How to get from Batumi to Tbilisi. Batumi Bus Station How to get from Tbilisi to Kvariati

The route depends on the "passing" goals you are pursuing - whether you are interested in the speed of overcoming the path, or is it more important to fill your "backpack" of memories with new impressions, admire the picturesque views.

It is worth considering that a traveler who went on this trip between mid-July and the end of September should be aware that this is the hottest season for tourists, so it would be prudent to decide on tickets and the route in advance.

A distance of 368 kilometers is no joke, it's almost 7 hours if you choose the overland travel option.

By train

Very comfortably equipped trains are ready to rush you three times a day with all the amenities.

In carriages divided into two classes, there are two levels of amenities that differ from each other in price - 15$ (26 lari or ~729 rubles), $11 (19 lari or ~532 rubles).

The practical difference is small - the more expensive version has softer seats and more space in the aisles.

Well, nice bonuses of this type of transport, given the heat:

• Air conditioners in every compartment;
• The presence of sockets;
• Vending machines with drinks and food between cars;
• If you're lucky, maybe a TV.

You can buy tickets online in advance, on the official website of the Georgian Railway or in Tbilisi using Paybox - devices that look like terminals.

Schedule:

• Morning express train: departure time 8:45, arrival at 14:00
• Evening train: 18:15, arrival at 23:30
• Night: 22:45, arrival at 6:40

Important! The point of arrival in Batumi is the Mikhanjauri railway station.

By bus (minibus)

A budget option for students who want to save money or extreme sports.

Per 12-20$ on serpentines, 14 passengers in the heat will test the body for endurance.

It is difficult to determine whether the next argument is in favor of choosing a minibus, or vice versa, but with animals it is possible.

Minibuses depart from the Dedakalaki and Didube stations, the fare is paid on the spot.

By minibus

The longest time option is for those who like to admire the landscapes and beauties of the beauty - Georgia.

The journey takes approximately 8 hours, including stops for rest and sightseeing.

There will be 15-20 passengers in a minibus. From the bus station "Didube" departure every hour.

Get travel medical insurance

By car

A trip by car will significantly reduce the travel time to 5 hours.

From the visible pluses - independent control of the trip, stop by Gori - see the birthplace of Stalin, or to the ancient city in the rocks, visit the caves of Sataplia, surrounded by the Colchis forest, keeping traces of dinosaurs - choose for yourself.

For a driver who is not accustomed to winding roads, sharp turns in the road can cause inconvenience, and cows crossing in herds will not even think of stopping, letting you through, but this can hardly be called a hindrance, especially since a car can be rented for just 50 – 100$ .

The cars-canner or orangepoint company will be happy to provide you with their services, providing you with child seats or extra luggage space if necessary, it is better to order a car on the website, specifying all the nuances there.

By taxi

The transfer cost will be 100-130$ , a great option for traveling company.

Taxi number - 511 (+995 32) 78 78 78 in Tbilisi.

Detour road through Lake Paravani and the city of Akhaltsikhe.

Not all places marked with a red tick on the tourist map can be covered on this trip, the goal is to get there in one day.

A convincing instruction is to leave Tbilisi no later than 8 o'clock in the morning.

After climbing the serpentine road, we will arrive in the village of Tskneti, where the Orthodox Church of St. George is located, which bears the title of an object of cultural heritage.

The next point is Manglisi, where there is a temple built in the 6-7th century, worth a visit, the most beautiful building.

Behind shoulders 60 km of a way, about one and a half hours.

Having passed the same amount of time past the artificial reservoir, the city of Tsalka, we will overtake the largest lake in Georgia, Paravani, and further Sagamo.

Paravani is fraught with history - an object of 900 square meters in size was found in it, carefully studied by scientists, explored by divers, and later, turned out to be the remains of the culture of ancient times.

The lakes are surrounded by small settlements, in which there are also temples worthy of attention.

Passing by the city of Ninotsminda, where the Abuli and Shaori fortresses are located, having enjoyed the desert views and the atmosphere of the highlands, we reach the middle of the road - the city of Akhaltsikhe.

Rabati Fortress - you can not miss the main pride of the huge city, the hands of Turkish masters have worked hard on the chic balconies of the buildings adjacent to it. From there, a panorama of the city opens, less than an hour to spend here is simply not really indescribable beauty.

There are, of course, many churches in the city, but in this case, most likely, you will have to stay overnight, otherwise you will be able to arrive in Batumi late at night.

There is no need to worry about hotels, here many guest houses will open their doors to you. Deciding to go without delay, by the evening you can be on the spot.

By plane

The fastest and most comfortable way to get from any point was and remains the plane.

You can easily check in for your flight online.

Flights from Tbilisi are operated by Airzena, you will spend 45 wonderful minutes in flight.

The cost of an airplane flight will be about 4.000-6.000 rubles , depending on the day of purchase, tickets issued in a month will be much cheaper. From the airport to the railway station can be reached by bus 37.

Upon arrival in Batumi, you can get to the city center (12 km.) by minibus, you will see them near the arrivals hall, you should use a trusted taxi service, private traders, of course, will entertain with conversations, but the possibility of overpayment is included. +995558784545.

Hospitable Georgia, having freed itself from adversity, finally began to busily and briskly equip the resort area - Batumi!

Restaurants on the embankments, renovated hotels, a botanical garden with a hundred-year history are waiting for their guests.

There are travel centers in Georgia that provide any information about transport, stopping points, free maps of the area are issued.

Employees speak Russian and English. There you can call, come, or write an e-mail.

Contact details in Tbilisi:

• Address: Rustaveli Avenue 3
• Telephone: (+995 32) 2 93 12 60
• Email: [email protected]
• Opening hours: daily 10:00-18:00 (summer 10:00-19:00)

Cheap flights online

The article was prepared by Christina Endless.

Many tourists arrive at Tbilisi airport in order to continue their journey across Georgia towards the Black Sea and the most developed resort in the country today - Batumi. In this article, we will talk about how it is more convenient to do this and how much it will cost.

Tbilisi and Batumi are connected by railway and expressway. If you wish, you can also fly by plane, but there is not a very convenient schedule and in terms of price it is not the most profitable option in terms of time and price.

