In short: one tap in the Tbilisi metro costs 1₾ and, with cashless payment, becomes a single 90-minute package for metro and buses. The Metromoney card costs 2₾ and is sold at metro station ticket offices and Bank of Georgia express branches. For frequent trips there are unlimited passes for different periods.
Below you will find clear answers to “how much is the metro in Tbilisi”, “how the 90 minutes work”, “how much the metro card costs” and “whether you can pay by bank card”. The text is arranged so it is easy to use on the go without extra details.
How much is the metro in Tbilisi: the current fare
The base cost for a single tap in the capital’s metro is 1 lari. The key feature of the system is that it charges for time, not distance. From the moment of the first cashless payment on a transport card or bank card, a 90-minute window starts. Within that window you can switch between metro lines and city buses without an additional charge.
This is convenient for a typical city scenario: ride the “spine” by metro, then transfer to a bus and cover the last kilometers to the address. With sensible planning, most city errands fit into one 90-minute interval, saving both money and time looking for ticket desks and terminals.
Important: the 90-minute rule applies when you pay cashlessly. If you pay cash on a bus where that is still possible, each boarding is charged separately. To keep the benefit of the single window, use Metromoney or a contactless bank card.
How to make sure the 90 minutes applied
At gates and validators you will see a confirmation of entry and hear a beep. If you board again within 90 minutes, there will be no new charge. It helps to note the time of the first payment on your phone and use it as a reference for transfers.
How much is the metro card in Tbilisi and where to buy it
The transport card Metromoney costs 2₾. It is sold at metro ticket offices and Bank of Georgia express branches; you can top it up there as well. Top-ups are also available via self-service terminals or banking apps. The card stores your balance and correctly applies the 90-minute rule without any extra actions from the rider.
Tip: keep the receipt from purchase or top-up. If you lose or damage the card, the receipt will make replacement and balance transfer easier. For visitors, Metromoney is also handy because you don’t have to pull out your bank card every time or worry about limits and blocks.
Can you do without Metromoney
Yes, the metro and buses accept contactless bank cards and phone payments. With proper cashless payment, you keep the right to the 90-minute transfer window. If you ride often or travel as a family, a separate transport card remains practical: it is easy to hand to a companion and you don’t have to tie every ride to one bank card.
Passes: when they beat single rides
For those who move around the city a lot, unlimited passes are available. The basic line-up is 1 day — 3₾, 1 week — 20₾, 1 month — 40₾, 3 months — 100₾, 6 months — 150₾, 1 year — 250₾. Passes are linked to your card and activated for the chosen term.
The payback logic is simple. If you average more than two 90-minute windows per day, a monthly pass is usually cheaper than single payments by the end of the third week. For short, busy visits, a day pass is convenient: you can change plans freely, make many short hops and not count transfers.
Besides money, a pass gives predictable expenses. You pay a fixed amount and ride freely, without watching every charge and without arguing over who used the card last.
Cable cars: what is included in the city logic and what is paid separately
Within the city transport tariff, the cable car Baghebi — University is included in the 90-minute package. It works as part of the everyday network and follows the general transfer rules. This is convenient for students and campus staff, as well as those planning routes in the northern part of the city.
Popular tourist cable cars are paid separately. A one-way ride on the Rike — Narikala line costs 2.5₾. The ascent to Kus Tba, known as Turtle Lake, costs 1₾ one way; taking a bicycle adds an extra fee. These lines exist in parallel to the city package and do not consume minutes from the 90-minute window.
If you plan to combine city transport and tourist cable cars, allow a small buffer for queues at ticket offices and boarding. Tourist line fares are fixed and do not depend on having Metromoney.
Practice and savings: how to ride faster and pay less
First: always choose cashless payment. Metromoney or a bank card preserve the single 90-minute window and protect you from double charging on transfers. Cash on buses is the exception that almost always costs more.
Second: plan routes with “metro first, then bus”. Build the skeleton of the route on the fast line and use a bus for the short last mile. This approach helps you fit several errands into one 90-minute interval.
Third: calculate whether a pass pays off. If you have a work week, study sessions or an active tourist program ahead, a day or week unlimited saves micromanagement and gives a comfortable feeling of freedom of movement.
Short answer for voice search
How much is the Tbilisi metro: 1₾. With cashless payment, a Metromoney or bank card gives you 90 minutes of transfers on metro and buses. How much is the metro card in Tbilisi: Metromoney — 2₾. Unlimited passes for 1 day, a week, a month and longer are available.
FAQ: three most common questions
How much is the Tbilisi metro and does the 90-minute rule apply
The base fare is 1₾. When paid with a transport card or bank card, it becomes a single 90-minute package for metro and buses. If you pay cash on a bus, each boarding is charged separately and time is not combined.
How much is the metro card in Tbilisi and where to buy it
The Metromoney card costs 2₾. It is sold and topped up at metro ticket offices and Bank of Georgia express branches. Keeping the receipt is recommended: it will help if you need to replace a lost or damaged card.
Can you pay by bank card or phone instead of Metromoney
Yes. Contactless bank cards and phone payments are accepted and keep the right to the 90-minute window. For family trips and longer stays, a transport card is often more convenient so you do not tie every ride to a single bank card.