Mestia HOW TO GET THERE?

There are four to five villages next to a mountain.

GET IN By plane

A new airport in Mestia - Queen Tamar Airport - has recently opened, and flights between Mestia and Tbilisi are now available 5 times a week for 125 lari (including transfer to Tbilisi if flying from Mestia) each way. Reserve tickets at least a week in advance.

By train

From Tbilisi to Zugdidi by night train, then take a marshrutka (minibus) from Zugdidi train station to Mestia. Ticket price around 45 - 55 GEL (2022). Duration 3-4 hours.

By bus

Tbilisi - Mestia marshrutkas (mini buses) go every day from “Vagzali” bus station. Number of seats 16, ticket price 45 Gel per person. Departure time : 5:00 am. Duration 8-9 hours (depends on the weather conditions).

Mestia-Tbilisi mini bus leaves at 7am and 8am. It is possible to book beforehand through hotels and agencies in the center of town. Only one (maximum 2) marshrutka goes to Zugdidi at 6 a.m. and around midday. Costs 35 lari There are also marshrytki to Batumi.

From Zugdidi, just go to the train station (all the mashrutkas are there) and try to find the Mestia sign on a small shop (or ask around). They leave every time the mini bus is full and it costs 35 GEL (you can say it’s 25 GEL and they usually say OK).

From Kutaisi there’s a daily morning mini-bus from the main bus station (near McDonalds). It has no definite schedule and departs when full. Try to come early, by 9am it might already be gone. In this case, however, you can catch marshrutka to Zugdidi (20 Gel, July’2021). Ask the driver to drop you off at the mini-bus to Mestia. Be prepared to wait for some time until the bus if full. This second leg of the trip will cost you another 35 lari.

By car

A new highway from Zugdidi to Mestia has been opened and the trip has become safe and comfortable by public or private transport. (Drive off-road cars with high attention if you are not an experienced driver). A taxi cost 150 - 175 GEL from Zugdidi to Mestia and can hold four people.