21 Tips for Traveling to Georgia

Updated: August 1, 2024

Practical information that no one tells you about traveling to Georgia in Europe about prices, safety, time to travel, security and transportation.

Georgia is a country with very beautiful natural landscapes, mainly mountains, forests and lakes that will amaze you.

However, there are some details that you should know to know what you may encounter.

I have to warn you that after reading some points in this article you may doubt whether to come or not, I assure you that traveling to Georgia is a very rewarding experience and is not dangerous.

In the article I tell you practical information on all types and security topics. If I left any topic unspoken, do not hesitate to leave me a comment below, I will be happy to respond and add it to the article.

1. Do I need a visa to travel to Georgia?

Most countries do not need a visa to visit Georgia. When you arrive and go through immigration, the stamp is worth your stay, in many cases up to 1 year.

These are some of the countries that have an automatic 1-year visa without the need to process it first: Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico.

Then Chile and Uruguay have 90 days of visa upon arrival without processing anything previously.

You can check the updated information on the page official visa website, there you can also check the information for other countries that I did not include. They also have more information and for any questions they have a contact form.

2. What vaccines are needed to travel to Georgia?

At this time (August 2024), Georgia does not require any vaccinations to enter.

But you can consult the international vaccination center in your city, they generally recommend the typical vaccines as for any other country you travel to (hepatitis A and B, tetanus, MMR, etc.).

In case you want to get the vaccines, in this link you can see the list of centers in Spain and here ask for an appointment.

3. Is the COVID vaccine or PCR test necessary?

No, as of June 15, 2022, Georgia does not require the COVID vaccine or PCR test to enter, whether you come by air, sea or land.

Likewise, with the experience we have regarding the pandemic, I recommend that you look at the updated information when you travel on the web. Georgian Foreign Affairs which is always updated.

4. 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 official visa website.

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.

5. Is Georgia a safe country? Can I travel alone to Georgia?

These are difficult questions to answer, right off the bat I can tell you yes, is it safe to travel to Georgia.

But below I explain it to you in detail according to each case, everything is based on my experience as a woman living in Georgia for 1 year.

• go out at night: without any problem, you can go out calmly even if you are a woman, although as always being a woman we have to take care of ourselves.
• robberies and pickpocketing: In the time I have lived in Tbilisi I can tell you that I have not seen robberies or pickpocketing in the subway or anywhere. Likewise, it is better to be alert with things.
• outfit: Clothing, especially for women in general, is more conservative, but you won't have much of a problem. Except when visiting churches and monasteries where you cannot wear suspenders, short skirts or shorts (including men). In addition, sometimes women must cover their heads with a scarf to enter a church, they usually have one to lend at the entrance.
• order a taxi: If you are a woman you can order a taxi calmly, although I recommend doing it through an application, but not for a security issue but because taxi drivers are a bit overpriced.
• go hiking or trekking: Many people go hiking and trekking alone. I have gone hiking alone, but you have to be careful, especially if you are a woman, it is not 100% safe and it is better if you are accompanied or with an excursion. There has been some sad event, not more than a year ago with an Australian girl, you can look it up on the internet because there was a lot of talk about the subject. Also, on the trails near towns you can come across syringes, a fairly common problem that no one talks about in Georgia.
• bears, wolves, wild boars and other wild animals: In mountain areas there may be dangerous wild animals, try not to venture out without finding out first and better if you go with a guide.
• shepherd dogs: These dogs take their job very seriously and can be very aggressive if you get too close to a flock. I have already found myself surrounded by several large angry dogs.
• territories occupied by Russia: If you visit nearby areas you must be careful not to go into occupied areas, so it is better to go with a guided excursion. The occupied areas are South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• borders with Azerbaijan: there are currently disputed territories with Azerbaijan that affect the monastery of David Gareja and there are areas of the complex that cannot be visited because they are on the other side of the border.

If there are any points I haven't mentioned, feel free to leave me a comment below.

