Tbilisi to Batumi by Train 2026: Stadler Schedule & Tickets
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Journey time | ~5 hours (Stadler double-decker) |
| Departures from Tbilisi | 08:00 and 17:35 daily |
| Departures from Batumi | 07:30 and 17:55 daily |
| Ticket price | from 35 GEL (2nd), ~75 GEL (1st), ~95 GEL (business) |
| Where to book | tkt.ge or railway.ge — ~1 month in advance |
| Arrival station | Batumi Central, ~3 km from Old Town |
| Alternative | Private transfer 370 GEL/car, door-to-door, any time |
The Tbilisi–Batumi railway is the single most popular intercity train route in Georgia, and in 2026 it is in the best shape it has ever been. Swiss-built Stadler KISS double-deckers run the 370 km between the capital and the Black Sea coast in roughly five hours, recent track and tunnel upgrades have trimmed the timetable, and tickets can be bought online in two minutes. This guide covers everything you actually need: the live 2026 schedule, real prices for each class, how booking works (and why summer trains sell out), what the stations are like on both ends, and an honest comparison with the door-to-door private transfer option for the same route.
The 2026 schedule: two trains a day each way
In 2026 Georgian Railway operates four daily Stadler departures on the route — two in each direction, a morning and an evening service:
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi → Batumi (morning) | Tbilisi Central 08:00 | Batumi ~13:10 | Best for a full first evening at the seaside |
| Tbilisi → Batumi (evening) | Tbilisi Central 17:35 | Batumi ~22:45 | Work a full day, sleep in Batumi |
| Batumi → Tbilisi (morning) | Batumi 07:30 | Tbilisi ~12:40 | Connects to afternoon flights from TBS |
| Batumi → Tbilisi (evening) | Batumi 17:55 | Tbilisi ~23:05 | Last beach day, late arrival in the capital |
Exact minutes shift slightly between seasonal timetables, so always confirm your specific date on railway.ge or tkt.ge before locking in onward plans. In peak summer (July–August) Georgian Railway has in past years added extra seasonal services; if your date shows a third departure, it is real — book it.
The train makes a handful of intermediate stops, including Khashuri at the foot of the Likhi range, the Rioni stop serving Kutaisi, and the coastal resorts of Ureki and Kobuleti before terminating in Batumi. If you are heading to Kobuleti or Ureki for the magnetic black sand, this same train is your cheapest comfortable option.
Ticket prices in 2026: what each class buys you
Prices on the Stadler are per seat, one way, and in 2026 look like this:
| Class | Price (one way) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd class | from 35 GEL (~$13) | Comfortable airline-style seats, A/C, Wi-Fi, big windows |
| 1st class | ~75 GEL (~$27) | Wider seats, more legroom, 220V outlets at every seat |
| Business | ~95 GEL (~$34) | 2+1 layout, most space, quietest car, outlets |
Honest advice: 2nd class on the Stadler is perfectly pleasant for five hours — this is a modern Swiss train, not a Soviet elektrichka. Upgrade to 1st if you need to work on a laptop (guaranteed outlet) or are taller than average. Business is a treat, not a necessity. Children under a certain age travel at a discount, and there is dedicated luggage space at the car ends — large suitcases are not a problem.
How to book: tkt.ge vs railway.ge
Tickets go on sale roughly a month before departure. Two reliable ways to buy:
tkt.ge is the easiest for foreigners: English interface, foreign cards accepted, e-ticket by email with a small service fee. railway.ge (gr.com.ge) is the official Georgian Railway site with no markup; it works fine but the interface occasionally lags and is less mobile-friendly. Either way you show the QR code on your phone at boarding — no printing needed, but bring the passport you booked with, as conductors do check documents against the ticket.
The single most important booking tip for 2026: summer trains sell out days in advance, especially Friday evening from Tbilisi and Sunday evening from Batumi. In July and August, treat the train like a flight and book the moment your dates are fixed. If you find your date sold out, that is exactly the scenario where a private transfer at 370 GEL per car rescues the plan — it leaves whenever you want and never sells out.