From Tbilisi to Batumi you can get:

High-speed train

A high-speed double-decker train with Wi-Fi (poorly working) is the best option in terms of price and time. In high season it is better to buy train tickets in advance at the box office of the station or on the Internet. There are docked cars on the night train.

The train ride is much more comfortable than the bus counterpart, especially if you are traveling with children or are tall. The claimed wi-fi works, but with serious interruptions, as it depends on the network signal. And mobile communication tends to disappear all the way. However, two pre-downloaded films solve all problems.

• Distance - 343 km.
• Travel time is just over 5 hours.
• Cost - from 450 rubles (from 18 GEL)

Shuttle Buses

• Distance - 374 km.
• The cost is 25-30 GEL.
• Travel time - 6-7 hours

Buses between Batumi and Tbilisi run up to six times a day. But usually those who did not have time to buy tickets for the high-speed train go by bus. On the way, you will have a little more time and largely due to traffic jams at the entrance to Batumi.

Minibuses and transfers

• The cost is 30 GEL.
• Travel time - 6-7 hours

A trip by minibus will reduce travel time and will be cheaper, but you will have to sacrifice comfort for this. It is likely that you will not even be able to fit your legs between the seats) and put up with the outright recklessness of local drivers.

For those who put comfort above finances, it is worth considering an individual transfer. It is convenient and advantageous when you are traveling with a family or a group of friends. Most of the drivers along the way will be happy to tell you a lot of interesting things about the country and its customs.

We fly by plane

• Travel time 45 minutes
• Price from 2820 rubles

The plane from Tbilisi to Batumi flies on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This option is good only for those who arrive by air and want to immediately fly to the Black Sea resort without stopping by the capital. In other cases, there is no particular point in traveling by plane, since a transfer to the airport (25 GEL) and 1.5-2 hours to go through passport and customs control must be added to the flight time, there is practically no benefit.

The plan of visiting the Transcaucasian republics was hatched for a long time, the rich history of this region beckoned. After reading the reviews on the drome of travel in the Caucasus, they made a decision, because. if we cross the Caucasus Range, then visit three capitals at once and, without exchanging over trifles, relax for a week at sea. There was another incidental task, but it will be discussed below.

Our journey began on 08/25/17, we left Irkutsk at 5 o'clock in the morning, it was raining heavily throughout the day. During the day on the road there was the only stop for lunch at the cafe "At Peter's", we tasted delicious cheesecakes and pancakes with homemade cottage cheese and sour cream, well, we also had a bite of meat. Delicious food and fast service are our recommendations. We spent the first night in a car in a forest near Mariinsk. We prepared for spending the night in the car in advance in Irkutsk before leaving: we folded the rear seats (one of the pluses of Mazda is that the seats fold out into a flat area), spread mattresses with bed linen. All the basic things were loaded into the trunk on top of the car, the cabin was all just the bare necessities. On the first day, 1423 km were covered.

In the first part of our journey, we drove from St. Petersburg to Tbilisi. And the next day, on the seventeenth of June, we went to Baku for Formula 1.

This is my first car, trip and story about it. Initially, we considered the city of Aktau Kazakhstan for recreation, we liked everything, both the city and the Caspian Sea, but at the very last moment we changed our minds, there was a doubt on the road between Kulsary and Aktau. I wanted to go to the sea. There was only one option - the Black Sea. The shores closest to us are the Krasnodar Territory, Abkhazia and Georgia. It's expensive in Russia, Abkhazia is a living creature of the USSR ... We liked Georgia in Batumi according to the stories in the autodrome and the reviews of vacationers, it was decided - we were going to sunny Georgia or, as the Georgians themselves call it, Georgia. They made foreign passports for the children, our wife had passports after visiting the UAE, prepared a 2004 Mitsubishi Colt Plus car for the trip, packed our things, exchanged rubles for dollars (it was more profitable) and left on 06/30/2015 with 4 people.

Visited cities: Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Sighnaghi, Telavi, Gori, Udabno, Akhaltsikhe, Vardzia, Batumi, Kobuleti, Zugdidi, Kutaisi. This trip to Georgia took place on June 12-27, 2015. The crew: me, my wife and Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDI, 197 hp, 6 automatic transmissions, 2011 onwards.

Why Georgia, you ask? I will answer this way - I heard and read a lot of good reviews about this wonderful mountainous country, about its hospitable and hospitable people, about endless sights and monuments. In addition, Georgia is the birthplace of WINE, because about 150 varieties of grapes grow here, from which countless different wines are made. Probably, each of us at least once in his life heard such names as Khvanchkara, Kindzmarauli, Mukuzani, Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Alazani Valley, Tsinandali ... It seems that this list can be continued endlessly. In addition, having touched a little bit of the local color in Abkhazia in 2014, I wanted to visit neighboring Georgia, especially since my family and our friends were not against making this trip.

Over the past six years, summer holidays have been spent in the Crimea. They covered him all over. And every year they discover new places. But after the recent events in Ukraine, we decided to take a break and go to Bulgaria. Why Bulgaria? - I wanted an inexpensive option, because four of us and be sure to the sea, because the children. We booked the Gradina Hotel in Golden Sands. Family room with breakfast for four for 12 days cost 15,000 rubles. Traveling through Ukraine was not an option and at first they got confused with the Schengen. But after the refusal (bastards), they began to develop a route through Georgia and Turkey. There were many disputes and damaged nerves, but everything worked out.

Most travelers love Batumi. Still: a lot of sun, sea, turquoise waves and delicious food. But this city seemed to me too noisy, too oriental and somehow not very Georgian. However, the more interesting it is to come here and form your own opinion. The country's largest seaport, blooming in summer and dying down in winter, a many-kilometer seaside boulevard, a luxurious concert hall and a chacha fountain - all this is modern Batumi. One can argue about love for him for a long time, but one cannot but admit: the handsome Batumi deserves at least a brief meeting while traveling in Georgia.

How to get there

To get to Batumi, you can use almost all types of transport. The city is located on the Black Sea coast, which makes it accessible to ships and ferries. Batumi has an international airport, a new glass railway station and a bustling bus station. Choose the type of transportation that is closer and more convenient for you, and see you in Batumi!

By plane

The easiest way, of course, is to fly to Batumi from the largest cities in Russia.

