Private transfer
A driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you to the door of your hotel in Gudauri. The drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours in normal conditions. You agree the price before the trip, and there is room for ski and snowboard bags.
This is the easiest option for night arrivals, families with children and groups with a lot of luggage, because there is no change of vehicle and no waiting at a bus station.
Taxi from the airport
Taxis and ride apps work at Tbilisi Airport, but most trips they take are short rides into the city. Before you agree to a 135 km mountain drive, check two things: the price for the whole trip, and whether the car has winter tyres or chains. In heavy snow the police can stop cars that are not ready for the road.
Minibus (marshrutka)
Public minibuses to the mountains leave from Didube bus station in Tbilisi, not from the airport. Minibuses heading to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) pass through Gudauri. It is the cheapest option, but you first need to get from the airport to Didube, the buses do not run late at night, and large ski bags are hard to fit.
Which option to choose
- Arriving at night or with children: private transfer.
- Travelling light on a tight budget, in daylight: minibus from Didube.
- Group of 4 to 7 people: a minivan transfer usually costs about the same per person as separate taxis, with more room for gear.
Winter road tips
The last part of the road climbs the serpentines above Pasanauri. After heavy snowfall, traffic can slow down or be limited to cars with chains. Leave Gudauri 4 to 5 hours before your flight, and keep water and a warm layer in the car.