Line 1 — Akhmeteli–Varketili
The red line — the backbone of the Tbilisi Metro, running north–south from Akhmeteli Theatre in Gldani through the historic centre to Varketili. 16 stations, ~19.6 km.
16
Stations
19.6 km
Length
~32 min
End to end
2.5–3 min
Peak frequency
Akhmeteli Theatre ↔ Varketili
Line 1, the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line, is the original and busiest line of the Tbilisi Metro. Its first segment (Didube–Rustaveli) opened on 11 January 1966, making Tbilisi the fourth city in the former USSR to run a metro. The line grew over the following decades, reaching Varketili in the south-east (1985) and Akhmeteli Theatre in the north (1989).
Running mostly deep underground, the red line links the northern residential district of Gldani with the heart of the city — Rustaveli (the deepest station, ~60 m), Liberty Square at the edge of Old Tbilisi, and Avlabari near Sameba Cathedral — before continuing to Samgori and Varketili. Two stations, Didube and Gotsiridze, run above ground on a viaduct over the rail depot.
The line meets Line 2 (Saburtalo) at Station Square (Sadguris Moedani), beside the Central Railway Station. Trains run daily from about 06:00 to midnight, every 2.5–3 minutes at peak. The flat fare is ₾1 with a Metromoney card.
All 16 stations
Travel times
| From | To | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akhmeteli Theatre | → | Sarajishvili | 1.5 min |
| Sarajishvili | → | Guramishvili | 2 min |
| Guramishvili | → | Ghrmaghele | 2 min |
| Ghrmaghele | → | Didube | 3 min |
| Didube | → | Gotsiridze | 1.5 min |
| Gotsiridze | → | Nadzaladevi | 2 min |
| Nadzaladevi | → | Station Square | 3 min |
| Station Square | → | Marjanishvili | 1.5 min |
| Marjanishvili | → | Rustaveli | 2 min |
| Rustaveli | → | Liberty Square | 2 min |
| Liberty Square | → | Avlabari | 1.5 min |
| Avlabari | → | 300 Aragveli | 2 min |
| 300 Aragveli | → | Isani | 2 min |
| Isani | → | Samgori | 2.5 min |
| Samgori | → | Varketili | 3 min |
Approximate running times between adjacent stations. Total Akhmeteli Theatre ↔ Varketili: ~32 min.
Did you know?
- Rustaveli is the deepest station in the network at roughly 60 metres, with one of the longest escalators in Tbilisi.
- The Tbilisi Metro opened in 1966 as the fourth in the USSR — and the first in the Caucasus.
- Gotsiridze is the only station in the network with side platforms, sitting above ground on concrete pillars over the depot.
- Several Line 1 stations sit deep enough to have doubled as shelters; their grand Soviet-era halls are worth a look.
Connections and interchange
Line 1 meets Line 2 (Saburtalo) at Station Square (Sadguris Moedani) — the only metro interchange in Tbilisi. The transfer is free; just follow the signs between the two platforms (about a 3-minute walk).
Several stations double as major surface transport hubs: Didube and Samgori sit beside large intercity bus and marshrutka stations, Station Square is next to the Central Railway Station, and Akhmeteli Theatre is Gldani’s main bus interchange. A flat ₾1 fare includes 90 minutes of free transfers between metro and city buses.
Schedule and frequencies
See the full timetable, departure intervals by time of day and operating hours for the whole network.
Bookmark this site before your next trip
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