Who this itinerary is for
Kutaisi airport (KUT) is a common gateway for budget flights — and many land here and want to head east, to Tbilisi, without skipping the west. Three days: a day in Kutaisi, a transfer day with Mtskheta (and, optionally, Gori), and a day in the capital. No special fitness needed — mostly travel and walking around the city.
Day by day
Day 1: Kutaisi — Gelati, Bagrati and the city
Morning: the Gelati monastery — a 12th-century UNESCO site, above the city. Frescoes, mosaics and calm among the buildings. Then Bagrati Cathedral on the hill — views of Kutaisi and the Rioni River.
Midday: the Green Market — the local bazaar: cheeses, fruit, churchkhela. The city square and the Colchis fountain. Lunch — a round imeruli or the dish of the day at a local restaurant.
Evening: a walk across the White Bridge over the Rioni, and dinner in the central district. Kutaisi is quiet at night — it’s not Tbilisi.
Tip: Bagrati is beautifully lit at night. Even if you visited in the morning — it’s worth a look from the city after dark.
Day 2: Kutaisi → Mtskheta → Tbilisi
Morning: head east. A direct trip to Tbilisi — about 3–3.5 hours. Optional: a stop in Gori (Stalin museum — only for those interested) or at Uplistsikhe — a cave city in the rock. Both stops add 2–4 hours; without them — a lighter day.
Midday: Mtskheta — Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, stone lanes, then the climb to the Jvari Monastery — views over the confluence of the Mtkvari and the Aragvi. (See also the complete guide to Mtskheta.)
Evening: arrival in Tbilisi, check-in and a short loop around Rustaveli — a café or a first dinner in the capital.
Tip: for this day a private driver is worth it — pickup in Kutaisi, stops at will and drop-off at the hotel. Bolt for a full day is expensive; the marshrutka doesn’t stop along the way.
Day 3: Tbilisi — Narikala, the old town, Abanotubani
Morning: a cable car from Rike Park to Narikala fortress — views of the whole city. A walk along the walls and the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda) on the hill.
Midday: walk down into the old town — lanes, wooden balconies, khinkali at a local restaurant.
Evening: Abanotubani — the bathhouse domes and the sulfur steam. A private room in a bathhouse (80–170 lari per hour) — a calm finish after two days on the road.
Tip: the popular bathhouses fill up at night — book a room in advance.
Transport between the cities
| Mode | Best for… | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private driver | Day 2 with stops | 180–250 lari per car, total flexibility |
| Rental car | Those who want independence | The E60 road is improved; Georgian driving is “creative” |
| Georgian Bus / Omni Bus | KUT → Tbilisi direct | ~3 hours, timed to flights; no stops |
| Train | Low budget | Cheap, slower, infrequent |
| Marshrutka | Backpackers | Cheap, awkward with big luggage |
From KUT to central Kutaisi: taxi or shuttle — about 30 minutes.
Tip: if you land at KUT in the afternoon — a taxi straight to the hotel, and the itinerary starts the next morning.
Estimated budget (for a couple, 2 nights)
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights, 3-star) | €75–130 |
| Food | €65–105 |
| Driver / transport (day 2) | €65–115 |
| Entries + cable car + bath | €25–50 |
Hotels in Kutaisi | Hotels in Tbilisi
GULITRAVEL tip: on day 2, leave Kutaisi before 09:00 — you’ll reach Mtskheta before midday and Tbilisi by evening without stress.