Borjomi and Bakuriani by car: ski, spa and the mountain train
Easiest: a car door to door: from $160 (per car, not per person)
Borjomi, the mineral-water spa town, is about 165 km from Tbilisi airport — roughly 2.5 hours on the motorway and the Mtkvari gorge road. Bakuriani, the family ski resort above it at about 1,700 m, is another 30 km up the mountain — 3 hours from the airport in total. A narrow-gauge train links Borjomi and Bakuriani in about 2.5 hours (check the timetable with Georgian Railway), and marshrutkas run from Tbilisi Didube. With skis, children or a late flight a car is simpler: Tbilisi airport → Borjomi from $150, Tbilisi → Bakuriani from $160 per car. Checked 27 October 2026. Checked by the RideGE team on .
- TBS → Borjomi≈165 km, ~2.5 h
- Borjomi → Bakuriani≈30 km, ~45 min by car
- Mountain train≈2.5 h (Georgian Railway)
- Car TBS → Bakurianifrom $160
How do I get from Tbilisi to Bakuriani?
| Way | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Marshrutka from Didube | 3–3.5 h | limited luggage; check the latest departure |
| Train to Borjomi + mountain train | 5+ h | scenic but slow; check railway.ge |
| Our car | ~3 h | door to door, skis included |
When is the Bakuriani ski season?
The resort announces its opening each year; the season usually runs from late December into March. Check the resort announcement before booking fixed dates.
Is the road to Bakuriani open in winter?
Yes, it is cleared daily; the last 30 km from Borjomi climb through forest and can be icy. We use winter tyres and chains from December to March.
Kutaisi or Tbilisi airport for Bakuriani?
Both are about 3 hours away. Fly into whichever is cheaper: from Kutaisi airport the car is $160, from Tbilisi airport $160.
Can I visit Vardzia from Borjomi?
Yes — Vardzia is about 2 hours further south; a Borjomi night makes the Vardzia trip much easier.
Can I go to the Borjomi park without a car?
Yes, the Central Park and the mineral springs are in town and walkable; you need a car for Likani, Bakuriani and Vardzia.
How much does a private car cost?
Per car; ski bags and child seats free on request.
| Route | Sedan | Minivan | SUV 4x4 | Sprinter | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi → Bakuriani | $160 | $210 | $240 | $320 | $385 |
| Tbilisi airport → Bakuriani | $160 | $210 | $240 | $320 | $385 |
| Tbilisi airport → Borjomi | $150 | $200 | $225 | $300 | $360 |
| Kutaisi airport → Bakuriani | $160 | $210 | $240 | $320 | $385 |
| Bakuriani → Tbilisi airport | $160 | $210 | $240 | $320 | $385 |
Pay 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver — or 100% online. Trips under $100 are paid in full online. Full refund if cancelled 24 h+ before pickup (multi-day: 7+ days).
Questions
How much is a car from Tbilisi airport to Bakuriani?
$160 for a sedan, $210 for a minivan — per car.
How much is Tbilisi airport to Borjomi?
$150 per sedan.
How long is the drive to Bakuriani?
About 3 hours from Tbilisi or Kutaisi airport.
Is there a train to Bakuriani?
Yes, the narrow-gauge line from Borjomi; check the timetable with Georgian Railway.
Do you take skis?
Yes, free — tell us how many bags.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation 24 hours or more before pickup.
Sources and checks
- Georgian Railway — timetable and tickets · checked
- Travellers' reports (independent travel guide) · published 2026-09-26 · checked
- Roads Department of Georgia — road status announcements · checked
Status and rules change. Before you travel, check the official source; we re-check these pages before each update.
You may also need
- Vardzia and Rabati from Tbilisi: one long day by car
- From Kutaisi by car: Gudauri, Bakuriani, Tbilisi or Batumi
- Tbilisi airport (TBS) at night: how to get to the city
- Kutaisi airport (KUT) at night: city, Tbilisi or Batumi?
Book a car
Bookings are operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong).