Georgia’s capital is a full of gorgeous views, and one of the best ways to experience its cityscapes and the mountains beyond is by riding one of the trio of cable cars in Tbilisi. After all, there are three of them to choose from (plus a funicular). I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a place so obsessed with cable cars.
Whether you’re looking for panoramic views of the city, a quick route to a scenic park, or a chance to relax and take in the surroundings, Tbilisi’s cable cars offer a unique experience. Here’s a guide to three popular cable cars in Tbilisi and how to take them:
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Planning a trip to Georgia?
Here’s what you need to know:
PACKING: Georgia uses plug Type C (grab a multi-way travel adaptor if needed). If you’re visiting in winter, you will need a very warm coat, thermal layers, and snow-proof shoes, especially if you’re travelling outside of Tbilisi. And, of course, a good book.
TRANSPORT: Download the Bolt app for taxis, which are very cheap by European standards (there’s also BoltFood for food delivery). The metro and buses are simple enough to use (you can use a contactless card). For travel outside of Tbilisi, trains are efficient and reliable, though marshrutka minivans are the most popular and cheapest option. For private transfers, you can book with GoTrip, or find car rentals through Booking.com.
PHONE: I got a local sim card with MyMagti, though they’re not the only option. 30 days with unlimited data cost GEL44 and I often used this data to hotspot and work from cafes, even in the mountains.
MONEY: Most ATMs charge for international cards, including Bank of Georgia, but sometimes you can find some that don’t; it’s hit and miss. Contactless is widely accepted (if asked “Which type of card?” you can say “TBC” or “Bank of Georgia”, it doesn’t matter for international cards), but cash is good to have on hand. For transfers, a local bank account is needed, which don’t come with BIC or SWIFT numbers, which can be tricky.
LANGUAGE: I never had any major issue with a language barrier (Google Translate always helps). Note that the younger generation speaks English well, but the older generation speaks Russian as a second language and usually struggles with English.
IS GEORGIA SAFE? I visited during the recent and ongoing protests and felt perfectly safe. I’ve experienced protest movements, both peaceful and violent, in Thailand and Hong Kong, and felt confident this would not affect my trip. My advice is keep up-to-date with news and consider what you’re comfortable with.
1. Rike Park Cable Car
The Rike Park Cable Car is one of the most iconic and accessible cable car rides in Tbilisi, offering spectacular views of the city, the Mtkvari River, and the surrounding hills. The cable car connects Rike Park, located on the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River, to the Narikala Fortress, perched high on the hill.
How to Take It:
- Starting Point: The cable car station is located in Rike Park, which is easily accessible from the city centre.
- Ticket Price: Tickets cost only a few lari, and you can purchase them at the cable car station.
- Route: The cable car ride takes about 5-7 minutes and offers incredible views of the city along the way. Once at the top, you can explore the Narikala Fortress, enjoy panoramic views of Tbilisi, and visit the Mother Georgia statue.
- Operating Hours: The cable car runs daily, typically from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, but it’s advisable to check for updates on operating hours.
Tip: taking this cable car ride is one of my top picks of things to do in Tbilisi. I took this cable car as part of this walking tour of the city, which I really enjoyed and found super-insightful.
2. Vake Park-Turtle Lake Cable Car
The Vake Park-Turtle Lake Cable Car offers a peaceful and scenic ride to one of Tbilisi’s most beautiful natural spots, Turtle Lake. Located on the edge of the city, Turtle Lake is a serene getaway where you can relax, enjoy nature, and take in the views of the surrounding mountains.
However, note that the little cabins for this ropeway are pretty much tin cans and you will likely be squashed in with the other travellers:
How to Take It:
- Starting Point: The cable car starts at Vake Park, a large green space in the Vake neighbourhood. Vake Park is easily reachable by public transport or a short taxi ride from the city centre.
- Ticket Price: Tickets only cost a few lari, and you can buy them directly at the cable car station. There are also options for round-trip tickets if you plan to return via cable car.
- Route: The cable car ride lasts about 5 minutes and takes you to the top of the hill near Turtle Lake. The views along the way are fantastic, with vistas of the city and Vake Park below.
- Operating Hours: The cable car typically operates daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, although hours may vary depending on the season.
Tip: Once you reach the top, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Turtle Lake. You can rent a paddle boat, walk along the lake, or simply relax on the shores with a picnic. I visited in winter, so there was less to do, but a stroll around the lake and a dip into one of the cosy lakeside cafes was still lovely.
3. Rustaveli-Mtatsminda Cable Car
The Rustaveli-Mtatsminda Cable Car is a fun and scenic way to reach Mtatsminda Park, located on top of Mtatsminda Mountain. This cable car provides stunning views of Tbilisi and is one of the best ways to access the park, which offers a mix of amusement rides, restaurants, and breath-taking views of the city below.
How to Take It:
- Starting Point: The cable car station is located near Rustaveli Avenue, in the heart of Tbilisi. The station is just a short walk from Rustaveli Metro Station, making it easy to access from almost anywhere in the city. It’s also a very photogenic building…
- Ticket Price: Tickets are available at the station and are reasonably priced, with options for one-way or round-trip tickets.
- Route: The cable car takes about 5 minutes to ascend to the top of Mtatsminda Mountain. Once you reach the top, you’ll find a variety of attractions, including the Mtatsminda Park, a funicular, restaurants, and fantastic viewpoints of the city.
- Operating Hours: The cable car usually operates daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, but it’s best to confirm the timing as it may vary with seasons or holidays.
Tip: Mtatsminda Park is a popular spot for both tourists and locals, so it’s a great place to spend a few hours enjoying the views and rides. I visited for New Year and it was the perfect spot to watch fireworks going off all over the city.
Bonus: Tbilisi Funicular Railway
Although not technically a cable car, the Tbilisi Funicular Railway is a classic ride that offers the same beautiful views and takes you up Mtatsminda Mountain. It’s an iconic way to reach Mtatsminda Park and the area surrounding it.
The funicular has been in operation since 1905 and remains a favourite of both locals and tourists.
How to Take It:
- Starting Point: The funicular station is located at the base of Mtatsminda Mountain, near the Tbilisi Funicular Station, which can be accessed from the city centre.
- Ticket Price: Tickets can be bought at the station or through a local card system, offering a cost-effective way to travel.
- Route: The funicular takes about 5 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Along the way, you’ll get an excellent view of Tbilisi and the surrounding landscape.
- Operating Hours: The funicular runs daily from early morning until late evening, but hours may vary depending on the season.
Tip: I recommend taking the cable car one way to Mtatsminda and the funicular the other way to enjoy both.
Cable Cars in Tbilisi
Tbilisi’s cable cars and funicular railway offer convenient, scenic, and unique ways to experience the city from above. If you have any tips about using the cable car systems, let me know in the comments below.
Travel Essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend.
FLIGHTS: The best deals can be found on Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kiwi (learn more about Kiwi travel hacking here).
TRAVEL INSURANCE: I recommend World Nomads for travel insurance because you can purchase once you’re already overseas and you can easily extend your policy. For digital nomads, I recommend and personally use Genki (learn more about Genki digital nomad health insurance here).
E-SIM: For travel in Europe, I use an e-sim with GoMobile, which is a provider based in Malta, but you need to be there to set it up.
ACCOMMODATION: I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for apartments. For Colivings, I usually book privately, but Coliving.com is a good place to start.
THINGS TO DO: I use Viator or Get Your Guide for booking day trips, city tours and other activities, though I often check reviews on TripAdvisor too.
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