Kutaisi Airport to Poti 2026: Transfer, Distance, Time & Fixed Prices
Quick comparison
| Option | Price (2026) | Time | Flexibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (direct) | fixed per car (split by group) | ~1 h door-to-door | High — meets flight, luggage, stops | Ferry passengers, families, late flights |
| Coastal train via Kopitnari station | ~6–15 GEL / person | ~1 h + transfers | Low — fixed times | Solo budget travellers |
| Marshrutka via Samtredia | ~8–14 GEL / person | ~1 h 30 with the change | Low — one change, set stops | Backpackers |
| Airport taxi (on the spot) | negotiated | ~1 h | Medium — haggle, no fixed price | Last-minute arrivals |
How far is Poti from Kutaisi Airport?
Poti sits about 60 km from Kutaisi (Kopitnari) International Airport (airport code KUT) and a private transfer reaches it in roughly 1 hour. Because the airport already lies west of Kutaisi, towards the coast, Poti is one of the closer Black Sea destinations from KUT — the road runs flat through Samtredia and out to the sea, with no climbs. For travellers connecting to a Black Sea ferry, joining a ship’s crew, or heading into the Kolkheti wetlands, this short westbound hop is the practical first leg straight off the plane.
Why visit Poti?
Poti is Georgia’s principal Black Sea port city, a working harbour at the mouth of the Rioni river with a distinctive domed cathedral on its central square. Its biggest draw for visitors, though, sits right on the doorstep: Kolkheti National Park, a UNESCO-listed mosaic of wetlands, peat bogs and the wide Paliastomi Lake, famous for birdwatching and boat tours through the reeds. Poti also functions as a transport node — ferries, rail and road meet here — so a smooth airport transfer matters whether you are arriving for nature, business at the port, or an onward sea crossing.
Option 1: Private transfer (recommended)
Arriving by air, a private transfer is the simplest way to reach Poti, especially with a ferry schedule or boat tour to keep. Your driver tracks the flight, meets you at arrivals, and takes you directly to the port, your hotel or the Kolkheti visitor centre — not to a generic bus stand. Pricing is per car rather than per seat, so over this short distance a couple or small group shares one modest fixed fare shown before booking. You pay the driver directly at the end, with no prepayment and no commission, because OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you with the driver who earns the fare. Continuing up the coast afterwards? See our Kutaisi Airport to Ureki guide for the magnetic-sand resort just south.
See drivers & fixed prices for a Kutaisi Airport → Poti transfer
Option 2: Train and marshrutka
Poti is reachable by public transport, but with a change. A railway station about 2 km from the airport is served by coastal trains that call at Poti, and they are very cheap, though they run to a sparse fixed timetable and you must reach the station first. The alternative is a marshrutka via Samtredia, which again means changing minibuses and waiting at the junction. Both options save money but cost time and comfort after a flight, particularly if you are carrying luggage or trying to make a specific ferry departure, which is where a door-to-door transfer pays off.
Kolkheti National Park and Paliastomi Lake
The reason most independent travellers come to Poti is Kolkheti National Park. A private driver can drop you at the visitor centre for a guided boat trip onto Paliastomi Lake and through the surrounding wetlands, prime territory for migratory birds in spring and autumn. With your own car you can also pair Poti with the quiet beaches just south or with the magnetic black sand of Ureki. For a wider west-Georgia plan from the same airport, our Kutaisi Airport transfers hub lists every fixed-price route, so you can chain the coast, the canyons and the caves into one trip.
How an OrbiTrip transfer works
Booking takes a minute and nothing is paid in advance. Choose the route, pick a vehicle size for your group and luggage, and see a clear fixed price before you confirm — no hidden airport surcharge. You then receive the driver’s contact details to agree the meeting point at arrivals and any stops, such as the Kolkheti visitor centre. You settle the agreed fare directly with the driver at the end; OrbiTrip charges nothing and sells nothing, it only connects you with the driver. Child seats and English- or Russian-speaking drivers can be requested at booking. Heading inland to Samegrelo next? Our Kutaisi Airport to Zugdidi guide covers the route to the Svaneti gateway.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Poti from Kutaisi Airport and how long is the transfer?
Poti is about 60 km from Kutaisi (Kopitnari) International Airport and a private transfer takes roughly one hour. The airport lies west of Kutaisi towards the coast, so the flat road through Samtredia to the sea has no mountain sections.
Is there a direct bus or train from Kutaisi Airport to Poti?
There is no dedicated airport bus to Poti, but a railway station about 2 km from the airport is served by cheap coastal trains that call at Poti, and marshrutkas run via Samtredia with one change. Both follow fixed schedules, so a pre-booked private transfer is usually easier with luggage or a ferry to catch.
How much is a private Kutaisi Airport to Poti transfer in 2026?
It is a single fixed price per car, shown before you book and based on the vehicle size and any stops. Because the distance is short and the fare is per car, it splits well across a couple or group. You pay the driver directly on arrival and OrbiTrip takes no commission.
What is there to see in and around Poti?
Poti is a working Black Sea port with a landmark domed cathedral, but its main attraction is Kolkheti National Park on the edge of town, a UNESCO-listed wetland with Paliastomi Lake, boat tours and excellent birdwatching, especially during the spring and autumn migrations.
Can the driver take me to a ferry or the Kolkheti visitor centre?
Yes. A private driver delivers you door-to-door, whether that is the ferry terminal, your hotel or the Kolkheti National Park visitor centre, and can wait or add stops by arrangement. You agree the destination and any stops with the driver in advance.
Flying into Kutaisi for the port or the wetlands? Compare drivers and fixed prices for your Kutaisi Airport → Poti transfer and be at the harbour or on Paliastomi Lake within about an hour of landing.