21 Georgia Travel Tips: Local’s Guide to First-Timers

Sandwiched between Europe and Asia, Georgia has lush nature, centuries-old traditions, and rich history. Here, old and new harmoniously co-exist next to each other – remote villages are still untouched, while cities are bustling with life. 

Even though hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the country, Georgia still can be overwhelming with not-so-well-organized public transport or tourist infrastructure. Therefore, as a local, here are some essential Georgia travel tips to ease your travel here as much as possible.

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Essential things to know about Georgia (country)

Where is Georgia

Georgia shares its borders with Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The classification of Georgia as either European or Asian has long been discussed. 

From a Georgian perspective, we consider ourselves an integral part of Europe, while our mentality and traditions often align with those of Asian countries.

Do you need a visa?

In contrast to numerous countries in the region, Georgia boasts remarkably lenient visa requirements. More than 90 countries’ citizens can enjoy a visa-free stay of up to 365 days in the country. 

If you do not hold citizenship from one of these countries, you can still enjoy a visa-free stay in Georgia for up to 90 days or opt to obtain a visa before your arrival.

Is Georgia safe to travel to? 

Georgia is an exceptionally safe destination for all travelers, including families, backpackers, and solo female adventurers. While petty theft, mugging, and robbery incidents are occasionally reported, the overall crime rate in Georgia remains impressively low compared to other European countries.

Like anywhere in the world, I advise you to exercise general caution by being aware of your surroundings and watching your belongings. That’s one of the Georgia travel tips to remember; nonetheless, Georgia can be considered a highly secure country to visit. 

Best time to visit Georgia

The best time to visit Georgia varies depending on your desired destination. For traveling to Tbilisi and lowland cities, the ideal periods are mid-April to the end of May and September to mid-October during the pleasant spring and autumn seasons. 

Autumn is particularly remarkable for exploring Kakheti (Telavi or Sighnaghi), Georgia’s renowned wine region, as it offers the opportunity to witness the harvest.

Summer is excellent for mountainous regions like Racha and Svaneti. It’s also ideal for escaping to Glamping Tago in Upper Adjara.

Read a separate post discussing the best time to visit Georgia by season and month. 

How to get to Georgia

Air

We currently have three international airports serving small and big airline companies. Depending on where you want to start your journey, you can travel to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, or Batumi.

There are big and small international airline companies offering flights to these cities from almost anywhere in the world. For budget-conscious travelers, Kutaisi hosts flights from WizzAir from various European cities. There are also flights from various cities in Turkey to Batumi.

How to get from Kutaisi International Airport to Tbilisi

Two bus companies take travelers directly from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi. Georgian Bus and Omnibus vehicles are parked right outside Kutaisi Airport. You can purchase tickets online or right upon arrival. One way costs 25 GEL. 

If you decide to explore Kutaisi first rather than go directly from Tbilisi, you can quickly get from the airport to the city center, as it’s around 30km away. 

Alternatively, you can catch a train from the Kutaisi International Airport railway stop if you arrive during the day. There are minibusses at the airport that take you to the railway station free of charge. You can check tickets at Tkt.ge or the official railway website two weeks before you arrive in Kutaisi. 

And here is detailed information on how to get from Kutaisi to Tbilisi with various means of transportation. 

How to get from Batumi International Airport to Tbilisi

There are no direct buses from Batumi International Airport; however, various public transportation goes from Batumi to Tbilisi, including Metro Georgia and Omnibus buses, marshrutkas, and trains. Additionally, Vanilla Sky operates flights from Batumi International Airport to Tbilisi Airport. 

Land 

Georgia has land borders with its neighboring countries – Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, enabling travelers to explore them easily. 

The only functioning Georgia-Russia land border is in Stepantsminda, taking travelers to Vladikavkaz. There are borders with breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but it’s better to stay with Stepnatsminda for safety reasons.  

