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A white and red double-decker Georgian Railway train at a platform in Tbilisi

Getting there

Getting to Shida Kartli, and getting around

Gori is about an hour from Tbilisi by marshrutka, train or car, and about 2½ to 3 hours from Kutaisi airport. Here is how to get there, how to reach the sights and how to get around the region.

By marshrutka

Marshrutkas, the minibuses that link Georgian towns, are the easiest way to get to Gori. They leave from Didube bus station in Tbilisi, next to Didube metro station, throughout the day, and leave when they are full. The ride takes about an hour.

Getting to Gori
FromHowTime
TbilisiMarshrutka from Didube, or carAbout 1 hour
TbilisiTrain from Tbilisi CentralAbout 1–1½ hours
Tbilisi AirportCar or taxiAbout 1¼ hours
KutaisiMarshrutka, train or carAbout 2½–3 hours
BorjomiMarshrutka or car via KhashuriAbout 1½ hours

By train

Gori is on the main railway from Tbilisi to western Georgia. Some trains to Kutaisi, Batumi and other western towns stop in Gori and Khashuri. Check times and buy tickets on the Georgian Railway website or at the station, as the timetable changes.

By air

Tbilisi International Airport has the most flights. Kutaisi International Airport, in western Georgia, is used by many budget airlines and is about 2½ to 3 hours from Gori by road.

By car

A fast highway runs from Tbilisi west past Samtavisi, Gori and Khashuri towards Kutaisi. Gori is about an hour from Tbilisi. Driving in Georgia can be fast and unpredictable, so many visitors prefer to hire a car with a driver for the day.

Getting around

  • On foot: the centre of Gori is compact, and the fortress and the Stalin Museum are a short walk apart.
  • Taxis: the easiest way to reach Uplistsikhe, Ateni and the churches near Gori. Agree the price before you set off, or ask your guesthouse to call one.
  • Marshrutkas: link Gori with Kaspi, Kareli and Khashuri, and some villages, but they are less frequent away from the main road.
  • A driver for the day: the best way to see remote churches such as Rkoni and Kintsvisi.

Read our guide to getting to Gori from Tbilisi.

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Getting there FAQ

How do I get from Tbilisi to Gori?

Marshrutkas (minibuses) leave Tbilisi’s Didube bus station for Gori throughout the day and take about an hour. Some trains from Tbilisi to western Georgia stop in Gori, and by car it is about an hour on the highway. See getting to Gori from Tbilisi.

Which airport is closest?

Tbilisi International Airport is the nearest, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Gori by car. Kutaisi International Airport, used by many budget airlines, is about 2½ to 3 hours away by road.

How do I get to Uplistsikhe without a tour?

Take a marshrutka or train to Gori, then a taxi to Uplistsikhe, about 20 minutes. Agree the price first and ask the driver to wait while you visit, or arrange the trip through your guesthouse.

Can I visit Tskhinvali or South Ossetia from Gori?

No. The Tskhinvali region is occupied by Russian forces and cannot be entered from the rest of Georgia. Do not try to approach the line, which is not always clearly marked, as people have been detained there. Most governments advise against all travel to the region.