Don’t Fancy a Marshrutka? Here are 8 Spots in Georgia You Can Reach by Train
You’re planning your trip around Georgia and you’ve heard horror stories of the dreaded Georgian marshrutka where you end up squeezed in a small minivan while the driver weaves in and out of traffic at high speed, cigarette in hand?
Yep, I’ve heard those stories too; the reality is NOT that bad though!
But is a marshrutka the best way to get around Georgia? Maybe not.
The train is without doubt more comfortable, obviously avoids any road safety concerns, and in most cases, is quicker than a marshrutka. So, we always pick the train over a marshrutka.
You can access a lot of Georgia by train. Head to Batumi to walk along the Black Sea Coast, visit Borjomi to taste famous medicinal water straight from the source, or even take an overnight train to Yerevan in neighbouring Armenia to witness majestic Mount Ararat!
We have spent eight months travelling to almost every corner of this beautiful country, and these are the eight best spots in Georgia you can reach by train, plus some options to neighbouring countries.
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Tbilisi
Georgia’s capital city is the perfect spot to either start or end your train trip as this is as far east in the country that you can travel by train.
Tbilisi has a huge variety of unique things to do and a great food scene with modern wine bars, quirky cafes, and retro restaurants, so definitely allow for at least a couple of days here.
It is by far our favourite capital city that we’ve visited! We’ve spent four months here over the last few years and are still discovering new things to do, see, and eat. It feels like our second home.
Must Do
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Magnolia Hotel (£)
We stayed at Magnolia, which is a lovely hotel with beautiful rooms with big windows, so that you can catch the stunning sunrise each morning! They serve a buffet breakfast, and have a roof terrace too.
🛏️ Book Magnolia Hotel 🛏️
Easy Hotel (£)
Another great option is Easy Hotel. Affordable and simple, yet clean rooms. In a good location just outside of the central old town.
🛏️ Book Easy Hotel 🛏️
Gori
Tbilisi to Gori: 60km, 1 hour
Gori is often just seen as Stalin’s birthplace, but in all honesty, the controversial Stalin museum really is not enough of a reason to visit Gori. It’s all a bit weird.
However, taking a free walking tour with Zhana is THE reason to visit Gori. She walks you through Gori’s difficult history, the controversy around the museum, and the history of the city.
Then check out the views from the fortress, see all the street art and the creative memorials, and take a quick taxi ride out to explore the UNESCO listed Uplistsikhe cave city.
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Anna’s Guest House (£)
We stayed at Anna’s Guest House back in 2023. It’s in a great location close to restaurants and the Stalin museum. Anna herself is a really friendly host and her place has a warm and homely feel.
🛏️ Book Anna’s Guest House 🛏️
Hestia Boutique Hotel (££)
📍 24 Ekaterine Jughashvili St.
Hestia Boutique Hotel has over 1000 reviews on booking.com with an average rating of 9.6! The place definitely has ‘character’; the decor is quirky but really in keeping with the vibe of Gori.
Borjomi
Tbilisi to Borjomi: 120km, 4.5 hours
This train is a Soviet relic that chugs along very slowly. Twice a day it runs back and forth to Borjomi, taking about 4.5 hours to get there, but Borjomi itself is definitely worth the journey.
The small town is the namesake and source of the infamous Georgian sparkling water that you’ll find all over the country.
And here, you can taste it straight from the source. It’s warm and almost salty-tasting due to its high mineral content, but it is believed to have medicinal properties.
Walk along the river, through the national park, take the cable car up to the viewpoint, and breathe in the fresh air!
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Nikani1 Apartments (£)
Accommodation in Borjomi can be pretty pricey, but Nikani1 is a very affordable option in prime location near restaurants and attractions. Rooms are clean and simple.
🛏️ Book Nikani1 🛏️
Hotel Caucasus Borjomi (££)
Rooms at Hotel Caucasus are clean and bright and spacious, and located in a central yet quiet spot.
🛏️ Book Hotel Caucasus 🛏️
Savvy Traveller Pro Tips 🇬🇪
After exploring Georgia for nine months, these are our favourite booking tools that we couldn’t travel without!
Kutaisi
Tbilisi to Kutaisi: 210km, 4 hours
FYI – It’s easier to take the train to Rioni Station from Tbilisi. From Rioni, jump on a local bus for 20 mins into Kutaisi town centre.
If you do take the train to Kutaisi train station, there is a free shuttle that will take you to the airport, and then from there you can take the public bus into Kutaisi city centre.
It costs 5 GEL and you can pay by card on board.
Kutaisi sits in the west of Georgia in the Imereti region which is famous country-wide for its khachapuri! Kutaisi feels more like a large town than a city, and is surrounded by natural beauty – Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon, Prometheus Cave.
Explore the Green Bazaar, take a cable car across the river and up to a fairground with a city view, see Bagrati Cathedral with its mint-green roof tiling.