Georgia and Armenia have three land borders: Sadakhlo-Bagratashen, Guguti-Gogavan, and Ninotsminda-Bavra. All of them are open for international travelers; however, the first is the most frequently used Georgia-Armenia border crossing because it is the main road between Yerevan and Tbilisi. This land border also enables visitors to travel to and from Iran via Armenia. 

Georgia and Azerbaijan have two land borders: Red Bridge (Tsiteli Khidi in Georgian)-Shikhli and Lagodekhi-Balakan. The first one is a frequently used Georgia-Azerbaijan border crossing from Tbilisi, as it’s only around an hour’s drive from the capital. The second one enters the Kakheti region of Georgia. 

Since COVID, Azerbaijan hasn’t opened borders land borders – November 2024 update.

Like Armenia, Georgia has three border crossings with Turkey: Sarpi-Hopa, Vale-Posof, and Aktas-Cildir. Sarpi-Hopa is the most used Georgia-Turkey border crossing that follows the coast of the Black Sea. Frequent buses run to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi from the major cities of Turkey. 

Train

Unfortunately, there are only two options for train lovers coming to Georgia. There are overnight trains from Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Georgia-Azerbaijan overnight train runs daily, while the Georgia-Armenia train operates every other day on odd dates. 

Georgia-Azerbaijan train doesn’t run because of land border closure – November 2024 update.

Georgia travel tips: Things to know before traveling to Georgia

Is Georgia expensive? 

Georgia is still considered a relatively inexpensive destination. One of the great things about Georgia is that it can be as expensive as you want it to be. Here, you can spoil yourself with fancy dining, stay at international hotel chains, hire a private jet, or be as budget-friendly as possible. 

It is important to note that the economic situation in Georgia changed due to the impact of COVID-19, followed by the Russo-Ukraine war in 2022. The conflict resulted in an influx of Ukrainian, Russian, and Belorussian citizens into Georgia, subsequently increasing accommodation prices. Additionally, the political tensions and Georgia’s reliance on imports for various goods contributed to rising prices for groceries and other commodities.

While the changes in the economic situation may not be immediately noticeable to typical tourists visiting Georgia for a few days, those planning to stay longer or considering the country as a digital nomad destination might observe that Georgia is no longer as affordable as it once was. If the latter is the case, read what other expats and digital nomads wished they knew before coming to Tbilisi and Georgia. 

Food and accommodation experienced the most rise in prices. However, you can still find decent, well-furnished Airbnb apartments for under $50. Dining out can get expensive, but this depends on which restaurant you’ll go to. A meal for two at an average restaurant will cost between $30-40 with a glass of drink, in some places, even cheaper. 

Public transportation to other cities ranges from $1 to 20, depending on the distance. Tickets for metro and buses start from $0.38. 

Prices for museums in Tbilisi and elsewhere in the country and other attractions are relatively reasonable too. The entrance fee for the museum can be anywhere from $2 to 8, while prices for national parks start from $7

Do Georgians speak English? 

As Georgian tourism is rapidly developing, more and more Georgians speak English, so navigating the major towns won’t be a problem. The older generation mostly speaks Russian because of being part of the Soviet Union. It is challenging to find someone speaking English in mountainous and remote areas. 

Learn essential words in the Georgian language

The Georgian language is one of the oldest languages globally and uses an alphabet that is not similar to other languages. We speak as we read; we don’t have silent or multiple letters pronounced as one, which might make Georgian a bit easier to learn by grammar gets quite challenging. 

Luckily, you won’t need to master grammatical structures when traveling through Georgia; knowing some essential and fundamental words will do just fine.

Note: Don’t rely on Google Translate as your primary means of communicating with locals who don’t speak English. It still doesn’t work when translating complex sentences; you might get nonsense. 

Georgia travel tips: Public transportation in Tbilisi 

Tbilisi has a relatively well-organized and simple public transportation system with metro, buses, and minibusses (marshrutka). Metro and buses are easy to navigate. The challenge for a foreigner is the marshrutkas, with not always designated stops until you tell them you want to get off.

