There are a variety of day trips you can do from Tbilisi using ‘public transport’ – i.e. marshrutka minivan or train. Marshrutka is definitely the most affordable way to travel, but schedules are limited and it can be slow going. The approach to road safety in Georgia is questionable (more on this in a moment), so I generally only recommend using marshrutka vans for shorter day trips.

​

These 8 easy day trips from Tbilisi are all popular itineraries:

​

1. Mtskheta – Georgia’s ancient capital
2. Kazbegi & the Georgian Military Highway – Caucasus mountains adventure
3. Sighnaghi & Kakheti – Georgian wine country
4. Telavi & Kakheti – Alternative wine country route
5. David Gareja & Udabno – Cave monasteries and rainbow hills
6. Gori & Uplistsikhe – Stalin’s hometown
7. Borjomi & Bakuriani – Thermal pools, hiking and a scenic railway

8. Dashbashi (Tsalka) Canyon - Diamond viewing bridge (newly opened)

​

​

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Marshrutka vans have limited space and only seat 15 or so people. Once they are full, they leave – so there’s no use arriving at 8am on the dot and expecting to get a seat.

I recommend you get to the station 30-45 minutes before your intended departure time. If there’s not enough room, you’ll have to wait for the next van – but at least you’ll be first in line!

 

 

• Mtskheta - Marshrutka minivans leave from Tbilisi’s Didube Station for Mtskheta every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, starting from around 8am. Most continue on to Gori and fill up fast for this popular route. Tickets can be purchased at the cash desk located here. Vans stop in the centre of Mtskheta, near Svetitiskhoveli Cathedral. The trip takes around 45 minutes

 

• Kazbegi  - If your plan is to spend a night or two (or three) in Kazbegi and you want to save some cash on transport, the cheapest way to travel to Kazbegi from Tbilisi is by marshrutka.  Marshrutka minivans leave from Tbilisi’s Didube Station approximately 7 times a day ( if it is seasonal months) from 8am . The trip takes around 2.5-3.5 hours.But Marshutkas are not stopping at interesting spots, that’s why we personally recommend you to take organized tours.

 

• Sighnaghi & Kakheti -  The marshrtuka vagzali (station) for Kakheti is called Navtlugi intercity Bus Terminal. It is adjacent to the Samgori Metro Station (see the location here). Some vans start up the road at Isani, and some stop in at Isani on their way to the Kakheti Highway. But your safest bet is to go straight to Samgori where 95% of Kakheti-bound vans originate.The bus station is not immediately obvious. When you get off the metro at Samgori M/S, walk towards the western exit and take the stairs on the right. This will bring you up into a car park, the first of two bus ‘stations’. If you take the eastern exit, you’ll surface near Samgori market, in which case you need to walk west along the main road.There are two places where marshrutka drivers wait at Samgori. Both are very informal and look more like car parks.  The trip takes around 2-2.5 hours.

 

• Telavi & Kakheti -  You can catch a marshrutka from Ortachala Bus Station. you can also pre-purchase tickets on this website ( or buy them on the place in white ticket  kiosk) https://biletebi.ge/central-bus-station/SearchRout

 

There are 13 scheduled vans every day, departing between 8.20am and 6.30pm.. As with all routes, vans will leave early if full, so it’s advisable to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

 

• David Gareja & Udabno - There is no marshrutka service to David Gareja. The most convenient way to travel to the monastery from Tbilisi is using guided tour or rent a car.Travel time will take 1.5 hours one way.

 

Gori & Uplistsikhe

​

Gori - A marshrutka from Didube Station to Gori costs a couple of GEL. Vans leave regularly throughout the day, starting from 8am. It’s preferable to take a shared taxi from Didube for 5 GEL because the driver will drop you directly in front of the Stalin Museum (as opposed to the Gori bus station). The ride takes a little over an hour depending on traffic.To get back to Tbilisi, marshrutka vans depart from Gori’s main bus station, a 5-minute taxi ride from the Stalin Museum, every half hour until late. You can find taxis to Tbilisi at the bus station and in front of the theatre. There are at least four trains to Gori from Tbilisi every day. The journey takes 60-70 minutes.  Note that Gori’s railway station is located on the opposite side of the river, quite a walk from the Stalin Museum, so you will need to take a taxi into town. Tickets can be purchased at Station Square in Tbilisi on your day of travel or online via TKT.GE.

​

Uplistsikhe - The easiest way to get to Uplistsikhe from Gori is by hiring a taxi from behind the Stalin Museum or the bus station. It should cost 30-50 GEL round trip (including waiting time). There are two buses to Uplistsikhe from Gori Bus Station at around 9am and 12pm, returning at 3pm. Double check times locally.

 

• Borjomi & Bakurian - Marshrutka vans going to Borjomi depart from Tbilisi’s Didube Station throughout the day, starting from as early as 7am (this day trip is quite a packed schedule, so I recommend getting an early start if you want to fit everything in). The journey takes 2.5 hours.Vans back to Tbilisi depart from Borjomi Bus Station every hour on the hour until 6pm. Double check times locally. Another option is to travel to Borjomi by train. It takes a little over 4 hours, but you will see some beautiful scenery along the way. Check schedule of Tbilisi-Borjomi train on the site: https://www.railway.ge/en/traffic-general-schedule/

 

• Dashbashi (Tsalka) Canyon  - Vans to Tsalka (for Dashbashi Canyon or Manglisi) depart from Central Bus Station (Ortachala) at 9am and cost 13 GEL. Double-check times and fares here. If you’re visiting Dashbashi, ask the driver to drop you off at the Wisol Petrol Station. From there, it’s a 2km walk to the start of the canyon via a signed path. There is no official timetable for the return trip so you’ll need to ask the driver when the last van leaves for Tbilisi.