TRANSPORT (HOW TO GET THERE)

You can reach Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, by air, by a motor road or by train from the neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan. Alternatively, from the Russian Federation, by the Georgian Military Road, which runs from the city of Vladikavkaz, follows the picturesque Darial Gorge, crosses the mountain ridge of the Caucasus through the Cross Pass and then, leads along the valley of the Aragvi River, to the capital city of Tbilisi.

From Tbilisi to Svaneti (Mestia) you can consider the following traveling options:

• Take a train to the city of Zugdidi, and then a minibus or car to Mestia. The busstation in Zugdidi direction Mestia is near from s.c. "Svanish Tower"
• It is also possible to fly from Tbilisi to Mestia by plane only from June 2007

The travel fare as of June 2007 is as follows:

• by a soft-seated train carriage from Zugdidi in 2 pax compartment - one way 10-15 GEL per person (daily service);
• in a 4 pax compartment - one way 10 GEL per person;
• by a sharing minibus from Zugdidi to Mestia, one way 15 GEL per person (daily service); by a car (old soviet Jeep)- 15 GEL as well, but by "Niva" - 20 GEL.
• by a sharing minibus from Tbilisi to Mestia - one way 25 GEL per person (daily service);

Traveling within Mestia Region by a Cross-Country Vehicle