You could easily spend a day exploring Kutaisi city, and then a couple of days for trips to nearby canyons, UNESCO monasteries and tea plantations in Ozurgeti.
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Nana’s Home (£)
We stayed in Nana’s Home twice. It’s a lovely guesthouse close to the Colchis fountain roundabout but tucked down a quiet side road.
The rooms are clean and there are plenty of little nooks, balconies and communal areas to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening/morning coffee.
🛏️ Book Nana’s Home 🛏️
Ozurgeti
Tbilisi to Ozurgeti: ≈ 300km, 7.5 hours
Rioni (near Kutaisi) to Ozurgeti: 3 hours
Ozurgeti is definitely not your typical Georgian travel destination; you’ll likely not see many other tourists. But it is the capital of the tropical tea-making region of Guria!
And I know what you’re thinking: tea in Georgia?! Yes, Guria has a humid tropical climate which is perfect for growing tea.
Georgia used to actually be the fourth largest exporter of tea in the world back in the 80s. But Soviet intervention meant that quantity was prioritised over quality, and their accolade quickly fell.
Nowadays, there are some tea plantations and factories still running – we recommend a tour and tasting at Anaseuli (and ask to check out the vodka/chacha factory next door too!).
Ozurgeti has some interesting street art and Soviet mosaics, and is also the gateway to the famous Bakhmaro mountain.
And if you’re looking for a stay in a beautiful traditional oda house, absolutely book one night at Menabde Winery and have a full breakfast spread the next day!
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Misha’s Place (£)
📍 Building No.2 D.Aghmashenebeli St.
Misha’s Place is really comfortable with private kitchen and bathroom. We loved the large balcony: it’s actually where we first published our blog! Misha himself is so lovely and friendly.
🛏️ Book Misha’s Place 🛏️
Chamo (££)
Chamo is a beautiful glamping spot just out of the centre of Ozurgeti, in the countryside surrounded by hazelnut trees, mountains and a river. It’s the perfect spot to relax.
🛏️ Book Chamo 🛏️
Poti
Tbilisi to Poti: 270km, 5.5 hours, once per day
Rioni (Kutaisi) to Poti: 100km, 2 hours, once per day
Known as ‘Little Paris’, Poti has a distinctly West European feel. In the city, you can find some Soviet mosaics in pretty good condition, as well as street art murals, heritage-style buildings, and a historic lighthouse (which you can go inside!).
A short drive (or long walk) out of the centre of Poti, and you will find Paliastomi Lake and a smaller lake called Okros Tba which has a beautiful bridge which is also a great viewpoint. Wander the black sand beaches and maybe dip your feet in the Black Sea.
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Express Inn (££)
There aren’t many accommodation options in Poti. Express Inn is in a great location near the lighthouse and away from the port (which is absolutely what you want), and the reviews on Booking.com are really strong!
🛏️ Book Express Inn 🛏️
Batumi
Tbilisi to Batumi: 360km, 5.5 hours
Kutaisi to Batumi: 150km, 3 hours
Batumi is very much a ‘Marmite’ type place; people either love it or hate it. It’s Georgia’s second largest city in the southwest corner of the country near the border with Turkey.
We really love the fact that it’s right on the sea; there is something about being by the water that is therapeutic! But, Batumi is somewhere that you have to hit at the right time of the year.
During the height of summer, locals and tourists flock to the beach to avoid the heat of the cities; the bars, night clubs, and casinos will be in full swing; and accommodation prices sky rocket. We have visited twice: during early November and late May.
The wacky and futuristic architecture will maybe leave you a tad bemused, but wander the seafront, check out the old town, walk around the lake, and grab yourself an iconic Adjaruli khachapuri. The restaurant scene is great here!
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Orbi Twin Towers (£)
📍 7b Sherif Khimshiashvili St.
We stayed in an apartment in one of the Orbi Twin Towers and we would book it again if we go back to Batumi. The space is on a very high floor of a glass high-rise building in proper Batumi style. There are cooking facilities, a balcony with sea and city views, a comfy bed, and everything was spotlessly clean. I 100% recommend!
🛏️ Book Orbi Twin Towers 🛏️
Zugdidi
Tbilisi to Zugdidi: 260km, 6 hours
Kutaisi to Zugdidi: 115km, 2.25hours
Zugdidi isn’t my favourite destination, but it is a great city to visit to try out the local Megrelian cuisine which has more spices and heat to it than other Georgian regional cuisines. You can wander Dadiani Palace and the Botanical Gardens.
One of the big reasons that people travel to Zugdidi is because it is the gateway to Mestia, the largest town in the mountainous Svaneti region.
No, it’s not accessible by train, but from Zugdidi, you can take a four-hour marshrutka or you can arrange a driver to take you up into the mountains instead.
