Getting around Batumi is fairly straightforward. Stops are plentiful, especially in the center, and you can travel around the city and its outskirts by bus, shared minibus, or taxi.
Public transport also reaches popular sights and nearby destinations, including the Botanical Garden, Gonio Fortress, and the beaches at Kvariati and Sarpi. This guide covers how each option works, what it costs, and when it runs so you can plan your trips.
In brief. A ride on a municipal bus or shared minibus in Batumi costs 0.70 GEL. The Batumi City Council approved this fare for buses and shared minibuses on January 30, 2026 (city hall announcement, checked on October 6, 2026). The decision sets no separate fare for the Batumi Card; check the card's terms with the operator. According to the payment operator, you can pay on the bus by tapping a contactless bank card at the validator. Check your bank statement to see how much was charged to a foreign card. For shared minibus payments, see the section on paying for shared minibuses.
Table of contents:
| Bus | Main route | Key stops | Interval | Service hours | Approx. journey | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Airport – central Batumi – Botanical Garden | Airport, New Boulevard, House of Justice, Dolphinarium, University, Drama Theater, Sea Port, train station, Botanical Garden | 30–34 min | 6:40 a.m.–8:50 p.m. (from airport until 9:55 p.m.) | Airport to center: 20 min; airport to Rustaveli Avenue: 14–18 min | 0.30 GEL |
| 10a | Airport – central Batumi via Makhinjauri | Airport, Makhinjauri, Tamar Mepe Avenue, train station, Sea Port, Dolphinarium, House of Justice | 34 min | 7:58 a.m.–9:34 p.m. | 57 min | 0.30 GEL |
| 16 | New Bus Station – Gonio – Kvariati – Sarpi | New Bus Station, Dinamo Batumi Stadium, Archaeological Museum, Gonio Fortress, airport highway, Sarpi | 15–21 min | 7:45 a.m.–9:30 p.m. (from Gonio: 7:36 a.m.–9:39 p.m.) | Varies | 0.30 GEL |
| 1, 1a | Central neighborhoods, train station, market | House of Justice, Dolphinarium, Drama Theater, Sea Port, New Bus Station, Batumi bazaar (1a) | Varies | 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (general hours) | Varies | 0.30 GEL |
| 3 | Central neighborhoods, train station, cathedral | Euphoria, Republican Hospital, City Hall, cathedral, Tbilisi Square, fish market, train station | Varies | 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (general hours) | Varies | 0.30 GEL |
| 12 | Central neighborhoods, train station, market | Makho, Medina, School 16, bus station, cathedral, Dinamo Batumi Stadium, Batumi bazaar | Varies | 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (general hours) | Varies | 0.30 GEL |
| 13 | Central neighborhoods, Argo cable car, stadium | Argo cable car, Tbilisi Square, City Hall, House of Justice, Dinamo Batumi Stadium | Varies | 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (general hours) | Varies | 0.30 GEL |
Marshrutkas extend the bus network, especially where city buses don’t go. Batumi has 28 minibus routes served by around 600 vehicles. They have no fixed timetable: they usually leave when the vehicle fills and run every 5–10 minutes during the day.
Flag one down by raising your hand. When you want to get off, call out “gamicheret” (“stop, please” in Georgian). Most begin around 7:00–8:00 a.m. and finish around 10:00–11:00 p.m. In high season and at peak times, several may follow one another along the main streets.
| Trip | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Across central Batumi (up to 3 km) | 5–8 GEL |
| Center to residential districts (5–6 km) | 8–10 GEL |
| Airport to city center (6–7 km) | 10–15 GEL |
| To Batumi Central train station | 7–9 GEL |
| To Gonio | About 20 GEL |
| To Kobuleti | 40–50 GEL |
Street taxis: Agree on the fare before setting off. Ask a local or your hotel’s front desk what a reasonable price would be, then use it as a reference. Allow around 5 GEL for a trip along the Boulevard, 7–8 GEL from the Old Town to New Boulevard, 20 GEL to Gonio, and 40–50 GEL to Kobuleti.
Some drivers start with a higher quote in tourist areas. You can counter with 20–30% less and may meet halfway. If the price seems too high, walk away and book through an app. 4G mobile coverage reaches almost everywhere in Batumi. An app car usually arrives within 5–7 minutes.
Taxi apps: Drivers accept bookings through their apps. You can see the route and an estimated price, then pay in cash or by linked bank card.
Important: Cards issued by Russian banks don’t work in Georgia, so use cash or a card issued elsewhere.
Yandex Go: This Russian ride-hailing service takes bookings through its mobile app, which shows the fare, booking status, and your car’s location. The final price may change slightly if traffic or the route changes. You can link a bank card, except one issued in Russia.
Bolt: Bolt entered Batumi relatively recently and became a popular choice because of its low fares, especially for short trips. For a longer ride, compare all three apps; for a short one, the price difference may be small.
Bolt drivers use their own cars, so vehicles vary. You can pay in cash or by bank card. The final fare may shift a little if traffic or the route changes.
Maxim: Maxim is often one of Batumi’s cheaper options for longer trips. It quotes the fare when you book and sends an SMS with the price, car model, and plate number. You can book by phone, through the app, or on its official website. Enter the pickup address manually: GPS can place you incorrectly and delay or derail the pickup.
A few practical tips:
Batumi gives you several ways to get around: buses with a Batumi Card are the lowest-cost choice, marshrutkas help with suburban trips, and taxis offer door-to-door convenience. Check live routes, get a card when you arrive, and compare app fares before booking.
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