The best day trips from Tbilisi: private, group or by bus

What is the best day trip from Tbilisi?

The best day trip from Tbilisi for a first visit is the private Mtskheta half day, with your own car and guide from where you stay, and Mtskheta’s UNESCO churches and a cave monastery in five hours. The Kakheti day wins on wine and price, David Gareja on desert scenery, and Kazbegi on mountains.

Best for a first half day out of Tbilisi
Mtskheta half day5 hours, privateabout£33a person for 1 to 6 guests44 USD Book See the day
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Best for a wine day at a low price
Kakheti wine day10 hours, up to 18from about£29a person39 USD Book See the day
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Best for David Gareja and the painted hills by 4x4
David Gareja by 4x49 hours, up to 6about£60a person in the shared 4x479 USD Book See the day
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Best for the mountains
Private Kazbegi day10 hours, privateabout£83a person for 2 guests109.50 USD Book See the day
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Jvari monastery, Mtskheta
Pick 1 of 4A first, easy day out
Mtskheta half day
about£33a person for 1 to 6 guests, 44 USD
Book with GetYourGuide
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Mtskheta private tour with the Shio-Mgvime caves. Run by Friends of Georgia, booked through GetYourGuide.
Jvari and Svetitskhoveli with your own car and guide, then the cave monastery at Shio-Mgvime, in five hours.
Your guide is also your driver, and the route builds in time for souvenir shops.
- 5 hourswith pickup where you stay
- Privateyour own car and driver-guide
- Shio-Mgvimea cave monastery in a limestone canyon
- Freecancellation up to 24 hours before
The day
1. 08:00 to 15:00Pickup where you stay in Tbilisi, at the start time you choose
2. First stopJvari Monastery, above the meeting of the Aragvi and Mtkvari
3. ThenSvetitskhoveli Cathedral and free time in the old town, with wine and sweet tastings
4. ThenSamtavro, then a stop with souvenir shops
5. Last stopShio-Mgvime, a cave monastery in a limestone canyon
6. BackWhere you were picked up, about five hours after the start
Show all 6 stops
Why it's great, and who should skip it
Why it's great
- Pickup where you stay, at a start you choose between 08:00 and 15:00, and back in about five hours.
- Jvari, Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro, the three churches on Mtskheta's UNESCO listing, in one outing.
- Shio-Mgvime, a 6th-century cave monastery in a limestone canyon, as a quiet last stop.
- The same price a head from one to six people, and free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Skip it if
- You want a full day with wine at a family cellar: the Kakheti wine day.
- You came for the mountains rather than churches: the Private Kazbegi day.
In the price
- Private car and driver-guide, with pickup where you stay
- Jvari, Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro
- Shio-Mgvime cave monastery and the St Demetrius viewpoint
- Wine and sweet tastings in Mtskheta
- Bottled water
Not in the price
- Lunch (optional, extra)
- Tips
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Price checked 29 September 2026.
Sighnaghi, over the Alazani plain
Pick 2 of 4Wine on a budget
Kakheti wine day
from about£29a person, 39 USD
Book with GetYourGuide
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Kakheti wine region tour with 9 wine tastings. Run by Gamarjoba Georgia Tours, booked through GetYourGuide.
Nine wines at a village bakery, a family qvevri cellar and a big winery, with Sighnaghi on the way.
Up to 18 share the minibus, lunch is extra, and the last tasting is at a large commercial winery.
- 10 hours08:30 to about 19:00
- Up to 18in a shared minibus
- 9 winesand a chacha, at three stops
- Freecancellation up to 24 hours before
The day08:30 to 19:00
1. 08:30Meet the guide's flag at Avlabari metro; leave at 09:00
2. 10:10A traditional bakery in Badiauri, and a first glass
3. 11:20Bodbe Monastery of St Nino
4. 12:15A walk on the Sighnaghi walls
5. 13:05Lunch and free time in Sighnaghi, paid on the day
6. 15:15A family winery, qvevri and three wines
7. 17:00KTW, a large winery, five wines and a chacha
8. 19:00Back at Avlabari metro
Show all 8 stops
Why it's great, and who should skip it
Why it's great
- Eighty minutes at a family winery that makes wine in qvevri, with three of its wines.
- A first glass at a Badiauri bakery, then Bodbe Monastery and a walk on the Sighnaghi walls.
- About £29 (39 USD) for nine wines and a chacha, and free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Skip it if
