telstarbox
Established Member
Does anyone have any tips for sights, architecture or trains in Tbilisi? Not looking to go too far out of town but could be persuaded.
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Tbilisi, Georgia
- Thread starter telstarbox
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RailUK Forums
WideRanger
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- 15 Jun 2016
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Tblisi is very much centred around the river. Some nice old buildings, and some interesting signature bridges. It's all in a valley, with a couple of cable car routes to viewpoints in the surrounding mountains. It's pretty easy to find good value accommodation.
The main rail station is at one end of the town (and it's not the pretty end). The underground is fun - especially the escalators that are set to travel very quickly. Getting out of Tblisi a couple of hours will give you access to some pretty amazing mountain areas (if you head north), and wine regions (if you head east). You'll need to hire a car to realistically do this. Driving in Georgia requires you to maintain your wits about you.
Journeys within Tblisi (including to the airport) are 1GEL for each journey, including changes. As of today, it's about 20p. You can use contactless credit cards on the buses and metro, so no need to buy tickets.
At the airport, there are lots of people trying to get you to use their taxis, with various scammy methods. Stick to the bus, or use Yandex or Bolt (the two main ride-hailing apps). Local Sim cards are available at the airport with a massive range of prices, so don't just take the first one you see.
Georgia is famous for its local food and wine (and chacha, which is fiery). But be careful in Tblisi centre - there's plenty of dodgy establishments that look great but you probably want to avoid. Try to go to super local places that aren't trying to look attractive to tourists.
The main rail station is at one end of the town (and it's not the pretty end). The underground is fun - especially the escalators that are set to travel very quickly. Getting out of Tblisi a couple of hours will give you access to some pretty amazing mountain areas (if you head north), and wine regions (if you head east). You'll need to hire a car to realistically do this. Driving in Georgia requires you to maintain your wits about you.
Journeys within Tblisi (including to the airport) are 1GEL for each journey, including changes. As of today, it's about 20p. You can use contactless credit cards on the buses and metro, so no need to buy tickets.
At the airport, there are lots of people trying to get you to use their taxis, with various scammy methods. Stick to the bus, or use Yandex or Bolt (the two main ride-hailing apps). Local Sim cards are available at the airport with a massive range of prices, so don't just take the first one you see.
Georgia is famous for its local food and wine (and chacha, which is fiery). But be careful in Tblisi centre - there's plenty of dodgy establishments that look great but you probably want to avoid. Try to go to super local places that aren't trying to look attractive to tourists.
The Tbilisi Metro is good fun. I'd also recommend taking a trip on the various cable cars that operate. The quirkiest is the University-Bagebi one, which is accessed at each end by bus: https://wanderlog.com/place/details/7165000/university-bagebi-cable-car
Can also attest that the Airport bus is also just fine - easy to tap a bank card and off you go.
Local trains to wander around on aren't in huge supply but the easiest one to do is the morning or evening service to Gardabani and back. When I did it I went as far as Rustavi then jumped in a Bolt back to Tbilisi (bus also available but of the small Marshrutka-size). It's 0.5GEL, exact fare only with a machine on either the train or the platform. I rocked up with a 1GEL coin and the staff on the platform (English speaking and pretty friendly) happily yanked the machine open, took two coins out, fed it one and gave me the other as change.
Info on Georgian Railways is here: https://georailway.com/routes/
Google Maps will give you enough of an indicator about what's good and what isn't food and drink-wise - but I can recommend Odjaleche and Ranina.
Finally, the Forgotten Rails Tour is an interesting way to spend a couple of hours - I really enjoyed it. Apparently set up by a couple of friends at university and takes you to various locations around Tbilisi Main Station and beyond - photography not always permitted in some spots but gives you a decent insight into the current state of the railway without the fear of getting barked at for wandering somewhere you shouldn't.
Can also attest that the Airport bus is also just fine - easy to tap a bank card and off you go.
Local trains to wander around on aren't in huge supply but the easiest one to do is the morning or evening service to Gardabani and back. When I did it I went as far as Rustavi then jumped in a Bolt back to Tbilisi (bus also available but of the small Marshrutka-size). It's 0.5GEL, exact fare only with a machine on either the train or the platform. I rocked up with a 1GEL coin and the staff on the platform (English speaking and pretty friendly) happily yanked the machine open, took two coins out, fed it one and gave me the other as change.
Info on Georgian Railways is here: https://georailway.com/routes/
Google Maps will give you enough of an indicator about what's good and what isn't food and drink-wise - but I can recommend Odjaleche and Ranina.
Finally, the Forgotten Rails Tour is an interesting way to spend a couple of hours - I really enjoyed it. Apparently set up by a couple of friends at university and takes you to various locations around Tbilisi Main Station and beyond - photography not always permitted in some spots but gives you a decent insight into the current state of the railway without the fear of getting barked at for wandering somewhere you shouldn't.