Argo cable car in Batumi: tickets, hours and the view
Updated 5 November 2026
A return ride on the Argo cable car costs 39 ₾ from age 12 and 9 ₾ for ages 5–11, the same for foreign visitors and Georgian citizens; only the combo tickets cost foreigners more, 49–79 ₾ from age 12. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way over 2,586 metres, from 1 Bako Street near the port to an observation deck 256 metres up Mount Anuria. The operator lists 10:00–21:00, other sources give later closing times, and strong wind can stop the line. Prices and hours are as of November 2026.
| Ticket | Foreign visitor, 12+ | Foreign visitor, 5–11 | Georgian citizen, 12+ | Georgian citizen, 5–11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car, return | 39 ₾ | 9 ₾ | 39 ₾ | 9 ₾ |
| Cable car + Joyroom | 49 ₾ | 19 ₾ | 39 ₾ | 19 ₾ |
| Cable car + Digital Museum | 69 ₾ | 39 ₾ | 49 ₾ | 29 ₾ |
| Cable car + Digital Museum + Joyroom | 79 ₾ | 49 ₾ | 59 ₾ | 39 ₾ |
Prices are from the operator's ticket page, checked on 4 November 2026. Under 5 rides free, according to its FAQ.
Which price a foreign visitor pays
For the ride alone you pay the same as anyone: the page marks that ticket "for any citizen". The split appears only on the combos, where a foreign adult pays 10–20 ₾ more than a Georgian citizen.
Some combos show two numbers with no label, for example 84 and 69 ₾ for a foreign adult with the museum. In the page's code the first is struck through, so we list the second as the price; the page does not say so in words.
Other gaps: the ticket page sets the child price at 5–11, the FAQ at 5–12. Quick Pass adds 20 ₾ (5 ₾ for ages 5–11), with no explanation of what it gives you. The VIP combo is 490 ₾, and the page does not say whether that is per person. Visit Ajara lists a 10 ₾ student ticket that the operator's page does not show, so ask at the desk.
Old figures still circulate: the page's own description for search engines says 30 ₾ and 7 ₾, and Madloba's table, verified in June 2026, gives 55.90 ₾ for the foreign museum combo. The operator also warns that taxi drivers and scammers quote false prices.
Tickets are sold at the lower station (Madloba) and online through biletebi.ge. They stay valid for six months, but the operator says confirmed purchases cannot be cancelled or refunded, so on a windy day buy at the desk.
Opening hours: the sources disagree
The operator's site and FAQ say 10:00–21:00. Visit Ajara lists 10:00–22:00, Madloba 11:00–22:00 (updated October 2026) and Georgia Guidebook 10:00–00:00 (August 2026). The operator's about page also advertises folklore evenings from 20:00 to midnight in good summer weather, which does not fit a 21:00 closing. We could not confirm a seasonal timetable or the time of the last cabin down, so ask at the lower station before an evening ride or call +995 032 288 84 00.
Where the lower station is
The lower station is at 1 Bako Street, by the port and the sea passenger terminal, at the edge of the Old Town. It is about 10 minutes on foot from Piazza and 15 from the Ali & Nino statue (MY.DRIVE, August 2026). Madloba lists buses 1a, 10, 10a and 15 stopping nearby. From Blue Sky Tower it is 10–15 minutes by taxi.
The operator says the lower station has no parking. A road also climbs to the upper station, which has a paid car park (MY.DRIVE), and anyone who arrives by road or on foot needs a ticket to ride down.
The ride
The operator gives 2,586 metres on one page and 2,587 on another, and about 15 minutes one way, depending on weather and cabin speed; Madloba says about 10. The 20 gondolas seat eight each and are shared. The line is wheelchair accessible, and pets are allowed. Allow 1–1.5 hours for the whole visit.
What is at the top
The observation deck comes with the ride ticket: the city, the port, the sea and the mountains. Restaurant ARGO has a 120-seat open terrace and a 50-seat hall, and there is a wine corner and a souvenir shop. Batumi Digital Space, the "Digital Museum" on tickets, shows large digital art projections with music, plus a mirror room. Joyroom has mirror mazes, a photo plane and board games. In summer the operator advertises a free evening programme of Georgian dance in good weather.
For the view alone, the 39 ₾ ticket is enough; for a foreign adult, Joyroom adds 10 ₾ and the museum 30 ₾.
Wind, rain and haze
The operator says the line may be suspended in strong wind, while light rain usually does not stop it. The FAQ names no place to check the status, so phone before crossing town on a windy day. We found no winter closure: the operator lists none and Madloba says it runs all year. Haze can spoil the view, and Madloba finds the mountains sharper in winter. See weather by month.
When to go for the sunset
The sea lies in front of the upper terrace and the sun sets in that direction (Madloba). Sunset falls at about 17:44 in mid-December, 19:19 in mid-March, 20:25 in mid-May, 20:51 at midsummer, 19:23 in mid-September and 17:53 in mid-November (sunrise-sunset.org). Board about an hour earlier.
In June and July that means about 19:45, close to the listed 21:00 closing and at the busiest time: Madloba names Friday and Saturday evenings as the peak, and Georgia Guidebook says July–August queues thicken towards sunset. To avoid a summer queue, go on a weekday morning; Madloba describes winter as quiet at any hour.
Can you walk down?
Yes. The operator's about page calls it a second route for people who enjoy walking, past mountain villages, but gives no map, distance or time. We could not find a measured time for the way down; Madloba puts the trail up at about an hour.
It saves no money. The ticket covers a round trip and the FAQ says one-way tickets may not be available; Madloba says a descent ticket is sold at the upper station, at a price we could not confirm. If you walk, start in daylight: we found nothing on lighting.
Our studios and their view
Our two studios are on the 33rd floor of Blue Sky Tower, 10 minutes by taxi from the Old Town. The balcony looks over the city, the stadium and the mountains, with the sea far off on the horizon. The sun sets towards Gonio, so you see a pink evening sky rather than the sun going into the sea; for that, take the cable car or walk 7 minutes to the beach. You book directly with us on this site: see the studios.
More from our Batumi guide: what to see in Batumi, Batumi with kids and Batumi in winter.
Questions and answers
How much is the cable car in Batumi?
39 ₾ return from age 12 and 9 ₾ for ages 5–11, the same for foreign visitors and Georgian citizens. The operator's FAQ says under 5 rides free. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way.
Do foreigners pay more for the Argo cable car?
Not for the ride. On combos, yes: from age 12 a foreign visitor pays 49 ₾ with Joyroom, 69 ₾ with the Digital Museum and 79 ₾ with both, against 39, 49 and 59 ₾ for a Georgian citizen.
What are the opening hours of the Batumi cable car?
The operator lists 10:00–21:00. Visit Ajara says 10:00–22:00 and some guides say midnight, so confirm the last cabin down before an evening ride.
Does the cable car run in wind or rain?
Strong wind can suspend it, while light rain usually does not, according to the operator. We found no winter closure.
Can you walk down from the Argo cable car?
Yes, the operator mentions a walking route down past mountain villages, but gives no map or time. It saves no money, because the ticket covers the round trip.
Sources: Argo — tickets, Argo — FAQ, Argo — about, Argo — cable car, Argo — restaurant, Argo — Batumi Digital Space, Argo — Joyroom, Visit Ajara — Argo cable car, Madloba — Argo cable car, Georgia Guidebook — Batumi cable car, MY.DRIVE — Batumi cable car, Sunrise-Sunset — times for Batumi. Checked in November 2026.