What to Pack for Georgia: Essentials

Updated: August 1, 2024

I'll tell you all the things to take to Georgia depending on the activities and areas you are going to visit so that you don't get caught unexpectedly.

If you are planning your trip and don't know what to bring to Georgia, you are in the right place. In this article I tell you everything you could need and all based on my experience of living in Georgia for 1 year.

What travel documents will I need?

The entry requirements to Georgia in 2024 are the following, which you can verify in the official visa page in Georgia When you travel:

• Passport;
• Printed electronic visa (if you need a visa);
• Proof of accommodation reservations;
• Travel insurance;
• Document that details the purposes of the trip (you can show the travel itinerary);
• Evidence of sufficient funds;
• Exit ticket.

The entry requirements are not asked of everyone. If you have a Spanish passport, from another European country or another strong passport, the most common thing is that they only ask for the passport.

On the other hand, for other passports or if you need a visa, it is more likely that you will be asked for the other documents on the list.

⭐ In this other article, Tips for Traveling to Georgia I explain in detail everything about entering Georgia, security issues and give you a lot of practical information.

Do I need travel insurance to go to Georgia?

Yes, travel insurance is required for travel to Georgia. This is an entry requirement that they have recently added, they mention it in the Georgia visa official website.

As I told you in the previous point, it is not a requirement that they ask for it from everyone, it is at the discretion of the immigration officer, but if they ask for it and you do not have it, they will deny you entry.

Furthermore, international insurance is essential when traveling in case anything happens to you. Don't risk it!

I always use and recommend Heymondo, it is an international insurer specialized in travel insurance, with excellent coverage and 24-hour assistance, even if you take out the basic insurance and here you can get a 5% discount.

If you’re looking for an affordable option, IATI is perfect. It’s the insurance backpackers prefer, and you also get a 5% discount.

If you're planning to travel for several months, both insurance companies have long-term coverage options.

Credit or debit cards and cash

In Georgia you can withdraw money with any international card at its ATMs that are everywhere in the main cities. You can even pay for public transportation with them.

Although when you travel to small towns where you will want to carry cash.

It is always recommended that you bring more than one in case something happens, such as loss, theft or it simply fails and you cannot withdraw money.

The commission and exchange rate will largely depend on your bank.

👍 Friend's advice: For traveling, I recommend opening a Wise account, which allows you to withdraw up to 200 euros / 100 USD per month without a commission using the debit card. Beyond that, the commission is minimal, and they provide the most favorable exchange rates between currencies. If you use the link above to sign up, your initial transfer will be fee-free.

If you bring cash, it is best to use US dollars or euros, which are the currencies that accept most exchanges.

What medications do I have to bring?

The issue of medications in Georgia is not so simple, right off the bat I will tell you that bring what you're going to need, especially if you have a health problem, although with a BUT.

There is some medications with which you will not be able to enter the country unless you bring documentation that justifies that you need them and the exact amount you will need during your stay.

In this link of the Georgian authorities you can see the prohibited medications or compounds. Needless to say, these are medications that you will not be able to buy in Georgia either.

Then you can get the most basic medications that you might need at any pharmacy, such as paracetamol, medicine for motion sickness, betadine (iodine), etc.

Although keep in mind that:

• Anti-inflammatories: They are much more expensive than in Spain, if you are going to need them it is better that you bring a blister pack with you.
• Antibiotics: Not all of them can be bought without a prescription, some will not be sold to you without first seeing a doctor.
• Diabetes and other diseases: There are medications that are not available in Georgia, like some brands of insulin pens.

Do I need an adapter for the plugs?

No, in Georgia the plugs are like those in Spain with round plugs type C and F and the voltage is the same, 220 volts.

This is the same in most of Europe and several Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay).

If where you live there is another type of plug, you will need an adapter. Also check the type of current, because if your country is different you will need a power converter.

So that you know what type of plugs I am referring to, I leave you an image. 😉

Applications for traveling to Georgia and websites

• bolt: It's like Uber, it works very well, there are many cars and it's very cheap, but it only works in Tbilisi and Batumi. If you are going to order a Bolt from the airport, I recommend bringing it unloaded beforehand.
• Tbilisi Transport: It is a Tbilisi transport website and application, although I have never been able to use it, I prefer Google Maps that shows all the buses with their stops, route and time of the next bus.
• Georgian Railway: is the website for Georgian trains, although they do not always have tickets available to buy.
• 12go Asia: It is a very practical website to look at all the transport options, prices and buy tickets without moving.
• Wolt: is the most popular application to order food at home.
• Magti: It is the application of the best mobile operator in Georgia, I always recommend buying its SIM because it is the company with the best coverage throughout the country.
• Yr.no: It is the most reliable way to see the weather conditions, especially in the high Georgian mountains, where the weather can be very changeable. They have a website and application.
• Maps: It is one of the best applications that you can use to get around, because you download beforehand the map of the place you are going to travel to and it will help you guide you even if your internet connection fails, which can happen in the mountains. Likewise, it is an application that I recommend even if you are only going to move around the cities.

In case you come to go hiking or trekking, these applications will come in handy because they have routes:

• alltrails
• Wikiloc

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about How to get around Tbilisi, Georgia and visit neighboring countries?

Do I need an international driving permit for Georgia?

