3 Best Ways to Travel From Tbilisi to Gudauri in 2024
13 min readGeorgia’s biggest and most developed ski resort, Gudauri is a popular winter mountain destination that can be reached from Tbilisi by road in a little over 2 hours.
Aside from skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at the emerging winter resort, Gudauri offers scenic viewpoints, banya-style saunas and cosy restaurants. All this with spectacular views of the Greater Caucasus mountains and the Jvari Pass, which sits at 2,200 metres above sea level.
The road to Gudauri from Tbilisi, the Georgian Military Highway, is an attraction in itself, with a dozen places to stop along the way for sightseeing and panoramic vistas.
The road is open all year, including throughout the winter months, making Gudauri a year-round destination.
In this Gudauri Transport Guide, I’ll show you exactly how to travel to Gudauri from Tbilisi, including the fastest, safest and most budget-friendly transport options for 2024.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.
Tbilisi to Gudauri distance & travel time
Gudauri is located in Georgia’s Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Tbilisi.
It takes between 2-2.5 hours on average to reach Gudauri by road, depending on the type of vehicle you use, the time of year, and traffic conditions.
How to travel from Tbilisi to Gudauri
There are currently 4 options available for travelling to Gudauri from Tbilisi: Private or group transfer, one-way winter tour, marshrutka minivan, or self-driving.
The fastest way to get to Gudauri is by private transfer, taking just over 2 hours and costing 160 GEL.
The cheapest way to get to Gudauri is by marshrutka van, costing 10 GEL and taking around 2.5 hours.
For winter fun and snowy landscapes, an alternative option is to join a one-way transfer tour to Gudauri. This family-friendly program with a private guide organised by Friendly.ge features stops in Sabaduri Forest and Tskhvarichamia Bear Shelter on the way to the ski resort. You can book it as a return-trip to Tbilisi, or use it as a one-way transfer to Gudauri.
Book here on the Friendly.ge website and use the promocode WANDERLUSH to get 10% off.
There is no Tbilisi to Gudauri train! Passenger trains only run in Western Georgia, and there is no railway line in the mountains.
Option 1: Tbilisi to Gudauri transfer
A transfer to Gudauri is definitely the most efficient, comfortable and probably the safest way to travel. Transfers are available from Tbilisi, Tbilisi Airport, Kutaisi Airport, or from any other location in Georgia.
Private transfer to Gudauri with GoTrip.ge
If you want the convenience of travelling by private car but you don’t feel comfortable getting behind the wheel yourself, GoTrip is the way to go. Essentially a long-distance Uber, this service allows you to book a driver for any multi-stop trip in Georgia (one-way or return).
GoTrip is completely flexible. It’s available 24/7, and is a door-to-door service. Using the Trip Planner, you can build your own itinerary and make as many sightseeing and photo stops along the way as you want. The only condition is that you finish your trip within 24 hours.
GoTrip drivers are vetted and receive training to ensure they drive safely. Cars are all of a high standard. There is plenty of room for luggage (bulky items such as skis and snowboards can be accommodated with prior notice), they provide car seats for kids on request, and in winter, the drivers use proper tires.
I recommend booking your GoTrip transfer a few days in advance via the website. The driver will reach out to you to confirm your reservation. The price is locked in at the time of booking and won’t change. Payment is made in cash directly to the driver once the trip is complete.
A private transfer to Gudauri from Tbilisi starts from 160 GEL per car when booked through GoTrip. Click here to check prices for your travel dates.
You can book a car directly to Gudauri, or you can make a day of it and include some sightseeing stops along the way. For example, this itinerary I created with stops at Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta, Ananuri Fortress and Pasanauri village starts from just 180 GEL per car. At the end of the day, the driver will drop you right outside your hotel in Gudauri. Easy!
You can book a GoTrip transfer to/from Gudauri from Kutaisi, Borjomi, Batumi, or anywhere else in Georgia.
Shared transfer to Gudauri with Budget Georgia (winter only)
If you don’t mind travelling with other people, a group transfer to Gudauri is another option.
Budget Georgia offers transfers during the winter months (November to April), departing from Tbilisi at 9am and arriving in Gudauri at 1pm. The price is 80 GEL per person.
Private transfers with Budget Georgia can be arranged for groups of up to 20 people.
Check availability for your travel dates on the Budget Georgia website and mention Wander-Lush to save 10% off your booking.
Option 2: One-way tour to Gudauri with sightseeing stops (winter only)
My preferred tour partner in Tbilisi, Friendly.ge, offers a terrific Gudauri day trip that you can modify to be a one-way transfer tour. Just let them know at the time of booking, and they will arrange to keep your luggage safely in the car. (And don’t forget to use the promocode WANDERLUSH to save 10% off the price.)
The day starts with hotel pick-up in Tbilisi. First stop is Sabaduri Forest, where you will be treated to beautiful panoramas of snow-clad trees. You then visit the ethical Bear Shelter in Tskhvarichamia, and make stops at Ananuri Fortress and Zhinvali Reservoir on the Military Highway before arriving in Gudauri.
