Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 25–60 GEL | 100–200 GEL |
| Food | 20–40 GEL | 50–90 GEL |
| Transport | 2–8 GEL | 15–30 GEL |
| Activities | 5–20 GEL | 30–60 GEL |
| Drinks | 10–20 GEL | 25–50 GEL |
| Daily Total | 62–148 GEL | 220–430 GEL |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Most nationalities can stay up to 1 year without a visa — one of the world's most generous visa policies
- Tbilisi Airport (TBS) is 17km from the centre — bus 37 runs to Liberty Square (0.50 GEL) or Bolt taxi (15–20 GEL)
- Land borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are open. The Russian border situation varies — check current status
Health & Safety
- No special vaccinations required. Tap water is safe in Tbilisi but bottled is recommended in rural areas
- Tbilisi is very safe — violent crime is rare. Watch for pickpockets on crowded marshrutkas and at markets
- Pharmacies (Aptiaki) are well-stocked and many medications don't need a prescription. GPC and PSP are the main chains
Getting Around
- Metro has 2 lines (0.50 GEL per ride with Metromoney card). Buy the card at any station for 2 GEL
- Bolt is the primary ride-hailing app — very cheap (cross-city 5–10 GEL). Regular taxis don't use meters — agree on a price first
- Marshrutkas (minibuses) connect everywhere — no fixed schedules, they leave when full. Ask locals which number to take
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafés, hostels, and Fabrika. Georgia has good 4G coverage in cities, spotty in mountains
- Magti or Geocell tourist SIMs at the airport for 10–15 GEL with 5–10GB data. Bring your passport to register
- Download Bolt for taxis, Google Maps (works well offline), and TBC or Bank of Georgia apps for currency exchange info
Money
- Georgia uses the Lari (GEL). ATMs are common — TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia machines have fair rates
- Cards accepted in most restaurants and shops. Cash essential for marshrutkas, street food, markets, and some wine bars
- Tipping: not traditional but increasingly common. 10% at upscale restaurants is appreciated. Not expected at casual spots
Packing Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes — Tbilisi's old town has steep, uneven cobblestones. The Narikala and Botanical Garden trails are rocky
- Layers year-round: summers are hot (30°C+), but evenings cool. Spring/autumn are ideal. Winters can be cold
- A scarf or cover-up for visiting churches — shoulders and knees should be covered. Women need head coverings in Orthodox churches
Cultural tips
Wine Culture
Georgia has 8,000 years of winemaking history — the oldest in the world. Traditional qvevri (clay vessel) winemaking is UNESCO-listed. Amber wine is the flagship style. Always toast with "gaumarjos!" (cheers).
Khinkali Rules
Hold the khinkali by the top knot (don't eat the knot), bite a small hole, slurp the broth, then eat the filling. Never use a fork or knife. The number of knots left on your plate is your score.
Orthodox Traditions
Georgia is deeply Orthodox Christian (one of the earliest Christian nations, 337 AD). Cover shoulders and knees in churches. Women should cover their hair. Be respectful during services — don't photograph people praying.
Hospitality Culture
Georgian hospitality (stumasperveli) is legendary and genuine. If invited to someone's home, you'll be fed beyond capacity. Refusing food is impolite. Bringing wine or sweets as a gift is expected.
Polyphonic Singing
Georgian polyphonic singing is UNESCO-listed and deeply embedded in the culture. Listen for it at churches, supra feasts, and wine tavernas. The harmonies are unlike anything in Western music — haunting and ancient.
Dance & Nightlife
Georgian traditional dance is acrobatic and breathtaking — catch a performance if possible. Modern Tbilisi also has a world-class techno scene. Bassiani and Khidi put the city on the global club map.
