Metromoney Card

Public transportation in Tbilisi lives up to the capital’s status — it is one of the most advanced transit systems in all of Georgia. The city boasts a functioning metro system (the only one in the country), an extensive network of buses, minibus routes (known as marshrutkas), as well as a cable car and a funicular railway. Trolleybuses and trams, however, no longer operate.

In central Tbilisi, most electronic displays at bus and metro stops provide information in both Georgian and English. As you move farther from the center, these conveniences become rarer — signs are often in Georgian only, or in some cases, absent altogether.

To travel on the metro, you’ll need a Metromoney card — the only accepted form of payment. Buses and marshrutkas are more flexible, accepting both the Metromoney card and coins.

Metromoney is a universal, prepaid travel card accepted on all forms of municipal transport: metro, buses, marshrutkas, and even the scenic cable car connecting Rike Park to the Narikala Fortress. The card costs 2 GEL.

With Metromoney, you can load a 90-minute transfer pass for use across metro, bus, marshrutka, and cable car rides. There are also unlimited ride options available — daily, weekly, monthly (1, 3, or 6 months), and annual passes can be purchased for added convenience.

You can buy a Metromoney card at the ticket offices of any metro or cable car station. The initial 2 GEL is a refundable deposit. The card is not personalized — no passport or identification is required to purchase it. Be sure to keep the receipt, as it is required to receive your deposit refund later.

Reloading the card is simple. You can top up your balance at any metro or cable car station, at Bank of Georgia payment terminals, or in designated service centers.

To check your balance, simply pass through a metro turnstile, check the printed fare on your bus ticket, or ask at the ticket counters of any station.

Cards are valid for one month from the date of first use. If you wish to return your card and recover your deposit and any remaining balance, you must do so within that period. To complete the refund, present your passport and the original purchase receipt.

One of Metromoney’s greatest advantages is the free transfer system. After paying once for a ride on the metro or a municipal bus, you may transfer for free within the next 90 minutes across metro and bus lines. After that time expires, another fare is charged, followed again by a fresh 90-minute window of free transfers.

There are a few exceptions. If your first ride is on a marshrutka, 80 tetri is deducted. Any subsequent marshrutka rides cost 65 tetri each. Importantly, there is no free transfer period after using a marshrutka, even if you began your journey with the metro. In other words, rides on marshrutkas are not included in the 90-minute free transfer policy, making municipal buses a more cost-effective option.

The Metromoney card can also be shared among multiple passengers. To pay for several people, simply tap the card on the terminal once for each person. Keep in mind that when using the card this way, no group discounts or fare concessions apply.