Stepantsminda, commonly known as Kazbegi, is a small town in the north-east Georgia, close to the Russian border. It is one of the must see destinations in Georgia, mostly due to amazing hiking routes and stunning nature. You can go to Kazbegi in a local shuttle, which goes once in every hour from Didube Station in Tbilisi to the main square in Kazbegi and returns also once in every hour from the same place. It costs around 4 USD. As this is not the most comfortable way to travel, you can also order a private taxi. It will definitely cost you significantly more than the shuttle – up to 50 USD one way. There’s only 149 km (93 miles) from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, so you can plan a one day trip, but we would strongly suggest to stay overnight as there are many interesting activities you can engage in. By the way, Georgia is a quite safe country with welcoming people, so don’t be afraid to hitchhike. This will surely save you money, but plan your time correctly, thumbing all the way to Kazbegi could require one full day.
Most important thing you should do in Kazbegi is to visit Gergeti Trinity Church. Built in 14th century, this church is located on 1,800 meters above sea level (5,905 feet). If you are well prepared and have time, you can walk, but it will take up to 2 hours. Other options are renting a horse or a taxi. Horse ride will cost 22 USD. It’s a memorable experience, but the ride will not be easy. Taxi, usually a Niva mark of car manufactured in the Soviet Union and the ride also costs about 22 USD. If it is you first time in a Soviet car, let us warn you that this won’t be much easier than taking a horse. Don’t hesitate to bargain with drivers, because they might try to charge you more than locals.
What else? Gveleti Waterfall and the ruins of fortress located in only 9 km (5.6 miles) from Kazbegi. You can rent a taxi on the main square in Kazbegi, but note that you should walk the last several hundred meters and the route is not that easy.
Another note to consider is the chilly weather. Average temperature in summer ranges from +13 to +26 C (55 to 75 F). Winter can be really cold and full of snow. Roads are frequently blocked due to high snow in December-January.