Yerevan to Batumi: How to Get There by Different Means

The question of how to get from Yerevan to Batumi becomes particularly relevant at the start of summer when the beach season kicks off. People flock to the Black Sea, ready to soak up the sun with roasted corn in one hand and a refreshing Lagidze lemonade in the other. However, Batumi is also nice in wintertime. During winter, Batumi sees fewer tourists, allowing for a more tranquil experience. The Seaside Boulevard, with its white colonnades and modern sculptures, offers stunning views of the Black Sea against the backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains. You can stroll along the beach, enjoying the unique scenery created by palm trees and occasional snow. Here you can read about the main attractions that you can see in Batumi.

In 2025, a few transportation options are available: minibus (bus), train, private transfer, and airplane. Your choice depends on your priorities: whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, something more comfortable, or the fastest route.

Our Armenian friend Uncle Vardan says that the best way is to ride a horse straight to Batumi! Our job is to provide you with the options, and yours is to choose. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each travel method.

The distance from Yerevan to Batumi is 450 km by land and about 291 km by air. The journey is not short, but it is incredibly beautiful, featuring many attractions and interesting places along the way.

If you take Uncle Vardan’s advice and decide to rent a horse, you’ll get to experience how the landscape and climate change several times. You can see mountains, valleys, rivers, blooming fields, and peacefully grazing cows; take photos against stunning backdrops, and try khachapuri and khinkali in local cafes.

However, you can do all of this more quickly and comfortably by car. We can’t offer you a magic carpet, and you won’t be able to catch a glimpse of Grandma Nino baking khachapuri from the window of a regular airplane.

Travel time depends on your mode of transportation:

• By minibus or bus: at least 13 hours
• By airplane: 1 hour (in-flight)
• By train: about 16 hours
• By car: from 10 hours
• By horse: from 24 hours at a gallop 😀

According to Uncle Vardan, minibuses from Yerevan to Batumi depart from the central bus station located at 6 Admiral Isakov Avenue, as well as from stops at 60 Khachaturyan Street and 7 Argishti Street.

“Just don’t think, friends, that these are big charter buses. These are private carriers operating as individual entrepreneurs. Tickets are sold per person starting from 45 dollars. They usually leave in the mornings and evenings, unless something changes.”

You can choose and purchase your ticket on-site; the schedule is flexible.

Minibuses are a budget-friendly option, but don’t expect much comfort. Be prepared for a journey that could take anywhere from 11 to 16 hours. Travelers often complain in reviews about reckless driving and motion sickness among children. One downside is that there are few stops along the way for breaks, making a long trip less bearable.

“Now, riding a horse is a different story! Fresh air, stop whenever you want,” says our Vardan. But you decide for yourself: if it rains, it’s definitely more comfortable in a car.

Using GoTrip for your transfer is a more comfortable option compared to taking a minibus or riding a horse. You can choose your driver and vehicle in advance based on your preferences, such as the size of the car, trunk space, price, and reviews from other users on the website.

“What I like about this option is that the price doesn’t change during the trip. You pay exactly what’s stated in your order. Plus, the price includes as many stops as you want. You can stop, explore, and grab snacks at cafes — the driver will wait for you at no extra charge. This is a great advantage; it’s not just about traveling but also about experiencing the country. Almost like riding a horse! There’s also a child seat and water for passengers included at no extra cost,” comments Vardan.

By the way, the price doesn’t depend on how many passengers are in the car. You pay for the vehicle, so feel free to bring kids, grandparents, friends, or even a dog if you’d like. GoTrip allows you to filter for drivers who can transport pets.

The driver will pick you up at your specified address at any time of day and take you directly to your destination in Batumi. To make your journey more enjoyable, plan stops at interesting places along the way — like cafes with views of mountain gorges, scenic viewpoints, rivers, or anywhere else that catches your fancy.

“Just remember to interact with people! As they say in Armenia, when you’re with others, even a bad day feels like Easter,” shares Uncle Vardan.

You can also use this same service to return from Batumi to Yerevan or to the airport. If you decide to stay overnight in Tbilisi for dinner with a view of Mount Mtatsminda and stroll through the old town, you can book a multi-day transfer with one driver.

Travel time (without stops) is around 11 hours.

Check prices for multiday transfers from Yerevan to Batumi on your desired dates. Also you can book a transfer in Georgia.

There are no direct trains from Yerevan to Batumi. You’ll need to buy two tickets with a transfer: one for the train to Tbilisi and another for the train to Batumi (or you can take a bus or minibus from Tbilisi to Batumi).

“If you thought you’d be riding on a modern high-speed train, think again. The train from Yerevan to Tbilisi isn’t new. The air conditioning doesn’t work very well, and sometimes the windows won’t open, so it can get stuffy. But if you bring some lavash and a couple of pastries from Grandma, along with a nice drink, the journey will feel much shorter,” warns Vardan.

You can purchase tickets on the Armenian Railways website, Railway.am, or at the station for different classes (starting from 23 USD). Trains run in the evenings every other day from the central railway station and arrive in Tbilisi early in the morning.

Important! The trip to Tbilisi takes about 10.5 hours, and then it’s another 5.5 hours by train to Batumi.

About all the options how you can travel from Tbilisi to Batumi you can read here.

Although the schedule says you should arrive in Batumi at 7:35 AM, trains sometimes run late. There can be various delays at the border, so it’s best not to book your second train too close to your arrival time—consider a later option like 10:25 AM.

From Tbilisi to Batumi, there are modern double-decker trains with two classes of seating (tickets cost 35 GEL/13 USD for second class and 70 GEL/26 USD for first class). Both classes only have seating; the difference is that first-class seats are more comfortable with extra space. These trains offer Wi-Fi, but it rarely works well, so it’s best to download movies ahead of time. Also, remember to bring your own food and drinks since there’s no restaurant car on board.

Another issue is that there might not be enough space for large suitcases. Passengers often have to place their bags near the stairs and exits of the carriage. Arrive early to secure space for your luggage.

The fastest and most expensive way to travel from Yerevan to Batumi is by plane. Since 2023, Armenian Airlines has launched direct flights between the two cities. Flights operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays (check the schedule for updates). You can purchase tickets online through the airline’s website, with round-trip fares starting at 315 USD (higher during peak season).

You can also arrange a transfer to the airport and have a driver meet you at Batumi Airport through GoTrip. The driver will pick you up and wait for you in the arrivals area with a sign.

Book a transfer to the Yerevan airport with no deposit

Book a transfer from Tbilisi airport with no deposit

No matter which option you choose, Uncle Vardan and I wish you joyful travels through beautiful countries like Georgia and Armenia, filled with wonderful experiences along the way — even if you’re not riding a horse.

By the way, Uncle Vardan swears on his friend Tigran’s grandfather’s life that he can make it to Batumi not just on a horse but also on a donkey if there’s no horse available!