Route guide
Tbilisi to Vardzia
About 265 km via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe, ending in the canyon of the upper Mtkvari below the 12th-century cave monastery. Around 4 to 4.5 hours of driving, best done with a night in Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe.
Few sights in Georgia match Vardzia, a monastery carved into a cliff by King Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. It lies near the Turkish border in Samtskhe-Javakheti, so getting there from Tbilisi takes most of a morning.
The usual road runs through Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe, and the second half is the best part: Rabati castle, the Khertvisi fortress at a river junction and the ruins of Tmogvi on a cliff above the gorge. A shorter road over the Javakheti plateau via Tsalka and Akhalkalaki is around 230 km, quieter and higher, but with fewer sights. After a rockfall in 2026 a small part of the cave city is shut, but you can still see most of it.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer with stopsYour hotel in Tbilisi | 4-4.5 h driving, best over 2 days | see vehicle prices below | Any day |
| Minibus to Akhaltsikhe, then minibus to VardziaDidube bus station | About 4 h plus 1.5 h | about 15 GEL (about $6) to Akhaltsikhe plus 5-7 GEL to Vardzia in 2026 | Akhaltsikhe minibuses roughly hourly; only a few a day to Vardzia |
| Borjomi and Vardzia in 2 daysYour hotel in Tbilisi | 2 days | see the tour page | Any date |
- Time
- 4-4.5 h driving, best over 2 days
- Price
- see vehicle prices below
- How often
- Any day
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Lets you see Vardzia and return the same day, stopping where you want
- A long day if done as a return trip
- Time
- About 4 h plus 1.5 h
- Price
- about 15 GEL (about $6) to Akhaltsikhe plus 5-7 GEL to Vardzia in 2026
- How often
- Akhaltsikhe minibuses roughly hourly; only a few a day to Vardzia
- From
- Didube bus station
- Cheap
- The last minibus back from Vardzia leaves in the early afternoon, so you need a night nearby
- Time
- 2 days
- Price
- see the tour page
- How often
- Any date
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi
- Guide, hotel and all stops arranged
- Needs two days
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
6 stops, adding about 5 h 30 min to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1TbilisiStart
- 95 km2Uplistsikhe cave townStop about 60 min · An older rock-cut town, a good contrast to Vardzia later in the day.
- 160 km3Borjomi Central ParkStop about 30 min · Mineral water straight from the spring and a short walk in the park.
- 205 km4Rabati Castle, AkhaltsikheStop about 60 min · Restored fortress with a mosque, a synagogue and a church inside its walls.
- 245 km5Khertvisi FortressStop about 20 min · One of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, on a rock where two rivers meet.
- 257 km6Tmogvi Fortress viewpointStop about 10 min · Ruins high on the opposite cliff, seen from the road in the last few kilometres.
- 265 km7Vardzia cave monasteryStop about 150 min · Allow 2 to 3 hours for the caves, the church of the Dormition and the tunnels.
- 265 km8VardziaArrive
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 | $170 |
| 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 | $220 |
| 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 | $210 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | $360 |
- Start early: Vardzia gets hot in the afternoon and there is little shade on the cliff paths.
- Sleep in Akhaltsikhe or Borjomi to split the journey and see Rabati at sunset.
- Wear proper shoes: the cave paths are uneven and some tunnels are low and dark.
Do it with us
Tbilisi to Vardzia, 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 Vardzia: FAQ
Can I visit Vardzia as a day trip from Tbilisi?
Yes, by private car, but it is a 10 to 11 hour day with about 8 hours of driving. Two days with a night in Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe is more relaxed.
Is Vardzia open after the 2026 rockfall?
Most of the cave city is open; only a small section is closed. Check on arrival which paths are in use.
How far is Vardzia from Tbilisi?
About 265 km via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe, or around 230 km by the plateau road via Tsalka and Akhalkalaki.
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 Vardzia in your own car with driver, stopping at Uplistsikhe cave town, Borjomi Central Park, Rabati Castle, Akhaltsikhe and more. Fixed price, any time.
WhatsApp +995 598 74 74 54