6. Racism and Homophobia

This is a complex topic, but I am going to tell it to you as I would with any friend from the LGBT community (sorry for the letters I have omitted) or with slightly darker skin, because These are important topics that no one talks about and you should know.

If you wonder if people in Georgia are racist or homophobic, broadly speaking I would say that sadly they are.

Obviously, not all Georgians are like this and it is something that fortunately is changing with the new generations, but it is not an open country like most countries in the European Union.

Keep in mind that it is a very conservative Orthodox country.

What does this mean? Am I going to have problems?

No, you won't have problems.

If you are from the LGBT community you can visit the country without problems, but I recommend discretion at all times.

To give you an idea, Pride Day was celebrated here in Tbilisi, but it was very discreet and not very crowded. I guess out of fear, because they've had problems in the past. If you look for information on the internet you will understand what I mean.

The racial issue is more complex, but in my experience it is common for some foreigners of color to complain of receiving hostile treatment, different from what the rest of us receive.

Likewise, if you travel to Georgia you will never have any problems, although you may have to put up with some rude people.

I can also tell you that the treatment of the public is quite painful in Georgia, unless they are places that are used to working with tourists.

So, you can receive unkind treatment, without it having anything to do with homophobia or racism, a treatment that even Georgians themselves receive.

But I don't want you to get the wrong impression, Georgians are very good people even though maybe in some places they don't treat you kindly. One thing that works well in most cases is smiling, they soften quickly and it is very easy to experience the kindness of the local people.

7. When to travel to Georgia? Best time

The best time to travel to Georgia depends on what you are coming to do and what you want to visit.

I'll tell you the best time according to the area and the activities:

Summer

The months of July and August are the best to visit the mountain areas of Svaneti including Mestia, when there is no snow and the landscape is green.

Like other mountain landscapes such as Lake Udziro where it takes a 2-day hike to reach and can only be done in summer.

It is also the preferred time to visit the coastal area on the Black Sea, including Batumi.

The end of summer and beginning of fall is an excellent time if you like wine because it is the time of the grape harvest (grape harvest).

It is a time with more wine-related events and it is a good time to visit the Kakheti area which is the main wine producing region.

On the other hand, in Tbilisi the heat in July and August can be oppressive, with temperatures exceeding 35 °C during the day. On the other hand, in Batumi and the mountainous regions the temperatures are more pleasant.

🍷 Here you can read more about the Visit to Kakheti: wine region in Georgia

Fall and Spring

Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit almost the entire country and especially the transition months with summer.

Temperatures during the day remain pleasant and at night they are not too cold, making them excellent for visiting Tbilisi and nearby inland places.

In the mountain areas it is still a good time because there is usually not much snow and there are certainly many fewer tourists than in July and August.

Likewise, if you are going to go to the mountains I recommend you look at the weather conditions because this can vary from one year to the next.

Autumn is also a good time to see the forests with their multicolored leaves.

Winter

Winter is low season in almost the entire country and you will find cheaper prices for accommodation.

Some tourist places are closed during winter and even some roads may be closed during heavy snowfall.

On the other hand, it is a good time if you want to come to Georgia to do skiing and other winter sports because there are several ski resorts in different parts of the country.

Weather app

The most reliable application and website to see the weather in Georgia is Yr.no.

8. How to get to Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is well connected to Europe with several airlines such as KLM, LOT, Air France and Lufthansa.

From Spain there are flights with a stopover within Europe or with Turkish airlines (Turkish Airlines and Pegasus).

Georgian Airways also has direct flights from Barcelona and Madrid.

If not another option is fly to Kutaisi with Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air, which has a direct flight with Barcelona, starting from about 100 euros, depending on the season and other European cities.

Then, from Kutaisi you can get to Tbilisi by bus or train. The bus is the fastest option, taking 4 hours and costing 6 euros.

