What is the cheapest way from Kutaisi Airport into the city?

A marshrutka, at 2–3 GEL per person. It is the cheapest by a wide margin, and the most awkward: you flag one down on the main highway opposite the airport rather than boarding at the terminal, it runs in daylight hours only, it leaves when full rather than to a timetable, and it terminates at Kutaisi's central bus station — about 3 km short of the centre. Bring cash and exact change; drivers do not take cards.

Can you pay for the shuttle bus with cash?

No, and this catches people out. The official shuttle takes Visa or Mastercard only — cash is not accepted at all. It costs 5 GEL, runs around the clock every two hours, boards at the curb in front of the arrivals hall and reaches the Kutaisi Tourism Center downtown in 35–40 minutes. If the only money you have is the notes you changed at the airport, the marshrutka or a taxi are your options, not the shuttle.

How much is a taxi, and which app should you use?

Around 25–30 GEL through the Bolt app, about 25 minutes into town, at any hour. Bene Exclusive is the taxi operator listed in the airport's own transport directory, with a 24-hour desk in the arrivals hall. Two habits worth keeping: agree the fare before you set off, because Georgian airport taxis work on quoted prices rather than a running meter, and do not take a ride from a driver who approaches you in the terminal.

How far is the airport from Kutaisi?

About 14 km west of the city as the crow flies, and roughly 20–23 km by road to the centre. Every option covers it in well under an hour, so the choice is about cost, payment method and how much luggage you are carrying rather than about time.

So which one should you pick?

  • Have a card and no rush: the shuttle, 5 GEL, every two hours, day or night.

  • Counting every lari and travelling light: the marshrutka, 2–3 GEL, cash, daylight only.

  • Late landing, heavy bags, or you want the door of your hotel: Bolt, 25–30 GEL.

  • Cash only and the marshrutka has stopped for the night: a taxi is the only option left.

Where these figures come from

  • Shuttle boarding point and the Kutaisi Tourism Center terminus: kutaisi.aero, the airport's own shuttle page.

  • Bene Exclusive as the listed taxi operator with a 24-hour arrivals desk: kutaisi.aero transport directory.

  • Fares, card-only shuttle payment, cash-only marshrutka and the Bolt figure: wander-lush.org, updated 2 August 2026, cross-checked against this site's transport guides.

  • Checked August 2026. Fares and payment rules change — re-verify before travelling.