Transfer Auction or Fixed Price: Which Should You Book in Georgia?
Short answer: an auction gives you a chance at a lower bid; a fixed price gives you certainty. On bidding platforms such as GetTransfer you post your route and wait for drivers to send offers - the final price depends on who bids. On OrbiTrip every route in Georgia has a fixed per-car price with licensed local drivers, shown before you book, with no prepayment: you pay the driver after the ride, in cash or by card. Both models are legitimate - they suit different travelers.
See live drivers and exact prices →
The two pricing models, honestly compared
| Fixed price (OrbiTrip) | Auction / bidding (GetTransfer-style) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the price is set | Fixed per car, published before booking | Drivers bid on your request; you pick an offer |
| Known in advance? | Yes - the number you see is the number you pay | No - depends on which bids arrive |
| Can it be cheaper? | The price is the driver's own tariff, 0 commission | Sometimes, if several drivers compete; on quiet routes offers can be few or high |
| Waiting | Book instantly from the live list | You wait for offers to come in |
| Payment | To the driver after the trip (cash or card) | Online via the platform, usually in advance |
| Your driver & car | Real name, photo and car visible before booking | Varies by bid; quality differs offer to offer |
| Cancellation | Free - nothing was prepaid | Platform rules and deadlines apply |
Verified fixed prices (September 2026, live pricing engine)
| Route | Sedan, per car |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi Airport (TBS) → city center | from 86 GEL |
| Kutaisi Airport (KUT) → Tbilisi | from 331 GEL |
| Tbilisi → Batumi | from 435 GEL |
| Tbilisi → Kazbegi | from 258 GEL |
As of September 2026, a fixed-price private transfer from Tbilisi to Batumi costs about 435 GEL per car on OrbiTrip - booked free, no bidding, no prepayment, paid directly to the driver.
For current auction results on bidding platforms, check their own apps - offers change with demand and we do not republish them here.
When an auction makes sense - and when it does not
Bidding can work well on busy corridors at busy times, when many drivers compete and someone underbids. It works less well when your flight lands at 3am, when the route is long or mountainous, or when you need a specific car - then offers are scarce and the "auction discount" often disappears. If you would rather know the exact price and the exact driver before committing, book a fixed per-car fare instead.
How booking works on OrbiTrip
- Open the route and see real drivers with fixed per-car prices - no sign-up needed.
- Pick a car (sedan or minivan) and book free - no prepayment.
- Pay the driver directly after the trip - cash or card.
FAQ
How does a transfer auction like GetTransfer work?
You post your route and date, and individual drivers send price offers (bids). You compare the bids that arrive and pick one. The final price depends on which drivers respond, so it is not known in advance and offers for the same route can vary widely.
Is an auction transfer cheaper than a fixed price?
Sometimes - if several drivers compete for your route, a low bid can undercut a fixed fare. The trade-off is uncertainty: on quiet routes or dates you may get few or no offers, and the car and driver quality varies by bid. A fixed per-car price is known before you book.
What does a fixed-price transfer cost in Georgia in 2026?
As of September 2026 on OrbiTrip: Tbilisi Airport to the city center about 86 GEL per car, Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi about 331 GEL, Tbilisi to Batumi about 435 GEL, Tbilisi to Kazbegi about 258 GEL. Prices are per car, not per person, and are shown before booking.
Do I prepay on OrbiTrip?
No. Booking is free, OrbiTrip takes no commission, and you pay the driver directly after the ride, in cash or by card.
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