Read about our trip to Tbilisi in April 2010 here

Getting In/Out:

Tbilisi’s airport is brand-spanking new (built in 1997), and gorgeous, clean, and quiet. Taxis are cheap and quick: it cost us $US15 and took less than 30 minutes to get downtown. Trains also go between the airport and central train station, but they run very infrequently (only 5 or 6 a day each way) and probably are not worth the hassle.

When departing, be sure to take care of any diaper changes in the bathroom on the main level; there are no changing facilities once you go upstairs and through customs. There are also no breastfeeding lounges in the airport.

Getting Around:

Tbilisi is a wonderful city to stroll around. Unless you have a stroller. There’s a reason why we didnt see a single local pramming about: highly concerned with pedestrian safety, it is virtually impossible to cross the street without having to descend a long flight of stairs, pass through a dark (and often stinky) tunnel, and then climb back up on the other side of the street. Unless you are a body builder, doing this several times a day is not fun.

Tbilisi has a functioning public transit network, though all signs (and drivers) are in the local language. We attempted the metro once and found it very convenient: not a single stair, hurray! But all the signs were in Georgian (though a friendly policeman was happy to point us in the right direction), and once on the train, everyone stared and stared. Perhaps because foreigners dont take the metro, or perhaps because locals dont bring babies on the metro. Who knows? Whatever the reason, it was weird.

Breastfeeding:

Georgians are relatively modest and conservative. I didnt see any local breastfeeders, so I chose to either cover up or nurse in private.

Parks and Playgrounds:

There is a great park and playground located off Rustaveli Ave, just before the Marriot Hotel. There’s also another huge park currently under construction across the river from the Old Town (accessible from the pedestrian bridge).

Baby Facilities:

We did not see a single public toilet in Tbilisi, so not a good idea to rely on them for baby changing. We also never saw a change table in a restaurant or hotel. So good luck with the dirty diapers!

Highchairs are occasionally available in restaurants. Some smaller restaurants will request that you leave your stroller at the entrance, leaving no place for baby to sit but on your lap. But, if you’re lucky, you’re little one will catch the eye of a baby-loving server (Georgians LOVE babies) who will swoop him/her up and happily babysit while you eat.

Baby Supplies:

Supermarkets generally carry a small selection of baby food, diapers and wipes. We used the (cheaper) local brand of diapers and never had a leak. There’s a huge Mothercare store on Rustaveli that carries everything and anything you might have forgotten/lost/didnt realize you’d need.