Tbilisi Airport to Telavi 2026: Transfer Price, Distance & Time
Updated July 2026 · ~90–140 km · ~2–2.5 h · TBS airport to Kakheti
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (car) | ~120 GEL, fixed per car | ~2–2.5 h | Direct from arrivals, luggage, wine tour start |
| Airport taxi (metered/negotiated) | ~110–160 GEL | ~2–2.5 h | Late arrivals, no pre-booking |
| Marshrutka (via Tbilisi bus station) | ~10–15 GEL + city taxi | 3.5–4 h total | Solo budget travel, light luggage |
How far is Telavi from Tbilisi Airport?
Telavi sits in the heart of the Kakheti wine region, east of Tbilisi. From Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) there are two realistic driving routes. The short one climbs the scenic Gombori Pass and covers roughly 90 km in about two hours, winding through beech forest with wide views over the Alazani Valley. The longer route runs through Sagarejo, Badiauri and Gurjaani on flatter, faster main roads — about 140 km and 2.5 hours. The Gombori Pass is periodically closed for roadworks and in winter snow, so a local driver will pick whichever is open and safe on the day; that flexibility is one reason travellers arriving with luggage prefer a pre-booked car over a rigid timetable.
Why start your Kakheti trip at the airport
Many visitors fly into Tbilisi specifically for wine country and never need to enter the city at all. A direct airport-to-Telavi transfer saves you a double journey — airport into central Tbilisi, then out again the next morning — and lands you among the qvevri cellars, marani tasting rooms and the Alaverdi and Gremi monuments hours sooner. Your driver meets you inside arrivals with a name sign, helps with bags, and you are on the road within minutes of clearing customs, even on a late-night flight when public transport has stopped.
Private transfer — fixed price, paid to the driver
A fixed-price private transfer from TBS to Telavi is about 120 GEL per vehicle in 2026 — a flat fare for the whole car, not per passenger — agreed when you book and unchanged by traffic, the route taken or the hour of arrival. Because OrbiTrip charges no commission, you pay that agreed amount directly to your licensed driver at the end of the ride. A standard sedan comfortably takes three passengers with luggage; a minivan suits families or a group heading out for a few days of tasting. If you want to stop along the way — at a roadside marani or the Gombori viewpoint — agree it at booking and the fixed price still covers the trip.
Marshrutka and taxi alternatives
The budget option is a marshrutka (shared minibus) to Telavi, but these leave from Tbilisi’s Isani or Navtlughi/Samgori stations in the city, not the airport, so you first need a taxi or metro into town, then a 2.5–3 hour minibus, for 10–15 GEL. Counting the connection and waiting time it is usually 3.5–4 hours door to door and awkward with suitcases. A metered airport taxi will make the run directly but often costs as much as or more than a pre-agreed transfer once the driver factors in the empty return leg, and the price is negotiated on the spot rather than fixed in advance.
What to see once you arrive
Telavi is a relaxed base for the eastern vineyards. Within a short drive are the fortified Alaverdi Cathedral, the royal complex at Gremi, the walled town of Sighnaghi, and dozens of family wineries pouring amber wine straight from the qvevri. Our Kakheti wine day trip guide and what to see in Kakheti in one day map out the tastings, and the broader Georgia wine regions guide explains the grapes and the 8,000-year qvevri tradition that earned Kakheti its UNESCO listing.
Check your date — TBS Airport to Telavi fixed priceBooking your airport transfer with OrbiTrip
Open the TBS → Telavi search, set your flight arrival time and Telavi address, then pick a date, time and vehicle class. You will see a list of licensed drivers with photos, cars and the fixed fare; choose one and the price you see is the price you pay — no surge, no online card checkout. OrbiTrip is a free platform that simply connects you with the driver, and you settle the agreed fare with them directly in cash or by local transfer. After you confirm you receive the driver’s contacts so you can share your flight number and exact terminal pickup point. If you are continuing deeper into Kakheti afterwards, the same driver can often quote a day of vineyard visits or an onward hop to Telavi from central Tbilisi on your way back.
Vehicle classes and what the price includes
The fare depends only on the car you choose, never on the number of passengers, and it already covers fuel, tolls and the driver’s empty return leg — there is nothing extra to pay on arrival beyond the agreed sum. Child seats and an English- or Russian-speaking driver can be requested in the booking notes at no change to the flat price.
| Vehicle | Seats + luggage | Approx. fixed price |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan (economy) | 3 pax + 3 cases | ~120 GEL |
| Minivan (comfort) | 6–7 pax + luggage | ~160–190 GEL |
| Larger van / group | 8+ pax | on request |
Because Kakheti is a touring region, many riders keep the same driver for the next day’s winery visits rather than paying separately each time; ask for a day rate when you confirm.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Telavi in 2026?
A fixed-price private transfer is about 120 GEL per car, not per person, paid directly to the driver on arrival. OrbiTrip takes no commission and there is no online card checkout.
How long does it take to drive from Tbilisi Airport to Telavi?
About 2 hours over the Gombori Pass (roughly 90 km) when it is open, or about 2.5 hours via Sagarejo and Gurjaani (roughly 140 km) when the pass is closed for repairs or snow.
Is the Gombori Pass open?
The Gombori Pass is periodically closed for roadworks and after winter snow. A local driver checks its status on the day and takes the longer Sagarejo route if needed, so your fixed price and pickup are unaffected.
Can I go straight to a winery instead of Telavi town?
Yes. Tell the driver your winery or guesthouse address when booking. Many travellers head directly to a marani near Telavi, Kvareli or Gremi, and the fixed car price covers the door-to-door route.
Is there a marshrutka from the airport to Telavi?
Not directly. Marshrutkas to Telavi leave from Tbilisi city bus stations, so you would first taxi or take the metro into town. Counting the connection it is usually 3.5 to 4 hours and awkward with luggage.
Can the driver wait if my flight is delayed?
Yes. Share your flight number when you confirm and the driver tracks the arrival, so a delayed or early flight is not a problem and the agreed price does not change.
OrbiTrip — a free platform connecting travellers with licensed Georgian drivers. Fixed prices, paid directly to the driver.