No, to drive in Georgia you can do it with your normal driver's license if it is in Roman characters.

That is, if your driver's license is in another alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, etc.) you will need the international permit.

Additionally, you will need a certified translation into English.

Therefore, the most practical thing is that you travel with an international driving permit that you must process in your country before traveling.

In Spain, you can process it at DGT electronic headquarters and costs 10.51 euros.

Keep in mind that if you are going to drive in Georgia, in addition to your driver's license, always you will need to carry your passport with you.

For rent a car in Georgia I recommend this search engine that only works with local companies and, therefore, the prices are the lowest.

Georgia Travel Guides

If you need Georgia travel guides you can look at my other articles about Georgia because after 1 year living in the country I have quite a bit of experience.

If not, you can follow me on social media 😉 or ask me below in the comments.

I can also recommend the Lonely Planet guide to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in printed format or the electronic version which is very practical for traveling light.

Things that will be good for you to take to Georgia

This is a list of things that seem fundamental to me regardless of the time or area you are going to visit:

• Sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• Sunscreen: in Georgia they are at least 3 times more expensive than in Spain.
• Swimsuit: to bathe in the Black Sea or in its fantastic thermal baths.
• Comfortable shoes
• Travel fanny pack: It is super practical to put valuable things like your passport, cards and money because it goes under your clothes.
• Small backpack: to carry your things, to make nearby visits or a short hiking route.
• Water bottle: It is ideal for refilling, you save money because in Georgia the tap water is drinkable and you do not contaminate with single-use plastic bottles.
• Kindle: ideal for having all the books you want such as travel guides and books to read on transport.
• Photo camera: to take home a souvenir of the beautiful Georgian landscapes.
• Drone: Georgia's mountain landscapes are ideal for flying a drone, if you are going to buy one I recommend the DJI Mini 2, it is very light, it is quite economical compared to others, there is a reason why it is the most popular. If you prefer something more professional, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro It is the best in terms of quality and price.

What to bring if I travel in winter?

Although in the cities the temperature does not usually drop below 0 °C, sometimes it can snow in Tbilisi and when there is wind as the nearby mountains are covered in snow, the cold is very intense.

So, in addition to normal outerwear, I recommend that you keep the following in mind:

• Thermal garments: Like t-shirts and tights to layer underneath. This type of clothing in Georgia is only from international brands and the prices are very expensive, between 5 and 7 times more expensive than what you would pay in Spain, there are no cheap brands of sports and technical clothing.
• Winter earmuffs: This is an accessory that I never really understood until I arrived in Georgia. The wind in winter is so cold that it can make your ears hurt, keep this in mind if you usually suffer from pain. An alternative to earmuffs is to wear a cap that covers the ears.
• Technical clothing: Any technical garment that you think you are going to need is better that you bring it with you, it will be cheaper to buy it in Spain.

👍 Friend's tip: in Georgia it is a good idea to buy hand-woven wool garments 100% like socks and your typical slippers; They also serve as a nice handmade gift. 😍

What to bring for hiking or a simple walk in the mountains?

In addition to basic things like a good backpack or hiking and trekking shoes, There are other things you will need even if you are just going for a walk on the mountain next to Tbilisi (Mtatsminda).

• hiking sticks: some routes in Mtatsminda are very steep and you may need them, not to mention high mountain areas or canyons.
• Front light: Even if you go down the stairs after watching the sunset at Mtatsminda it will help you, because there are areas without lights and this way you will not consume the mobile battery.
• Whistle: This is one of the basic safety things for any hiker, but it is very It is important that you bring one if you are a woman and you are going to do any outing alone, even if it is a short route through busy areas. Georgia is not a safe country to go alone in the mountains.

👍 My two cents: if you do not have experience in going alone in the high mountains or hiking don't do it in georgia, for your safety it is better that you hire a guide or join other travelers.

What to wear for trekking or going to high mountains?

In addition to the things that I recommended for hiking in Georgia, this will come in handy if you are going to do a little more technical hiking, in the high mountains, spend the night in the mountains or go trekking.

• solar external battery: It is one of the most practical things that you can take with you to the mountains that can get you out of trouble. You'll thank me. 😉
• water purifier: The water in Georgia is very good and the tap water is drinkable, but if you are going to spend the night in the mountains, this water purifier will come in handy, it weighs little and ensures that you can drink the water you find without risk.
• Emergency thermal blanket: Take the entire emergency kit and especially the thermal blanket, this It's very important.
• Coat and raincoat: also add some warm clothes and a raincoat, even if you travel in summer and good weather is announced.

👍 Friend's tip: Please note that in Georgia, The weather in the high mountains is very changeable. and if a storm comes it can lower the temperature very quickly, up to 20 degrees. 🥶

🔝 If you want to know the best of the Caucasus without worrying about anything, book this All-inclusive trip to Georgia and Armenia, which costs less than 150 euros a day.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the things to bring to Georgia, it all depends a little on what your plans are.

You can continue reading more of my articles about this fascinating country in this Georgia Travel Guide travel on your own, they are organized there.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about Georgia

• What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
• 9 Traditional Georgian Food Dishes
• 25 Curiosities of Georgia, country of the Caucasus
• What to do in Kutaisi: a complete guide
• Georgia Road Trip (country): 10 and 14-Day Itinerary