A Tbilisi trip before or after Borjomi
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and the usual arrival point for Borjomi. Many visitors give it one or two days, then continue south to the spa town. The road trip from Tbilisi to Borjomi takes about 2 hours, and the main-line train covers the same route in a little over 4 hours.
The old town climbs a hillside above the river, with brick houses, wooden balconies and church domes. The historic sulphur bath district, Abanotubani, sits at its foot. You can see the main sights in a day, but a second day lets you walk the streets without a schedule.
Old town and the sulphur baths
Where to spend your time in the historic centre.
Abanotubani, the bath district
Abanotubani is the historic sulphur bath quarter. The bath rooms are commercial bathhouses, not a natural swimming lake. Private rooms cost GEL 150 to 290 per room and hour, depending on size and fittings. That is a room price, not a price per person. Private rooms can be reserved in advance.
Streets and balconies
Old houses with wooden balconies line the hillside lanes. Church roofs and brick walls make the view from the quieter streets as good as the sights themselves.
Along the river
Houses and church domes rise from the riverbank up the slope. A walk along the water links the bath district with the cable car station.
Our pick: Tbilisi street food walk
A relaxed way to spend an evening in the city before or after Borjomi.
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.
Tbilisi tours and day trips
Walking tours of the old town and day trips from Tbilisi to Borjomi and beyond, with live prices and availability.
The Narikala cable car and fortress
Know what the ride does and does not give you.
The Rike to Narikala cable car costs GEL 2.50 per direction, or GEL 2 with a Metromoney card. It brings you up to the viewpoint over the roofs. A ride is not the same as access to the fortress. The inside of the fortress is under renovation and may be restricted. Check the current access before you plan your day around it.
Narikala stands above the old town under big skies, and you can see it well from the streets below. The view of the fortress from the old town is worth the walk even if the interior stays closed.
From Tbilisi to Borjomi
Three ways to continue south.
| Option | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car or private transfer | About 2 hours | See the getting-there page |
| Marschrutka from Didube | About 2 to 2.5 hours | About GEL 8 to 12 |
| Main-line train | About 4 hours 12 minutes | Around GEL 2, paid on board |
For most visitors, a car or a transfer is the simplest choice, and the Didube minibus is the cheapest road option. The train is the slowest option. Check the current timetable before you go, and do not confuse it with the narrow-gauge Kukushka line to Bakuriani, which is not running a regular service.
More detail is on the getting to Borjomi page. For the sights south of the capital, see Rabati Castle and Vardzia.
Tbilisi: frequently asked questions
How long should I stay in Tbilisi before Borjomi?
One day covers the old town and the bath district. Two days give you time for a day trip, for example to Kakheti.
How far is Tbilisi from Borjomi?
About 2 hours by road. The main-line train takes just over 4 hours.
How much does the Narikala cable car cost?
GEL 2.50 per direction, or GEL 2 with a Metromoney card. Access to the fortress interior is a separate question.
Are the sulphur baths in Tbilisi a natural pool?
No. They are commercial bathhouses with private rooms. Private rooms cost GEL 150 to 290 per room and hour, a room price and not a per-person price.
Can I go inside Narikala fortress?
The cable car takes you to the viewpoint. The interior of the fortress is under renovation, so check the current access before you go.