Georgia Toll Roads Complete Guide: East-West Highway, Rates and Payment 2026
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Georgia Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Point toll plazas on designated highway sections
Operator: Roads Department of Georgia (rdg.gov.ge)
Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)
Coverage: East-West Highway (S1/S5) — Rikoti Tunnel, Cered and Agara-Zestaponi sections
Technology: Manual toll booths with cash and card payment; electronic lanes at Rikoti
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Georgia? 2026 Update
Most roads in Georgia are toll-free, but you will encounter toll plazas if you travel the East-West Highway (also designated S1 and S5) — the country's primary east-to-west transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan at the Red Bridge crossing to Türkiye at the Sarpi border crossing via Tbilisi.
Key Reality: Tolls apply at specific sections only — most notably the Rikoti Tunnel (the main passage across the Likhi Range dividing eastern and western Georgia), the Cered bypass section near Gori, and the Agara-Zestaponi section in Imereti. If you are only driving within Tbilisi or on secondary roads, you will pay no tolls at all.
2026 Update: The Roads Department of Georgia continued phased upgrades to the East-West Highway under the Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank co-financed project. New tolled sections may be commissioned as construction completes on the Mukhrani-Cered and Zestaponi-Kutaisi bypasses. Travellers should confirm active toll points before departure, as the network of tolled sections is expanding incrementally.
Georgia Toll Costs: Current Rates
Georgia uses a four-class vehicle classification system based on vehicle height at the front axle. All rates below are in Georgian Lari (GEL). As of 2026, 1 USD ≈ 2.70 GEL.
Vehicle Classification System
| Class | Vehicle Type | Height Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Motorcycles, passenger cars, light vans | Up to 1.30 m at front axle |
| Class II | Minibuses, medium vans, light trucks | 1.30 m – 2.60 m |
| Class III | Buses, large trucks (2 axles) | Above 2.60 m (2 axles) |
| Class IV | Heavy trucks, articulated lorries (3+ axles) | Above 2.60 m (3+ axles) |
Current Toll Rates by Section and Vehicle Class (2026)
| Toll Section | Class I (GEL) | Class II (GEL) | Class III (GEL) | Class IV (GEL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rikoti Tunnel (E60, S5) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Cered Section (near Gori, S1) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Agara–Zestaponi Section (S5) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Rates reflect Roads Department of Georgia schedule effective 2025–2026. Confirm current rates at rdg.gov.ge before travel, as new sections may carry different tariffs upon opening.
Typical Journey Cost Examples (2026)
| Journey | Car (Class I) | Truck (Class IV) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi to Kutaisi (full E60) | 4 GEL (~$1.50) | 40 GEL (~$15) | Rikoti + Agara-Zestaponi toll points |
| Tbilisi to Gori (S1) | 1 GEL (~$0.37) | 10 GEL (~$3.70) | Cered section only |
| Red Bridge (AZ border) to Tbilisi | 0 GEL | 0 GEL | No toll plazas on this segment currently |
| Kutaisi to Sarpi (TR border) | 0 GEL | 0 GEL | Currently toll-free beyond Zestaponi |
How to Pay Georgia Tolls
Georgia operates traditional point-toll plazas — there is no national vignette or electronic account system for passenger vehicles equivalent to European e-toll tags. Payment is straightforward:
1. Cash (GEL — primary method):
- All toll plazas accept Georgian Lari banknotes and coins
- Change is provided; exact change is not required but appreciated at busy times
- Foreign currency (USD, EUR) is generally not accepted at toll booths
2. Bank Card / Contactless Payment:
- Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards are accepted at Rikoti Tunnel and major sections
- Contactless (tap-to-pay) available at modernised lanes
- Card readers may not always be operational — carry GEL cash as backup
3. TBC Pay / Bank of Georgia App (Freight Operators):
- Some heavy vehicle operators use prepaid accounts via Georgian banking apps
- Not required for passenger vehicles — cash or card at the booth is sufficient
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and all vehicle types across Georgia's toll roads, use the TollGuru Georgia toll calculator:
Enforcement & Penalties
Georgia's toll plazas are staffed barriers — you physically stop and pay before the gate raises. There is no drive-through licence plate billing system, so unpaid tolls at a barrier are an immediate stop issue rather than a mailed invoice.
