Travelling from Tbilisi to Grozny overland and by public transport is totally possible in 2026, and it’s fairly easy. The most straightforward route is to travel from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz, cross the Russia-Georgia border at the Verkhny Lars-Kazbegi border crossing, and then continue from Vladikavkaz to Grozny.
I travelled this route myself in summer 2026 and in this post I’m sharing exactly how you can get from Tbilisi to Grozvy by marshrutka.
The easiest route: Tbilisi → Vladikavkaz → Grozny
To travel from Tbilisi, Georgia to Grozny, Chechnya overland, you have to split the journey into two parts:
Tbilisi → Vladikavkaz → Grozny
1. Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz
The first part of the journey takes you from Tbilisi across the Russia-Georgia border to Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. Marshrutkas to Vladikavkaz leave from Tbilisi’s Didube bus station, and I’ve covered the route, border crossing and practical details in my guide to travelling between Georgia and Russia.
Make sure to tell your driver to drop you off at Vladikavkaz bus station. Some drivers may offer to drop you off at the “bus station” for marshrutkas going towards Ingushetia instead. You could end up in Nazran city centre or at the bus station in (actually completely outside) Magas, and figuring out where you’ve ended up and how to continue can be quite an adventure, especially if you don’t speak Russian.
2. Vladikavkaz to Grozny
Once you arrive in Vladikavkaz, you can continue to Grozny by another marshrutka. The two cities are relatively close, around 120 km apart, so this second part of the journey is considerably easier than crossing the international border.
There is a police checkpoint between North Ossetia and Ingushetia, where your driver may stop briefly for a routine driver’s licence check. When I passed by in July, it only took a minute or so, and on the way back we didn’t stop at all.
There are multiple marshrutkas a day between Vladikavkaz and Grozny, but the earlier you leave, the better. The last marshrutka currently leaves at 8 pm, so don’t leave this part of the journey too late.
How long does the journey take?
The total journey from Tbilisi to Grozny is around 320 km, but there is no fixed travel time because the Russia-Georgia border can add several hours to the journey.
As a rough guide, I’d allow at least 8-10 hours for the entire journey, and preferably more during the busy summer season. Don’t plan a tight connection between your Tbilisi-Vladikavkaz marshrutka and your onward marshrutka to Grozny.
I travelled from Tbilisi to Grozny in less than eight hours during the off-season, but summer traffic and delays at the border can make the journey considerably longer. For comparison, when I travelled from Vladikavkaz to Tbilisi in July 2026, the journey took me more than 9 hours.
I share the behind the scenes of my travels (real-time stories, messy bits etc) on Telegram
How much does it cost?
These are the approximate prices I paid during my trip in July 2026. Prices can change, particularly with fluctuations in the Russian rouble and Georgian lari exchange rates, so consider these figures indicative rather than fixed fares.
| Tbilisi → Vladikavkaz | 2500 ₽ (~75 GEL)* |
| Vladikavkaz → Grozny | 500 ₽ |
| Total | 3000 ₽ (~25 €) |
*Shared taxis are also available between Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz. They can take up to four passengers and cost 3000 ₽ per person.
Is it possible to do Tbilisi → Grozny in one day?
Yes, absolutely. I travelled from Tbilisi to Grozny in one day, but how long the journey takes depends heavily on how early you leave Tbilisi and, most importantly, how long you spend at the Russia-Georgia border.
Foreign (Western but not only) travellers are often be taken aside to the FSB office for additional passport and security checks when entering Russia. This can involve questions about your trip, checking your phone and other routine checks. It can take some time but don’t worry, they simply do their jobs, are very professional and polite.
Another factor is traffic on the Georgian Military Highway – on the Georgian side only. During the summer, the road can become very busy with trucks, tourists, cyclists and all the people travelling through the Caucasus. The Russia-Georgia border at Verkhny Lars is the only land crossing between the two countries, so there can be a lot of traffic.
You can cross the border at night, but personally, I’d avoid doing so if you have the choice. The scenery along the Georgian Military Highway is absolutely spectacular!
FAQ
Continue your trip to Chechnya
If you’re travelling to Grozny from Tbilisi, there’s a good chance you’re planning to explore more of Chechnya than just the capital. I’ve put together a complete Chechnya travel guide for 2026, covering everything you need to know before and during your trip, including visas, safety, getting around, accommodation etc.
Read my complete Chechnya travel guide for 2026
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