Route guide
Tbilisi to Borjomi
About 160 km west on the motorway to Khashuri, then south into the wooded Mtkvari gorge. Two and a half to three hours by car, with Samtavisi, Uplistsikhe and Surami as natural breaks.
Borjomi, the spa town famous for its mineral water, lies in a forested gorge at about 800 m. The road follows the motorway west for most of the way and leaves it at Khashuri, where it turns into the gorge for the last 30 km.
It is an easy transfer, and a car makes it more than that: a carved cathedral near Igoeti, the rock town of Uplistsikhe and the fortress at Surami all sit close to the road. Borjomi is also the gateway to Bakuriani and to Vardzia further south.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer with stopsYour hotel in Tbilisi | 2.5-3 h driving, 6 h with stops | see vehicle prices below | Any day |
| Minibus from DidubeDidube bus station | 2.5-3 h | about 12 GEL (about $4.50) in 2026 | Roughly hourly, about 08:00-19:00 |
| Slow regional trainTbilisi Central station | About 4-4.5 h | a few GEL | Usually twice a day |
- Time
- 2.5-3 h driving, 6 h with stops
- Price
- see vehicle prices below
- How often
- Any day
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Leaves on your schedule, with a cathedral and a cave town on the way
- Costs more than the minibus
- Time
- 2.5-3 h
- Price
- about 12 GEL (about $4.50) in 2026
- How often
- Roughly hourly, about 08:00-19:00
- From
- Didube bus station
- Cheap and frequent
- No stops on the way
- Time
- About 4-4.5 h
- Price
- a few GEL
- How often
- Usually twice a day
- From
- Tbilisi Central station
- Scenic, very cheap, old-style travel
- Slow, basic carriages
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
5 stops, adding about 3 h 20 min to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1TbilisiStart
- 22 km2Jvari MonasteryStop about 30 min · The 6th-century church above Mtskheta, a few minutes off the motorway.
- 47 km3Samtavisi CathedralStop about 20 min · Cathedral of 1030 with a richly carved east wall.
- 95 km4Uplistsikhe cave townStop about 75 min · Cave town on a cliff above the Mtkvari near Gori.
- 130 km5Surami FortressStop about 15 min · Hill fort with a legend of a boy walled into the tower; nazuki bread for sale nearby.
- 160 km6Borjomi Central ParkStop about 60 min · Taste the mineral water from the spring and walk up to the warm sulphur pools.
- 160 km7BorjomiArrive
Private transfer prices
Whole car with driver, one way, stops included. Sample prices
| Vehicle | Seats | One way |
|---|---|---|
| SedanComfortable saloon such as a Toyota Camry or similar hybrid. Right for one to three people with normal luggage on paved roads. | up to 3 | $100 |
| MinivanMercedes Vito, V-Class or similar. For families and groups of four to seven, or three people with a lot of luggage or ski gear. | up to 7 | $140 |
| SUV (4x4)Real four-wheel drive such as a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or Mitsubishi Delica, with a driver used to mountain tracks. Needed for Tusheti, Khevsureti, the upper Truso valley and snowy winter roads. | up to 4 | $130 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | $230 |
- Combine Borjomi with Vardzia over two days: Rabati in Akhaltsikhe and Khertvisi are on the same road.
- The Borjomi to Bakuriani narrow-gauge train has been out of service while the line is rebuilt; a return is planned for 2027.
- Bakuriani is about 30 km above Borjomi, so it is easy to continue there by car.
Do it with us
Tbilisi to Borjomi, privately
Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.
Ready-made tourBorjomi and Vardzia in 2 Days2 days · from $390 pp (sample)Tbilisi to Borjomi: FAQ
How far is Borjomi from Tbilisi?
About 160 km, or 2.5 to 3 hours by car or minibus.
Is the train from Tbilisi to Borjomi worth it?
Only if you enjoy slow trains: it takes over 4 hours and the carriages are basic. The minibus or a car is twice as fast.
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
Tours on this road
Book a private transfer with stops
Tbilisi to Borjomi in your own car with driver, stopping at Jvari Monastery, Samtavisi Cathedral, Uplistsikhe cave town and more. Fixed price, any time.
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