Tbilisi Parking Guide: Rules, Fees, Zones & How to Pay

Tbilisi parking has never been entirely straightforward, but it has become more structured over the past few years. In 2019, Tbilisi City Hall introduced hourly zonal parking in some of the city’s busiest, most tourist-heavy areas, bringing at least some order to what had been a mostly unregulated system.

If you’re visiting the city with a car — whether your own or a rental — understanding parking in Tbilisi will save you time and money. 

This guide explains how parking works, covers paid and hourly parking areas, shows how to pay, and helps you avoid unnecessary tickets during your stay.

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How parking works in Tbilisi

Tbilisi’s urban layout changes every year as the city grows, but its infrastructure was never designed to handle today’s car traffic. According to 2024 statistics, Georgia has over 1.7 million registered vehicles, and a large share of them are used in the capital — including many cars registered outside Tbilisi.

Because of limited infrastructure and the sheer number of cars, parking in Tbilisi can feel chaotic at first, particularly in older, central districts with narrow streets.

In many areas, parking is still unmarked and free unless signs indicate paid parking or specific restrictions. As a result, drivers often park wherever they find space, as long as they don’t block traffic or building entrances, which is why cars are frequently seen on sidewalks.

It’s important to note, however, that parking on sidewalks is subject to immediate impoundment, even if it seems common.

Before any structured system was introduced, this unregulated environment gave rise to so-called stayanshik — informal parking attendants who would “watch” a car or help drivers squeeze into tight spots in exchange for a small cash tip (~O.50-1 GEL).

While these individuals have mostly disappeared from central areas, you may still encounter them in some neighborhoods, even where official parking permits exist.

Hourly zonal parking has brought more order to parking in central and touristy areas and has reduced long-term street parking in key locations.

In the city center, there are also private paid parking options that can be a more reliable alternative to street parking. These include parking areas on Galaktioni (a.k.a Tabidze) and Dadiani streets in Sololaki, behind Freedom/Liberty Square, near Orbeliani Square, as well as paid parking at Galleria Mall. They are especially useful if you’re looking for overnight parking in Tbilisi or want to avoid fines or towing in busy areas.

Types of parking in Tbilisi

There are three main types of parking in Tbilisi you’ll come across: free street parking, paid parking with a permit, and hourly zonal parking. Which one applies depends on the neighborhood, signage, and how long you plan to stay parked. There’s also residential parking, but it’s not clearly marked. I explain this in detail below.

Free parking in Tbilisi

In many residential areas and streets without parking signs, free parking in Tbilisi is still allowed. If there are no markings or zone signs, you can usually park without paying — as long as you don’t block traffic, building entrances, or emergency access.

That said, “free” doesn’t mean careless. Parking on sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or in clearly obstructive spots can still lead to fines or towing, even in areas where street parking itself isn’t regulated.

There have been cases where parking staff issued fines despite the absence of clear “no parking” signs, explaining that the street still fell under a regulated parking zone. For this reason, it’s best to be cautious in borderline areas and avoid parking where the situation isn’t clearly defined.

Paid parking (parking permit)

Paid parking areas are marked with standard parking signs, and permits are linked to your license plate rather than a physical ticket.

This permit applies to large parts of the city and works on a time-based system rather than an hourly rate. Once you purchase it, you can park in designated areas without worrying about time limits.

This option is best suited for longer stays, locals and residents, and visitors staying several days in the same area.

However, if you only have a paid parking permit and park in an hourly zonal area (see the next section), you’ll need to pay an additional hourly fee.

Hourly zonal parking

Hourly zonal parking is most common in busy, central, and touristy areas, though it also appears in other neighborhoods. These zones are clearly marked with signs showing a zone letter and a slot number (for example, A001 or B017).

Zonal parking is charged by the hour and designed for short stays — cafés, restaurants, errands, or quick visits. Even if you already have a paid parking permit, you still need to pay for hourly zonal parking in Tbilisi separately.

