How to Get to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

Kazbegi is 155 km north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Highway — 3 hours by car in normal conditions, 4–5 hours if you stop at Ananuri Fortress, Gudauri viewpoint, and the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument (all recommended). This is one of Georgia's most scenic drives and worth doing slowly.

The cheapest option is a marshrutka from Didube station in Tbilisi: 15 GEL, 3.5 hours, departures every hour from 07:00 until 18:00. No stops — you just get to Kazbegi. If you want the viewpoint stops, take a shared tour or private driver.

Highlights

• Marshrutka from Didube: 15 GEL, 3.5h, hourly, no stops
• Shared day tour from Tbilisi: $30–45, includes Ananuri + Gudauri + Gergeti
• Private transfer one-way: 250–350 GEL (~$95–130), any hotel pickup
• Rental car: 3 hours, $40–60/day + fuel, tunnel + snowchains in winter
• Winter (Nov–April): road can close in blizzards — check gorge.emergency.ge before travel
• Uber/Bolt do NOT operate to Kazbegi — pre-book a private driver