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Public Transport in Tbilisi | Student Cards, Routes & Monthly Cost
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Public Transport in Tbilisi: Student Cards, Routes and Monthly Cost

A practical transport guide for Indian medical students covering student eligibility, standard fares, monthly passes, route planning, metro and bus use, airport travel and daily commute budgeting.

Indian medical student planning daily public transport routes in Tbilisi

Quick Answer

Tbilisi’s municipal transport includes metro, buses, minibuses and the Bagebi–University ropeway. The standard fare is 1 GEL for 90 minutes of unlimited travel when paid through an eligible transport or bank card. Students of licensed and accredited institutions within Tbilisi may qualify for a preferential 20 tetri fare, subject to proper student-status registration.

Studying at Tbilisi State Medical University?

Before planning your daily commute, review the complete Tbilisi State Medical University guide covering admission, fees, eligibility, curriculum, clinical training and student life.

Do not assume your university ID automatically activates the student fare

Eligibility and card activation must be confirmed through the university and the current Tbilisi Transport Company process. Until the discount is active, budget using the standard tariff.

Current Tbilisi Public Transport Fares

1 GEL

Standard fare

Includes 90 minutes of unlimited municipal travel when paid through an eligible card.

20 tetri

Eligible student fare

For students of licensed and accredited institutions located within Tbilisi.

40 GEL

One-month pass

Unlimited municipal travel for one month using a subscription card.

Short-term

1-day and 1-week passes

Official TTC tariffs list 3 GEL for one day and 20 GEL for one week of unlimited travel.

Longer-term

3, 6 and 12-month passes

Official prices are 100 GEL for three months, 150 GEL for six months and 250 GEL for one year.

MetroMoney card: TTC lists the card price as 2 GEL and advises passengers to keep the purchase receipt because it is needed for restoration after loss or damage.

Who Can Receive the Tbilisi Student Fare?

TTC’s preferential tariff applies to students of licensed and accredited higher or vocational education institutions located within the administrative boundaries of Tbilisi. This means the university, programme status and student registration must be recognised in the applicable system.

Ask the university student office

Confirm whether international students in your programme are eligible and which document is issued.

Prepare student evidence

Carry your passport, active student-status letter or ID and any residence or card documents requested.

Use an authorised service point

Complete card purchase or preferential-status activation only through the current official process.

Test one journey

Check the deducted fare and keep the transaction or card receipt.

Student discount limitation: A university outside Tbilisi, an inactive student status or an unregistered card may not qualify for the capital’s 20 tetri fare.
Medical students travelling to university classes in Tbilisi

Choose housing by commute

A cheaper room can become inconvenient when it requires multiple daily transfers.

Medical students travelling between classroom and clinical training locations in Tbilisi

Clinical routes may differ

Hospital postings can require routes different from the main university campus.

How to Plan Metro and Bus Routes

TTC provides an official journey planner with route options for metro, bus or a combination of both. The system can search by current location, street, stop name, stop ID or map point. It also provides real-time bus positions, stop information and route timetables.

Students studying at Tbilisi State Medical University should compare accommodation around Medical University, Delisi and Vazha-Pshavela, then check the exact walking distance from the metro or bus stop to the specific TSMU academic building or clinical base.

  • save the university’s nearest metro station and bus stops;
  • check both directions before boarding;
  • allow extra time during the first two weeks;
  • save hospital and clinical-base locations separately;
  • check route changes before exams or early-morning practicals;
  • keep an offline screenshot of the return route.

Students near TSMU often evaluate access around Medical University, Delisi and Vazha-Pshavela areas, but the best route depends on the exact building and accommodation.

Realistic Monthly Transport Cost for Students

The student’s monthly cost depends on whether the 20 tetri preferential fare is active and how often transport is used.

Eligible student: two paid journeys × 22 days

Approximately 8.80 GEL per month, before weekend or extra travel.

Standard fare: two paid journeys × 22 days

Approximately 44 GEL per month. A 40 GEL monthly unlimited pass may then be more economical.

The 90-minute transfer window can reduce the number of separate charges when a journey needs a bus-to-metro or metro-to-bus connection.

Airport and Late-Night Travel

Airport bus routes, operating hours and stop locations can change. Check the official TTC journey planner shortly before travel. For late-night arrival, heavy luggage or missed public transport, students may need an authorised taxi or app-based ride.

  • confirm the airport route on the travel date;
  • keep the accommodation address in Georgian and English;
  • do not accept an unverified street taxi price;
  • share vehicle and route details with a trusted contact;
  • keep enough GEL or a working bank card available.

Daily Transport Tips for Indian Students

  • tap the correct card for every required validation;
  • keep the student card and university ID secure;
  • do not use another student’s preferential card;
  • save TTC’s hotline and official journey planner;
  • avoid displaying your phone carelessly near doors;
  • allow additional time during snow, rain or road disruption;
  • compare accommodation using total door-to-door travel time.

Read the safest student neighbourhoods in Tbilisi and the monthly Tbilisi student budget.

Verified Transport Facts

Standard tariff

TTC lists 1 GEL for 90 minutes of unlimited travel on municipal transport when paid through eligible cards.

Official TTC standard tariff

Preferential student fare

TTC lists a 20 tetri fare for students of licensed and accredited institutions located within Tbilisi.

Official TTC preferential tariffs

Subscription passes

TTC lists daily, weekly, monthly, three-month, six-month and annual unlimited packages.

Check current pass prices

Route-planning tools

TTC’s service includes journey planning, real-time bus prediction, maps, stops and timetables.

Official TTC application guide

Author and Review Information

Author: ISA Georgia Content Team

Reviewed by: Mohit Verma, SEO Expert

Last verified: 28 July 2026

Method: Fare, pass, student-discount and route-planning information was checked through current Tbilisi Transport Company pages. TSMU-related travel guidance is connected directly to the main TSMU university page.

Correction policy: Update this page when TTC changes fares, eligibility, routes, cards or app services.

Need Help Choosing Student Housing by Commute?

Compare rent, safety, metro access and travel time to the university and clinical bases before signing an agreement.

Get ISA Georgia GuidanceView TSMU Main Page

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Tbilisi public transport cost?

The standard municipal fare is 1 GEL for a 90-minute unlimited travel window when paid using an eligible card.

Do international university students get a discount?

Students of licensed and accredited institutions within Tbilisi may qualify for the 20 tetri preferential fare after proper status and card activation.

Is the 40 GEL monthly pass worth buying?

It can be worthwhile for frequent travellers paying the standard fare. Students with an active 20 tetri fare should calculate their actual monthly journeys first.