Akhalts'ikhe

The city has been around for at least 800 years, and was the seat of the House of Akhaltsikhe, dukes of Samtskhe, for several centuries. In 1576 the Ottomans took the city; they built most of the old buildings a tourist can see here. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829 Russians captured the city. Until the 20th century Akhaltsikhe was mostly Armenian, but today around 27% are Armenians and the rest are Georgians. There is some language tension between city inhabitants.

By marshrutka:

All marshrutkas from major Georgian cities stop at Borjomi and at Khashuri bus station. Hence, if you missed your ride, it's not terribly difficult to catch a marshrutka going between Akhaltsikhe and Khashuri before dinner time.

(As of Mch. 2022 the prices quoted have risen 20-25%.)

From specific destinations:

Tbilisi (Didube bus station) – 08:00–19:00 hourly. 3 hr. 15 lari. (updated Sept 2022)

Kutaisi – 08:20, and 13:00. 3½ hr. 10-12 lari.

Gori – 08:30. 2½ hr. 10 lari. (updated Apr 2022)

Batumi (from old bus station near Batumi train station, via Khashuri) – 08:30, and ~10:30. 5½-6 hr. 30 lari (Oct 2025).

Borjomi – Every 30-60 min. 1 hr. 3 lari.

Vardzia – 9:00 (10:30 in the winter), 13:00 and 15:00. 1½ hr. 6.50 lari. (updated Apr 2022)

Nakalakevi/Tmogvi (near Vardzia) – ~08:10-08:20.

To specific destinations (vice-versa, if not listed above, should be similarly frequent):

Ninotsminda – 08:15, and 15:00. 1½ hr. 7 lari. They obviously also go by Akhalkalaki.

Gori – 08:15, and 13:00. 2½ hr. 7 lari.

Kutaisi – 10:40, 15:00, and 18:10. 3½ hr. 17 lari. (updated Apr 2022)

Batumi (via Khashuri) – 08:30, and 11:30. 6 hr. 20 lari.

Batumi (via Khulo, Jun-Aug) – 10:00. 6 hr. 18 lari.

Vardzia – 12:20 and 17:30. 1½ hr. 6.50 lari. (updated Apr 2022)

Mirashkhani (passing through Vardzia) - 10:35 and 16:00. 1½ hr. 7 lari. (updated Apr 2022)

There are few direct marshrutkas from/to Yerevan, Armenia, or several connections from Armenia when making a stopover in Akhalkalaki. There is also a daily connection from Gyumri, which starts at 10:00 (3½ hr, 4,000 dram).

By thumb:

The direct road from Batumi to Akhaltsikhe is not served by marshrutkas, probably due its bad state and the mountain pass. Nevertheless, you should be able to catch a (4WD) ride on that road. But it will be bumpy and probably still take at least 4 hr.

By car:

The principal route to Akhaltsikhe runs from Georgia's main East-West highway (E60) at the spur in Khashuri leading to Borjomi.