Tbilisi to Thessaloniki: One Budget Train Ride, One Big Lesson

Sometimes the cheapest route leads to the best stories… and a mild case of claustrophobia. 😅

If you’re planning to travel from Tbilisi to Greece, especially via a Wizz Air flight from Kutaisi Airport, then listen up, my friend, because I’ve been there, done that, and barely survived the train ride. But it was one of the most unexpectedly fun and memorable parts of our trip.

Let me walk you through our train-to-plane adventure – what went wrong, what went right, and how you can do it better (or at least be prepared for the chaos).

💡 Since January 2026, all tourists visiting Georgia are required to have travel insurance. You might be asked to show proof when entering the country, so it’s definitely not something to skip. For my trips, I personally use VisitorsCoverage and have been very happy with it. It’s quick to arrange, and meets all the requirements.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Why Kutaisi?

If you’ve checked Wizz Air flights from Georgia, you already know:
They only fly from Kutaisi.
So, if you’re based in Tbilisi like us, you need to get yourself to Kutaisi first.

Flying from Tbilisi is more expensive, while flying from Kutaisi is way more budget-friendly

We wanted to take it easy before our flight, so instead of heading straight to Kutaisi Airport, we decided to spend one night in Kutaisi town.

I booked us train tickets from Tbilisi Central Station (Station Square).
👉🏻 Click here to read my full guide to Tbilisi Central Train Station
Two options for the train:

1. One goes directly to the airport
2. The other goes to Kutaisi town

Since we were planning to rest a bit and not arrive like zombies at the airport, we chose the Kutaisi town option.
Now here’s where I slightly messed up.
Matthieu booked everything, the flights, the stays in Greece, the whole thing.
I had one job: book the train tickets from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. 😁

So there I was, feeling proud, thinking “I got this!” I found a train ticket for just 9 GEL per person and thought, “Look at me saving us money!”

But here’s the catch: It was the only available option to get to Kutaisi town, not the airport. And with that price, I was shook. 

9 GEL? For a five-hour ride? I started questioning life … Was this a glitch in the Matrix? Did I just hack Georgian Railways?

Well… no. 😬

Because as soon as we stepped on the train, reality hit. Hard.
That 9 GEL ticket got us a very hot, very stuffy, toilet-smelling box on wheels with zero airflow.

So yeah, I had one job… and I thought I nailed it.  Turns out, I just accidentally booked us a ticket to character-building.

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t a glitch. It was a trap disguised as a bargain. They call it the day coach — don’t fall for it. Or if you do, be prepared.

The Train Ride From Hell

We arrived at the station fully prepped – lunch, snacks, water – because we’d read there are no cafés on the train, and the ride was 5 hours.
The station was… decent. Don’t expect luxury, but it was easy to navigate and fine for a quick wait.
Then we boarded.
And dear reader, that’s where things started to fall apart.

Our seats weren’t even next to a window – it felt like we were sitting inside a metal cage 🫠
But hey, there weren’t many passengers, so we just moved to window seats. No one cared.

The Bad News?

• No air.
• No fan.
• No ventilation.
• The toilet? I haven’t been to prison, but it gave “abandoned jail cell” vibes.

By the 4th hour, I was honestly wondering if we were going to survive the ride.
But… the landscape outside was gorgeous. Lush, green, peaceful. And honestly? This was an adventure.
Not a comfortable one, but a story we’ll be telling for years.

Our Guesthouse in Kutaisi – 10/10 Would Recommend

We arrived in Kutaisi and walked to our guesthouse – it was so close to the train station, just a few minutes on foot.
I had booked it online, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. But I was blown away!The place was spotless, the family who runs it? The sweetest people ever.
And the best part? Breakfast was included, and it was massive. Like, “we-can’t-eat-this-all” kind of massive.

💡 If you’re planning to spend a night in Kutaisi, I highly recommend this guesthouse. 👉🏻Click here to book it.

We paid around 60 GEL for the night. Clean, cozy, and lovely vibes. Worth every lari.

Exploring Kutaisi

This was my first time in Kutaisi, but Matthieu had been here before. We only had the evening to explore – but I really liked it.

Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in Europe, and it used to be the capital of ancient Colchis — yes, the same Colchis from the myths of Jason and the Argonauts. 🛶✨
Today, it’s the second-largest city in Georgia, but it has a small-town, laid-back charm.

We didn’t have much time to explore, but even just walking around the city center, you feel it — friendly people, slower pace, and a lot more smiles than you’d expect.
Kutaisi feels real. Less polished than Tbilisi, but somehow warmer. 💛

In just one evening, we managed to do

1. Stroll through the main square
2. Enjoy a peaceful coffee
3. Have a delicious dinner
4. Get a big dose of Georgian hospitality

And if you have more time, there’s a lot to see around — like Bagrati Cathedral, Prometheus Cave, and Gelati Monastery.
One of the best day trips is to Martvili Canyon — I wrote a complete guide about it, read it here.

And if you’re up for more adventure, you can book a full-day tour from Kutaisi that includes Prometheus Cave, Martvili & Okatse Canyon for just €26 — click here to book via GetYourGuide. It’s worth it if you want to see the wild beauty of western Georgia without stressing about transportation! 🚐💚

What stood out the most? The people.
Everyone was smiling. Everyone said hello.
You walk into a restaurant, and it’s like everyone’s your cousin.
So different from Tbilisi, where people are more… reserved (no shade, just facts).

Kutaisi has my heart. 💛 Even with just a few hours, I felt the warmth of this little city.

Kutaisi Airport

The next morning, we grabbed a quick taxi to Kutaisi Airport. It’s a small airport, but it does the job.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s efficient. Security was quick, and boarding was easy.
Pro tip: Don’t arrive too early, there’s not much to do inside. Just grab a coffee, chill, and wait for your gate.

Flight time to Thessaloniki? Around 2h 45 minutes.
Smooth, quick, and just like that – we were in Greece 🇬🇷
But that, my friend, is a story for another post 😉

Final Thoughts

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

But I’d book a slightly nicer train. 😂

If you’re trying to save money and love a good story, this route is perfect for you.
Just be prepared for a rough train ride, and make sure to book a cozy stay in Kutaisi to recover before your flight.

From Georgia to Greece, this part of our trip had it all – laughs, chaos, and a train ride we’ll never forget.

And if you’re planning the same route, I hope this helps you avoid the worst bits and enjoy the best ones.

👇🏻
Let me know in the comments:
Have you taken the Tbilisi to Kutaisi train before? Would you do it? Or is this a big NOPE for you? 😅