Note that is tour is only available in the winter months, roughly January through to March. Book the transfer tour here.
Option 3: Tbilisi to Gudauri by bus (marshrutka minivan)
There is no coach bus service to Gudauri from Tbilisi. Instead, there are marshrutka minivans.
Marshrutka vans are a popular form of intercity transport used throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union. They run on a fixed route, and can drop passengers off anywhere along the way.
Vans are inexpensive, but they are not 100% reliable because the schedule is somewhat flexible. They are not very comfortable either, and there isn’t much space for luggage. Drivers don’t stop for photos so you won’t be able to do any sightseeing.
Unfortunately, marshrutka vans also have a reputation for being unsafe. Drivers often speed and overtake dangerously. I never travel by marshrutka van in the mountains – for me, the roads are too windy and the risk is not worth it.
Tbilisi to Gudauri bus schedule & fares
If you do decide to travel to Gudauri by marshrutka, you’ll want to take either a direct Gudauri van or a Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) van. Gudauri vans are much less frequent, so the best option is to take a Kazbegi van.
These vans depart from Didube Bus Station in the north of Tbilisi. To get there from the centre, ride the metro (red line) to Didube Metro Station. The bus terminal is adjacent to the metro. See this post for detailed instructions and a video about navigating Didube.
Tbilisi to Kazbegi is a very popular route, so vans depart regularly throughout the day. The schedule is as follows: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm.
If the van fills up, the driver will leave early, so it’s important to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of schedule to make sure you get a seat. In low season, the later vans might be cancelled due to low demand. Never travel by marshrutka van after dark.
The fare to Gudauri is 10 GEL per person. Travel time is around 2.5 hours.
Gudauri is located on the highway, around 33 kilometres (45 minutes) before Kazbegi. Be sure to tell the driver you’re going to Gudauri and they will drop you off early, probably near the Wissol Petrol Station and Smart Supermarket (see the location here).
Shared taxis to Gudauri
Shared taxis also depart from Didube. This is slightly more expensive than a marshrutka van (from 20-25 GEL per person), but you’ll have a bit more room to stretch out, and you’ll get to Gudauri faster.
The downside is that you have to wait for the car to fill up with passengers, and again, you can’t do any sightseeing along the way.
Option 4: Driving to Gudauri
Renting a car and driving in Georgia is a great way to get the most out of your trip.
As always, I recommend renting through Local Rent, a platform that offers lower priced cars from local agents (as an alternative to big-name companies). Insurance is standard, and usually there is no deposit.
Another major advantage of Local Rent is that you can pick your car up from any address in Georgia. You can organise for the car to be delivered to your hotel in Tbilisi – or more conveniently, you can meet the agent somewhere on the highway so that you don’t have to drive through the centre of the city.
There is one caveat: The road to Gudauri is challenging in parts, with a few hairpin bends and tunnels. As the only land connection with Russia, the highway is always extremely busy with big trucks.
I only recommend driving yourself to Gudauri if you’re a very confident driver who is familiar with mountain roads and comfortable with the Georgian driving style.
Gudauri to Tbilisi: The return trip
A private transfer from your hotel in Gudauri down to Tbilisi starts from 160 GEL per car when booked through GoTrip. Drivers are available 24/7 (I recommend booking online a few days in advance), and you can stop anywhere you like on the way back.
Book a transfer to Tbilisi from Gudauri here on GoTrip.
Marshrutka vans coming from Kazbegi are normally full by the time they reach Gudauri, so you can’t always get a seat. There are a handful of vans that originate in Gudauri and go to Tbilisi each day, departing from the highway near the Wissol Petrol Station and Marco Polo Hotel.
It’s a good idea to go down the day before and ask about departure times, or if you’re staying at a guesthouse in Gudauri, have your host call the driver to save you a seat.
Tbilisi to Gudauri FAQ
What is the road to Gudauri like? Is the road safe?
The road between Tbilisi and Gudauri is an older highway. It is single lane for most of the journey. As mentioned, it is always very busy with freight trucks. If there is a long wait at the border then trucks will be parked on the side of the road in a long queue. This makes the road narrower, which in turn makes it more difficult for cars to pass each other. Georgian drivers love to overtake at high speed, so this can lead to accidents.
Because of the elevation, there is a risk of landslides in summer and avalanches in winter. If you decide to drive yourself to Gudauri, it’s very important that you stay abreast of the weather.
For accurate information about road closures or weather events, I recommend contacting the GeoRoad hotline on +995 32 2 31 30 76.
A new bypass road and set of tunnels is now being constructed and should hopefully alleviate some of the issues with heavy traffic and closures due to natural disasters. It is scheduled to open in 2024.
Is the road to Gudauri open in winter?
Yes, the road to Gudauri is open throughout the winter months. Freight trucks use the highway throughout winter to transport goods through Russia. Remember that Gudauri is a ski resort, so winter is the most popular time to visit.
