Getting to Borjomi: the options
Borjomi lies about 175 km from Tbilisi airport and 145 km from Kutaisi airport. The road from Tbilisi takes about 2 hours without stops. There are four ways to go: the main-line train, a minibus from Didube station in Tbilisi, a private transfer and a rental car.
Road times are planning figures between towns, not fixed schedules. Add a buffer for traffic, weather and any stops. If you would rather not organise the trip yourself, our Borjomi day trips from Tbilisi include the transport.
Compare the ways to get to Borjomi
Time and cost for each option.
| Option | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main-line train | About 4 hours 12 minutes | Around GEL 2 by card on board | Check the timetable for your day |
| Minibus from Didube | 2 to 2.5 hours | GEL 8 to 12 | Leaves when full |
| Private transfer from TBS | About 2 h 39 min | From GEL 280 per car | Price per vehicle, not per person |
| Private transfer from KUT | About 2 h 30 min | From GEL 300 per car | Price per vehicle, not per person |
| Rental car | About 2 hours | Varies by company | Own pace, own responsibility |
For most travellers from Tbilisi who want the simplest option, the minibus is cheap and the transfer is easy. Take the train if you enjoy the ride more than the speed.
Our pick: all-in package with transfers
Includes private airport transfers, so arrival is part of the booking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Borjomi tours and day trips
Day trips from Tbilisi and tours around Borjomi, with transport, live prices and availability.
Tbilisi to Borjomi by train
The main-line train runs between Tbilisi and Borjomi. This is not the narrow-gauge Kukushka line to Bakuriani. These trips run on the main line:
- Tbilisi to Borjomi: train 618/617 leaves at 06:35 and arrives at 10:47. Train 686/685 leaves at 18:35 and arrives at 22:47.
- Borjomi to Tbilisi: leaves at 16:30 and arrives at 20:50, or leaves at 05:50 and arrives at 10:10.
The trip takes about 4 hours 12 minutes one way and 4 hours 20 minutes back. A fare of around GEL 2, paid by card on board, is a guide only. Trains can be suspended, the morning train in particular. Check the current timetable before you go.
Minibus from Didube
The cheap and common option.
Minibuses (marshrutkas) to Borjomi leave from Didube station in Tbilisi. A ride costs about GEL 8 to 12 and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. They leave when full, roughly every 40 to 60 minutes in the morning. There is no exact schedule, so arrive early and ask which vehicle goes to Borjomi.
On the way back, ask at the stop in Borjomi about the last departure of the day before you plan a day trip.
Taxi and transfer from Tbilisi (TBS) and Kutaisi (KUT)
Door to door, priced per vehicle.
From Tbilisi airport (TBS)
The distance is 175 km and the trip takes about 2 hours 39 minutes. A sedan starts at GEL 280 per vehicle and a minivan at GEL 360 in 2026.
From Kutaisi airport (KUT)
The distance is 145 km and the trip takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. A sedan starts at GEL 300 and a minivan at GEL 420 per vehicle in 2026.
What to check
Transfer prices vary by provider and are not a regulated taxi tariff. Prices apply per vehicle, not per person. Ask what the price includes, add a buffer for traffic and confirm the pickup point.
Book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport (TBS) to Borjomi at a fixed price on Kiwitaxi.
From Kutaisi to Borjomi
The western gateway.
Kutaisi is about 2 hours from Borjomi by road, and Batumi about 4 hours 15 minutes. If you arrive in Kutaisi, a private transfer from the airport is the simplest way, and you can arrange it before you land.
Car hire and driving
What to know before you drive.
Licence
An EU driving licence or an international driving licence is recognised. Check the conditions of the rental company, such as age and licence time, before you book.
Roads
Outside the main routes the road surface can be poor, driving can be risky and landslides or floods can interrupt roads. Do not drive at night outside towns.
Distances from Borjomi
Bakuriani is about 30 km and 40 to 45 minutes, Akhaltsikhe and Rabati about 50 km and 50 minutes, Vardzia about 110 km and 2 hours. In winter, ask about the road to Bakuriani before you go.
Getting to Borjomi: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Tbilisi to Borjomi?
About 2 hours by road and a little over 4 hours by the main-line train, not counting stops or traffic.
Is there a train from Tbilisi to Borjomi?
Yes, the main-line train runs between the two. Check the current timetable before you go, as trains can be suspended.
Does the Kukushka train run to Bakuriani?
The narrow-gauge line is not in regular service at present, and a restart is announced but not yet running. Do not plan around it.
How much is a taxi from Tbilisi airport to Borjomi?
Private transfers start at GEL 280 per sedan and GEL 360 per minivan in 2026. The price is per vehicle.
Can I drive from Kutaisi to Borjomi?
Yes, it is about 145 km and 2.5 hours from the airport. Avoid night driving outside towns.