Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati 2026: Transfer, Distance & Price
Updated August 2026 · ~400 km · ~6–6.5 h by car · Tbilisi Airport to the southern Black Sea coast
| Option | Cost (pay driver) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (Tbilisi Airport → Kvariati) | ~430–490 GEL sedan, fixed | ~6–6.5 h door to door | Comfort, luggage, arriving late |
| Minivan (up to 6–7) | ~570–650 GEL, fixed | ~6–6.5 h | Families & groups to the beach |
| Train to Batumi + taxi | ~30–55 GEL + local taxi | 6–8 h with transfers | Solo budget travellers |
Where is Kvariati — and why go there
Kvariati is a small seaside village on Georgia’s Adjara coast, tucked between Gonio and the Sarpi border crossing about 15 km south of Batumi. It is the calmer, greener alternative to Batumi’s big-city seafront: a clean pebble beach, some of the clearest water on the Georgian coast, steep forested hills coming almost down to the sea, and a cluster of apartment-hotels and guesthouses rather than nightclubs. It is a favourite for families, divers and couples who want the Black Sea without the crowds. Because it has no airport or train station of its own, and Tbilisi’s airport is the country’s main international gateway, the Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati transfer is a common first leg for summer arrivals heading straight to the coast.
The route: Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) sits south-east of the city, so a driver loops around Tbilisi and joins the main west-bound highway towards Kutaisi. The centrepiece of the drive is the rebuilt Rikoti route — the tunnels and dual carriageway through the mountains that have cut hours off the old Tbilisi–Batumi road. Past Kutaisi you continue to the coast, reach Batumi, and carry on south through Gonio to Kvariati. It is about 400 km and 6 to 6.5 hours in total, almost entirely on good highway with a handful of natural rest stops. It is a long transfer but a straightforward one, and arriving directly at your beach apartment with your bags is a big comfort after an international flight.
What it costs in 2026
A private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati is about 430–490 GEL per sedan for up to three passengers with luggage, and roughly 570–650 GEL for a minivan seating six or seven — ideal for a family arriving together for a beach holiday. The fare is per vehicle, agreed at booking and fixed regardless of traffic, the exact drive time or a late-night arrival. There is no per-person charge and no airport pick-up surcharge hidden on top. OrbiTrip takes no commission and there is no online card checkout: you pay the agreed fare directly to your licensed driver at the end of the trip, in lari or another currency you arrange with them.
Private transfer vs train vs bus
The train from Tbilisi to Batumi is comfortable and cheap (roughly 30–55 GEL depending on class), but it terminates in Batumi, so you still need a 20-minute taxi south to Kvariati, and you must haul luggage to and from stations at both ends. Marshrutka buses are cheaper again but cramped and slow over that distance. A private transfer costs more but removes every change: the driver meets your flight, loads your bags and drives you straight to your Kvariati address, which matters most for families, late arrivals or anyone carrying beach gear. For two or more travellers, splitting one fixed car fare often compares well with several individual train tickets plus taxis. If you would rather break the journey, our Georgia Black Sea beaches guide covers stops along the coast.
Kvariati, Gonio & Sarpi: what is nearby
Kvariati is the middle of a lovely little stretch of coast. Just north, Gonio holds the Roman-era Apsaros fortress and its own long beach — see our Gonio fortress & beach guide. A couple of kilometres south is Sarpi, the prettiest beach on the coast and the pedestrian border with Turkey, which makes day trips to Hopa and beyond easy. Batumi itself, with its boulevard, botanical garden and restaurants, is a 20-minute drive away for an evening out. Our dedicated Batumi to Kvariati & Sarpi guide maps the immediate area, and the Kutaisi Airport to Kvariati guide covers arrivals via the low-cost airport instead.
Tips for the transfer & your beach stay
- Flight details: share your flight number with the driver so they track delays and wait if you land late; the fixed fare does not change.
- Season: the Kvariati beach season runs roughly June to September; July–August are busiest and warmest.
- Breaks: on a 6-hour drive, agree a rest and coffee stop — Kutaisi or a Rikoti-route cafe is the natural halfway point.
- Luggage: tell the driver if you have a lot of bags or beach equipment so the right vehicle is sent.
- Cash: carry lari — you pay the driver directly at the end.
How booking works with OrbiTrip
Open the Tbilisi Airport → Kvariati search, choose your arrival date, time and vehicle class, and you will immediately see fixed per-car prices and available licensed drivers — there is no blank form to complete first. The price you agree is final: no surge pricing, no commission, no online card checkout. OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you with a local driver; once you confirm, you get the driver’s contact details so you can send your flight number and set the airport meeting point. Travelling on to Sarpi or the Turkish border afterwards? Mention it when you book so the driver can plan and quote one fixed price. For nationwide fare context, see our Georgia transfer prices 2026 guide.
Book your Tbilisi Airport → Kvariati transfer →
FAQ
How do I get from Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati?
There is no direct flight or train to Kvariati. Most travellers take a private transfer — about 430 to 490 GEL per sedan, roughly 6 to 6.5 hours over ~400 km on the Rikoti highway via Kutaisi and Batumi. The budget alternative is the Tbilisi–Batumi train plus a short taxi south to Kvariati.
How much does a Tbilisi Airport to Kvariati transfer cost in 2026?
A private sedan for up to three passengers is about 430 to 490 GEL one way, and a minivan for six or seven is roughly 570 to 650 GEL. The fare is per vehicle, fixed at booking and paid directly to the driver. OrbiTrip takes no commission and there is no online card checkout.
How far is Kvariati from Tbilisi Airport and how long is the drive?
It is about 400 km by road and takes around 6 to 6.5 hours door to door, almost entirely on the upgraded Rikoti highway through Kutaisi to Batumi, then 15 km south along the coast through Gonio to Kvariati.
Is it better to take the train or a private transfer?
The train to Batumi is cheaper but ends in Batumi, so you still need a taxi to Kvariati and must manage luggage at both stations. A private transfer costs more but goes airport-to-apartment with no changes, which suits families, late arrivals and anyone with beach luggage. For groups, one car fare often rivals several tickets plus taxis.
Can the driver take me on to Sarpi or the Turkey border?
Yes. Sarpi and the pedestrian Turkish border are only a couple of kilometres past Kvariati. Tell your driver when you book if you want to continue there or start a day trip, so they plan the timing and quote a single fixed price.
Do I pay the driver directly?
Yes. OrbiTrip is a free platform with no commission and no online card payment. You agree a fixed per-car price up front and pay your licensed driver directly at the end of the transfer, in lari or another agreed currency.
OrbiTrip — a free platform connecting travellers with licensed Georgian drivers. Fixed prices, paid directly to the driver.