- You want small cellars and lunch at the winemaker's table: see our Kakheti wine tours.
- You would rather not share a minibus: the Mtskheta half day is private at a similar price.
In the price
- Certified guide and transport from Tbilisi
- A glass of wine at a Badiauri bakery
- Three qvevri wines at a family cellar
- Five wines and a chacha at KTW winery
- Entry to both wineries
Not in the price
- Lunch in Sighnaghi (optional, paid on the day)
- Bread and cheese at the bakery, about £1 (3 GEL)
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Price checked 29 September 2026.
David Gareja, Kakheti
Pick 3 of 4Walkers, aged 12 and up
David Gareja by 4x4
about£60a person in the shared 4x4, 79 USD
Book with GetYourGuide
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4x4 off-road: hidden rainbow mountains and the Gareji caves. Run by Friendly.ge, booked through GetYourGuide.
Six seats in a real 4x4 to the coloured hills and two cave monasteries, where big coaches cannot drive.
Rough dirt roads and a rocky walk of about 4 km, so no children under 12.
- 9 hoursfrom Europe Square at 08:30
- Up to 6in one 4x4, one group a day
- 4 kmon foot, rocky and uneven
- Freecancellation up to 24 hours before
The day
1. 08:30Europe Square, Tbilisi, in the car park by Rike Park
2. MorningOff-road to Lake Mravaltskaro, then about an hour's walk in the red hills
3. ThenThe coloured hills by 4x4, 30 minutes
4. ThenSt John the Baptist cave monastery, 45 minutes
5. ThenDavid Gareja Lavra, about 40 minutes
6. Last stopLunch at a family place in Udabno, paid on the day
Show all 6 stops
Why it's great, and who should skip it
Why it's great
- Off-road to Lake Mravaltskaro, then about an hour's walk into red, yellow and white hills.
- Two cave monasteries in one day: St John the Baptist, with frescoes in its cliff cells, and David Gareja Lavra.
- About £60 (79 USD) a seat, reserve now and pay later, and free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Skip it if
- You bring children under 12, or have back trouble: the Kakheti wine day takes children from age 5.
- You travel in high summer and mind the heat, which can pass 30°C here: the Private Kazbegi day.
In the price
- Guide and driver in a 4x4, six guests at most
- A walk of about 4 km in the coloured hills
- St John the Baptist cave monastery and David Gareja Lavra
- Bottled water
Not in the price
- Lunch in Udabno, about £6 to £10 (20 to 35 GEL), in cash
- Hotel pickup (private option only)
- Tips for the guide and driver
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Price checked 29 September 2026.
Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi
Pick 4 of 4Mountains at your own pace
Private Kazbegi day
about£83a person for 2 guests, 109.50 USD
Book with GetYourGuide
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Kazbegi private day tour from Tbilisi to Gergeti and Gudauri. Run by Visit Georgia With George, booked through GetYourGuide.
The Military Highway to Gergeti Trinity Church in your own car, with the stops and the start time yours.
More than five hours of the day are on the road, and your guide is also your driver.
- 10 hourspickup 07:30 to 10:00, where you stay
- Privateyour own car and driver-guide
- 30 minutesat Gergeti, on a route you can change
- Freecancellation up to 24 hours before
The day
1. 07:30 to 10:00Pickup where you stay in Tbilisi, at the start time you choose
2. First stopZhinvali reservoir, 30 minutes
3. ThenAnanuri fortress, 45 minutes
4. ThenWhere the Black and White Aragvi meet, 10 minutes
5. ThenThe Friendship Monument above Gudauri, 30 minutes
6. Last stopGergeti Trinity Church by car, 30 minutes, then an optional lunch
7. Drive backAbout 2.5 hours to Tbilisi
Show all 7 stops
Why it's great, and who should skip it
Why it's great
- Pickup where you stay, at a start you choose between 07:30 and 10:00.
- Zhinvali, Ananuri, the Aragvi confluence and the Friendship Monument on the way, then up to Gergeti by car.
- Priced by the car, so four pay about £57 (75 USD) each, and free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Skip it if
- You travel alone: see our Kazbegi day trips for a shared seat in a 4x4.
- You want less time in the car: the Mtskheta half day is about 45 minutes from Tbilisi.
In the price
- Private car with air conditioning
- Local driver-guide
- Fuel, parking and taxes
- Stops at Zhinvali, Ananuri, the Aragvi confluence and the Friendship Monument
- Drive up to Gergeti Trinity Church (weather permitting)
Not in the price
- Lunch (optional, at a restaurant near Gergeti)
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Price checked 29 September 2026.