Occasionally the Georgian Military Highway closes for short periods (normally for a few hours or one day maximum) if there is very heavy snow or avalanche risk. Usually the road is closed after Gudauri, though, so you can still get to the ski resort – but you might not be able to go all the way to Kazbegi.
The road is regularly cleaned in winter, but some sections can be very icy, for example between Zhinvali Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress. If you’re self-driving, make sure you have proper tires and take extra care around this area.
In late spring and summer when there is heavy rain, there is a risk of mudslide. Sometimes the road closes for this reason, as was the case in June 2022. Keep an eye on the local news and contact GeoRoads for the latest information about closures.
Where to stop on the way to Gudauri from Tbilisi?
There are a dozen places to stop off on the way to Gudauri, including Ananuri Fortress, the Aragvi River, the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument, and the travertine mineral springs. If you have a car and driver, you can go even further than Gudauri to visit Kazbegi and the Dariali Gorge.
For a full list of places to stop, see my guide to road tripping on the Georgian Military Highway.
What is the best way to travel from Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri?
The best way to get to Gudauri directly from the airport is by booking a transfer with GoTrip.
When you book online, you enter your flight details in the comments field. The driver will wait for you if your flight is late, and when you land, they will be there to meet you in the arrivals hall to take you directly to your hotel in Gudauri.
Book a private transfer here on GoTrip.
You should never take a regular taxi from Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri.
Can you take a day trip to Gudauri?
While it’s absolutely possible to do a day trip to Gudauri from Tbilisi, there isn’t really a reason to. Gudauri is a purpose-built ski resort – there isn’t a whole lot to do there unless you’re partaking in winter sports.
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is 40 minutes up the road from Gudauri and is a much better choice for a day trip. It is even more scenic, and has several things to see, including the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church.
My top choice is this Kazbegi and Truso Valley 4×4 Group Tour with Friendly.ge. It covers some of the major stops on the Military Highway (including Gudauri) and a visit to Gergeti Trinity Church. Note that Truso Valley is only accessible from June to October.
If you are interested in seeing the ski resort in winter, you can pair a day trip to Gudauri with another magical snowy landscape near Tbilisi: Sabaduri Forest. Friendly.ge offers a wonderful family-focused winter tour to Sabaduri and Gudauri, which also includes a visit to the Tskhvarichamia Bear Shelter and several stops on the Georgian Military Highway.
Book either of these tours directly on the website and use the promo code wanderlush to save 10% on your reservation.
Where to stay in Gudauri
There are two main areas in Gudauri: Gudauri resort (near the highway) and New Gudauri, a new development closer to the ski lifts. Here are my top choices for accommodation.
TOP CHOICE: Ati Ambavi Boutique Hotel Gudauri (⭐ 9.5). This gorgeous hotel offers doubles, suites and studios sleeping up to three adults, all beautifully furnished with cosy mountain-lodge-style decor and boasting mountain views. There is a restaurant, a bar, a shared lounge, and a sauna. Located just off the main road, the property has ski-to-door access.
LUXE SKI LODGE: Monte Hotel (⭐ 9.1). Located in Upper Gudauri, this classic ski chalet has a sauna and ski lift shuttle service. Rooms are very spacious and well-appointed, with the family rooms sleeping up to six people.
SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENT: Panorama Vista Gudauri Apartments (⭐ 9.5). Choose from delux or one-bedroom apartments, sleeping 2-6 adults. Each self-contained space features a full kitchen and new bathroom.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOTEL: Tsar Bani Spa Resort (⭐ 9.0). This budget-friendly lodge is 800m from Gudauri Lift 1. Tidy doubles and twin rooms have mountain views, and the banya-style wooden sauna here is very popular.
Georgia essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend for Georgia. Check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.
FLIGHTS: Search for affordable flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi on Skyscanner.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo, my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (get 5% off when you book with my link).
SIM CARD: Magti is my preferred provider, with prices starting from 9 GEL/week for unlimited data. See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Most flights into Georgia arrive in the early hours. For ease, pre-book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel (from $17) or from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (from $90) with my partners at GoTrip.ge.
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. Use it to find family guesthouses, private apartments, hostels and hotels around the country.
CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia – use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $20/day).
DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Use Viator or Get Your Guide to browse a range of day trips and city tours. For off-beat programs, I recommend Friendly.ge (use the promocode wanderlush for 10% off). For in-depth day trips to Georgia’s wine regions, I recommend Eat This! Tours (use the promo code wanderlush for 5% off).
PRIVATE TRANSFERS: GoTrip.ge is a terrific service for booking a private professional driver and car for the day. Use it for A-to-B transfers, a customised round-trip itinerary, or a multi-day trip. You can stop wherever you like for as long as you like without the fixed price going up.
NEED SOME HELP?: Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? I offer a one-on-one consultation call service for Tbilisi and Georgia. More information and bookings here.
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