Anaklia to Kazbegi 2026: Transfer Price, Distance & Cross-Country Route
Few Georgian journeys cross more of the country than Anaklia to Kazbegi. You start on the Black Sea sand at Anaklia, near Zugdidi in the far north-west, and finish under the glaciers of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) on the Russian border in the far north-east. This 2026 guide covers the distance, the driving route across Georgia, real private-transfer prices, where to break the trip and why there is no direct public transport.
Anaklia to Kazbegi at a glance: 2026 options
| Option | Price (2026) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (OrbiTrip) | from ~600 GEL / ~222 USD per car | ~8.5-9 h, direct | One comfortable day, families |
| Public transport via Tbilisi | ~45-60 GEL per seat total | ~2 days with overnight | Budget travellers with time |
| Two-day transfer with stop | custom, per car | 2 days, add sights | Adding Gori, Ananuri or Tbilisi |
Distance and the cross-country route
From Anaklia the drive first runs the short hop to Zugdidi, then heads east through Samtredia to join the E60 Rikoti highway, the main artery that crosses Georgia through Kutaisi and over the Rikoti Pass towards Tbilisi. Near Mtskheta the route leaves the highway and turns north onto the Georgian Military Highway, climbing through Ananuri, Pasanauri and over the Jvari (Cross) Pass to Stepantsminda beneath Mount Kazbek. The total is about 465 km. It is nearly all good highway until the final mountain climb, but at 8.5 to 9 hours it is a genuine full-day drive.
Option 1: Private transfer (the sensible choice)
For a journey this long across the whole country, a private car turns a two-day public-transport ordeal into one manageable day. Your driver collects you from Anaklia or your Zugdidi hotel, and you travel straight through with stops for lunch, photos and legs-stretching whenever you like. Prices are fixed per vehicle.
| Vehicle | Fixed price (2026) | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | from ~600 GEL (~222 USD) | up to 3 passengers |
| Minivan | from ~750 GEL (~277 USD) | up to 6 passengers |
| SUV / 4x4 (mountain comfort) | from ~830 GEL | up to 4 passengers |
The fare is for the whole car, so a family or small group shares one price across the country rather than buying separate seats and changing buses. You pay the driver directly in cash or by agreement; OrbiTrip takes no commission and never charges your card.
See Anaklia to Kazbegi prices & drivers
Option 2: Public transport (a two-day affair)
There is no direct bus. On public transport you would take a marshrutka or taxi from Anaklia to Zugdidi, then a marshrutka or the overnight train from Zugdidi to Tbilisi (about 5.5 hours), stay the night, and the next day catch a Kazbegi marshrutka from Tbilisi's Didube station (about 3 hours). It is doable and cheap, but it realistically takes two days and three changes. A private transfer collapses all of that into a single direct drive.
Where to break the journey
Because the route runs the length of Georgia, it pairs naturally with a stop. Tbilisi is the obvious midpoint, roughly seven hours in, if you want to split the trip with a night in the capital. With a private driver you can also add Gori (the Stalin Museum and the cave town of Uplistsikhe) just off the highway, or Ananuri fortress on its reservoir on the Military Highway itself. Turning the transfer into an unhurried two-day itinerary is a popular way to see more of the country in transit.
What awaits you at Kazbegi
Stepantsminda, still widely called Kazbegi, is Georgia's premier high-mountain destination. The iconic Gergeti Trinity Church stands on its hill beneath 5,047 m Mount Kazbek; nearby are the Truso and Juta valleys for hiking, the Dariali gorge, and the wild alpine scenery of the eastern Great Caucasus. The Military Highway drive in - past Ananuri, the Aragvi confluence and the Russia-Georgia Friendship viewpoint - is a highlight in its own right.
Road conditions and season
The Rikoti highway is fast modern road, much improved by new tunnels and bypasses. The Georgian Military Highway is paved and open year-round, but the high, exposed section between Gudauri and Kobi can close briefly in winter storms while ploughs work, so winter travel is best with an experienced driver who checks the day's status. May to October gives the easiest driving and the best mountain weather at Kazbegi.
How OrbiTrip works
OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you directly with licensed Georgian drivers. You see the fixed Anaklia-Kazbegi price up front, choose your vehicle, and agree any stops such as Gori or Ananuri - no booking fee, no commission, no card charge. You pay the driver directly on the day. For a long cross-country drive that ends on a mountain road, arranging a trusted local driver in advance is the reliable, transparent way to travel.
Anaklia to Kazbegi: frequently asked questions
How far is Kazbegi from Anaklia and how long is the drive?
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is about 465 km from Anaklia by road and the drive takes roughly 8.5 to 9 hours. The route runs from Anaklia through Zugdidi and east on the Rikoti highway across Georgia, then turns north onto the Georgian Military Highway near Mtskheta and climbs to Stepantsminda. It is a genuine full-day journey across the whole country.
How much is a private transfer from Anaklia to Kazbegi in 2026?
A one-way private transfer on OrbiTrip starts from about 600 GEL (~222 USD) for a sedan for up to 3 passengers and from about 750 GEL for a minivan up to 6. The price is per car, fixed before you leave and paid directly to the licensed driver. OrbiTrip charges no commission or booking fee, so nothing is added on top.
Is there a direct bus from Anaklia to Kazbegi?
No. There is no direct public service. On buses you would go from Anaklia to Zugdidi, then Zugdidi to Tbilisi by marshrutka or train (about 5.5 hours), stay overnight, and take a Kazbegi marshrutka from Tbilisi the next day (about 3 hours). It realistically takes two days and three changes, which is why most travellers choose a direct private transfer.
Should I break the Anaklia to Kazbegi journey?
Many travellers do. Because the route crosses the whole country, splitting it with a night in Tbilisi (roughly the midpoint) makes it much easier. With a private driver you can also add Gori with its Stalin Museum and Uplistsikhe cave town, or Ananuri fortress on the Military Highway, turning the transfer into an unhurried two-day sightseeing trip.
What condition is the road in?
The Rikoti highway across Georgia is fast modern road with new tunnels and bypasses. The Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi is paved and open year-round, but the high section between Gudauri and Kobi can close briefly during winter storms while it is ploughed. Outside winter the drive is straightforward; an experienced driver is valuable for the mountain leg in any season.
When is the best time to travel to Kazbegi?
May to October gives the easiest driving and the clearest mountain weather, ideal for Gergeti Trinity Church and hiking in the Truso and Juta valleys. Winter is beautiful but the mountain section can be affected by storms, so allow extra time and travel with a driver who checks the day's road status.
Related transfer guides
Heading into the high Caucasus? See the Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) travel guide, the Gergeti Trinity Church hike, and the scenic Georgian Military Highway road trip. For the popular day trip from the capital compare the Tbilisi to Kazbegi day trip, and for the coast see the Anaklia to Batumi transfer.