Tbilisi to Batumi Night Train (N701)

Georgian Railway (SR / საქართველოს რკინიგზა)
Georgia
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The Journey

Navigate from Tbilisi Central (თბილისი ცენტრალური) to Batumi Central (ბათუმი ცენტრალური) across a span of 375km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Caucasian Foothills at night — dramatic mountain silhouette visible from carriage windows under starlight
  • Kvishkheti tunnel (8,300 m) at ~01:30 — the longest railway tunnel in the South Caucasus, a 6-minute dark passage under the Likhi Range
  • Rioni valley pre-dawn — distant Georgian villages glowing as the train threads the Colchic lowlands
  • First light over the Colchic coastal forest
  • Black Sea Coastline at dawn — arriving in Batumi as the sun rises over the water, palm boulevard visible from the train
  • Peaceful overnight passage through Georgia's interior; minimal traffic during overnight window
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    5.25 hours

  • Distance

    375 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Mid-Range (GEL 32–55 per person)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: Complimentary bottled mineral water at seat + morning coffee / tea service at dawn

Ensuite: No

Meals: Complimentary bottled water + morning juice

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Stadler KISS electric multiple unit (EMU) — Bombardier / Stadler propulsion

Locomotive Weight

N/A (EMU — self-propelled multiple unit)

Track Gauge

1,520 mm Russian broad gauge

Braking Technology

Electronic regenerative braking with wheel slide protection (WSP), disc brakes on all axles, magnetic track brake on the steepest grades (Surami Pass approach)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 375 km overnight route crosses foothill terrain requiring sustained operation in low-light conditions

  • Kvishkheti tunnel (8,300 m) at ~01:30 — radio and ventilation management for an overnight passage through the longest railway tunnel in the South Caucasus

  • Humid Black Sea climate requires corrosion-resistant materials throughout

  • Night-time temperature variations in Caucasus foothills (winter temperatures can drop below freezing at Khashuri)

  • Maintaining crew alertness on the overnight N701 roster — Georgian Railway mandates two-driver shifts for the night service

Operator

Georgian Railway JSC (სს საქართველოს რკინიგზა)

Route distance

375 km

Maximum speed

130 km/h (post-rehabilitation target 2026)

Travel time

5h 15m (N701); 5h 12m (summer 2026 extras 00:30 / 00:35)

Electrification

3 kV DC overhead catenary

Configuration

Double-decker 8-car EMU, Stadler KISS type, night configuration with sleeper benches and complimentary bedrolls

Service

N701 overnight service, daily year-round; summer 2026 extras 00:30 / 00:35 from 16 June – 30 September / 9 October

Year opened

N701 service launched 2020 alongside Stadler KISS fleet introduction; sleeper configuration maintained since

Timezone

Asia/Tbilisi (UTC+4 year-round)

Booking window

30 days in advance on ticket.railway.ge

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    5.25 hours

  • Distance

    375 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Mid-Range (GEL 32–55 per person)

Official Booking Provider