Where to stay
Hotels in Tbilisi
Arriving in Tbilisi: From the Airport to Your Hotel
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is 17 km southeast of the city centre. The cheapest way in is bus 337, which runs every 20–30 minutes to Freedom Square for 1 GEL; buy a Metromoney card at the airport or use contactless. Taxis are plentiful but unofficial drivers will overcharge—use the Bolt app for a fare of 25–35 GEL to Rustaveli or Old Town. The journey takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic; allow an hour at rush hour.
If you're staying in Vake or Saburtalo, the airport train to Tbilisi Central Station (2 GEL) then metro line 1 works well, but it's slow with luggage. For hotels in Abanotubani or Sololaki, a Bolt is the simplest option. I'd book a hotel in the Old Town if you want to walk to the sulphur baths and Narikala, but Vake suits longer stays with easier parking. Most central hotels offer airport transfers for 50–70 GEL—ask when booking.
Getting Around Tbilisi and Parking in the City
Tbilisi's metro is cheap (1 GEL per ride with Metromoney card) and fast, but it doesn't reach the Old Town—get off at Avlabari and walk 10 minutes downhill. Buses and marshrutkas cover the rest; use the Tbilisi Transport app for routes. Parking in the centre is a hassle: paid zones (2–3 GEL per hour) operate on Rustaveli, Chavchavadze and around Freedom Square, enforced by cameras. Hotels with private parking in the centre are rare and usually charge 20–30 GEL per night.
If you're driving, stay in Saburtalo or Vake where street parking is free after 8 pm and hotels have garages. The King David Residence area has secure lots for 15 GEL per day. Avoid bringing a car if you're only exploring the centre—walking and metro are faster. For day trips to Mtskheta (25 km, 30 minutes), take a marshrutka from Didube station (2 GEL) instead of driving; parking at Jvari Monastery is limited and often full by 11 am.
Heading to the Mountains: Kazbegi, Bakuriani and Svaneti
For Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), marshrutkas leave Tbilisi's Didube station hourly from 8 am to 6 pm, cost 10–15 GEL and take 3–4 hours via the Georgian Military Highway. A private transfer costs 150–200 GEL. The road is paved but winding; in winter (December–March), check conditions before setting out—snow chains are sometimes needed. Hotels in Kazbegi often have free parking, but the last 2 km to Gergeti Trinity Church is a rough track; park in the village and walk or take a 4x4 (40–50 GEL).
Bakuriani is 180 km from Tbilisi (2.5–3 hours) and 30 km from Borjomi. A marshrutka from Tbilisi's Didube station runs twice daily (15 GEL); from Borjomi, take a taxi for 20 GEL. Driving is straightforward on the E60, but the final climb to Bakuriani is steep—winter tyres are essential from November to April. Hotels in Bakuriani mostly offer free private parking. For Svaneti (Mestia), fly from Tbilisi to Queen Tamar Airport (1 hour, from 80 GEL) or take a marshrutka from Zugdidi (3 hours, 20 GEL).
Coastal Georgia: Batumi and Kobuleti
Batumi is 370 km from Tbilisi; the fastest option is the Georgian Railways overnight train (9–10 hours, 30–60 GEL for a berth) or a morning express (5 hours). Buses from Ortachala station take 6–7 hours (25 GEL). If flying, Batumi International Airport (BUS) is 6 km from the centre; bus 10 runs to the old town for 0.5 GEL. Taxis charge 15–20 GEL—agree the fare first. Hotels near the Boulevard often have paid parking (10–15 GEL per day); those in the old town may not.
Kobuleti is 30 km north of Batumi; marshrutkas from Batumi's bus station run every 20 minutes (2 GEL). Parking at Kobuleti's beach is free but fills up by 10 am in July–August. I'd book a hotel with private parking in Batumi's new district if you're driving, but for a car-free stay, the old town near Piazza is ideal. Avoid driving in Batumi during the summer festival season (July–August) when streets close for events.