Svaneti is known for its medieval watchtowers, snow-capped mountains and hiking opportunities; this is where the famous Mestia to Ushguli hike starts.
If hiking is not your thing, wander around Mestia, maybe take a day-trip to Ushguli (a small and beautiful mountain village) and try the local Svan food.
Svanetian khachapuri is my favourite of all the khachapuri; spring onions are incorporated into the cheesy mixture in the chewy Georgian bread!
Must Eat
Where to Stay
Hotel Koshki (£)
We stayed at Hotel Koshki which has comfortable rooms and is a two minute walk from the location to pick up the marshrutka to Mestia. It’s also just up the road from a bakery that does delicious adjika-spiced lobiani!
🛏️ Book Hotel Koshki 🛏️
Yerevan
Tbilisi to Yerevan (overnight train): ≈ 300km, 11 hours
Yerevan is a vibrant city with a really good food and drink scene! The city has a warm and modern feel about it, despite it being one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Learn about the heart-breaking Armenian Genocide at Tsitsernakaberd museum and memorial complex, wander the historic Kond district, try all the tasty local snacks at the GUM market, shop for handmade or retro souvenirs at Vernissage.
And when you’ve had your fill of the city, jump on a marshrutka or book a GoTrip driver to take you on a day trip out of Yerevan. Our favourites are Garni & Geghard and Lake Sevan!
What to Eat
Where to Stay
Arm Hostel (£)
One of the top budget stays in Yerevan is Arm Hostel with an average rating of 8.5 on Booking.com from over 580 reviews. They also provide female only dorm rooms.
🛏️ Book Arm Hostel 🛏️
Yerevan’s Heart Guest House (££)
Another great option to stay in is Yerevan’s Heart with an average rating of 9.2 on Booking.com from over 190 reviews. They include breakfast in your stay, but private rooms have shared bathroom.
🛏️ Book Yerevan’s Heart 🛏️
Gyumri
Tbilisi to Gyumri (overnight train): ≈ 220km, 8 hours
Armenia’s second city, Gyumri is well-known for its distinctive and beautiful heritage architecture with buildings made from black and orange tuff stone.
Climb the steps to Mother of Armenia and then further up to the Black Fortress for panoramic views over the city, wander Vardanants Square, admire All Saviours Cathedral, and search for the ancient Soviet hammer and sickle statue.
Our absolute favourite thing to do in Gyumri is to eat all the regional dishes at Gwoog!
Must Eat
Baku
Tbilisi to Baku (overnight train): not yet running – WIP
The Tbilisi to Baku train used to run pre-COVID, but has since stopped and not restarted yet. Azerbaijan’s land borders are closed, so overland travel along this route is not yet feasible.
BUT, there has been talk from Georgian and Azerbaijani news outlets of starting it up again soon, so watch this space!
What to Eat
Where to Stay
Maajid Boutique Hotel (£)
We stayed in Maajid Boutique Hotel in the centre of the old part of the city. Rooms are beautifully decorated and clean, but the star of the show is the terrace restaurant where you have your complimentary breakfast and Azerbaijani tea! There are panoramic views out over the city and you can see the Flame Towers.
MidCity Hotel (£)
We also stayed in MidCity Hotel, which is just outside of the old part of the city, close to the Carpet Museum. It’s a very small and quiet hotel with lovely rooms with modern ensuites.
🛏️ Book MidCity Hotel 🛏️
And if the train doesn’t go where I want to travel..?
You can reach a fair amount of Georgia by train, but if you want to venture further into the countryside, you’ll likely have to take a marshrutka or hire a GoTrip driver.
Marshrutka journeys are really affordable and aren’t all too bad if you know what to expect.
Take a look at our post on all things marshrutka to get yourself prepared!
Plan more of your trip with these:
- Travel Tips for Georgia (Country): 13 Useful Things to Know
- Your Georgian Vegetarian Food Guide: 33 Must-Eats
- Tbilisi Airport to the City Centre: 3 Ways to Get There
- Is Tbilisi Worth Visiting? Yes! Here’s Why…
- The Ultimate Vegetarian Guide to Tbilisi Restaurants
- 11 Great Things to Do in Gori, Georgia
- Top 10 Things to Do in Kutaisi (plus day trips)
- Vegetarian in Kutaisi: Retro Restaurants & Cute Cafes
- 25 Weird and Wonderful Things to Do in Batumi
- The Tbilisi to Yerevan Train: Everything You Need to Know
- Travel Tips for Armenia: 11 Actually Useful Things to Know
- 24 Fascinating Things to Do in Yerevan: the Complete Guide
- 7 Best Restaurants in Yerevan for Vegetarians (plus bars & cafes)
- 5 Things to Do in Gyumri
- Travel Tips for Azerbaijan: 12 Useful Things to Know
- 9 Things to Do in Baku: a Perfect Weekend Getaway
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