If you want to fly at a good price, I recommend buying your tickets in advance, if possible a few months in advance and use this search engine, the more flexible you are with your dates, the more likely you are to find cheap flights to Georgia.

⭐ You may also be interested in this article about How to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city and other areas of Georgia

9. What will they ask of me when entering the country?

To travel to Georgia the entry requirements according to the official website of the visas are:

• A valid passport
• A printed copy of the Georgia e-Visa
• Proof of reserved accommodation
• Travel and health insurance
• Documents proving the purpose of your trip
• Proof of having sufficient funds for the trip
• A copy of the return ticket

They have recently added many of these requirements to their new website.

When I traveled they didn't ask me for anything. If you are a Spanish citizen, you have a European passport or another strong country, they do not usually ask for anything more than the passport.

I know people from Mexico and other Latin American countries who, although they had the right to stay for 1 year, were asked to show sufficient funds and hotel reservations, because at that time there were no further requirements.

But it is best that you have all the documentation because the immigration personnel have the right to ask you for it and if you do not have it, they will deny you entry into the country.

10. Interrogation upon entering the country

When entering Georgia it is very common to be asked many questions, some are typical such as the reason for the trip and duration; others not so common.

This has nothing to do with issues of race or nationality, they ask somewhat strange questions to almost anyone who enters their borders (at least air and land, I don't know about the maritime ones).

These are some of the favorite questions immigration officers have asked me during the year I have lived in Georgia and I know they have asked other foreigners:

• Is it your passport? You don't look like the person in the photo: They may ask you to show another document, leave, return, look at the passport with a magnifying glass, etc. This happened to me and it took 20 minutes for them to let me through, it happens to many people and I have heard of people who have taken up to 45 minutes.
• Show me the document you came in with last time: a request that can be made even if it is the first time you travel to Georgia and even if you no longer have passports.
• In my last entry into the country, the immigration agent spent 30 minutes asking me questions regarding my dual nationality. All the questions imaginable and some very creative ones. For example: why do I have dual nationality, if I have two passports, why do I not live in my country of birth, if my relatives have dual nationality. He even got to know a good part of my family tree. 😅

This is routine and part of the job of immigration officers. So I recommend being patient, not stressing because it is very common and it is not something personal.

11. How to get from the airport to Tbilisi?

To go from the airport to Tbilisi you have 3 options:

1. Cab: They have a fixed fare and it costs 60 lari (21.35 euros) to the city center.
2. bolt: order a car with this application similar to Uber, the price is usually around 30 lari (10.67 euros) although you will need to buy a SIM card at the airport.
3. Bus 337: will take you to Rustaveli Avenue and the train station, costs 1 lari and runs between 06:59 and 22:59.

12. How to get around Tbilisi?

To get around Tbilisi you have 4 options:

1. Public Transportation: in the city they have a good urban transport network that includes metro, bus, mini bus, cable car and funicular and the price is 1 lari (0.35 euros) each way.
2. Driving: is the least recommended option because there is a lot of traffic in the city and it gets quite congested. If you are going to rent a car it is better to do so to visit other places outside the Georgian capital.
3. bolt: If you want to order a car, the most popular option is Bolt, it is an Uber-type application that works well, is very economical and saves you the language barrier. It only works in Tbilisi and Batumi.
4. Taxi: It is a more expensive option than ordering a car with Bolt, sometimes they go overboard with the prices.

⭐ In this other article you can read more about How to get around Tbilisi, Georgia and visit neighboring countries? where I talk in detail, with a lot of advice.

