Travelling around Georgia

luggagePedestrians, especially in the large cities do not have an easy life. Traffic lights or zebra crossings are rare. Going across the street is a run between moving cars with a stop between lanes for opportune moment – much like in Kirgizstan.

Drivers almost do not use indicators, some even do it incorrectly. You can often hear honking – to warn pedestrians or to signal other cars about overtaking manoeuvre. The condition of vehicles is quite varied depending on their age, cracked window or missing bumper is not uncommon. Despite right-hand traffic there are many second-hand cars from the UK.    

Many people could be surprised that immediately after leaving the airport, train station or a bus foreigner will be approached by some people offering transportation or accommodation. It is usually a good idea to haggle – initial prices could be inflated.

The most popular mean of transportation are marshrutkas – private minibuses. Destination is shown on a board behind the front window. If you are travelling as a group of 6-12 people you could rent the entire bus by approaching the driver directly. Thus you could agree on a lower price and/or a different destination. 

 
carDrivers are maximizing the profit and space usage. You have to be prepared that your luggage will be stored on the roof where it will be attached with a piece of string or you will have to store it under your seat or in the aisle. Should your luggage be too big you might be asked to buy a seat for it. This could be a problem if there are many people with luggage. 

In Tbilisi most marshrutkas leave from Didube bus station which also doubles as an open air marketplace.  It is possible to buy food and clothes there but also more uncommon goods by approaching men standing close to metro station entrance. They sell unlicensed alcohol and compressed propane gas canisters for mountaineering stoves. Some minibuses run from vicinity of the train station i.e. to Mestia. 

When it comes to going to the seaside night trains with sleeping cars are the most comfortable. However during the seasons tickets are sold out fed days ahead.

Travelling in marshrutkas is an interesting experience by itself. Traffic regulations seem not to apply to these minbuses – overtaking multiple cars, constant breaking of the speed limit and aggressive driving in corners. Despite all that after 2 trips I felt quite safe, these drivers are quite good i.e. parking backwards, uphill in a narrow alley is not a problem. 

 
didube

Example of prices in GEL:

  • Tbilisi – Mestia 30
  • Tbilisi – Batumi 20-25
  • Tbilisi – Kazbegi 10-15
  • Taxi Tbilisi – airport 25
  • Taxi Mtskheta – Tbilisi airport 50 

 

Another common sight are stray dogs – they are in cities, towns and villages – often in packs. For example when we pitched our tents or sleeping mats 😉 in Vargia 3 dogs accompanied us for the whole night. They were friendly and curious. On the other hand in Mestia I saw one of the dogs bite a tourist.

dogVargia-dogsbmwVargia

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