Batumi Airport to Tbilisi Airport 2026: Transfer, Distance & Cost
Updated July 2026 · ~380 km · ~5.5–6 h · airport-to-airport
| Option | Cost (pay driver) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (BUS → TBS) | ~190–260 GEL, fixed | ~5.5–6 h | Connecting flights, luggage, door-to-door |
| Train + city transfers each end | ~25–30 GEL + local fares | ~7–8 h total | Budget travellers, flexible timing |
| Transfer with a Kutaisi break | ask when booking | ~7–8 h with sightseeing | Turning the crossing into a day |
Why book an airport-to-airport transfer across Georgia
Georgia has three international airports, and low-cost flights often land at one end of the country and depart from the other. Many travellers fly into Batumi (BUS) on the Black Sea coast and out of Tbilisi (TBS), or the reverse, and need to move the full width of the country between flights. A single door-to-door car handles the whole 380 km in one go — no dragging luggage between a city, a train station and a second airport. It is the simplest way to connect an arrival and an onward departure, especially with bags, children or a tight schedule.
The route: Batumi Airport (BUS) to Tbilisi Airport (TBS)
From Batumi airport just south of the city, the road runs up the coast through Kobuleti, then turns inland to Kutaisi and joins Georgia’s main west-to-east highway. From there it is fast dual carriageway east through Zestaponi, Khashuri and Gori to Tbilisi, finishing at the airport on the south-eastern edge of the capital — around 380 km and roughly 5.5 to 6 hours depending on traffic near the two cities. It is the same corridor as the classic Tbilisi to Batumi route, simply run terminal-to-terminal.
Option 1: Private transfer — terminal to terminal
A fixed-price private transfer is the natural choice between two flights: the driver meets you in Batumi arrivals, loads the luggage and drives straight to Tbilisi airport for your departure. Expect about 190–260 GEL per vehicle in 2026 depending on car class, agreed at booking and unaffected by traffic or surge. OrbiTrip takes no commission, so you pay the agreed fare directly to your licensed driver. Share your flight numbers when you book so the driver can plan the pickup around your arrival and get you to TBS with time to spare. For the airports themselves, see our Batumi Airport transfers guide and Tbilisi Airport transfers guide.
Option 2: Train plus city transfers — the budget route
There is no direct airport-to-airport bus. The cheapest alternative uses the fast Batumi–Tbilisi train, which runs from Makhinjauri (just north of Batumi) to Tbilisi central station in about five to five and a half hours for roughly 25 to 30 GEL. The catch is the two ends: you still need to get from Batumi airport to Makhinjauri station, and from Tbilisi station out to the airport, so the real door-to-door time is closer to seven or eight hours with the connections. It is a good option if your flights are far apart and you are travelling light, but awkward on a tight connection with luggage.
Timing a same-day connection
If you are connecting two flights on the same day, give yourself a generous buffer. Budget around eight to nine hours door-to-door for the transfer once you allow for the drive, city traffic and check-in, and avoid booking a departure that leaves only six hours after you land. When the flights are close together, an overnight in Kutaisi or Tbilisi is far less stressful than racing the highway. A pre-booked driver who knows both flight times is the safest way to manage it.
Break the drive: Kutaisi in the middle
Kutaisi sits almost exactly halfway, which makes it the natural place to stretch your legs or add a stop — the UNESCO Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, or the Prometheus Cave nearby. If your flights allow a full day, agree a Kutaisi break and the fixed price at booking and the driver builds it in. Travelling only between the two western airports instead? See our Batumi Airport to Kutaisi Airport guide.
Practical tips
- Share flight numbers: give both your arrival and departure flights so the driver can time the pickup and the run to TBS.
- Build in a buffer: traffic around Tbilisi can add 30–45 minutes near rush hour — plan the departure accordingly.
- Meet in arrivals: after confirmation you get the driver contacts to agree the exact meeting point at Batumi.
- Bring cash: you pay the driver directly in lari; roadside stops and cafes prefer cash too.
- Child seats: request them when booking if you are travelling with kids.
How booking works with OrbiTrip
Open the Batumi Airport ↔ Tbilisi Airport search, set Batumi airport as pickup and Tbilisi airport as destination, then choose date, time and vehicle class. The fixed price you see is the price you pay — no surge, no online card checkout. OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you with a licensed local driver; you settle the agreed fare directly, and after confirmation you get the driver contacts to arrange the meeting point in Batumi arrivals. Add your flight numbers so the timing is built around your connection.
FAQ
How far is it from Batumi Airport to Tbilisi Airport and how long is the drive?
It is about 380 km terminal-to-terminal and the drive takes roughly 5.5 to 6 hours along Georgia’s main west-to-east highway through Kutaisi, depending on traffic near the two cities.
How much does a Batumi Airport to Tbilisi Airport transfer cost in 2026?
A fixed-price private transfer is about 190 to 260 GEL per vehicle door-to-door depending on car class, paid directly to the driver. OrbiTrip takes no commission and there is no online card checkout.
Is there public transport directly between the two airports?
No. There is no single airport-to-airport service. The budget alternative is the Batumi–Tbilisi train (about 25 to 30 GEL, five to five and a half hours) plus a city transfer at each end, which brings the real door-to-door time closer to seven or eight hours.
Can the driver track my flight and meet me in arrivals?
Yes. Share your arrival flight number when you book and the driver plans the pickup around it, meeting you in Batumi arrivals. Add your departure flight too so the run to Tbilisi airport is timed with a buffer.
Should I book connecting flights on the same day?
You can, but leave a generous buffer — around eight to nine hours door-to-door once you allow for the drive, city traffic and check-in. If the flights are close together, an overnight in Kutaisi or Tbilisi is far less stressful.
Can we stop in Kutaisi on the way?
Yes. Kutaisi sits roughly halfway and makes a natural break, with Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and the Prometheus Cave nearby. Agree the stop and the fixed price at booking and the driver builds in the time.
Book your Batumi Airport → Tbilisi Airport transfer →
OrbiTrip — a free platform connecting travellers with licensed Georgian drivers. Fixed prices, paid directly to the driver.