Getting from Yerevan to Tbilisi is straightforward. A marshrutka (shared minibus) is the cheapest and most frequent option at roughly 7,000–9,000 AMD (about $20–25) and around six hours; a shared taxi is faster and more comfortable for about $30–40; and an overnight train runs the same route more slowly but scenically. All three cross the single land border at Bagratashen (Armenia) and Sadakhlo (Georgia).
The two capitals sit about 260 km apart, and the trip is one of the most common journeys in the South Caucasus — plenty of travellers pair Armenia and Georgia into a single trip. Below is how each option actually works, what it costs, and which one to pick. Last verified: July 2026 — fares drift and the train timetable changes by season, so treat prices as approximate and confirm the current schedule before you rely on it.
How do you get from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
You have three realistic choices: the marshrutka, a shared taxi, or the overnight train. There are no direct commercial flights worth taking for this short a hop, so it is a road or rail trip either way. Here is how they compare.
| Option | Price | Duration | Departs from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshrutka (minibus) | ~7,000–9,000 AMD (~$20–25) | ~6 hours | Kilikia Central Bus Station, Yerevan | Cheapest, most frequent; walk through the border with your luggage |
| Shared taxi | ~$30–40 per seat | ~5–6 hours | Kilikia / by arrangement | Leaves when full; faster and comfier |
| Overnight train | ~$18–35 (3rd class) to ~$65–75 (1st) | ~10.5–11 hours | Railway station | Daily in summer, every other day off-season; scenic but slow |
The marshrutka: cheapest and most frequent
The shared minibus is how most budget travellers make this trip. Expect to pay roughly 7,000–9,000 AMD (about $20–25) for a seat, with a journey time of about six hours before border delays. Marshrutkas leave from Kilikia Central Bus Station in Yerevan (near Sasuntsi Davit metro), with several departures a day, mostly in the morning. In Tbilisi they arrive at and depart from Ortachala or Avlabari, and sometimes near Station Square.
Pay the driver in cash. Seats are tight and luggage goes on your lap or in the aisle, so pack light if you can. It is not a luxurious ride, but it is cheap, regular, and gets the job done.
Shared taxi: faster and more comfortable
A shared taxi carries about four passengers and leaves once it fills, so there is no fixed timetable. It costs more — roughly $30–40 per seat — but it is quicker (around five to six hours) and more comfortable than the minibus, with more room and a door-to-door feel. If you are travelling as a small group you can often negotiate a whole car. This is the middle option: more money than the marshrutka, less faff than the train.
The overnight train: scenic but slow
There is a train, and it has its fans, but manage your expectations on speed. It runs daily in summer and every second day in the off-season, alternating direction by date — so confirm the current calendar rather than assuming it runs the night you want. The Tbilisi departure is around 20:20, reaching Yerevan about 06:55 — roughly 10.5 to 11 hours, longer if the border is busy.
Fares range from about $18–35 for a berth in 3rd class (upper bunk) up to roughly $65–75 in 1st class. Berths sell out in summer, so book ahead. One genuine advantage: on the train, officers check your documents on board, so you do not have to get off and queue at the border in the middle of the night.
Crossing the Bagratashen–Sadakhlo border
Every option uses the same crossing: Bagratashen on the Armenian side and Sadakhlo on the Georgian side, on the Debed River. If you travel by road (marshrutka or shared taxi), you get out and walk through passport control with your luggage, then reboard on the other side. This usually takes anywhere from about 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the queue, which is worse on weekends and holidays. On the train, as noted, the check happens on board.
Most nationalities that can enter Armenia can also enter Georgia easily, but the two countries have separate entry rules — check your own passport’s requirements for Georgia before you travel. For Armenia’s side, see our Armenia visa guide.
Which option should you choose?
For most travellers, the marshrutka wins on price and frequency, and six daytime hours with a walk-through border is perfectly manageable. Choose the shared taxi if you value comfort and speed over saving twenty dollars, or if you are a small group splitting a car. Take the train only if the overnight journey and the scenery appeal more than getting there quickly — and if the every-other-day off-season schedule lines up with your plans.
Before you go
Border situations and cross-border transport in this region can change, and the train timetable shifts with the season. We research these details carefully, but no guide can promise a schedule is still live on the day you travel. Confirm the current train calendar and the latest fares locally or with the operator, and check your entry requirements for Georgia, before you commit. If you are still planning the Armenian side of your trip, our guides to getting around Armenia, the Yerevan travel guide, and day trips from Yerevan cover the rest, and the Armenia budget guide puts this fare in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
By road or rail. A marshrutka (shared minibus) is the cheapest and most frequent option at roughly 7,000–9,000 AMD (about $20–25) and around six hours, departing Yerevan’s Kilikia Central Bus Station. A shared taxi costs about $30–40 and is a little faster, and an overnight train also runs the route. All cross the Bagratashen–Sadakhlo border.
How long does it take to get from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
By marshrutka it is about six hours plus border time; a shared taxi is roughly five to six hours. The overnight train is slower, at around 10.5 to 11 hours. Border queues can add anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours for road travellers.
Is there a train from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
Yes. It runs daily in summer and every second day off-season, alternating direction by date, so check the current calendar. The Tbilisi departure is around 20:20, arriving Yerevan about 06:55. Fares run from roughly $18–35 for a 3rd-class berth up to about $65–75 in 1st class, and berths sell out in summer.
How much does it cost to get from Yerevan to Tbilisi?
Roughly 7,000–9,000 AMD (about $20–25) for a marshrutka seat, about $30–40 for a shared taxi, or from about $18 up to $65–75 for the train depending on class. Prices are approximate and shift over time.
Do you need a visa to cross from Armenia into Georgia?
Armenia and Georgia have separate entry rules, and many nationalities can enter both easily — but you should check your own passport’s requirements for Georgia before travelling. This guide does not cover Georgian visas; confirm with an official Georgian source.
Featured image: Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons
