice is simpler than most newcomers expect. The question of exchanging your Russian licence is best handled early, well before the six-month threshold.