How to Get to Telavi: Minibus, Taxi, or Transfer

Kakheti is Georgia’s wine queen — home to over 500 grape varieties and the birthplace of rich, soul-stirring wines. Telavi, one of the country’s oldest cities, is at the heart of this region, predating even the founding of Tbilisi. Here, ancient temples, monasteries, and fortresses still stand as silent witnesses to centuries past. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways to get to Telavi.

Looking for an affordable way to get to Telavi? Take a marshrutka! Unfortunately, there are no trains to the city.

Direct routes depart from two bus stations: Ortachala (1 Gulia Street) and Samgori (2 Moscow Avenue). Tickets can usually be purchased on-site. Marshrutkas leave every 40-45 minutes, filling up as they go.

Departure times:

• Ortachala: Every 45 minutes from 08:15 to 17:00
• Samgori: Every 40 minutes from 09:30 to 16:45

Travel time: 2 hours
Cost: 10 GEL

Pro Tip! If someone tells you that you can take a marshrutka to Telavi from Isani, keep in mind that you’ll need to make a transfer along the way.

Telavi is about 95 km from Tbilisi, and renting a car is a convenient way to get there. For example, renting a Kia Sportage costs around 140 GEL per day. If you rent for a week or longer, the price goes down (from 100 GEL per day for rentals of 8 days or more).

The drive to Telavi takes about 2,5 hours along the Vaziani-Gombori-Telavi highway (შ38). This is the fastest route, but keep in mind that the Gombori Pass may occasionally be closed for repairs, which could prevent you from using it. As of spring 2025, this road is still closed.

As an alternative, you can take a detour through Badiauri and Gurjaani. This route is longer, covering 160 km and taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Travel time:

2 hours 30 minutes (detour through Badiauri and Gurjaani)

Cost:

• From 140 GEL per day
• An additional 35-50 GEL for petrol (some companies may ask for a deposit)

Pro Tip! If it’s your first time visiting Telavi, consider stopping at the ancient fortress city of Ujarma (40 km from Tbilisi) along the way, and if the Gombori Pass is open, enjoy a scenic drive through it.

In Georgia, you can call a taxi using any available app, such as YandexGo, Maxim, or Bolt. Whether you can get to Telavi cheaply depends on the company, traffic congestion, and weather. On average, a one-way trip costs 70-80 GEL.

However, it’s important to be aware of the driving habits of local taxi drivers. Tourists often complain about safety, as drivers may exceed the speed limit. There are also concerns about the cleanliness of the cabin, especially if you choose the cheapest fare.

Travel time: about 3 hours

Cost: from 185 GEL

Good advice! If you’re used to comfort, or if you’re traveling with children or pets, we recommend choosing a transfer. The price difference will be minimal.

What are the advantages of a transfer compared to a taxi?

Tourists often highlight the following benefits of using GoTrip:

• Fixed price (no deposit required, online booking)
• No extra charges for waiting or stops
• The ability to choose your car and driver in advance
• Road safety
• Honest reviews from past passengers
• The flexibility to plan your route: stop at any landmark, have lunch at a Georgian restaurant, or visit a souvenir shopHow to book a car from Tbilisi to Telavi

It’s simple! All you need is a phone or a laptop. On the website, you can plan your route: choose your departure point, destination, and travel date.

You can even add stops, like visiting Ujarma.

The system will show you all available drivers (there are over 500 in the database). Each profile includes the driver’s name, photo, reviews, and a picture of the car with detailed information (brand, passenger capacity, luggage space, and other features). Everything you need to make an informed choice.

Book a transfer from Tbilisi to Telavi

Once you complete your booking, the driver will contact you to confirm the details of your trip and arrange the pickup at the specified location. Remember, you can make as many stops as you like along the way – this won’t affect the fixed price of the transfer.

Travel time: 2 hours 35 minutes 

Cost: from 193 GEL

We’ve selected at least five must-see places for you that are worth the trip from Tbilisi to Telavi.

Marani Wine Cellar

This famous ancient wine cellar offers a deep dive into the entire winemaking process—from picking ripe berries to the workshop where the finished wine is bottled. The tour costs 35 GEL, which includes a tasting of seven wines. It’s recommended to book your visit in advance.

Ancient Plane Tree

You can find this giant tree on Chadri Street. Not far from here, you’ll also spot the walls of the Batonis-tsikhe fortress. There are signs leading to the plane tree from the city center, so even without Wi-Fi, you won’t get lost. Just imagine – this tree is 900 years old! Locals believe that hugging it will share a piece of its longevity.

Ikalto Academy (where Rustaveli studied)

A monastery now stands on the site of this historic academy, but parts of the 17th-century building remain, reminding us of the educational institution where, according to legend, the famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli studied. Ikalto is located just outside Telavi, making it a great addition to your route.

Lake Lopota

If you’ve long dreamed of connecting with nature, head to Lake Lopota. Surrounded by dense forest, it’s just a few kilometers from the city (you can take a transfer to Telavi and then ask the driver to take you to the lake). For those seeking a more luxurious getaway, there’s a high-end hotel offering a cinema, a wine cellar, and wellness treatments.

Alaverdi Cathedral

One of the largest cathedrals in Georgia, Alaverdi Cathedral stands at an impressive height of around 50 meters. It was built in the 6th century, and historically, it housed the oldest winery in Eastern Europe. Today, you can find monks who still produce homemade wine. The cathedral is located 20 km from Telavi, so it’s best to go by car or book a transfer.

We wish you a pleasant journey and a memorable stroll through the ancient city of Telavi!