How to Get from Telavi to Pankisi Valley, Georgia (Updated for 2026)
The information in the article (updated March 2025) remains accurate as of early 2026. Public transport in rural Georgia, especially marshrutkas (minivans), operates informally with no major changes reported.
Option 1: Marshrutka from Telavi (Recommended & Cheapest)
- Departure Point: Telavi’s New Bus Station (also called the central or main station), located right next to the Telavi Bazaar (easy to find on Google Maps).
- How it Works: No fixed schedule—marshrutkas depart when full (typically midday or early afternoon; wait times 30-60 minutes).
- What to Do: Ask around the station lot for the marshrutka to Pankisi Valley, Akhmeta, Duisi, or Jokolo (drivers and passengers will point you to the right one).
- Duration: About 90 minutes to Duisi (the main village); slightly longer to Jokolo.
- Cost: 3-5 GEL per person (pay when exiting).
- Tip: Drivers know popular guesthouses (e.g., Nazy’s in Jokolo or Melissa in Duisi)—tell them your destination, and they’ll drop you close.
Option 2: Taxi from Telavi
- If no marshrutka is available (rare, but possible off-season), hire a taxi.
- Cost: Around 25-45 GEL for the whole car (negotiate; cheaper if shared).
- Faster and more flexible.
Returning from Pankisi to Telavi
- Morning marshrutkas usually run from villages like Jokolo or Duisi to Telavi/Tbilisi (ask your guesthouse host to confirm/call the driver the day before).
- If not running, taxi to Telavi (~45 GEL) or direct to Tbilisi (~100 GEL).
Alternative: Direct from Tbilisi (If You’re Not Already in Telavi)
- Direct marshrutkas to Pankisi (often to Jokolo/Duisi) depart Tbilisi’s Ortachala Bus Station twice daily: 07:30 and 14:20.
- Duration: 3-4 hours.
- Cost: 15-20 GEL.
- These sometimes pass through Telavi, but starting from Tbilisi is more reliable in high season.
Notes for 2026
- Marshrutka services are stable, but low demand off-season (e.g., winter/early spring) can mean fewer departures—always have your guesthouse host confirm.
- Roads are good via Gombori Pass/Telavi route.
- Pankisi is safe and welcoming; community tourism (e.g., at Nazy’s Guest House) is thriving.
If staying at a guesthouse, contact them in advance—they can often reserve seats or arrange transport. Enjoy the stunning valley and Kist culture! If you have a specific date or guesthouse, I can help refine this.