From Moscow

The easiest way to get to Batumi is from the capital: Ural Airlines and S7 operate direct flights. Round-trip ticket prices during the summer season start at 250 USD/15,000 RUB (assuming you buy it four months before your trip). If you want to save 50 USD, you can fly with a transfer in Minsk (Belavia fly there).

From Saint-Petersburg

From here, getting to Batumi is cheaper (from 220 USD / 13,000 RUB), but longer: there are no direct flights from St. Petersburg to Batumi yet, and you will have to fly through the same one. There are both short connections (one and a half to two hours), and excellent options with a 17-hour daytime transfer, during which you can also take a walk around the capital of Belarus. So for those who want to kill two birds with one stone, flying through Batumi can be the beginning of a great adventure. In case, after visiting Georgia, you want to continue traveling further south, there are direct flights from Batumi to (one-way flight costs about 130 USD / 8,000 RUB).

Tickets can be searched on well-known search engine sites or.

Batumi airport(also known as Chorokh) is located just a few kilometers from the city center. You can get there by bus number 10 (the stop is located right in front of the exit from the terminal building) in 20 minutes. The cost of travel - 0.25 USD/0.4 GEL. A trip to Batumi airport by taxi will cost about 8 USD / 15 GEL.

By train

There is no way to get from Russia to Batumi by train now. It used to be that he knocked along the Black Sea coast, passing through Abkhazia, Georgia. Now the only option to get to Batumi is by train - it is first to be in Georgia. A train from Tbilisi, for example, travels 6–8 hours (there are both daytime and nighttime), a ticket costs from 8 USD / 15 GEL. Georgian trains are quite comfortable (they are constantly being improved), the carriages have air conditioning (if you go in the summer, you will be grateful) and Wi-Fi, which is always needed. There is a train - Batumi with a morning departure at 9 o'clock. Such a trip will take 2.5 hours, you will have to spend no more than 5 USD / 10 GEL.

Trains arrive at Batumi Central Station (modern, but somehow stupid: it was difficult for me to navigate in it). It is located at the very beginning of the city. Many forums still have information about the Makhinjauri station, where trains allegedly arrive. Do not believe it, friends: the station in Batumi was opened several years ago, and you do not need any Makhinjauri (this is a station in front of Batumi). If you are light, then the city center from the station can even be reached on foot - go no more than 4 kilometers. You can take a taxi or jump into a minibus (they run regularly, the price of the trip is 0.4 USD / 0.5 GEL).

By bus

You can use the most popular mode of transport in Georgia and go to Batumi by minibus. Traveling from Tbilisi (from the Didube bus station next to the metro station of the same name) will take at least 6 hours and will cost 9 USD/25 GEL. Not the most comfortable way to travel, because in summer it will be hot, in winter - too foggy for nice views, and it will be crowded anyway (especially if passengers have a lot of things). Minibuses leave every hour, starting in the morning. Generally - ok, you can go. You will see half of Georgia, chat with fellow travelers, and just relax. If possible, sit next to the driver - there is a better view and less motion sickness.

By car

From Moscow

It will take you approximately 28 hours to get to Batumi from Moscow. The 2,200 km long route will run through the south of Russia and almost all of Georgia. It is best to stay overnight in the city of Vladikavkaz to start the morning already in Georgia (Vladikavkaz is located just 30 km from the Georgian border). There will be toll sections of the road on your route, for example, on the M-4 (Don) highway. Be sure to calculate in advance how much it will cost you to travel from Moscow to Batumi.

From Saint-Petersburg

If you are traveling to Batumi from our northern capital, add another 10 hours and 700 kilometers. In this case, it is best to stop for the night in Rostov-on-Don. And, perhaps, later also in Tbilisi: after the Georgian Military Road (it starts from the Georgian border and lasts almost to the very end), a person who is not used to driving along serpentines may need additional rest.

From Tbilisi

If you are already traveling around Georgia by car, then it would be logical to get to Batumi along the road marked on the map (in principle, this is the only normal road to Batumi from the main part of the country). The roads of Georgia are generally of good quality, all signs are duplicated in Latin, the police do not stop unnecessarily, there will be gas stations on the route - Batumi. The only threat may be the driving style of local drivers. Remember the "Rule of Three Ds" and give way to those in a hurry. The path of almost 400 kilometers can be overcome in 6 hours. If time permits, stop along the way in small towns and villages. For example, near the town of Zestaponi, you can turn right and get to the Katskhi pillar.

Important: it is impossible to travel from Russia to Georgia through Abkhazia. And you can't get through either. No way. In Georgia, this is seriously punished, up to and including imprisonment. Please do not try to negotiate with the border guards and try your luck. You will have to go through the Upper Lars checkpoint (I talked about it in Georgia).

By ferry

Ferry "Kometa" is perhaps the most original way to get to Batumi. This is where his merits end. The ship starts every Tuesday and Friday from the city (only during the warm season: from April to November).

In a favorable scenario, the journey takes 6 hours, but it is impossible to predict the behavior of the sea, and sometimes people swim for 12. If you don’t rush anywhere - you can hit the road. Such a trip is worth, however, a lot: a one-way trip will cost 115 USD / 7,000 RUB. It is important to remember that ferry schedules are subject to weather conditions.

Clue:

Batumi - time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 1

Kazan - 1

Samara 0

Yekaterinburg 1

Novosibirsk 3

Vladivostok 6

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Adjara, whose capital is Batumi, has a rather humid Mediterranean climate with elements of subtropical. Therefore, rains in Batumi are in the order of things, regardless of the season. Only in summer it will be stuffy, and in winter it will be piercingly cold. As one resident of the city of Poti told me, the best climate on the Black Sea is in Abkhazia. And he mercilessly scolded the climate of Batumi, saying that you couldn’t imagine worse. Therefore, it is best, as it should be for real professional travelers, to come to the place and check everything on your own.

Batumi in summer

Batumi is a resort in its purest form, so in summer it will be hot and, moreover, crowded. The daytime temperature often exceeds 35 degrees, at night it does not fall below +25 degrees, so it is hard in Batumi in the summer without air conditioning. Tropical rains are not uncommon, which can ruin your vacation if you live in a tent on the seashore, for example. But the water during this period is really warm (+25 degrees), especially since July.

