Tbilisi to Batumi Train: How to Buy Tickets Online for €12 and Skip the Queue

You can book Tbilisi to Batumi train tickets online in 1–2 minutes via Georgian Railway's official sites or accredited platforms like Omio. The train is a Swiss double-decker Stadler KISS, runs the route in 5 hours 12 minutes, and starts at 35 GEL (≈ $13) in 2nd class. There are 4 daily departures total – in summer and on weekends seats sell out 3–5 days ahead, in winter you'll usually get a seat right at the platform.

Key points:

• Stable schedule: trains 802/801 (morning) and 804/803 (evening) run daily – 2 departures each direction.
• 2026 prices: from 35 GEL (≈ $13) for 2nd class, ~75 GEL (≈ $27) for 1st, ~95 GEL (≈ $34) for business.
• Stadler KISS only: Wi-Fi, A/C, 220V outlets in 1st and business class, vending machine with water and snacks.
• Online booking: available in English with international Visa/Mastercard.
• Travel time shrinking: a new tunnel opened in 2026 cut around 30 minutes off some services.
• Free luggage: up to 36 kg in 1st class, 24 kg in 2nd – rarely checked.
• No overnight trains: the last service arrives in Batumi around 22:09. Summer-only night Stadlers exist but are announced 2–3 weeks ahead.

On a regular weekday, four trains run between Tbilisi and Batumi. Morning departures are more practical: you arrive in Batumi before lunch and still have time for the beach or a walk along Batumi Boulevard. Evening trains work better if you want a full day in Tbilisi and only need to sleep on the coast.

The schedule shifts by 10–20 minutes occasionally, especially in peak season. Always check your departure time in your account – notifications go to email and SMS.

All four trains stop at Kutaisi International Airport, which is a clean way to connect from low-cost airline arrivals straight to Batumi or Tbilisi.

Five hours on a hard seat with no power outlet is not a great way to start a holiday. The class differences here are real, not cosmetic.

According to traveller feedback, 1st class is the sweet spot: the 40 GEL (≈ $14) premium over 2nd class buys you a power outlet and enough space to comfortably work on a laptop. Business is worth it only if you're travelling as a group of 3–4 and want a quasi-private compartment – the comfort jump from 1st class is small.

Georgia doesn't have one single state-run booking site. Several official platforms all plug into the same Georgian Railway reservation system and sell the same seats at identical prices.

Option 1. Carrier's own site (railway.ge). The most direct route, but the interface lags occasionally and isn't fully mobile-friendly. Email registration, payment via international Visa/Mastercard, ticket arrives as PDF.

Option 2. TKT.ge or TRE.ge. These are accredited Georgian platforms with proper mobile apps and English support. Same price, no markup. The bonus is having all your bookings (trains, buses, even cinema tickets) in one account.

Option 3. Omio. International aggregator with 30+ language interface. Adds about $1–2 service fee but gives you cleaner search, a clear seat map and chat support. Works well if you're combining train + bus or planning a multi-leg route.

Booking opens 30 days before departure. 1st class and business sell out fastest – particularly June through September and around New Year. For August travel, book at least 5–7 days ahead.

Georgian Railway's refund policy is strict but transparent. The closer to departure, the less you get back.

Refunds are processed in the account where you booked, or via the link in your email confirmation. Money returns to the card within 5–10 business days. If you miss the train – the ticket is dead, you can't swap it for a later service.

Take the morning train to Batumi. You're at the seaside by 13:12, with time to check in, swim and have dinner on the boulevard. The evening service arrives at 22:09 – everything's still open, but the day itself is gone.

Kutaisi Airport is a budget hack. If you're flying in on a low-cost carrier, the train stops right next to the terminal: 1h 22m to Batumi, around 3h 7m to Tbilisi. Cheaper than any transfer service.

Ureki and Kobuleti stops. If you're heading not to Batumi itself but to the "magnetic sands" of Ureki or to Kobuleti – buy a ticket there directly, don't go all the way to Batumi. Same price, no need to backtrack via marshrutka.