Key enforcement points:
- Attempting to pass a closed barrier without paying is treated as a traffic violation under the Georgian Administrative Offences Code and may result in a fine
- CCTV cameras operate at all toll plazas; footage is retained by the Roads Department
- Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same rules — border agencies may flag unresolved toll incidents
- Heavy vehicles that misrepresent their class (e.g. declaring Class II when Class IV applies) face penalty surcharges upon inspection
Recent Changes (2026)
East-West Highway Expansion:
- Ongoing ADB and EIB-financed construction continues on the Mukhrani-Cered section (S1), with new toll points expected as completed sections open to traffic
- The Zestaponi-Kutaisi bypass project progressed through 2025, with partial sections expected to come into toll operation during 2026
- Roads Department confirmed that existing tariff rates are held stable through 2026 pending a scheduled review
Payment Modernisation:
- Contactless card terminals were rolled out across the Rikoti Tunnel plaza in late 2024 and are now operational
- The Roads Department published updated signage in English, Russian, and Georgian at all major toll points as part of the tourism infrastructure improvement programme
Transit Corridor Development:
- Georgia's role in the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) has increased heavy truck volumes on the East-West Highway, particularly between the Azerbaijani border and the Poti/Batumi ports
- Authorities are studying dedicated HGV lanes and possible express toll lanes at Rikoti to address congestion
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- A private car crossing all current toll points on a Tbilisi–Batumi trip pays approximately 4–5 GEL total (under $2 USD) — among the lowest toll burdens in the South Caucasus region
- Truckers should budget 30–50 GEL per transit of the full East-West corridor
- Always carry small GEL notes — change at booths can be limited during peak transit hours
Timing and Traffic:
- The Rikoti Tunnel is the single busiest bottleneck on the route — queues can extend 30–60 minutes during summer weekends and public holidays
- Travel in early morning (before 8:00) or late evening to minimise Rikoti wait times
- The old Rikoti mountain road (via Surami) remains passable as a free alternative, but adds approximately 45 minutes and involves steep grades unsuitable for heavy vehicles
Border Crossings:
- Red Bridge / Lagodekhi (Azerbaijan border): No toll on the Georgian approach; Azerbaijani tolls apply immediately after crossing
- Sarpi / Vale (Türkiye border): No toll on the Georgian side near Batumi; Turkish tolls apply within Türkiye
- Upper Lars (Russia border): The Georgian Military Highway approaching Upper Lars is toll-free
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there tolls on the road from Tbilisi to Batumi?
Yes, but only at two or three points. Travelling the E60 from Tbilisi to Batumi, a passenger car currently pays tolls at the Rikoti Tunnel (2 GEL) and the Agara-Zestaponi section (1 GEL), totalling approximately 3–4 GEL for the full journey. The remainder of the route is toll-free.
Can I pay Georgia tolls with a foreign bank card?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the Rikoti Tunnel and newer plazas, but card readers are not guaranteed to be functional at every booth. Carry GEL cash as a backup. ATMs are available in Gori, Khashuri, and Zestaponi along the route.
Do motorcycles pay Georgia tolls?
Yes, motorcycles fall under Class I and pay the same rate as passenger cars (e.g. 2 GEL at Rikoti). There are no motorcycle exemptions in Georgia's current tariff schedule.
Is there a way to avoid the Rikoti Tunnel toll?
Yes — the old mountain highway over the Rikoti Pass via Surami is toll-free and remains open to passenger vehicles. However, it adds 45–60 minutes to the journey, involves steep switchbacks, and is not suitable for large vehicles or caravans. In winter, this route may be closed due to snow.
What happens if I drive through a toll barrier without paying?
Georgia uses physical barrier gates, so failing to stop means breaking the barrier — a serious traffic offence. CCTV footage is reviewed and violations can result in administrative fines and, for foreign-registered vehicles, potential issues at border crossings.
Are there tolls on the Georgian Military Highway to Russia?
No. The Georgian Military Highway (S3) from Tbilisi through the Caucasus to Upper Lars is currently toll-free on the Georgian side. Note that this crossing is subject to seasonal closures due to weather and political considerations — check current border status before travelling.
Georgia vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Car Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Point tolls (staffed barriers) | 1–2 GEL per plaza (~$0.37–$0.75) | East-West Highway sections only |
| Azerbaijan | Electronic barrier tolls | 0.30–1.00 AZN per plaza | Major expressways (Baku–Shamakhi, Baku–Sheki) |
| Türkiye | Electronic (HGS/OGS tags) + cash | 15–80 TRY per highway section | Extensive motorway network nationwide |
| Russia | Electronic (Platon for HGV, T-Pass for cars) + cash | Varies by section; free on many federal roads | Selected federal highways (M roads) |
Official Resources
- Roads Department of Georgia — official operator of the East-West Highway toll network; publishes current tariff schedules and construction updates
- Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia — policy and concession oversight for road infrastructure
- Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia — traffic police regulations and enforcement information
