How to get to Kazbegi
Kazbek is popular destination for beginner alpinists with some alpine and glacier experience looking for a challenge, more wild, exotic mountain.
The easiest way is from the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi. After arriving at the airport we have a number of options. Once you are past the passport control and baggage claim on the airport hall you will be met with many offers of transportation and accommodation from locals. It is possible to rent a car directly from the airport to the destination Stepantsminda village also known as Kazbegi. Cost varies between 160 to 200 GEL for a car with a driver depending on the car’s capacity. Cheaper and slower option is minibus – marshrutka. To get to it we need a taxi to the open-air market and bus station Didube. To find our bus we need to read a board with town name located behind a windshield. The destintion is also frequently shouted by driver eager to advertise his vehicle. Marshrutkas go when they are full, not at a fixed hour. Ticket is 10 GEL. There can be an additional luggage fee if the boot is too small and it has to be put inside.
On the market itself there is a wide choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts or gas canisters for mountain stoves and fast-food stands. Most goods are also available in Kazbegi, though slightly more expensive and not as varied. Should you want to there is also possibility to rent whole car with a driver there for higher cost.
The ride takes around 3 hours. At first leads north on hot flatlands nearby old capital Mtskheta and church fortress Ananuri. Next it gradually climbs higher on winding mountain roads to reach expanding ski resort Gudauri. The highest point of the journey is Jvari Pass at 2397 m a.s.l. from where it takes few more minutes to descend to Kazbegi village.