I have a separate post on Tbilisi public transport that explains everything, including how to top up the Tbilisi metro card, the prices for public transportation in Tbilisi, and what taxi apps to use.

Renting a car in Georgia

If you want to explore the captivating destinations of Georgia, renting a car is an ideal choice. For affordable rates and excellent service, I highly recommend LocalRent.com. Renting for multiple days rather than just one can result in even better deals.

I understand that driving in Georgia may not be everyone’s preference, so I want to highlight an exceptional service called GoTrip.ge. This car rental service provides a skilled driver who can take you from point A to point B throughout the country while allowing unlimited stops along the way. It’s a convenient option that ensures a hassle-free journey. Moreover, the prices are very reasonable, making it an attractive choice for travelers.

Georgia travel tips: How to travel around Georgia

You have several options when traveling around Georgia: marshrutkas, buses, trains, and renting a car. 

Marshrutka 

Marshrutkas are the most frequent and preferred transportation when traveling to other cities in Georgia. It is fast and drives to remote areas, but they are the least comfortable ones with short leg space and uncomfortable chairs. 

Vehicles depart from Didube and Navtlughi bus stations. Depending on the destination, marshrutkas run daily and hourly. There is no need to buy tickets before the departure – show up and ask where to find the one to your desired destination. You pay directly to the driver, or he will direct you to the ticket office. 

Bus

Sadly, Georgia doesn’t have an organized bus system. The coach bus Metro Georgia, a Turkish company, operates mainly on the Georgia-Turkey route with stopovers to the major cities along the way, including Kutaisi and Batumi. 

Omnibus is another option for traveling from Tbilisi to Batumi and Zugdidi (and vice versa) departing from Ortachala bus station. 

Train 

Georgia does have a moderately organized train system. However, the majority are of Soviet times, meaning that they are slower than buses and marshrutkas. We have the only somewhat fast train, Stadler, on the Tbilisi-Batumi route, which also stops at Kutaisi International Airport stop. 

How to buy train tickets

Unfortunately, the website of the Georgia Railway is not very user-friendly. The best way to find the timetable is to Google your destinations, for instance, Tbilisi to Batumi train, and look for the railway.ge website.

Here’s the general timetable. Note that the second Departure column means that the train departs FROM the end destination, not the starting point. 

You can buy tickets online by registering on the website and choosing the preferred option. The website will charge you a 1-2% commission when purchasing online. Another downside of Georgian Railway trains is that you can’t choose the seat when buying online or in the station itself. 

Alternatively, Tkt.ge offers a more user-friendly experience for buying train tickets in Georgia. Unlike the official Railway website, you can only choose seats on Tbilisi-Batumi trains here. Sadly, for other destinations, the system automatically assigns you the seats. However, they charge extra for selecting seats and commissions using their website. 

Other practical Georgia travel tips to know

Tap water is safe to drink 

Due to its proximity to the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia boasts many freshwater sources; therefore, tap water is safe to drink anywhere. Bottled water is cheap to buy as well. I recommend adjusting your tummy to Georgian water for the first two days and buying a bottled one to stay safe. 

Then you can use your reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated on your travels. I have Stojo collapsible water bottle. 

Electricity plugs

We have standard European plugs with 230 V, so there is no need for a travel adapter if you are coming from Europe. In other cases, you’ll definitely need a universal one. 

ATMs and Money Withdrawal 

ATMs are almost anywhere, no matter if it’s a big or a small city. The only problem you might see is finding them in remote villages. ATMs are safe to use here and even let you withdraw USD. Some even have EUR. Then you can exchange USD or EUR at exchange booths for a better rate than banks.

You can pay with cards almost everywhere, starting from cafes to small convenient shops. However, do carry cash just in case. And if traveling to remote mountainous villages, always have cash with you. 

Sim cards

Georgia has three leading network provider companies, Magti, Silknet, and Beeline, now rebranding themselves as Celfie. They all have 4G or 4.5G internet service and various MB and GB packages. 

