✈️ Batumi airport: how to get to the center for 70 tetri

Batumi Airport named after Alexander Kartveli is located almost within the city limits. It's about 9 km to the boulevard and Old Town on the map, which means a 10-15 minute drive (as of 09/2026, guide to transport from Batumi Airport). Even a night arrival doesn't turn into a separate trip here.

You choose from three options: city bus, taxi via app, and transfer with a fixed price. The difference in cost is multiple, and in comfort it's also noticeable. Below we'll break down each method, as well as SIM cards, cash, car rental, and food in the terminal.

Keep some lari on hand, because cards are not accepted everywhere.

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How to get from Batumi Airport to the center

💡 In short:

Buses No. 10, No. 10a, and No. 9 depart from the terminal to the city, the journey takes about 20-30 minutes (as of 09/2026, how to pay for travel in Batumi).
Bolt taxi to the boulevard costs 8-15 lari and takes 10-15 minutes (as of 08/2026, taxi prices from the airport).
Transfer with a driver is booked in advance, and the price is fixed before the trip.
Prices and operating hours: 09/2026, verified according to data from the city bus operator.

Batumi Airport terminal exterior with parking

You leave the terminal in three ways, and the choice depends on the arrival time. The bus saves money, Bolt saves time, transfer helps with luggage and night flights.

Option 1: city bus from the terminal

The cheapest way to get to the center: city bus. Routes No. 10, No. 10a, and No. 9 go to the airport, but the first two are more convenient because they go straight through the center (as of 09/2026, city routes).

The stop is right in front of the arrivals hall, you won't miss it. The electronic board shows the time of the nearest departures, and during the day the interval stays within 10-15 minutes (as of 09/2026, bus schedule). In the evening intervals increase, and after midnight buses don't run.

The fare costs 70 tetri, that is less than one lari (as of 09/2026, BatBus guide on fare payment). Paper tickets have not existed in Batumi buses for several years now: payment is made by bank or transport card.

Foreign cards are also accepted, but the charge will be slightly higher, around one lari (as of 09/2026, charge from a foreign card). If you plan to take many trips, buy an orange transport card for 2 lari at the souvenir shop in the departures hall, immediately to the left of the entrance (as of 09/2026, Batumi Card price). The transport card from Tbilisi also works in Batumi.

Route No. 10 runs along Rustaveli Street and stops at the intersection with Asatiani Street, behind the state university and before Batumi Mall (as of 09/2026, route No. 10 stops). The final stop is at the Central Station, so you can get to the Tbilisi train without transfers.

Who it's for: if you're traveling light and arriving during the day.
Not for: with a large suitcase and after a night flight.
The catch: cash is not accepted on board, you need a card.

Option 2: taxi via the Bolt app

In Georgia taxi apps are a lifesaver: the price is visible before the trip, and you don't need to haggle with the driver. A ride to the boulevard and the center costs 8-15 lari and takes 10-15 minutes (as of 08/2026, Bolt app rates). The fare to the Central Station is slightly higher.

Gamsakhurdia Street in Batumi with parked cars

To register in the app you need a phone number, so install and activate Bolt at home before your flight. The airport is small, so meeting the driver takes a minute, and the pickup zone is right in front of the arrivals hall. The app works both via the free Wi-Fi in the terminal and on the mobile network.

Who it's for: if you've already created a working account in the app.
The catch: you can't create an account without a phone number.

Option 3: transfer with a driver

If you're arriving at night, carrying several suitcases, or don't want to deal with apps, book a transfer. The car is booked in advance, the price is locked in before the trip, and payment is made to the driver in cash. The driver waits for you in the arrivals hall and holds a sign with your name.

The service operates around the clock. From the airport you can go not only to Batumi, but to anywhere in Georgia, for example to Mestia or Kobuleti.

Book an airport transfer

Who it's for: night flights, families, and trips with a lot of luggage.
The catch: the price is higher than the bus and taxi, but it's known in advance.

How to get there	Travel time	Cost	Who it suits
Bus No. 10	20-30 minutes	70 tetri (fare)	traveling light and during the day
Bolt	10-15 minutes	8-15 lari (as of 08/2026)	with a suitcase and a ready account
Transfer	10-15 minutes	fixed, booked in advance	at night and with luggage

Tours and tickets in Batumi

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Getting back to the airport

The same three options work in reverse: bus, taxi, and transfer. Leaving the city is easier than leaving the airport, but you'll still need to allow extra time.