13. How to get around Georgia?

To visit other areas of Georgia you have various options that I will tell you below:

1. Train: In Georgia there are two types of trains. There are those from Soviet times, which are trains that have become outdated, are slow and uncomfortable, an example is the train that goes from Tbilisi to Yerevan in Armenia. Then there are the faster and more modern trains that have some routes such as from Tbilisi to Batumi.
2. Bus and Marshrutka: Large buses are not the most common, but minibuses known as marshrutka and are the main way to get around Georgia, because there are many areas where there is no other type of transportation.
3. By Plane: Although it is little known, there is an airline with internal flights between major cities and mountain regions, it is called Vanilla Sky. It is a more expensive way to travel, but you save a lot of time.
4. Driving: Driving will allow you to reach many places where there is no public transportation or are poorly connected and will give you flexibility. For rent a car in Georgia I recommend this search engine that works with serious and cheap Georgian companies.
5. private taxi: For 1-day visits it is quite common to hire a private taxi that takes you to your destination and you can include other stops. This is an option that can be well priced if you go in a group.
6. Day trips: many places of tourist interest are not well connected with public transportation and the cheapest way is to go with an excursion like these from the link leaving from Tbilisi that you can book online and the most popular ones have a guide in Spanish. In fact, you can filter them by “only activities in Spanish.”

⭐ Check out this article for further insights on How to rent and drive a car in Georgia and neighboring countries.

14. How to get from Georgia to Armenia and Azerbaijan by land?

Armenia

To visit Armenia, there are trains to Yerevan that take almost 11 hours and depart from Square Station or with minibuses that take 5:30 hours and depart from Avlabari, here you can see schedules, prices and buy tickets.

Azerbaijan

The land borders between Georgia and Azerbaijan are closed at least until October 1, 2024. After that, we'll have to wait and see what the Azerbaijani authorities decide.

Azerbaijan put this measure in place during the pandemic and have been extending it every few months, supposedly due to COVID.

Right now, the only way you can visit Azerbaijan from Georgia is by plane. There are flights from Tbilisi to Baku.

⭐ In this other article you can read in details about How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable, with details of the round trip, immigration, prices and alternatives.

15. Language

The language in Georgia is Georgian, older people usually speak Russian and young people speak English.

Although, people who speak English will be found in Tbilisi, Batumi and some very touristy places, In the villages it is rare for someone to speak any English.

If you buy a SIM card, you can use the translator that will get you out of trouble.

Here are a couple of words in Georgian that will be good for you to learn:

• Hello: Gamaryoba, with the strong "y" sound, as pronounced in some Latin American countries, similar to an "sh" in English.
• Thank you: madloba, if you add didi ahead is thank you very much.

16. SIM card (internet)

To have mobile data on your cell phone and be able to use the internet in Georgia you have two options: buy a local SIM or an eSIM.

local SIM

In Georgia there are several mobile phone companies, but the one with the best coverage is Magti. Although in the mountains or when traveling by road or train there will be moments when you can disconnect.

Magti has different plans depending on the MB of data you contract and is cheaper compared to Spain.

For example, for 1000 MB for 30 days it costs 5 lari and unlimited data for 7 days costs 9 lari, you also have to add the price of the SIM card which costs 3 lari.

If you need to top up your balance, you can do so at the Magti offices or with their application.

Please note that the APN must be configured on the mobile phone for mobile data (internet) to work. They didn't tell me at the Magti office and I was without internet for several days because I didn't know what the problem was.

eSIM card

If not, the most practical alternative is to buy one eSIM card for Georgia like this one that has unlimited data and with that link you have a 5% discount.

The advantages of this eSIM is that it is easily configured before traveling, so when you arrive you have internet without having to look for a telephone office and you do not need to remove the SIM from your country.

Of course, check first that it works for your mobile, because it does not work with older ones.

17. Currency, Withdraw Money, Pay and Exchange

Currency

The currency in Georgia is the lari, you will also see it written as GEL which means Georgian Lari and each lari is made up of 100 tetris.

Everything in Georgia is paid in lari, but in accommodations, especially rentals with private individuals, you can sometimes pay in dollars or euros.

At ATMs you can withdraw in lari, dollars or euros using your international credit or debit card.

Withdrawing money

In Tbilisi and the main cities you will find many ATMs that accept international cards.

👍 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.

