The cable car in Tbilisi is one of the popular attractions of the Georgian capital. It can be recommended as entertainment for budget travelers. Ride, take photos, visit the beautiful Rike park and the ancient Narikala fortress, located on a hill with panoramic views of the whole city - this should be devoted all day!
In the capital of Georgia there is another cable car, which very few know about. We will tell a little about her.
We will also give you useful tips on when to visit these cableways, how they work and how to get there from different places of the Georgian capital - both on foot and by public transport. Moreover, next to them there are good viewing platforms and many other attractions.
Where is the cable car in Tbilisi
The location of this famous attraction is very convenient. It is located at the very beginning of Rike Park, connects Europe Square and Narikala Fortress. The address of the cableway (Tbilisi) is Megreli Street.
The second cable car runs from Vake Park to Turtle Lake. It is located quite far from the center, so it makes sense to ride it only if you stay in Tbilisi for more than one day.
She rides over new buildings in the areas of Vake and Saburtalo. This is the outskirts of the city, Chavchavadze Avenue.
Mode of operation
Of course, many travelers are interested in the answer to the question of when you can get to the cable car in Tbilisi. Her work time is from 11 am to 23:00. There are no days off or breaks.
The road is open year-round, in summer and winter. There are always those who want to ride. Some people like to ride here from the opening, when there are still few people.
Others prefer the evening. After all, just then you can see Tbilisi, bathed in a mysterious night light. But most people, of course, come here in the daytime.
The cable car in Vake is open from 8am to 10pm. Her booths move every ten minutes. This suspension lift is more deserted, many do not know about it.
Short description
The cable car to Tbilisi is not so many years old. It was opened in 2012. Over the years of its existence, it has become a popular attraction for both tourists and residents.
True, there are also “abruptly” cable cars in Georgia. Tbilisi cannot boast of a suspension lift of the same length as in Batumi. The route is only 600 meters long. But still, riding it is convenient and beautiful.
Travel time is 2 minutes. The terminal station is Narikala fortress. Tourists travel in a convenient capsule. It is a glass booth with windows. Each can accommodate 8 people. Along the walls are benches with soft seats. Doors open automatically.
Cabins move constantly, slowing down a little in those places where passengers sit and go. There are 7 cabins in total. They are with a transparent floor, and therefore tourists can see in detail the houses and streets of ancient Tiflis floating below.
The cable car in the Vake area is longer. Go upstairs for about seven minutes.
What to see
At the top of the cable car in Tbilisi is an observation deck. There you can explore the city and even think about where you have not been and how to get there. From the site you can take a little more walk.
On one side of it is the Narikala fortress, and on the other, a huge statue of Mother of Georgia (Kartli). You can go down either by cable car or on foot, along paths and paths. Travelers find it better to go up. Walking down is preferable - it is nice and interesting.
From the observation deck of the Vake cableway you can see the elite areas of the capital, the surrounding park and even the monument to the History of Georgia on the Tbilisi Sea. It ends on a mountain near Turtle Lake.
There is a beautiful recreation area, there are terraces for sunbathing, cafes, playgrounds. You can rent a catamaran to ride on the lake. This vacation spot is mostly preferred by locals. In summer, they even swim on the lake. There are comfortable walking paths around it.
Near Turtle Lake there is also an Ethnographic Open Air Museum. There is a Svan tower and houses from all regions of Georgia are assembled so that you can get acquainted with the traditional way of life. Under the lake at the foot of the mountain is Vake Park with the Victory Monument. It was laid back in 1946.
Prices
Of course, travel costs money. How much does it take to ride the cable car? This is 2.5 GEL or 65 rubles one way. There are discounts for senior citizens and students.
You can pay in cash or with a special card. It is called Metromani. This card is a universal travel document that is valid in any public transport of the Georgian capital.
It can be bought at any metro station for 2 GEL or 52 rubles, and then replenished by the desired amount. Money will be debited from this card if you decide to ride the cable car.
Using it is easy. The card needs only to be attached to the turnstile. When you leave Tbilisi, Metromani can be returned.
The cost of the trip on the Vake cableway is 1 GEL (26 rubles) one way. It is paid by the Metromani card.
How to get to the cable car from the city center
Rike Park, where the suspension lift begins, is located on the left bank of the Kura or Mtkvari River, opposite the old part of the Georgian capital, near the Presidential Palace.
If you go to the cable car from the historical zone of the city, then you can get there via the Peace Bridge. By the way, it itself is one of the most interesting architectural monuments of Tbilisi. The bridge has a very unusual design. It is designed by Italian and French engineers.
The bridge is a wave-shaped figure of 156 meters in length. When you reach the park, you will quickly find the cable car, which is located at the very beginning.
Metro
But what if you stopped not in the center? Avlabari Underground Station is a short walk from Rike Park. This is the red line of the Tbilisi metro.
By the way, this branch is very useful for tourists, because all the main attractions of Tbilisi are located along it. The same line is convenient to get to Europe Square and from the train station.
Getting lost here is hard. There are only two lines in the subway, and the inscriptions are decorated in Georgian and Latin letters. Subway ads are duplicated in English.
From the Avlabari stop to the beginning of the cable car is only half a kilometer. Next to this station is the notable Kopala Hotel.
As for the road from Vake to Turtle Lake, getting to it by metro will be problematic. From the nearest station Delisi to her as much as two kilometers. Therefore, the best thing - if you, of course, do not live in the Vake area - will take a taxi.
Buses and minibuses
How to get to the cable car in Tbilisi from different areas of the Georgian capital? The easiest way to do this is by bus or taxi. They walk often and quickly.
There are many routes that stop at Europe Square. From there you can already see the cable car. These are 31, and 44, and 55, and 71, and 80, and 102 buses. To pay for travel, you must also have a Metromani card.
It should be attached to the top of the reader. But if you don’t have one, then you can put 50 tetri (13 rubles) in the hole of the machine that is on the bus and buy a ticket. But they will not give change to you, so you have to look for a trifle.
Buses to the cable car are also very comfortable. All of them are bright yellow or blue, and the stops are equipped with electronic displays. It indicates the time remaining before the bus arrives.
There are also many yellow minibuses that pass through Europe Square. The fare in them ranges from 50 tetri to 1 lari (13-26 rubles). The price is always written on the door. You can stop the minibus almost anywhere by raising your hand.
Cableway (Tbilisi): reviews
Tourists highly recommend visiting this attraction. Even if you are afraid of heights or you feel dizzy, you will not regret this small “flight” over the Georgian capital. The breathtaking views of the ancient city will take your breath away and you will forget about all your fears. All that remains is admiration.
The opening hours of the cable car in Tbilisi are convenient for travelers. But since there is only a park and an observation deck at the top, and there are no cafes or restaurants, take water and snacks with you. Moreover, in good weather you can have a picnic there. And in the heat you also need to take hats with you so that the sun does not bake.
There are fewer reviews about the new cable car from Vake Park, but those who visited it left very positive feedback. In summer it is not so hot here, you can have a bite to eat in beautiful stylish cafes above the water, swim, sunbathe and go fishing. You can also go down on foot along the paths of Vake Park, in the shade of pine trees.