The bus does not run around the clock, so if you have an early flight, check the first departure time in advance. Finding a car through an app in the city is usually quick, but there's no absolute guarantee, especially in the rain and during high season.

Allow about half an hour to reach the terminal if you're taking the bus. During summer rush hour, that time increases because the city gets stuck in traffic on the approaches to the bridges. Airlines ask you to arrive at the airport early, with enough time for check-in and security.

What to check before leaving: the first bus time, your flight status, and the terminal address in the taxi app.

SIM card and internet at Batumi airport

Several mobile operator counters in the arrivals hall hand out free SIM cards to tourists. Magti is not among them, and that's the operator we recommend for coverage and pricing.

Panorama of the Batumi coast from the sea in summer

A free card almost always means an expensive plan, so it's better to get into the city and buy a SIM at a Magti store. A convenient address: Irakli Abashidze Street near the piazza and the Old Town, within walking distance of the center.

Signing up takes about ten minutes, and all you need is your passport. The staff member will register the number and activate a plan with a data package. For a short trip, get a weekly package; for a longer one, ask about plans with extended validity.

If you don't want to deal with a store, set up a virtual SIM card in advance and leave the terminal already connected.

Tip: you need a connection for taxi apps, maps, and messaging, so sort this out on your first day.

Cash, ATMs, and currency exchange

The arrivals hall has ATMs, exchange offices, and several counters offering cash services. We recommend withdrawing lari from an ATM, because the card rate is usually better than the counter rate.

If you prefer exchanging cash, hold off until you reach the city center, where there are more offices and clearer rates. You don't need large amounts of cash: cards are accepted in hotels, cafes, and shops.

Small bills come in handy at the market, in small cafes, and in case a driver doesn't take cards. Keep your ATM receipt until the end of your trip; it helps with disputed charges.

Car rental at Batumi airport

Several rental counters operate in the terminal, and you can pick up a car right after landing. Counter prices are higher and the selection is smaller, so book in advance through a price comparison service.

You can also pick up the car at a city location if you don't want to wait for the airport handover. Roads in Georgia are generally decent, but outside the city you'll find switchbacks and unlit stretches. Get full insurance and don't plan long drives on your first day.

Who it's for: if you're heading to the sea, the mountains, or the wine regions.
The catch: book the car in advance, otherwise during high season the selection shrinks to expensive classes.

Food, shops and services in the terminal

A separate catch of Batumi Airport: eating here is expensive. Even a modest packaged sandwich costs as much as a full lunch in the city, and in the departure area prices are another one and a half times higher.

There is a cafe and a souvenir shop in the terminal, but it's better to eat before heading out. For evening flights this advice is especially relevant, because after security the choice narrows down to a single spot.

There are plenty of seats in the waiting area, but outlets are not available at every seat, so bring a power bank with you. Internet in the terminal is free. There is no luggage storage here, only a lost and found office. Baggage wrapping is offered for an extra fee, and it's worth leaving time for it before check-in.

Where to stay in Batumi

Choose accommodation near the seafront and the Old Town: from there you can walk to both the boulevard and the cafes. New buildings with panoramic views are located at the end of New Boulevard, but you'll have to travel to the center from there.

Below are five options for different budgets, from a hostel to a chain hotel with a pool.

Hotel	Area	What makes it interesting
Kartuli Hotel	New Boulevard	panoramic sea and city views
Mariinsky Boutique Hotel	near the Old Town	rooftop terrace
Banana Apartments	New Boulevard	studios with a kitchen and water views
Hostel 47	near the museum	walking distance to the beach and Old Town
Radisson Blu	center near the boulevard	pool and breakfast buffet

Kartuli Hotel

Batumi waterfront with the Alphabet Tower from the sea

The hotel occupies the upper floors of a skyscraper at the end of New Boulevard. The rooms offer sea and city views, and the interiors are kept deliberately minimalist, so there are no unnecessary details in the rooms.

Location: New Boulevard, you need to travel to the Old Town.
Who it's for: if the view from the window and a new building matter to you.
Not for: if you want to walk to the Old Town.
Price: above the city average, current prices on Trip.com.