Pay

You can also pay by card in most shops and restaurants.

Change

If you prefer to bring cash, the most accepted currencies at exchange offices are dollars and euros.

To change, go to any exchange house that is close to you.

In the past, some exchange houses did a better conversion, today the difference is ridiculous and it doesn't matter where you change.

How to save on commissions and exchange? (bank account in Georgia)

If you are going to be in Georgia for several months, you can save a lot on fees if you open a bank account in Georgia.

The most popular banks among foreigners are BOG (Bank of Georgia) and TBC Bank.

Personally, I prefer BOG, because it does not charge for opening the account, its monthly maintenance fees (1.5 lari) and withdrawal fees are very low (0.6 lari).

To open the bank account you only need your passport and a Georgian mobile number, and they will also ask you for the address where you are staying.

Then the best way to send the money is through Wise, which works as a virtual bank where you can collect money from your work or transfer it from your bank account.

From Wise you send it to the Georgian account because they have the best possible currency exchange. If you don't have one has Wise, with this link you save the first transfer fee.

If you cannot send from your bank to the Georgian bank.

18. Prices in Georgia

Until a few years ago Georgia was a supereconomic country, that is no longer the case.

Likewise, if you are going on vacation, in the main cities the price of accommodation and food is cheaper than in Spain or other European countries.

Then, where you will notice the most difference in prices is in the towns, everything is much cheaper there, except the mountain towns.

As for purchases, anything that is not produced in Georgia and is imported is more expensive than it could cost in the countries of the European community, the United States, Canada or Australia.

⭐ You may also be interested in this article about 22 cheapest destinations in Europe, which includes Tbilisi.

19. What to bring to Georgia?

In Georgia you will not find everything and many things are much more expensive than in Spain.

That is, everything that is not produced in Georgia is expensive and Georgia is an agricultural country.

Hiking and Trekking

If you come to do any sport such as hiking, trekking or others, I recommend you bring everything you will need with you.

There are no Decathlon stores or other budget brands here, you will have to pay for international brands and prices in Georgia can be between 3 and 10 times more expensive than in Spain.

Second hand

You can get some things second-hand, but you will have to be lucky that there is what you need when you need it and it will not be cheap either.

Second-hand sports stores are near the Dinamo stadium in Tbilisi and have hiking and trekking items; Another alternative for second-hand is Facebook groups.

To give you an idea of second-hand prices, I tell you that before coming to live in Georgia I bought some hiking poles at Decathlon, paying about 16 euros for the pair.

A friend bought the same model of second-hand canes in Georgia for 20 euros each, that is, more than double.

Skiing and winter sports

In case you come to ski, there are shops here to rent what you need.

Although I can't tell you the prices, it will probably cost you cheaper than paying excess baggage for large or very heavy things.

⭐ In this article you can read more about everything What to bring to Georgia? depending on your plans and the time of travel. It also includes the entry requirements to the country.

20. Is tap water safe to drink in Georgia?

Yes, you can drink tap water without problems, in fact Georgian water is of very good quality and one of the national pride.

21. Georgian food, special diets and app

Georgian cuisine is very tasty; However, it can be a challenge to find some dishes suitable for celiac or gluten intolerant people because many dishes are high in carbohydrates.

Although if you are a vegetarian I tell you that you will be lucky here because you will have good options, plus the crops are organic.

In case you want to order food at home, one of the best applications is Bolt.

🔝 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 my tips for traveling to Georgia after living in the country for 1 year. Georgia is a wonderful and little-known country that you can enjoy a lot.

In this Georgia Travel Guide you can continue reading the key articles I've written about this beautiful country. You can also go to the guide directly from the menu above, selecting Southeast Asia and then Thailand.

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.
• 25 Curiosities of Georgia, country of the Caucasus
• 9 Traditional Georgian Food Dishes
• Georgia Road Trip (country): 10 and 14-Day Itinerary
• Visit to Chiatura with its Soviet cable cars