The Tbilisi metro is the fastest, cheapest way to cross the Georgian capital. For a flat 1 GEL a ride it skips the traffic that clogs Rustaveli Avenue, connects most of the sights a visitor cares about, and runs from early morning until midnight. It is a compact system — just two lines and 23 stations — so it takes about five minutes to understand. This guide covers the lines, the interchange, hours, fares, signage, the stations worth knowing, and the quirks (deep escalators, patchy lifts) that first-timers run into.
For the wider picture — buses, marshrutkas, taxis and cable cars — see our overview of getting around Tbilisi. This post zooms in on the underground.
The two lines: red and green
The metro opened in 1966 and today has two lines totalling 23 stations (Wikipedia):
- Line 1 — the Red Line (Akhmeteli–Varketili): 16 stations running roughly north to south, from the Akhmeteli Theatre in the Gldani suburbs, through the historic centre (Rustaveli, Liberty Square, Avlabari), out to Samgori and Varketili. This is the line most travellers use.
- Line 2 — the Green Line (Saburtalo): 7 stations branching west from the centre into the Saburtalo district, serving Vazha-Pshavela, the universities and the medical district.
Both lines carry the same flat fare and the same trains, so there is no “premium” line — the colour only tells you which direction you are heading.
Where the lines meet: Station Square
The two lines cross at a single interchange: Station Square (Sadguris Moedani, სადგურის მოედანი), named for the main railway station above it. To switch lines you simply follow the signs between the platforms — you stay inside the paid area, so transferring costs nothing. This is also the station for long-distance trains and, one stop further at Didube, the main marshrutka hub for day trips. If a route ever looks complicated, the answer is almost always “change at Station Square.”
Hours and how often trains run
The metro runs every day, roughly 06:00 to midnight (00:00) — 365 days a year, holidays included (Wander-Lush). Exact first-train times vary slightly by station. Trains are frequent: about every 2.5–3 minutes during the morning and evening rush, stretching to roughly 10–12 minutes late in the evening or on quiet stretches of the green line (Wikipedia). You almost never need a timetable — just turn up.
Fares and the Metromoney card
The fare is a flat 1 GEL per ride (about US$0.37), with no zones — the price is the same whether you go one stop or ride the whole line (Tbilisi Transport Company). Better still, that single tap buys you 90 minutes of unlimited transfers across the metro and city buses, so a metro ride plus a connecting bus can cost just 1 GEL in total.
There are no paper tickets. You need to tap in, and you have three options:
- Metromoney card — the reusable travel card, sold at the cash desk (marked “MS”) inside any station for a 2 GEL refundable deposit. Top it up at the same desk. One card can be shared by several people tapping in one after another. Full details in our Tbilisi Metromoney card guide.
- Contactless bank card — you can tap a Visa/Mastercard or phone straight on the reader, though at a slightly higher fare of roughly 1–1.5 GEL per ride (reports vary) and without the shared-card trick (Wander-Lush).
- Local concession fares exist for residents (students and schoolchildren); visitors pay the standard fare.
For a stay of more than a day or two, the Metromoney card almost always works out cheaper and smoother than tapping a bank card each time.
How to read the signage
This is where the Tbilisi metro surprises people: it is easier to navigate than it looks. Station names and directional signs are shown in Georgian script and Latin (English) transliteration, and on-train announcements are made in both Georgian and English (Sakhva Travel). You will still spot some Cyrillic (Russian) on older maps and legacy signs — a hangover from the Soviet era — but the modern wayfinding is bilingual Georgian/English throughout.
A couple of things worth knowing: many stations have a single island platform serving both directions, so once you are down there you just check the announced next station to confirm you are facing the right way. And because most stations have one main exit, follow the Latin-script signs pointing to the nearest landmark or street when you surface.
Best stations for sightseeing
Nearly everything a first-time visitor wants is on the Red Line. The stations to remember:
- Rustaveli — the heart of the city: Rustaveli Avenue, the opera, museums, cafes and the walk down toward the Old Town. It is also one of the deepest stations, with a very long escalator.
- Liberty Square / Freedom Square (Tavisuplebis Moedani, თავისუფლების მოედანი) — the central square, and the closest stop for the Old Town, the sulfur baths and the river.
- Avlabari — the gateway to the left-bank Old Town and the quickest stop for the huge Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral.
- Marjanishvili — a lively area of restaurants and bars on Agmashenebeli Avenue, and a useful base for cheaper stays.
- Station Square — the railway station, the interchange, and (via Didube, one stop on) the marshrutkas for day trips to Mtskheta, Kazbegi and beyond.
Accessibility: mind the escalators
The single biggest thing to prepare for is depth. Of the 23 stations, 17 are deep-level with long, fast escalators — Rustaveli’s descent in particular feels endless the first time (Wikipedia). Hold the handrail, and take care with children and loose bags.
Step-free access is still limited: lifts are rare, so the metro is difficult for wheelchair users, and awkward with a suitcase, pram or heavy luggage. A funded modernisation programme aims to add elevators and adapt 11 stations for wheelchair access by 2029, but for now assume you will be using escalators and stairs. If you are hauling luggage from the airport or a day trip, a taxi or Bolt is often the easier call.
Is the Tbilisi metro safe?
Yes — the metro is generally safe and well used at all hours it operates. There is a visible security presence, and violent crime is rare. As anywhere with crowds, keep an eye on your bag and phone at busy stations and on packed rush-hour trains, where pickpocketing is the only real risk. The older Soviet-era carriages are loud and bumpy (a fleet upgrade is under way), but that is a comfort issue, not a safety one.
Quick tips for riding
- Buy a Metromoney card at your first station and top it with a few lari — one card can tap in the whole group.
- Use the free 90-minute window to chain a metro ride with a bus instead of paying twice.
- Download an offline map (Google Maps has the metro) so you can plan the change at Station Square.
- Avoid the 08:00–09:30 and 18:00–19:30 crushes if you can — trains are packed then.
- Travelling with big luggage or limited mobility? A taxi is usually less hassle than the deep escalators.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Tbilisi metro cost?
One journey costs 1 GEL however far you travel, paid with a Metromoney card (2 GEL refundable deposit to obtain). Tapping a contactless bank card instead runs about 1–1.5 GEL. Each tap also covers connecting buses for the next hour and a half at no extra cost.
Do I need a Metromoney card, or can I use my bank card?
A bank card is enough — the gates take contactless Visa, Mastercard and phone payments. Most visitors still do better with a Metromoney card, though: it shaves a little off each fare, one card can tap a whole group through, and it covers buses too. Details in our Metromoney card guide.
What are the metro’s opening hours?
From about 06:00 until midnight, 365 days a year including holidays. A train arrives every few minutes at rush hour, thinning to waits of ten minutes or so as the night wears on.
Which station is best for the Old Town and Freedom Square?
Get off at Liberty Square (Tavisuplebis Moedani) on the Red Line for the main square and the start of the Old Town. For Sameba Cathedral and the historic left bank, ride one more stop to Avlabari.
Are the signs in English?
Yes. Every station name and direction sign carries a Latin transliteration alongside the Georgian, and on-board announcements come in English too. Odd bits of Soviet-era Cyrillic survive on older maps, but you never need to read them.
Last checked: July 2026. Fares, hours and station details can change — always confirm current tariffs at the station cash desk or on the Tbilisi Transport Company website before you travel.
Featured image: Max Benidze (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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