Batumi, Georgia’s vibrant Black Sea city, offers a surprisingly efficient and affordable public transportation system. Whether you’re a tourist exploring the coast or an expat settling in long-term, understanding how to navigate Batumi’s buses and marshrutkas can make your daily life much easier. This guide covers everything you need to know—from the Batumi Card to bus routes, fares, apps, and insider tips.
📏 Overview of Public Transportation in Batumi
Batumi’s public transport system is operated by the Batumi Transport Company, a municipal entity that manages a network of modern city buses and coordinates with privately operated minibuses (known as marshrutkas). These two services combined allow residents and visitors to reach nearly every part of the city and many suburban areas.
Public transportation in Batumi is known for being clean, reliable, and extremely affordable compared to Western standards. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or visiting tourist attractions, public transport can significantly reduce your travel costs and make your stay more convenient.
- City Buses: Numbered, air-conditioned buses with fixed routes and digital signage.
- Marshrutkas: Flexible and frequent minibuses, often favored by locals for their speed and coverage.
💳 The Batumi Card
The Batumi Card is a prepaid travel card that allows for seamless, contactless transportation on Batumi’s public transit system. It works across city buses and some marshrutkas (shared minibuses), eliminating the need to carry coins or pay the full fare in cash.
Much like Tbilisi’s Metromoney Card, this system streamlines the process of using public transport. Simply tap the card on the validator as you board, and your fare is automatically deducted. In addition to convenience, the Batumi Card offers a reduced fare compared to cash payments, making it a smart choice for anyone who rides regularly.
💳 Where to Buy and Recharge the Batumi Card
You can obtain the Batumi Card at various authorized locations, including:
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Batumi Transport Company service centers (except for the Sarpi Tourist Info Point)
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Selected newspaper kiosks and mini-markets near busy bus stops
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Occasionally, directly at the main bus terminals
The card has a small one-time purchase cost of around 2 GEL and is valid indefinitely. Top-ups can be done easily using PayBox terminals, vending machines, and select online banking or mobile apps that support Georgian services.
🚍 Benefits of Using the Batumi Card
Using the Batumi Card isn’t just about convenience—it also comes with tangible advantages:
- ✅ Free travel on public transport (* 10 times)
- ✅ 1GB Internet; ∞ calls/sms within network; 50 min. with other mobile operators
- ✅ Discounts on catering services and accommodation for up to 40%
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✅ Faster boarding without fumbling for coins or change
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✅ Reduced fares compared to standard cash payments
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✅ Ideal for daily commuters, expats, or tourists staying more than a few days
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✅ Accepted on the majority of local bus routes
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✅ Rechargeable and reusable with no expiration
Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to Batumi Boulevard, or navigating back from the airport, the Batumi Card makes it easier and cheaper to travel like a local.
You can purchase the Batumi Card at any Batumi Transport Company office or select kiosks located near major bus stops. For updated locations and top-up options, visit the official transport website
🚍 Bus Routes and Network Map
Batumi has over 20 active bus routes that span the entire city and connect important residential areas with commercial zones, the seaside promenade, Batumi International Airport, and nearby districts. Most buses operate from early morning until around 11:00 PM. Some key routes include:
- Route #1: Connects the airport to the Old Boulevard
- Route #3: Serves central districts and key shopping zones
- Route #10: Links the city center with Makhinjauri and the Botanical Garden
- Route #22: Passes through the University area, key government buildings, and Batumi Mall
Each bus stop features route maps and schedules, though many are in Georgian. For real-time bus tracking and full route maps, download the Batumi Transport mobile app or use Google Maps, which integrates Batumi public transit data.
🚌 Understanding c (Minibuses)
Marshrutkas are small, privately owned minibuses that follow semi-fixed routes. They are one of the most popular ways to get around Batumi, especially in areas not well covered by city buses.
Marshrutkas typically:
- Operate from early morning to late evening
- Cost between 0.80 and 1.00 GEL per ride
- Accept cash only (preferably coins or small bills)
- Allow passengers to board or disembark at almost any point along the route
While they are convenient, marshrutkas can be crowded during peak hours and may not follow a strict timetable. Nonetheless, they are favored by locals for their speed and frequency.
🚲 City Cycling with Batumvelo
If you’re looking for an active, eco-friendly way to get around Batumi, the city’s public bike-sharing program, Batumvelo, is a great option. Renting a bike not only promotes sustainable travel, but also allows you to explore the city at your own pace, especially along Batumi’s scenic coastal cycling paths.
Bikes can be accessed using a special Batumvelo card, which you can obtain from Tourist Information Centers or by registering online through their official platform.
🔎 Transport Apps and Planning Tools
Technology has made getting around Batumi much easier. To plan your trips and check for live bus updates, consider using the following apps:
- Batumi Transport App: Official app for bus routes, schedules, and Batumi Card management
- Google Maps: Offers real-time bus and marshrutka routes in Batumi
- Moovit: Covers Batumi and provides alerts and trip planning
🚗 Getting to and from Batumi International Airport
Batumi International Airport (BUS) is located just a few kilometers from the city center. You can reach it via:
- Bus Route #10: Direct and cheapest option
- Taxi: Available 24/7 (use apps like Bolt or Yandex Go to avoid overcharging)
- Hotel transfers or private shuttles: Offered by many accommodations
✨ Local Tips for Newcomers
- 🙌 Keep your Batumi Card topped up; PayBoxes are widely available
- 🌍 Learn a few basic Georgian words like «stop» or your destination
- 🤔 Always check the route number—some buses share stops but go in opposite directions
- ✉ If in doubt, show your destination to a local—they’ll usually help you
📊 Final Thoughts
Batumi’s public transportation system is one of the city’s most underappreciated assets. It’s not only affordable and efficient but also accessible even to newcomers who don’t speak the language. Whether you’re relying on municipal buses with your Batumi Card or hopping on a marshrutka for a quick trip, you’ll find that getting around Batumi is straightforward once you understand the system.
As the city continues to grow and modernize, additional bus lines, smart technologies, and service improvements are being introduced—making public transportation in Batumi a viable option for both daily commuters and casual travelers.
For more essential guides on living in Georgia, explore our categories on Residency & Visas, Cost of Living, and Financial Resources.