How much does a day trip from Tbilisi cost?

A guided day trip from Tbilisi costs from about £29 (39 USD) a person on the shared Kakheti wine day to about £165 (219 USD) for one person alone on the private Kazbegi day, which falls to about £57 (75 USD) each for four.

Rows of vines running to a line of cypresses at Akhasheni, Kakheti, in June — What one person pays on each day by the size of your group, for Monday 12 October 2026, on prices checked 29 September 2026.

Private or group day trip: which is better value?

A shared group costs less for one or two travellers; a private car suits families and friends, who set their own timetable and, on a day priced by the car, share its cost. Compare the rest of our hand-picked experiences the same way, on price per person, group size and what is included.

Six questions to ask before you book a day trip

How many people share the vehicle, and is it a car, a van or a minibus?
How long do you spend at each stop?
Is pickup from where you stay, or from a meeting point?
What does the price leave out: lunch, entry fees, tastings?
Do all the seats have working seat belts?
Until when can you cancel with a full refund?

When is a private day trip worth it?

A private day trip is worth it when you want to set the timetable yourself, or when four or more of you would fill the car. The private Kazbegi day costs about £57 (75 USD) each for four against about £83 (109.50 USD) each for two, and you choose the start time and how long you stay at each stop, which matters most on a long mountain day.

Day trips from Tbilisi compared: private, group or public transport

What changes most from one day trip to the next is the time on the road, from a short hop to Mtskheta to a morning’s drive to Kakheti or David Gareja and the long road north to Kazbegi. Our page on Kazbegi day trips compares the 4x4 and private versions of the mountain day, and our shortlist of wine tours in Kakheti the deeper wine days.

Show the route ofPick 1Mtskheta, Shio-Mgvime45 minutesTbilisi to Mtskheta, 25 kmPick 2Badiauri, Bodbe, Sighnaghi1.5 to 2 hoursTbilisi to Sighnaghi, 113 kmPick 3Udabno, David Gareja2 hoursTbilisi to David Gareja, 100 kmPick 4Zhinvali, Ananuri, Friendship Monument, Gergeti Church3 to 3.5 hoursTbilisi to Stepantsminda, 157 km

Pick 1: Mtskheta, cathedral town, with Jvari above it. Shio-Mgvime, cave monastery in a limestone canyon.

Pick 2: Badiauri, bakery and a first glass. Bodbe, monastery of St Nino. Sighnaghi, walk on the town walls.

Pick 3: Udabno, village lunch, paid on the day. David Gareja, cave monastery founded in the 6th century.

Pick 4: Zhinvali, reservoir, the first stop. Ananuri, fortress above the reservoir. Friendship Monument, viewpoint above Gudauri. Gergeti Church, church at 2,170 metres.

Each day leaves Tbilisi on its own road: north up the Military Highway to Kazbegi, east to Sighnaghi, south-east to David Gareja, and a short hop to Mtskheta. Drive times from wander-lush.org day trips from Tbilisi, updated 25 June 2026, read 24 September 2026; Wikipedia and wander-lush.org, checked 24 September 2026; wander-lush.org Georgian Military Highway guide, updated 15 September 2026; Wikipedia, Stepantsminda. Map: outlines of Georgia and its regions from geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0), rivers, reservoir and roads © OpenStreetMap contributors, relief from SRTM elevation data.

Which is better, Vardzia or Uplistsikhe?

