Travel around Georgia: Transportation System
There is a range of ways you can travel around Georgia including minibuses (marshrutkas), trains, planes and taxis. The main mode of transport is by bus and train. This is what the locals use and they are regular and cheap. Travelling by plane or a taxi will offer more comfort but are more expensive options.
Plane:
The best way to travel around Georgia is to travel by a mini propeller plane. These planes are small and may feel unsafe but they are so worth travelling on for the experience! The views you can see from up in the sky are simply amazing!
The company which you should buy tickets from is called Vanilla Sky. This company offers cheap plane tickets for journeys all across Georgia. You can also check the timetable for the different plane journeys on their website or on their Facebook page.
Tickets are usually released to purchase a month before the flight will take place. These tickets sell out fast so be sure to consistently check the website and Facebook page for updates.
Note this company doesn’t have great reviews if you read about them online. You may find there are problems with buying tickets online as their website is pretty basic. Make sure you receive an email with a confirmation you have bought the ticket as sometimes the transaction doesn’t go through. There are sometimes problems with cancellation and delays as these flights are very weather dependent. Make sure you have a backup plan of how to reach your destination.
You will have your luggage weighed before boarding the plane so make sure not to go over the weight limit as weight really matters on these planes! Bring some ear defenders or earplugs as it can be very noisy on these flights. Try and be the first one on the plane so you get a choice of where to sit.
Trains:
Georgia is well connected by trains. They are a fun way to travel, meet locals, and experience a bit of Georgian life. They are also a great way to enjoy the beautiful Georgian countryside. It is a cheap and relatively fast way to travel. You can also take a train to the neighbouring country Armenia.
To check out the routes and times of the trains you can look and also book your tickets here. You will receive an email and this is your ticket. You can also buy them at the train stations as well. At the platforms, they have the time of arrival of the train as well as the name and number of the train and the platform you should go to. It is very sophisticated and very easy to use.
Minibus (marshrutkas):
These minibuses, typically seat around 10 to 20 passengers, operate as shared taxis, offering flexible routes that go to both cities and rural areas. Schedules are not rigidly followed, they usually depart when the bus is full. There are frequent departures, so usually you can find a ride without waiting for too long. Despite the occasional cramped conditions and deviations from the routes, riding a marshrutka is an authentic cultural experience and a great way to meet locals!
BE AWARE drivers can often drive at very high speeds and overtake cars with oncoming traffic. So it may not feel like the safest way to travel and if you think you will struggle with this experience then take the train!
Taxis:
Taxis are one of the most expensive ways to travel by land. It is easy to find taxis in Georgia as they are all clearly marked. You will have to barter with taxi drivers as they don’t have meters or set prices. Be sure to always agree a price before setting off on your journey so you don’t get scammed.
Bolt the taxi app is also used in many cities across Georgia. This is the cheapest way to take a taxi and also the most reliable way.
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