Updated 20 October 2026
Tbilisi to Kazbegi: marshrutka, group tour or private driver?
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is about 160 km north of Tbilisi up the Georgian Military Road — about 3 hours each way. The marshrutka from Didube costs 15 GEL one way; group bus tours start at about $25 per person with 15–20 people and fixed stops; a private day trip with driver costs $190 per sedan for the whole day, with Jvari, Ananuri and the Gudauri viewpoint on the way.
Transfers
Every option at a glance
| Option | Price | Time | Stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshrutka from Didube | 15 GEL one way | about 3 h | No | Solo, flexible dates |
| Group bus tour | from about $25 per person | a full day | Fixed | Solo on a budget |
| Private day trip, sedan (up to 3) | $190 per car | about 10 h | Your choice | Couples, families |
| Private day trip, minivan (up to 6) | $250 per car | about 10 h | Your choice | Groups of 4–6 |
Our prices per car, driver waiting included, updated 20 October 2026.
Stops on the Georgian Military Road
- Jvari monastery or Mtskheta (morning, optional).
- Ananuri fortress above the Zhinvali reservoir.
- Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument above Gudauri.
- Gergeti Trinity Church (2,170 m) — reached by a paved road, no paid 4x4 needed.
Winter: the Jvari pass
From December to March the Jvari pass (about 2,400 m) can close for hours after snowfall. We check the road status the evening before; if the pass is closed in the morning you choose Ananuri + Gudauri instead or a new date. In winter we send a 4x4 with winter tyres.
Staying overnight?
Book two one-way transfers or a 2-day car with driver — the driver’s room is included in multi-day prices. Flying in? Tbilisi airport → Kazbegi is from $150 per sedan.
Questions
How much is a private Kazbegi day trip?
$190 for a sedan, $250 for a minivan, $290 for a 4x4 — per car for the whole day; about $63 each for three people.
When should we leave Tbilisi?
By 8:00–9:00; in winter the light goes at about 17:30.
Is the driver a guide?
The driver speaks English or Russian and knows the stops but is not a licensed guide; a guide is +$130 a day.