Uplistsikhe is the easier day trip; Vardzia is the longer journey and suits a night away. Uplistsikhe is a rock-hewn town about 10 km east of Gori, about 87 km and 1.5 hours from Tbilisi. Vardzia is a 12th-century cave monastery about 220 km and 4 hours from Tbilisi each way, which leaves little time at the site on a day trip.

Day trips from Tbilisi without a tour

You can reach Mtskheta, Gori, Kakheti and Kazbegi from Tbilisi without a tour, by train or by marshrutka, a fixed-route shared minibus. Public transport costs least but runs to its own timetable and does not stop on the way.

1 hourby train to Gori, for Uplistsikhe; at least three trains a day leave Tbilisi's Central Station
Every 20 minutesor so, a marshrutka to Mtskheta from Didube station, through the day
3 hoursby marshrutka to Kazbegi from Didube, straight through with no stops on the Military Highway
No marshrutkato David Gareja; a tourist shuttle leaves central Tbilisi in the main season

Should you hire a driver for the day?

Yes, if you want your own timetable without a guided tour. A driver hired for the day is priced by the car and waits at each stop. Agree the route, the stops and the return time before you set off, and check that the seat belts work. The FCDO advises booking taxis in advance through an app rather than flagging them in the street.

Half-day trips from Tbilisi

Mtskheta is the half-day trip from Tbilisi. The old capital of Kartli, about 25 km from the city, is where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Georgia in 337, and it is still the seat of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Can you do a day trip from Tbilisi to Armenia?

Yes, northern Armenia can be done in a long day from Tbilisi, with a land border crossing on the way. The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, built between the 10th and 13th centuries and on the UNESCO list since 1996, are about 120 km from Tbilisi, roughly 2.5 hours each way plus the time at the border. British citizens can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year, with a passport valid for the length of the stay.

Can you do a day trip from Tbilisi to Azerbaijan?

No. The land border between Georgia and Azerbaijan was temporarily closed when we read the FCDO’s advice on 24 September 2026, so Azerbaijan cannot be reached by road from Tbilisi.

How safe are day trips from Tbilisi?

Day trips from Tbilisi are as safe as the car, the driver and the road. The FCDO warns that roads outside city centres are often badly lit and in poor condition, that many cars are poorly maintained and driving can be erratic, and that snow, heavy rain and landslides can close mountain roads. Travelling back before dark, a car with working seat belts in every seat and a driver who knows the mountain roads are the three things worth asking for.

Which day trip in which season?

Kazbegi is best from late May to mid June and in September, Kakheti at the grape harvest from September, and David Gareja in spring, when the almond and wild cherry trees bloom.

Months each day trip from Tbilisi runs, and the best months for each, checked 29 September 2026

Is the road to Kazbegi open in winter?

Yes, most of the time, but the Jvari Pass between Gudauri and Kazbegi often closes for short periods in winter, so take care between December and early April. The Juta and Truso trails do not usually open until the end of May.

Day trips from Tbilisi: questions

Can children join a day trip from Tbilisi?

Yes, with limits that differ by day. The Kakheti wine day takes travellers aged 5 to 79, and the private Mtskheta half day is sold as suited to families. The David Gareja 4x4 day is not recommended for children under 12, because of the rough roads and the rocky walk.

Is it cheaper to book the David Gareja day direct?

Yes, a little, for a seat in the shared 4x4. Friendly.ge sells it at about £52 (69 USD) on its own site, paid in full when you book, against about £60 (79 USD) on GetYourGuide, where you can reserve now and pay later; both cancel free up to 24 hours before. For a private 4x4, GetYourGuide is cheaper for three or more, at about £269 (356 USD) for four against about £300 (398 USD) direct.

How we picked

We compared the day trips from Tbilisi sold on GetYourGuide with those the operators sell on their own sites, and chose one day for each kind of trip, from a first half day to wine, the desert monasteries and the mountains. On 29 September 2026 we checked every price for October dates by group size, with the itinerary, the group size and the cancellation terms, on the booking pages and the operators’ own sites. The test was what a traveller gets for the money, weighing time at the places against time in the car, how many share the vehicle and what the price leaves out.

The best day trips from Tbilisi