Batumi in autumn

Autumn - the most diverse time of the year in Batumi. In September and sometimes even in the first half of October it is very warm: the velvet season. The air temperature is kept at around +25°C, the water is still heated after a hot summer, but the evenings are already pleasantly cool. Everything can change in November, when the rains begin. On such days (and Batumi rain can go for a day or two without stopping), you need to find normal shoes, a raincoat and an umbrella, and go to some khinkali to wash down your melancholy with wine. However, even in such weather there is something to do in Batumi. I will talk about this below.

Batumi in spring

Spring - unstable time in Batumi: March is considered the rainiest month, and May - it's almost summer. The water temperature reaches its lowest levels in March, so swimming in the Black Sea in May is unlikely to succeed.

Pleasant weather begins in April: during the day the air warms up to +25 degrees, so spring is great for walking around the city: it’s not hot yet, the sea is cool, so you can throw all your strength into exploring the area. In addition, the flowering period begins, which is best met in the Batumi Botanical Garden, I will definitely talk about it below.

Batumi in winter

In winter, it is good in Batumi, if only because there is almost no snow here: for the whole year there can be a maximum of two snowy weeks, during which, you know, the temperature does not drop much below zero.

But if it starts to rain in winter, it will not seem to anyone: the high humidity in these places creates a feeling of wild frost, so taking a down jacket and a hat with you in winter Batumi will be a great solution. During the day, the air warms up to +5-10 degrees (and on sunny days up to +18), there are frosts at night, but usually there is a slight plus. The weather in Batumi is too unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for all its surprises.

Batumi - monthly weather

Clue:

Batumi - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Batumi is a geometrically correct city. The center is very small. The outskirts are of little interest, especially if you came here for a short time. The main landmark is the boulevard, around which all life is somehow concentrated. Another hotbed of life is the bus station on Tbilisi Square (relevant for those who plan to make trips to the suburbs). I will talk about three central areas where you can stay for both party-goers and families with children.

Old Batumi

This area - the luscious core of the ancient city, where old buildings, cobbled streets, churches, shops, cafes and banks are concentrated. From here, it is within easy reach to the coastline, and if you rent a room with a sea-view, you will enjoy the sun falling into the sea every evening.

There are many inexpensive guesthouses and hostels (for example, a place in the common room of the Batumi Surf Hostel in summer will cost 10 USD / 20 GEL) and good four-star hotels (the price of a 2-bed room in The Admiral Hotel in the summer season - 100 USD/200 GEL). You can book on, but you can check if there are better prices somewhere

Rustaveli Avenue

The most noisy and cheerful street of Batumi. Luxury hotels and casinos, beach bars and discos - it's all here. The avenue is suitable for those who came to Batumi not to sleep. There are several hotels of the Radisson level here (a 2-bed room in it costs 100 USD / 200 GEL in March, but there are no more free rooms for August). A room in a small guesthouse in this area costs from 10 USD/20 GEL in March.

District of Sheriff Khimshiashvili Street

Where Rustaveli Avenue ends, Sheriff Khimshiashvili Street begins (he was the ruler of Adjara during the Ottoman rule). The sea is also close here, parties are left a little on the sidelines, but you will most likely have to live in tall new buildings: this area is distinguished by new buildings. However, someone will like it: modern 20-storey buildings, a lot of light and glass, balconies overlooking the sea. For example, it was because of the balcony and the view from the 16th floor that I rented Apartment Dumbadze during my first visit to Batumi. In the summer season, this apartment cost 50 USD/100 GEL per person per day and, probably, it was my most expensive accommodation in Georgia. If you want to feel the local flavor, then it makes sense to rent an apartment from the locals, you can find the option that suits you. There is a 24-hour supermarket on Kobaladze Street, and nearby - the most unusual McDonald's in Georgia.

What are the prices for holidays

Prices in Batumi, as in any resort town, whose residents are trying to earn money for winter life in the summer, vary depending on the season. The most expensive, of course, will be in the summer, when thousands of tourists come to the city. In winter, Batumi becomes empty, and you can negotiate with the driver or hostess of the guest house about a more favorable rate for yourself. But in the summer, be prepared to pay in full. For example, a double room in a guesthouse in the center of Batumi, which costs 8 USD/15 GEL in the winter season, will cost twice as much in the summer. There are also five-star hotels in Batumi (for example, Sheraton), prices per night in which start from 250 USD / 670 GEL in summer.

For the same price, you can rent a house with four bedrooms, a kitchen and air conditioning and move in there with the whole family. A full lunch or dinner for two in a decent khinkal will cost 15 USD/30 GEL. A taxi ride around the city costs 2 USD / 5 GEL, and somewhere on the outskirts (to the Botanical Garden or Gonio Fortress, for example) - up to 8 USD/15 GEL one way.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Lari, GEL

Main attractions. What to watch

And even though settlements on the site of present-day Batumi arose back in the 4th century BC and Aristotle mentioned Batumi, for me this city is the most modern and youngest in all of Georgia. Probably, the reason for this was a large-scale renovation carried out during the reign of Saakashvili. Then Batumi was restored, and it looked like the scenery for a historical film. At the same time, in the early 2000s, strange futuristic sculptures and monuments were built, which appeal to many tourists. And what to see in Batumi for travelers?

Top 5

In new cities, I like to wander the streets, look into courtyards, trying to spy on the life and life of ordinary people, and also ride a cable car, if the city has such wealth. Batumi, fortunately, has it.

• Famous Batumi boulevard, from which there is no escape: still, as many as 7 kilometers, paved with tiles, decorated with bright illumination and chosen by tourists. However, besides this boulevard, there is nowhere to walk in Batumi. And it’s much more pleasant to wander along the sea, going into coastal cafes (in some tables stand right on the sand) and admiring the evening city, immersed in lights. In the evenings, there are street shows and performances, and in the mornings the boulevard turns into the best place for jogging and cycling;

• As for me, cable car "Argo"- one of the best entertainment in Batumi. The longest in Europe (2600 meters), it passes over the city and ends its journey on Mount Feriya (translated from Georgian means "fairy") at an altitude of 260 meters. In ten minutes of the trip (that's how long it takes to get to the very top), you will see the whole of Batumi and remember the view of the steel Black Sea with ships for a long time. The lower station is located on the embankment near the information center (at the end of Chavchavadze street). In summer, upstairs, on the observation deck, concerts of Georgian performers are held until midnight. At any time there is a small cafe where you can have a cup of coffee before the return descent, and a souvenir shop. The road is open from 10 am to 1 am, the price of a round trip ticket is 5 USD/10 GEL. The only negative is that in the season you often have to stand in a 15-minute queue to get up or down.

