Marshrutkas
The marshrutka — a minibus seating 10 to 20 people — is the backbone of travel in Georgia. They run between all major towns and most villages, leave when full (or close to it), and are cheap. There are no fixed schedules on most routes; you turn up at the station and wait. In Tbilisi, most long-distance marshrutkas and shared taxis leave from Didube bus station in the north of the city.
Signs are in Georgian script, so asking fellow passengers or the driver is necessary. Fares are paid in cash, either to a ticket window or directly to the driver.
Train
Georgia has a decent train network for a small country. The Tbilisi–Batumi route (about 5 hours) runs several times a day with modern Stadler express trains. The Tbilisi–Zugdidi route (8 hours) is slower but very scenic, and is the most practical way to reach Svaneti — transfer to a marshrutka in Zugdidi for the final leg to Mestia. There are also regular services to Gori and Kutaisi. Tickets are cheap and can sometimes be booked online.
Shared Taxis
For destinations not well-served by marshrutkas — or when you want to leave on your schedule rather than the driver's — shared taxis are the answer. They charge more than marshrutkas but are faster. Drivers fill up their cars at the same stations. Solo travellers can buy all remaining seats to leave immediately.
Private Car
Hiring a driver for a day is affordable and is the best way to reach places like Kazbegi, Vardzia, or the monasteries around Mtskheta. Agree the price before departure. Hotels and guesthouses can usually arrange this.
Driving yourself is possible. Roads between major cities are generally good; secondary roads and mountain tracks can be rough, requiring a 4WD. Drive carefully — road discipline is inconsistent.
Within Tbilisi
Tbilisi has a metro (two lines), buses, and minibuses. The metro covers the main sights and costs 1 GEL per ride with a rechargeable card. Taxis are cheap; apps such as Bolt and Yandex Go work well and are far better than hailing on the street.