Magti has the best coverage in Georgia, even in the mountain areas, so if you spend more time in the highlands, I suggest getting a Magti Card. 

I have been a Silknet user for years because I love their low-cost local call package bundles. Their internet service is also alright but not as best as Magti’s. I use Silknet for calls and Magti eSIM for the internet. 

Beeline (Celfie) is a Russian company with the lowest calls and internet bundle prices. However, their Internet service is relatively slow even though it’s 4G, and the coverage is very poor. 

The best way to buy sim cards is to visit their service centers scattered across the city. The staff will help you set it up and choose the right bundle or package that suits your needs. The sim card prices vary by the company and start from 5 GEL. 

I don’t recommend buying sim cards or tourist packages at airports. If you need to have a connection the moment you arrive in Georgia and before you get to the city center.

Instead, I recommend the Airalo app – it provides local eSIMs for a more affordable internet connection when traveling.

How to top up the sim card

If you run out of credit on your phone, the easiest way to top up a Georgian SIM card is via self-service payment machines. There are several different company machines all over the country, and every single of them is the same when it comes to topping up the sim card. Do note that they take a 4% commission. I usually top up through my internet bank with no extra fee. 

Georgia travel tips: Local cuisine and drinks

Georgian cuisine is a delightful fusion of regional dishes shaped by numerous historical influences from invaders over the centuries. As a result, Georgian food exhibits traces of Mongolian, Turkish, Mediterranean, and Persian culinary traditions, resulting in a genuinely diverse culinary experience. 

The local cuisine predominantly emphasizes meat, walnuts, dough, and spices. However, vegetarian visitors also have plenty of tasty vegetable and plant-based options.

Here’s a detailed guide to the best and my favorite restaurants in Tbilisi to try different Georgian food.

What to drink in Georgia:

• Georgian tea – tea industry here is slowly reviving, so you can try artisanal loose-leaf teas and have a tea-tasting ceremony.
• Wine – Georgia has broken the GUINNESS World Records for being the first winemaking country globally, producing the beverage for at least 8,000 years. 
• Chacha – A strong local spirit made from the leftovers from wine production. However, today there are fruit versions as well.
• Sparkling waters – Georgia has plenty of mineral water sources, out of which Borjomi and Nabeghlavi are the absolute favorites of many locals. 
• Lemonade – several companies that make lemonades in bottles are sweet, sparkly, and in different flavors. Tarragon and pear are local favorites. However, I love Laghidze Water’s lemonade, the original company I used to drink as a kid. It’s not bottled, so the best place to try them is at the following cafes: Puri Guliani, Stamba, Bazari Orbelianze, and Laghidze Water itself. 

Georgia travel tips: Do’s and don’ts in Georgia

Georgians are recognized as a hospitable nation, where a guest is “a gift from God.” Therefore, Georgians pay a particular interest whether you are a local or a foreigner. 

When you meet a Georgian and engage in a friendly conversation, don’t be surprised if they invite you to a family dinner. You can accept or kindly reject, and if you decide to go, make sure to go hungry; the host will insist on eating every dish on the table and drinking as much wine as you can stomach. 

The country is still a bit conservative regarding dressing and behavior etiquette. Avoid wearing short skirts/dresses or see-through clothes; you won’t be punished but will attract a staring eye. 

Females should wear a headscarf to cover their heads and shoulders when entering churches and monasteries. Ideally, wear an up-to-knee skirt or a dress. Some churches provide scarves at the entrance, but having your own is better. Men can wear regular t-shirts and pants in churches; no strict rule applies here. Ideally, avoid shorts and tank tops. Do note that these rules are stern in monasteries outside the major cities.

• Don’t blow your nose and French kiss in public. 
• Don’t start discussing politics and religion with a Georgian you just met. 
• Do leave a tip if there is no extra service fee included in your bill
• Do take the usual safety precautions
• Avoid petting or encountering stray dogs. Some could be vaccinated, but most in remote areas and small towns may not.