• Sea port(St. Gogebashvili, 3) has some otherworldly charm. I am not a fan of Batumi, for me it is too noisy and catchy, but I like the port with the Soviet building of the Sea Station, which keeps the atmosphere of the last century. Firstly, the color of the building: what else can a seaport be like, if not pale lilac? Secondly, the size: small and therefore defenseless, it is completely lost against the background of modern Batumi monsters. For example, I like most of all to sit on concrete slabs on the seashore near the station, admire the port, seagulls and distant mountains, and if there is a mood, then chat with the fishermen.

• Church of the Holy Christ the Savior(St. K. Gamsakhurdia, 25) - a typical Armenian temple built in the late 19th century. The fact is that in those days Batumi was a very Armenian city. In the Soviet years, the church managed to visit the observatory. Inside - solid minimalism and simplicity. The most beautiful thing in this place is the magnolia in the yard, which was planted by the artist Ivan Aivazovsky (did you know that his real name was Ayvazyan?).

• Batumi Art Center, or Opera Batumi(St. O. Dimitriadi, built under Saakashvili, it has become another glass remake of the city. But I like it: spacious, in some kind of Moorish style, it immediately evokes thoughts of eastern palaces, besides, it is located on the very shore of the Black Sea. Inside - quite a luxury in the form of several fountains. The equipment, apparently, is of high quality: during the performances there is excellent sound. I managed to attend a concert of the famous Sukhishvili ensemble (do not choose the first rows, they are too low). After the concert, you can along the embankment walk to the center - the walk will take about 50 minutes.

Beaches. Which is better

I would not recommend swimming in Batumi at all.

The beach in the city, in fact, is one: "Batumi beach". For some reason, it was named in the English manner, but still swimming at a distance of several tens of meters from the port is a dubious pleasure.

Moreover, Georgians from the central parts of the country think the same way and go abroad. On the beach in Batumi, I saw mostly large families of Turks, although, to be honest, on my first visit I also ran into the water, but at that moment it started to rain (talking about Batumi weather), and I had to leave. The next time I went to the beach in Sarpi. In general, if you still decide to swim in Batumi, at least climb as far as possible to the south of the city, away from the port.

If you have time to leave Batumi for a good beach, go to Cape Green It's close to the Botanical Garden. The name of the beach was due to the color of the water - it really has a greenish tint. You can get there by minibus number 31 (ticket price 0.25 USD / 0.6 GEL) from the Boni market (Mayakovsky st., 12).

Your stop is the final one. To the left of the entrance to the Botanical Garden you will see a path to the sea, go along it, and very soon you will find yourself on a small cozy beach. Nearby there are several cafes, the prices of which are comparable to those in Batumi.

I will talk about other beaches located in the suburbs of Batumi below.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Batumi was tormented, divided and torn apart: first by the ancient tribes, then by the Ottomans, then by the Russian Empire (which, however, saved it from the Turks). Finally, Adzharia, headed by Batumi, joined Georgia (albeit with the rights of an autonomous republic). Of course, all these ups and downs in the history of the city and the region could not but affect the architecture, national composition and character of the place.

• Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary(St. Chavchavadze, 25), from a distance resembling some kind of German castle. Initially (in 1903) the cathedral was built by Italian architects as a Catholic one, but over time it became Orthodox. Having survived in the Soviet years, the temple has been well preserved to this day, and even inspired director Tengiz Abuladze to create the film “Repentance” with its story. Now it is a beautiful neo-Gothic building with pleasant illumination at night;

• Synagogue Batumi(Vazha Pshavela street, 33). Many Jews have always lived in the city, and, of course, they wanted to have their own synagogue, which they achieved in 1904. In the Soviet years, various sports organizations were located on its territory, and in the 90s, it was finally restored. The place will be interesting for lovers of architecture: the design of the building was carried out by the well-known master Lev Volkovich in those days;

• Orta Ahmed Pasha Mosque(Kutaisskaya street, 33) - Batumi could not do without it. It is no secret that the city was in the power of the Ottomans for 500 years. Mosques, however, were built here wooden and very modest. On the facade of the only mosque that has survived to this day, there is a year of its construction: 1866. From the outside, they are unremarkable, and you can recognize the place of worship only by the towering minaret. Now the authorities of Georgia and Turkey are discussing the issue of building a new mosque, but so far nothing is clear.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Museums are not the strongest side of Batumi, although there are more of them here than in, for example. Let's see where you can spend rainy days or just be inspired by Adjarian culture and history.

• Museum of Fine Arts of Adjara(Gorgiladze str., 8) small, but cozy and somehow neat. Mostly works by modern Georgian artists are presented here (they clearly show the influence of the sea), although there are also such pearls as a painting by Niko Pirosmani and several paintings by Lado Gudiashvili. The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance ticket 1 USD/2 GEL.

• Nobel Brothers Museum of Technology(St. Leselidze, 3). Suddenly, right? Although why be surprised: it is thanks to the developments of the brothers that Nobel still remains a transit point for Azerbaijani oil. The museum was opened in 2007. It is located in the house where the Nobel family lived at the end of the 19th century. Among the exhibits are samples of refined oil in branded glass bottles, many old photographs (even the work of the famous Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky, the first master of color photography in the Russian Empire), as well as an exposition dedicated to Georgian tea culture. The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance ticket price - 1 USD/2 GEL.

parks

The humid tropical climate of Batumi is ideal for vegetation, so the capital of Adjara is very green and cozy. There are not many parks in the city itself, but all the surrounding mountains are covered with an evergreen cover, which looks especially beautiful if it suddenly snows in southern Batumi.