Mariinsky Boutique Hotel

The apart-hotel is located three blocks from the boulevard. The rooms are spacious, with modern showers, and there is a terrace on the roof where guests go up in the evening.

Location: three blocks from the boulevard, near the Old Town.
Who it's for: for walking and quiet evenings on the terrace.
Not for: if you want to stay right on the boulevard.
Price: mid-range for the center, available rooms at Mariinsky.

Banana Apartments

Batumi beach and Ferris wheel from the sea

Three studios with a kitchen, new plumbing and water views. Each has everything for independent living, so it's convenient to make breakfast at home and save on cafes.

Location: New Boulevard.
Who it's for: couples and small families who need a kitchen.
Not for: if you need a front desk and hotel breakfast.
Price: available studios on Trip.com.

Hostel 47

Pink building on a street corner in Batumi

A hostel near the museum, from where you can walk to both the beach and the Old Town. Guests are offered shared rooms, including female-only dorms, a kitchen with a washing machine and a courtyard.

Location: between the beach and the Old Town.
Who it's for: budget trips and meeting other guests.
Not for: if you need a private room.
Price: the most affordable option in this selection, beds at Hostel 47.

Radisson Blu

Panorama of Batumi waterfront with the Ferris wheel

The hotel is a two-minute walk from the main part of the boulevard and the Old Town. Guests get rooms with views, an outdoor pool, and a large breakfast buffet.

Location: central, right by the boulevard.
Who it's for: if you want full service and breakfast without any hassle.
Not for: if you're looking for a budget option.
Price: top end for the city, rooms at Radisson Blu.

Things to do in Batumi

Batumi isn't limited to the boulevard. In the city, it's worth visiting the Batumi Botanical Garden, and in the evening, hiking up the Gonio trail, which offers the best sunset in the area.

Beyond that, day trips begin: Kolkheti National Park, Machakhela National Park, and a bike ride to Sarpi on the Turkish border. If you want a guided tour, check the options on GetYourGuide, because a guide handles both transportation and tickets.

What to prepare before the trip

Before you fly, take care of four things: money, connectivity, accommodation, and getting from the airport.

Get medical insurance in advance: compare policies and choose one before buying tickets. On mountain routes this is especially important, because help in the mountains is expensive.

Sort out transportation if you're arriving at night: booking a transfer saves you from hunting for a car in a dark terminal.

Notify your bank about the trip so your card doesn't get blocked on the first payment. Keep a copy of your hotel booking both on your phone and on paper. Book accommodation in advance in high season, because prices on the seafront rise every week in summer.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Batumi airport to the center?

The cheapest option, the bus, costs 70 tetri (as of 09/2026, bus fares in Batumi). A taxi via an app will run you 8-15 lari (as of 08/2026, taxi prices), while a transfer is booked at a fixed price. The difference between the options is several times over, so choose based on your arrival time and the number of suitcases.

Do buses run from the airport at night?

No. During the day, intervals stay within 10-15 minutes (as of 09/2026, BatBus guide to bus travel), but after midnight service stops. If you're arriving at night, plan on a taxi or a pre-booked transfer: the driver will meet you in the arrivals hall.

Can you pay in cash on the bus?

No, cash is not accepted on board. You pay by bank card, including foreign cards, or with a transport card (as of 09/2026, card payment on the bus). A foreign card is charged slightly more, around one lari. Transport cards are sold in the airport departures hall.

Where can I buy a SIM card for internet?

In the city, at the Magti store on Irakli Abashidze Street near Piazza and the Old Town. Free cards at airport counters look like a good deal, but their plans are more expensive. Bring your passport; signup takes about ten minutes. Alternatively, set up a virtual SIM before you leave home.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the Old Town?

About 9 km on the map, so 10-15 minutes by car (as of 09/2026, airport transportation guide). The bus takes longer, around 20-30 minutes, because it goes through the city. In high season, travel time increases, and in the evening traffic jams add to it.

In short: what's worth booking

Putting the trip together is easier if you lock in transportation and accommodation in advance. Here's a quick matrix for your situation.

If you're arriving at night or with a lot of luggage: book a transfer on Kiwitaxi.
If you're looking for a hotel by the sea: compare Batumi hotels.

If you plan to travel around the country, compare car rental prices.

Check transfer and accommodation prices before booking, because during the season they change every week.

How to get from Batumi airport to the center: bus, taxi and transfer