Connectivity en route. Stadler trains have Wi-Fi, but at 256–512 kbps – fine for messaging, useless for video. Local guides recommend bringing your own data: an Airalo eSIM for Georgia starts around $5, and a Yesim 7-day unlimited plan is around $28.8. Activates in 5 minutes – install before your flight and you're online on landing.

Train isn't the only option. Different needs, different choices.

For groups or anyone planning to explore beyond the two cities, a rental from Localrent starts at $27/day. For door-to-door simplicity, KiwiTaxi or Welcome Pickups offer fixed-price transfers with a meet-and-greet.

Full breakdown in our Tbilisi to Batumi guide.

If you're stopping rather than transiting, both cities have well-rated walking experiences. In Tbilisi, the most popular format is a half-day walking tour combining the old town with a cable car ride – Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Car runs daily from $19 per person.

For travellers wanting to combine the train trip with Georgian wine country, the Kakheti Wine Region day trip with 10 tastings from $13.6 is the cheapest properly-rated option – Sighnaghi, Bodbe Monastery and several family wineries in one day.

Prices are identical online and at the station counter – no markups. You can pay by any international Visa/Mastercard or with cash GEL at the counter. Late April 2026 rates: $1 ≈ 2.7 GEL, €1 ≈ 2.9 GEL.

Tbilisi Central station sits at the "Sadguris Moedani" metro stop. From the airport: 30–40 minutes by taxi via Bolt (15–20 GEL) or about 1 hour on bus 37 (1 GEL). Batumi-Central station is on the city outskirts, 15 minutes by taxi to the centre (10–15 GEL). Don't plan to walk – it's far from the seafront.

Travel medical insurance has been mandatory for foreign visitors to Georgia since 1 January 2026. It's not always checked at the border, but if you need medical care without a policy, the fine starts at 100 GEL. A 7-day basic plan from Ekta runs around $5–8. More detail in our Georgia travel insurance guide.

If this is your first trip, the first-time Georgia guide covers etiquette, ATMs and what not to negotiate.

How cheap is the cheapest Tbilisi–Batumi train ticket?

From 35 GEL (≈ $13) in 2nd class. Unlike flights, the price doesn't surge near departure – an hour before the train (if seats are still available) costs the same as a month out.

Can I buy a ticket the same day?

Yes, if seats remain. In winter and shoulder season – no issue. June through September and around New Year, 1st class and business sell out 3–7 days ahead. Both Tbilisi and Batumi stations have ticket counters that accept cash GEL.

Are international cards accepted online?

Major international Visa/Mastercard cards work fine on all platforms – ge.ge, tre.ge and Omio. Check visa and payment requirements specific to your nationality before booking.

What if I miss the train?

The ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. You can buy a new one at the station counter if seats remain, but in high season the morning train is often fully sold. Backup: a marshrutka from Tbilisi's Didube bus station or Batumi bus terminal – 6–7 hours, 25–30 GEL.

Is luggage charged separately and is there storage at the stations?

Stadler trains have overhead racks above the seats and dedicated luggage zones near the carriage doors. Free up to 36 kg in 1st class, 24 kg in 2nd – rarely enforced. Both Tbilisi and Batumi stations have paid luggage lockers (5–10 GEL per piece per day) – useful if you arrive with a suitcase and want to walk around before your return train.

The Tbilisi to Batumi train is the most reasonable comfort-to-price option for moving across Georgia. Stadler KISS matches European trains in equipment, online booking takes 5 minutes, and 1st class costs about the same as a low-cost flight – but without baggage limits or check-in queues. The rule: in high season, book the morning train at least a week ahead; in low season, walk up the day before and take 2nd class without a second thought.

• How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi: all options
• How to Get to Georgia – All Travel Options
• Car Rental in Georgia – Complete Guide
• Mobile Internet in Georgia – How to Choose a SIM Card
• Travel Insurance for Georgia

• Georgian Railway – official carrier schedule
• TKT.ge – official ticket sales platform
• TRE.ge – official Georgian Railway platform
• Georailway.com – detailed route information for trains 802/801/803/804