• Batumi Botanical Garden- the largest in the country and one of the best in the former Soviet Union. A nice place to spend the whole day surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, goldfish swimming in the ponds, and eternal Wi-Fi. Palm trees, oleanders, cypresses, magnolias, red Japanese camellias and other curiosities grow here. The garden is open from 8 am to 9 pm and is open seven days a week and holidays. An adult ticket costs 4 USD / 8 GEL lari, children under 10 years old are free. Those who wish to get to know the southern flora closer can pay for the services of a guide (14 USD / 30 GEL). There is only one entrance to the Botanical Garden, so expect to have to go back to the beginning. The garden is located 9 kilometers from the city center. To get to it, you will need minibus number 13. You can catch it on Chavchavadze Street or come to the final - Tbilisi Square.

• May 6 Park(the place is named after the day of St. George, whose memory is honored on May 6) is located in the very center of Batumi, you can easily find it (if anything - Rustaveli St., 51). Cozy, clean, nice park for walking both during the day and in the evening, with a lot of benches. In the middle of the park there is Lake Nurigeli, where you can take a boat trip. A rather original fountain is also installed here - a jet of water seems to raise a stone block above the ground. In the evenings, vacationers walk here and local couples hug.

• Another tourist place in Batumi - "Park of Wonders". From the park it has only a name, but in fact it is a large paved area on the seashore. There are bike and car rentals. Here you can appreciate the architectural scope of Saakashvili's times. For example, the “Alphabet Tower”: a strange building in the form of a DNA helix, decorated with ornate letters of the Georgian alphabet. Upstairs, in the dome, they promised to open a restaurant, but something went wrong, and you won’t be able to eat there. This miracle was built by Spaniard Alberto Domingo Cabo in 2012. Pay attention to the sculptures of Ali and Nino (perhaps you have already read the book of the same name by Kurban Said or even watched the film based on this sad story). The main disappointment for me was their size: in the photographs, the couple seems gigantic, while in reality it took me 10 minutes to stand near them to understand: yes, here they are!

Another really cool thing in Wonderland Park is the old Batumi Lighthouse built in 1862. Unfortunately, against the background of the Ferris wheel, Ali, Nino and other characters of the square, the lighthouse is completely lost: small, nondescript, and therefore very sad. In the evening, he throws a beam of red light towards the sea. The Chacha Tower (in Batumi it is called Chacha Tower) is also hiding here: according to the plan of the former president of Georgia, every day at a strictly defined hour, chacha was supposed to flow from the fountains near the tower. Perhaps it is for the best that the project was not realized. From afar, the tower looks very much like a mosque, don't confuse it.

tourist streets

In Batumi, I would single out a few main or simply pretty city streets. In general, the city is different in that almost all of its streets are built parallel to each other. This makes Batumi the most geometrically correct city in Georgia.

• Batumi boulevard, which lazily stretches along the sea line for long kilometers. Citizens and tourists love it for original sculptures and installations, dancing fountains and the opportunity to take long walks. A nice place where the sea will not leave you: all 7 kilometers of the boulevard stretch along the coast. And if nature gets bored - there is a good free Wi-Fi.

• Rustaveli Avenue, which in Tbilisi, for example, is the main artery of the city, and in Batumi it is just a large street. From the curious here you can see the building of the Drama Theater. I. Chavchavadze in the classical style and the square in front of him - there is a magnificent fountain on it. It was copied from the fountain on the Main Square in Bologna, Italy, with the only difference being that Neptune was decorated with gold in Batumi.

• King Pharnavaz Street a couple of kilometers long crosses Batumi from the seafront to new houses that do not represent historical value. It is curious to see the Greek Church of St. Nicholas, opposite it will be the same Piazza, which I deliberately do not write about: this is a Venetian-style square surrounded by plastered remodels, which for some reason was pushed into the center of Batumi. However, if you have not been to Italy, you can visit. I bypassed this place.

What to see in 1 day

If you came to Batumi for just one day, then most likely you will want to try fish, swim, and appreciate the architecture of the city. In that case, I offer you the following plan.

• 10:00 - regardless of how you arrived in Batumi (bus, train or ride), we will start with the fish market in order to immediately feel the atmosphere of the seaside city, especially since there is only one entrance road to Batumi, and you will definitely pass the market. If you are on a minibus or a ride - just tell the driver about your intention. If you arrived at the Batumi station, you need to go left along the sea for about 1 kilometer, and then - on the left side, a little in the depths, there will be a market. You will not see him: you will have to enter into a conversation with the locals again. At this rather early hour, you have the opportunity to choose the freshest fish in all of Batumi and have breakfast with it: they cut and cook it for no more than half an hour right at the bazaar.
• 11:00 - now, having refreshed yourself, go on foot to the city center. The road is not the most picturesque, but the proximity of the sea and white-bellied seagulls overhead brighten up the port views.
• 12:00 - you came to the city and immediately stumbled upon the lower station of the cable car on the street. Gogebashvili. Jump into the cabin and go upstairs. Yes, it’s more beautiful in the evening, and you can return if you have time, but in the morning, believe me, it’s also very cool to look at the city waking up.
• 12:40 - inspired by the panorama of Batumi, you went down and go further along the street. Gogebashvili. On the right will be the port and the building of the sea station, and soon you will find yourself on Batumi Boulevard. Here you will see the lion's share of the places I have described. If luxury hotels do not please you, you can go down to the beach and walk along the pebbles until you have the strength. By the way, at this stage you can rent a bike. In this case, you can ride to the very end of the boulevard, and if you still walk, then walk a couple of kilometers and turn left into the city.
• 14:00 - You must go to the Park on May 6th. There you can relax and eat ice cream. After that, go to the very inside of the historical center.

• 15:30 - an hour and a half is enough for you to get tired. Now, if the weather permits, you can either go to the city beach or drive to Sarpi (I'll tell you how to get there below). Three hours is enough for this little trip.
• 19:00 - in the evening you can return to Batumi Boulevard: by this time it will shine with new colors. You can sit in one of the bars on the beach, or find a place to your liking in the Old Town and continue walking around Batumi. It already depends on your further route.

What to see in the surroundings

Makhuntseti (29 km from Batumi)

The Makhuntseti waterfall along with the bridge of Queen Tamara are Adjarian must-sees, especially in summer. Makhuntseti is a mass of the purest water falling from a height of 20 meters (that's about 9 floors). The water has carved a stone bowl into the rock, which is so cool to take a bath in (so come early in the morning). The bridge of Queen Tamara, 20 meters long, is a beautiful curved arch over the river. It was built in the 11th century from stones and lime mortar.