The stations on both ends
Tbilisi Central (Station Square / Sadguris Moedani) sits above a busy market district, connected to the metro (Station Square stop, both lines). Arrive 30 minutes early: the platform for Batumi trains is announced late and the station can be chaotic. A Bolt from Old Tbilisi costs 8–12 GEL and takes 15–20 minutes outside rush hour.
Batumi Central is about 3 km north-east of the Old Town and the Boulevard. There is a taxi rank outside, but ordering a Bolt (4–7 GEL to most hotels) is cheaper and avoids negotiation. If you land late on the 22:45 arrival, Bolt still works fine — Batumi is a late city in summer.
What the ride is actually like
The first ninety minutes out of Tbilisi roll through the Mtkvari valley and past Gori; sit on the upper deck for the views. After Khashuri the line threads the wooded hills of the Likhi range — the watershed between eastern and western Georgia — through a series of tunnels, including the new one opened in 2026 that cut up to half an hour off the schedule. From Samtredia onward the landscape turns subtropical: tea bushes, eucalyptus and finally, after Ureki, the Black Sea fills the left-side windows for the final stretch into Batumi. Left side from Tbilisi = sea views; remember that when seats are assigned at booking.
On board: air conditioning that actually works, free Wi-Fi (usable, if not fast), a vending machine with water and snacks, and clean toilets. There is no restaurant car, so buy supplies beforehand — the bakeries inside Tbilisi Central station are decent.
Train vs private transfer: the honest math
We covered this in depth in our full transfer-vs-train comparison, but the short version:
| Stadler train | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 35–95 GEL per person | 370 GEL per car (1–4 people) |
| Time | ~5 h station-to-station | 5.5–6 h door-to-door |
| Departure | 08:00 or 17:35 only | Any time, including 3 AM flights |
| Luggage | Carry it yourself | Driver loads everything |
| Stops en route | None of your choosing | Stalin Museum, Prometheus Cave, lunch — your call |
| Sells out? | Yes, in summer | Never |
For a solo budget traveler the train wins on price every time. For a family of four with suitcases, 4 × 75 GEL in 1st class is 300 GEL — at that point the 370 GEL door-to-door car that leaves on your schedule and stops at Prometheus Cave on the way is the better deal. Travelers continuing beyond Batumi (or arriving at odd hours) should also check our Batumi airport transfer cost guide and the complete Georgia transport guide.
Check Tbilisi → Batumi private transfer — 370 GEL per car
FAQ
How early should I book in summer?
As soon as sales open, about a month out. Friday/Sunday evening services in July–August routinely sell out 3–5 days ahead. Shoulder season (May, June, September) usually has seats 1–2 days before; in winter you can often buy on the day.
Can I take a bicycle or large sports gear?
There is luggage space at car ends that fits large suitcases easily; boxed or bagged bikes are generally accepted, but assembled bikes can be refused on busy services. If you travel with bulky gear (surfboards, ski bags off-season), a private transfer is the zero-stress option.
Is the train safe and comfortable for kids?
Yes — it is the easiest way to do this route with children who hate car seats: they can walk around, and the upper deck is an event in itself. Note the train has no child-seat requirement, while in cars young children should ride in proper seats — our transfer drivers provide them on request.
What if my train is sold out?
Options in order: check the other departure that day, check 1st/business class (sells out slower), take a marshrutka from Didube (cheap but cramped, ~6 h), or book a private transfer with same-day confirmation.
Does the train run year-round?
Yes, daily in all seasons. Winter services are rarely full and the snowy Likhi crossing is genuinely scenic.
Where exactly is Batumi station relative to my hotel?
Batumi Central is ~3 km from the Old Town/Boulevard area where most visitors stay — a 10-minute, 4–7 GEL Bolt ride. There is no metro in Batumi.
Related routes & guides
- Tbilisi → Batumi private transfer — 370 GEL per car, any departure time.
- Batumi → Tbilisi return transfer — same fixed price back.
- Transfer vs train vs flight: full comparison
- Batumi airport transfer cost 2026
- How to get around Georgia: complete transport guide