Khashuri

By Mariam Lomidze, GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 17 October 2026 · Editorial policy

Overview

Khashuri is a town of about 26,135 people in Shida Kartli, central Georgia, set on the Mtkvari (Kura) river basin at the eastern foot of the Likhi Range, the low mountain chain that separates eastern Georgia (Kartli, Kakheti) from western Georgia (Imereti, Guria, Adjara). It sits roughly two hours by road from Tbilisi, about two hours fifteen minutes from Kutaisi and around four and a half hours from Batumi, on the main highway and railway corridor that links the capital to the Black Sea coast.

Khashuri’s importance is geographic rather than monumental: it is the point where the Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi highway and the Georgian Railway mainline cross the Likhi watershed, and where the road to Borjomi and the Borjomi-Kharagauli uplands branches south. Travellers rarely linger long in the town itself, but almost every overland journey between eastern and western Georgia, and many trips to Borjomi, Bakuriani or the national park, pass through or very near it. GTour includes Khashuri in private itineraries on request, combining a short stop here with the verified places and other destinations listed below.

History

The area around Khashuri lay within the historical kingdom of Kartli, and the Likhi Range crossing nearby was a strategic chokepoint between the eastern and western Georgian lands for centuries. The fortress at Surami, a few kilometres north of present-day Khashuri, guarded this route and appears in Georgian chronicles describing control of the pass during periods of feudal fragmentation and foreign incursion.

Khashuri itself grew to prominence much later, after the Transcaucasian Railway reached the region in the 1870s, connecting Tbilisi to the Black Sea port of Poti and, soon after, to Batumi. The settlement developed as a railway junction town, and in the following decades a narrow-gauge branch line was built southward from this junction toward Borjomi and, eventually, Bakuriani, carrying both the mineral-water trade and the growing resort traffic of the Borjomi valley. Today the mainline through Khashuri and over the Likhi Range is operated by Georgian Railway, and the town remains administratively and functionally a transport hub for Shida Kartli. The historic fortress at Surami is registered among Georgia’s monuments of cultural heritage, according to the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.

What to see

Surami Fortress

A medieval hilltop fortress overlooking the town of Surami, a short drive from Khashuri, built to control movement across the Likhi Range between eastern and western Georgia. Little of the interior survives, but the walls and towers give a clear sense of the site’s defensive purpose and offer wide views over the pass. It is a conservative stop of thirty to forty minutes, best combined with onward travel toward Borjomi or Kutaisi.

Surami Pass and the Likhi Range

The pass itself, carried by both the highway and the railway, marks the watershed between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea drainage basins and the rough climatic and cultural boundary between eastern and western Georgia. The road climbs gently through forested hills, with lay-bys offering views back toward the Kartli plain; the railway crosses the same ridge through tunnel and cutting works dating to the Soviet period.

Gateway to Borjomi-Kharagauli

The road branching south from Khashuri leads toward Borjomi and the Borjomi-Kharagauli uplands, one of the larger protected areas in the Caucasus, managed by the Agency of Protected Areas. Travellers using Khashuri as a transit point often break their journey here before continuing into the park or to the spa town of Borjomi itself.

Surami’s roadside churchkhela stalls

Along the old highway through Surami, long rows of stalls sell churchkhela, dried fruit leather and preserves, a local tradition tied to the town’s position on the historic east–west trade route. It is a brief but characteristic stop for anyone driving between Tbilisi and the western regions.

Getting there

From Tbilisi, Khashuri is reached in about two hours by car or marshrutka along the S1/E60 highway, the main route west; marshrutka services run regularly from Tbilisi’s Didube bus station. From Kutaisi, the drive is around two hours fifteen minutes on the same corridor heading east. From Batumi, allow about four and a half hours by road. Khashuri is also a stop on the Georgian Railway mainline between Tbilisi and Kutaisi or Batumi, operated by Georgian Railway, with the Tbilisi–Khashuri leg taking roughly two to two and a half hours depending on the service. Check current conditions on the mountain approaches, particularly in winter, via GTour’s road status page.

When to go

Khashuri functions year-round as a transit point, so there is no single best season to pass through. Spring and autumn give the clearest views over the Likhi Range and the most comfortable conditions for a roadside stop at Surami. Winter can bring snow and reduced visibility on the pass, so travellers planning to drive themselves should check road conditions in advance rather than rely on a fixed schedule.

Where to stay and eat

Options directly in and around Khashuri are limited but practical for an overnight break on a longer itinerary. Iveria Hotel Khashuri offers straightforward accommodation in the town itself, while Evergreen Surami hotel sits closer to the fortress and the pass. For a quick meal, Gochits burger Khashuri is a convenient stop for travellers passing through. The Khashuri Tourist Information Center can help with local directions and current opening hours. GTour’s verified register lists more hotels, wineries and restaurants nearby, searchable through the Shida Kartli region hub and the destination guides.

Practical notes

Khashuri has basic services — pharmacies, ATMs, fuel stations and a small market — but little dedicated tourist infrastructure, so most visitors treat it as a stop rather than a destination in itself. The town is a useful base for exploring Surami, Borjomi and the surrounding Shida Kartli countryside with a private driver; GTour’s private tours can combine Khashuri with Gori, Uplistsikhe or Borjomi in a single day. Mobile coverage and road signage are reliable along the main highway and rail corridor.

Questions travellers ask

Is Khashuri worth visiting on its own?

Khashuri itself has few standalone sights and is best treated as a transit and rest stop rather than a destination. Most value comes from its position near Surami Fortress and the road to Borjomi.

What is Khashuri known for?

It is known chiefly as the main road and rail junction between eastern and western Georgia, sitting at the foot of the Likhi Range and the Surami Pass.

How far is Khashuri from Tbilisi?

It is about two hours by car or marshrutka along the main highway west from Tbilisi.

Can I visit Surami Fortress from Khashuri?

Yes, the fortress at Surami is a short drive from Khashuri and can be combined with a stop at the roadside churchkhela stalls on the old highway.

Is Khashuri a good base for Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park?

It can serve as a transit base, since the road to Borjomi and the park branches south from Khashuri, though most travellers prefer to stay closer to Borjomi itself for longer park visits.

Does the train stop in Khashuri?

Yes, Khashuri is a stop on the Georgian Railway mainline between Tbilisi and Kutaisi or Batumi.

What food is the area around Khashuri known for?

The nearby town of Surami is known for churchkhela and dried fruit leather, sold at stalls along the old highway through town.

Is Khashuri on the route to Batumi?

Yes, it lies directly on the main Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi highway and railway corridor, making it a natural stopping point on that journey.

When is the best time to cross the Surami Pass?

Spring and autumn offer the clearest conditions; winter can bring snow, so checking road status before travelling is advisable.

Is there a tourist information office in Khashuri?

Yes, a local tourist information center operates in the town and can assist with directions and current opening hours for nearby sites.

Sources

• National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation
• Georgian Railway
• Agency of Protected Areas