From the outside, it seems unreliable, but you still have to cross to the other side: there, in a cafe, they offer freshly caught grilled fish. And in general, the name of Tamara should be treated with respect. The Georgian who does not love Queen Tamara is bad: during her reign in the 12th century, the country reached its greatest prosperity. To get to Makhuntseti, you need to find minibus No. 77 at the Batumi bus station to the village of Keda (one-way trip price - 0.8 USD / 1.5 GEL). Warn the driver in advance that you are going to see Makhuntseti, and he will stop at the right place. Travel time is about 40 minutes.

Sarpi (18 km)

The cleanest beach of Adjara, Sarpi, is located just half an hour from Batumi. The water here is so clear that at a depth of 2-3 meters the bottom is perfectly visible. Nearby are rocks from which the most daring dive into the sea. There are several cafes, showers, rental of sun loungers and umbrellas. Good place to spend the whole day away from the city. However, you should not stay here overnight: the beach is located under the road linking Georgia with Turkey, just 500 meters from the Turkish border, so there are always a lot of trucks and cars here. If you take your passport with you, you can wave to Turkey: the beaches are better there, and the border can be crossed on foot. Getting from Batumi to Sarpi is as easy as shelling pears: bus number 16 will suit you at a price of USD / 1.6 GEL in both directions, a minibus for the same price, or a taxi for 10 USD / 20 GEL. Look for a minibus with a “Sarpi” sign on the windshield on Tbilisi Square, this is in the center of Batumi at the intersection of Chavchavadze and Tsereteli streets.

Ureki (52 km)

Everyone knows that the Georgian Black Sea coast is pebbly. But there are wonderful exceptions: for example, the beaches in the town of Ureki (emphasis on the second syllable) fifty kilometers from Batumi. The local coast is famous for its pitch-black magnetic sands. What does "magnetic" mean? This means that you will wash your feet from it for a very long time, and also that even in a couple of days here you will become healthier and stronger: Ureki is a balneological resort, and magnetotherapy is common here. The first line of the beach is occupied by romantically abandoned buildings of Soviet sanatoriums, hotels and cafes. Then there are alleys of pines and eucalyptus (breathe deeply!). You can get from Batumi by any minibus that goes to Tbilisi, Zugdidi. The cost of the trip is approximately 2 USD/5 GEL.

Mtirala (28 km)

Mtirala National Park is located near the village of Chakvi at an altitude of 1,390 meters above sea level. "Mtirala" in Georgian means "crying", and this is no accident: this place is considered one of the wettest in the region. The park, full of Red Book plants (Pontic oak, Colchis boxwood, jonjoli), is considered one of the most important nature reserves in Europe. Here is a colossal supply of fresh water for Georgia, a village with 200-year-old houses, and also a Colchis forest (read the legend about the Argonauts). It is best to get from Batumi by car: first along the seashore to the village of Chakvi, then follow the sign to the right, to the village of Chakvistavi. Take a look at it: curious architectural buildings like water mills have been preserved there.

Food. What to try

To visit Batumi and not try Adjarian khachapuri is a crime against Georgia and yourself. Be sure to find a cozy place and order this khachapuri with soft plump sides and a bright yellow heart, like the Adjarian sun itself. Checked: the dish equally well replaces breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Batumi is full of both inexpensive cafes and luxurious restaurants. Almost everywhere the food is decent, and often lunch in a cheap eatery turns out to be many times tastier than food from an expensive establishment. But cool restaurants, as a rule, have a beautiful view of the sea and the surrounding area, because they are located on the top floors of high-rise hotels in Batumi.

Vegetables and herbs are sold on every corner in the summer, so if you live in apartments, then you can easily buy everything you need near the house. There are also large chain supermarkets in Batumi: for example, the giant Goodwill (Chavchavadze St., 5 or Gorgiladze St., 88)

Cafe "Laguna"(Gorgiladze str., 13) with the best Adjarian khachapuri in the city. This is a small semi-basement dukhan with excellent Georgian cuisine. The main character is the already mentioned khachapuri. One large one is enough for four people (the price of a masterpiece is 5 USD/11 GEL). Dukhan is so popular that sometimes you have to stand in line. The cafe is open from 9 am to midnight, the kitchen closes a little earlier.

Institution BQ Wine Bar(Gorgiladze str., 18) is suitable for wine lovers or those who do not understand anything about it, but really want to understand it. The owner Beka, the most hospitable of the Adjarians, conducts magnificent tastings of unique Georgian wines (price 16 USD/25 GEL per person). You will listen to his stories about the wine regions of Georgia, unusual gastronomic combinations, try cheeses and dairy calf. Although there is almost no food here, this place, like a good wooden barrel, is saturated with the spirit of wine. It will become your beacon in inclement weather. Open from 12 noon to midnight.

Budget

• At the restaurant Tavaduri(Lermontov St., 36/38) serve perhaps the best khinkali in Batumi. The average check for a company of four is 35 USD/70 GEL. Vegetable salad of real Georgian tomatoes - fragrant and sweet, grilled trout (next to the sea), good wine. The place is full of locals, which speaks for the quality of the food and promises that the restaurant will be very smoky. Open from 10 am to late evening.

• Khinklis Gemo(Pushkin St., 99) - a quiet place away from tourist routes. There are separate cabins (with air conditioning, which is very important in summer Batumi!). Georgian cuisine in good performance. Try the local lemonades. Lunch for two costs about 14 USD/25 GEL. The restaurant is open from 9 am to 11 pm.

Intermediate level

• Online restaurant "Machakhela"(there are the same in) is located near the lower station of the cable car, on the very seashore (Gogebashvili St.). The menu includes solid Georgian cuisine with all its joys: khachapuri, shish kebabs, vegetables, spinach pkhali and eggplants with nuts. Prices for khinkali start from 0.25 USD/0.45 GEL, lunch for two will cost about 15 USD/30 GEL. An indisputable advantage of the institution is that it is open around the clock. And in the summer season, you can get to a concert of live national music here.
• Batu Marani(Gorgasali str., 111) - a restaurant with typical Georgian cuisine. Someone praises khinkali, someone praises trout in pomegranate sauce. The menu includes wine and chacha. Lunch for two - from 15 USD/30 GEL. The establishment is open from 9 am to midnight.

