The quality of passenger services in Georgia has improved significantly in recent years, except for suburban and commuter services. Georgian Railways purchased new trains for long-distance connections, some of railway stations were renovated. The railway network, however, still is neglected and needs to be upgraded. Train travel in Georgia is good option if you want to move between largest cities, but tracks don’t reach mountain areas.
Last update: 10.02.2024
The first railway line in present day Georgia was opened in 1871 between Poti and Zestaponi (formerly Kvirila). The first passenger train ran on 10 October 1872 from Poti to Tbilisi. At the end of 19st century the railway network expanded to Kutaisi, Chiatura and Tkibuli. The Tbilisi to Baku railway line was inaugurated in 1883. Six years later the connection Georgia and Armenia to Turkey was established (Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars).
The railway line Gali – Sokhumi was opened in 1938 and during World War II started construction of the Sokhumi – Adler line, which was put into operation in 1949 and that enabled to connect Georgian railway with Russian railway network.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgian Railways inherited Soviet rolling stock. Before the low-cost airlines launched cheap flights to Kutaisi and Georgia has become a popular destination for tourists from all over Europe, Georgian Railways passenger trains were dirty, old, rusty and very slow.
In 2009 Georgian Railways took delivery of the first of an order of eight inter-city Chinese-produced electric multiple units.
In 2016 four double-deck electric trains Stadler Esh 2 were ordered (Stadler Kiss version for Russian broad gauge).
Train travel in Georgia – current situation
There are year-round domestic passenger trains between most important cities in Georgia. You can travelling by train in Georgia on following routes:
Long-distance trains:
Tbilisi – Batumi (daytime trains, served by Stadler Kiss)
Batumi – Ozurgeti (overnight train)
Tbilisi – Poti (Chinese-produced EMU)
Tbilisi – Kutaisi
Tbilisi – Zugdidi
Kutaisi – Batumi
Tbilisi – Borjomi
Kutaisi I – Sachkhere
Commuter trains:
Tbilisi – Gardabani
Khashuri – Zestafoni
Trains are half-empty, except at high season.
In 2015 new central station in Batumi was opened.
Timetable on the Georgian Railways’s official website
E-shop of Georgian Railways
Railway map of Georgia (Wikipedia)
International trains:
Armenia:
There are international passenger trains from Georgia to Armenia. Year-roudn train from Yerevan to Tbilisi runs on alternate days in each direction. It’s an overnight train. From mid-June to mid-September it runs daily and continues to the Black Sea resort town of Batumi. Check schedule on South Caucaus website, because its change annually.
Timetable and prices on South Caucaus Railway’s website
The train has three different classes typical for former Soviet Union trains:
platzkart – open wagon with bunks
kupe – 4-berth compartment
SV/Lux – 2-berth first class compartment
The summer overnight train from Yerevan to Batumi has refurbished carriages produced by Russian Transmasholding company in 2017. Don’t forget to bring your own food and toilet paper with you.
Azerbaijan
There are no international trains from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Overnight train from Baku to Tbilisi was suspended due to engineering works on Azeri side of the railway line from Tbilisi to Baku.
Turkey
There are no international trains from Georgia to Turkey. There were plans to start an international train from Azerbaijan to Turkey via Georgia, but inauguration of the international train from Baku to Tbilisi and Kars was postponed for an indefinite period.
Borjomi – Bakuriani railway
The narrow gauge railway from Borjomi to Bakuriani is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Georgia. It was one of the first railway lines in Georgia. The construction of the line began in began in 1897 and ended at the end 1901. It was completed to the 900 mm gauge. The first train ran in January 1902. The 37.2 kilometres long railway line linking the resort town of Borjomi with popular ski resort of Bakuriani.
The route was electrified in 1966, before that the trains were run by steam locomotives.
The railway line is famous for beautiful views from the train and is considered as an engineering marvel. The most important construction on the line is railway bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel which stands in between Tsemi and Tsagveri village over the Tsemistskhali River.
Currently, the line is used only for passenger transport, the last freight train ran on this route in 1991. At the end of 2016, the modernized rolling stock was put into use.
The line is operated by Borjomi–Bakuriani Railway LLC (BBR), a subsidiary of Georgian Railways. There are two trains a day in each direction. The four-car train can transport 128 passengers at a time.
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