Who lands here

Batumi's flights change with the seasons. Among others, the airport's route map lists Istanbul (Turkish Airlines and Pegasus), Tel Aviv, Riga, Baku, Almaty and Astana, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, Tashkent and Yerevan, as well as domestic flights from Tbilisi. Traffic has grown fast: about 1.23 million passengers passed through in 2025, almost twice the 2023 total.

Before you walk out

  • Entry rules. Since 1 January 2026, every visitor to Georgia needs health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 GEL for the whole stay. Have the policy ready at passport control, on paper or on your phone.
  • Cash. There are cash machines in the arrivals hall. You'll want lari for taxis and small purchases, though buses take contactless bank cards only.
  • A local SIM. Desks in arrivals sell Georgian SIM cards, handy for calling the car's owner or using ride apps.

Collecting a rental car at BUS

The airport is the natural pickup point if your first stop is south of the city. Gonio is 7 km away, the beaches of Kvariati and Sarpi 10–14 km, and Kobuleti 35 km to the north. The owner meets you at the airport with the car; you look it over together, sign the agreement and drive off. Have ready:

  • your passport and your actual licence card; if its text isn't in the Latin alphabet, pack an International Driving Permit as well;
  • the booking voucher on your phone;
  • money for the balance, by whichever method the owner lists.

Enter your flight number at booking, so the owner can follow any delay. During the inspection, look at the tyres and wipers as well as the bodywork: Batumi is one of the wettest cities in Georgia. There's more about the handover on our airport pickup page.

Bus No 10

The airport's own website lists municipal bus No 10 on a fixed route between the airport and central Batumi. The stop is right in front of the terminal, buses run every 10–15 minutes, and the ride takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The last one leaves at around 10 pm. The fare is about 1 GEL or less, paid by tapping a contactless bank card, because drivers don't take cash. It's the obvious choice if you're travelling light and staying near the centre.

Taxis and Bolt

Taxis wait at the terminal exit. Many have no meter, so agree the fare first; local guides put the trip to the centre at about 10–15 GEL. Bolt also operates in Batumi and shows the price before you confirm: around 12 GEL to the Boulevard area, a little more to Batumi Central railway station.

Starting without a car

Spending your first days on the beach or in Old Batumi? Then you don't need a car yet, and you won't have to park one. Get into town by bus or taxi, then ask an owner who delivers to drop the car at your hotel when the inland trips begin: see car delivery around Batumi. For short hops around the city, our comparison of car sharing and a day rental may help.

Driving away from the airport

  • To the centre, 8 km: north along the airport road and through the southern districts, 10–20 minutes outside the rush. Sort out parking before you arrive, because Batumi sells it as passes rather than by the hour. Our driving and parking guide explains how it works.
  • To Gonio, Kvariati and Sarpi, 7–14 km: turn south. The car can go as far as the Sarpi checkpoint, but not across it: see Batumi to Turkey via Sarpi.
  • To Kutaisi, about 160 km, or Tbilisi, about 365 km: up the coast, then east on the main highway. Allow roughly 2.5–3 hours to Kutaisi and 5.5–6 hours to Tbilisi.

Leaving Batumi by air

  • Be at the terminal two hours before departure, as the airport recommends.
  • Fix the return in advance. Not every car can be dropped at the airport, and a late-night handover may cost extra.
  • Refuel nearby if the contract wants the tank as full as you found it. Most stations in Batumi are open around the clock, and an attendant does the filling.
  • Ask the owner about fines before you head for the terminal. Foreign visitors have no way to pay camera fines online, and an outstanding one can cause problems when you leave the country.

FAQ

Which bus goes from Batumi airport to the city centre?

Municipal bus No 10, from the stop in front of the terminal. The ride takes about 20–30 minutes, buses come every 10–15 minutes until around 10 pm, and you pay by tapping a contactless bank card.

How much does a taxi from Batumi airport cost?

About 10–15 GEL to the centre. Many drivers work without a meter, so settle the price before setting off. Bolt shows its price in advance, typically around 12 GEL to the Boulevard area.

How close is Batumi airport to the Turkish border?

About 14 km by road to the Sarpi checkpoint. A rental car can take you to the checkpoint but not into Turkey, as cars rented in Georgia must stay in the country.

Do I need insurance to enter Georgia?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026, visitors need health and accident insurance with at least 30,000 GEL of cover for the whole stay. The rental car's insurance doesn't count towards it.