The city centre is compact and walkable. The main sights in the city — the historical museum, synagogue, market quarter, and riverfront — are all within easy walking distance of one another. Bagrati Cathedral requires a steep uphill walk of about 20 minutes from the centre.
Taxis are inexpensive by European standards and the best way to reach the out-of-town sights. A taxi to Gelati and Motsameta combined, with waiting time, should cost around 40–60 GEL for the round trip. Bolt operates in Kutaisi, which makes hailing and pricing more transparent than negotiating with drivers on the street.
Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) run between the city and surrounding towns. The main marshrutka station is near the central market.
Day trips to Sataplia (9 km) and Prometheus Caves (20 km) are best done by taxi or organised tour, as public transport connections to both are inconvenient.