Expensive

Hotels- do not forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. It !

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Have something to add?

Without a doubt, we can say that Batumi is the most luxurious seaside resort in Georgia. The authorities have invested so much money in its development that those tourists who visited the city in Soviet times simply do not recognize it now. People come here not only for the southern sun and warm sea. Batumi resort offers quality service at the European level. Some cultural events are constantly taking place here - concerts, festivals. But old Batumi is also attractive with its rich historical heritage. will captivate the gourmet with its regional cuisine. Local residents are happy to welcome guests if they respect their history and traditions. But in this article we will not describe the beauty and sights of Batumi. Let's devote all our attention to overcoming the road between the capital of Georgia and the seaside resort, or in the opposite direction - from Batumi to Tbilisi. How to get to the place quickly and preferably inexpensively? This question worries any traveler. Let's look at all the options.

Direct flight

Did you know that Batumi has its own airport? And not some regional, but international. So the easiest way to get to the Georgian Black Sea resort is straight from Moscow. From the capital Domodedovo to Batumi, two airlines make direct flights at once - S7 and Georgian Airways. Their planes depart from Moscow on Saturdays and Tuesdays. You will spend two and a half hours on board. The cost of tickets in both directions starts from two hundred and sixty-five euros. Some travel companies charter liners during the summer months. So in the "high season" there is an opportunity to get to the seaside resort from other Russian cities by boarding a charter. located a couple of kilometers from the city. You can overcome this distance by bus or taxi. But more often liners fly from Moscow to the capital of Georgia. Below we will consider how to get from to Batumi.

By plane

If you value time, not money, then the fastest way to get to the resort is by air. Only forty minutes (the plane does not even reach full height) - and you are already on the Black Sea coast. You will not even need to leave Tbilisi airport, but will only have to move from the international zone to the domestic flight department. The carriers Georgian Airlines and Airzena operate daily flights on the Tbilisi-Batumi route. How to get from the airport of the capital of Adjara, we have already said. To clarify: a taxi will cost ten lari (in the afternoon). It makes sense to wait for minibus number 10. Then you will be able to save a lot. A bus ticket costs only 0.40 GEL. True, the road to the city with all the numerous stops will take about twenty minutes. Parking of private buses (in Georgia they are called "samarshruto") - at the very exit from the arrivals area.

How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi by train

They are, in fact, one highway, stretching from east to west. It connects two seas - the Caspian and the Black. There are several branches off this main road. There is still a whole mass of electric trains, such as "Tbilisi - Kutaisi", etc. But the main movement goes along the main railway line of the country. Therefore, for those who are concerned about the question "how to get from Tbilisi to Batumi by train", the answer is not long in coming. Indeed, in the west, the railway line ends precisely at this Black Sea resort. Three trains follow from the capital of Georgia to Batumi. Two of them are checkpoints: from Yerevan and Baku. Another one is formed directly in Tbilisi, and it is not a problem to buy tickets for it. Only two routes are advantageous in terms of time. These are night trains from Yerevan (departs from the capital of Georgia around midnight) and a direct train "Tbilisi - Batumi". It leaves at half past ten in the evening. Another train - morning. He leaves promptly at nine and arrives at five in the afternoon.

What you need to know about the Georgian Railway

Many tourists, having arrived in Batumi by plane, want to go home from the capital's airport, seeing the wonderful city of Tbilisi along the way. This decision is to be welcomed. But when such tourists pose the question: “How to get from Batumi to Tbilisi by train?”, It turns out that the seaside resort does not have a station as such. The nearest railway station is called Makhinjauri. It is located just five kilometers from the center of Batumi. Such remoteness of the station does not at all upset the residents and guests of the resort. After all, city buses and "self-routes" go to the Makhinjauri station with enviable regularity. In July last year, the railway line was extended for the missing five kilometers. And now some trains come to the Batumi Central building on Queen Tamara Street. Where exactly the final stop of the train will be, you need to specify when buying a ticket.

Prices

As elsewhere, in Georgia, the cost of train tickets depends on the category of seats. Prices range from twenty-four to forty-five lari. The cheapest way to travel is by daytime train. But this is not an "express", and it very slowly covers the distance from Tbilisi to Batumi. How to get late at night from Makhinjauri station to the resort center is up to you. It is likely that a taxi ride will offset all the savings of traveling by cheap train. In addition, all three wagons of the train departing from Tbilisi in the morning are no buffet. But the train makes long stops, which passengers use to buy khachapuri and other food at the stations. In fast "expresses" there are reserved seats and compartments of the second and first class.

From Batumi to Tbilisi: how to get by bus

Now consider the option of overcoming the path with the help of gasoline. Unlike railways, the bus service in Georgia is developing rapidly. If you value comfort, then we can recommend the Metro Georgia company to you. Her cars depart from Tbilisi's main bus station "Ortachala" (Guliya St., 1) at nine, ten noon, three, six, eight, midnight, one and two in the morning. The ticket price is twenty-five lari. The price includes the use of Wi-Fi, a monitor in the front seat, coffee or tea, steward services. Comfortable buses travel between the capital of Georgia and the seaside resort in six and a half hours. Tickets can be purchased online. It was we who considered the route "Tbilisi - Batumi". How to get from the resort to the capital of Georgia? In Batumi, at the lower station there is a ticket office of this bus company.

"Samarshruto"

When deciding how to get from Tbilisi to Batumi, do not forget about private bus routes. Many “self-routes” depart from a small platform near the capital’s Didube metro station. The bus station is completely hidden from prying eyes by various shopping kiosks. You need to ask the locals where intercity minibuses stop. The fare is paid directly to the driver. It costs a little less than in a comfortable bus - twenty lari. Buses run every hour. There is less comfort in them, but you will get to the place faster. But you will also experience a lot of adrenaline during the trip.

Taxi or car rental

Words cannot describe how beautiful the road from Batumi to Tbilisi is! How to get from one point to another so that the trip looks like an exciting excursion? There is nothing easier: book a transfer. You will not need to think about how to get from the airport to the train station or bus station. The car will meet you at the place you specified and deliver to the desired address. Transfer by car (up to four passengers) will cost one hundred and fifteen dollars. And a minivan that can take ten people on board costs two hundred US dollars. The driver makes stops at your request (in Kutaisi, Gori).