Public Transportation in Georgia: what actually matters to know
From real experience
tipPublic transport in Georgia uses a unified payment card system.
A single MetroMoney card can be used to pay for multiple passengers simultaneously. The card purchase price is approximately 2 GEL. Current standard fares are 0.70 GEL in Tbilisi and 0.30 GEL in Batumi. Cards can be purchased at small retail shops.
✓ 1 report from chats
ruleIn Batumi, Georgia, a public transport card can be purchased at the House of Justice.
Unlike Tbilisi, Batumi does not have a metro system, so transport cards like 'Metromani' (available in Tbilisi metro stations) are not applicable there.
✓ 1 report from chats
tipBooking high-speed trains from Tbilisi to Batumi: Tickets should be purchased well in advance via the official Georgian Railway website.
Economy tickets sell out quickly, but premium class seats or late releases sometimes appear closer to the departure date.
✓ 1 report from chats
tipVirtual cards from services like 'Plati po miru' and 'Karton' (which is also a virtual card) can be used to pay for train tickets in Georgia (e.g., Tbilisi-Batumi).
Many similar virtual payment services are likely compatible.
✓ 1 report from chats
ruleWhen traveling on Georgian railways, it is generally sufficient to show an electronic ticket on your mobile phone.
A printed copy may not be strictly necessary, but it's always good practice to have it as a backup.