Hourly zonal parking fees do not apply to:

• residents living within a 100-meter radius
• fully electric vehicles
• persons with disabilities
• category A taxi drivers

These areas are also the most actively monitored, making them the easiest places to get fined if you forget to pay or overstay.

Residential parking in Tbilisi

Residential parking in Tbilisi can be confusing, mainly because there are no consistently marked residential-only parking zones across the city.

In practice, residents are allowed to park free of charge on streets with parking signs or hourly zonal markings within a 100-meter radius of their registered home, provided they have the appropriate permit.

That said, general parking rules still apply. Parking that blocks entrances, driveways, emergency access, or pedestrian movement is considered a violation, and parking on sidewalks can result in immediate towing.

You need to register and obtain a free residential parking permit through parking.tbilisi.gov.ge. Registration requires an ID card, proof of property ownership, and cadastral codes.

Foreign citizens must complete the process in person at the Municipal Services Development Agency. In this case, you’ll need an ownership document issued by the Public Service Hall, along with a translated and notarized copy of your passport or ID.

For visitors, paid or private parking is the safer option.

Tbilisi parking fees

The Tbilisi parking price depends on the type of parking you’re using. There are three options: paid parking with a permit, hourly zonal parking, and combined tickets. Overall, parking in Tbilisi is still relatively affordable compared to many European cities, especially for longer stays.

Paid parking permit (long-term parking)

Paid parking with a permit is the most economical option for long-term parking in Tbilisi. Instead of paying by the hour, you buy a time-based permit that allows you to park in designated paid parking areas across the city.

Current permit prices are:

• 1 week – 4 GEL (valid for 6 calendar days from the moment of purchase)
• 6 months – 25 GEL (valid for 182 calendar days)
• 1 year – 50 GEL (valid until the same date the following year)

Once you have a valid permit, you don’t need to worry about daily payments in paid parking areas. The permit is linked directly to your license plate, so there’s no physical ticket to display.

Electric vehicles with an engine power above 4 kW are exempt from paid parking fees.

Note: This permit doesn’t include permission to park on hourly zonal areas. See a section below about combined tickets. 

Hourly zonal parking fees

Hourly zonal parking works on a pay-as-you-go basis and is mainly used for short stays in central areas. These zones are divided into three categories, marked with letters and numbers on signs.

Current hourly rates are:

• Zone A – 1 GEL per hour
• Zone B – 2 GEL per hour
• Zone C – 3 GEL per hour

Each vehicle is entitled to four free 15-minute parking sessions per day across different zones. From the fifth stop onward, the full hourly rate applies from the first minute.

It’s important to note that even if you already have a paid parking permit, hourly zonal parking still requires a separate payment.

Combined parking ticket (permit + hourly zonal parking)

If you want full flexibility, there is also a combined parking ticket that covers both paid parking permit areas and hourly zonal parking.

Current prices for the combined ticket are:

• 1 day – 20 GEL
• 1 week – 100 GEL
• 1 month – 300 GEL
• 6 months – 500 GEL
• 1 year – 800 GEL

This option works best for frequent drivers, people who move between neighborhoods daily, and anyone who prefers a single, worry-free parking solution.

For short visits or occasional driving, this is usually more expensive than paying separately. But if you often rely on hourly zonal parking, the combined ticket can simplify things and help you avoid accidental fines.

How to pay for parking in Tbilisi

There are several ways to handle Tbilisi parking payments. Some methods are slightly confusing, so I’ll do my best to simplify them for you with screenshots, detailed explanations, and translations.

Using the Tbilisi parking app

The easiest and most flexible way to pay is to use the official Tbilisi parking app, available on iOS and Android in both English and Georgian.

When registering, you can choose whether you’re a Georgian citizen/resident or a tourist. If you select the tourist option (“other” in the app), you’ll be asked for your passport and personal details. Then, you can skip a local mobile number, complete verification via email instead, set a password, and register your car by entering the license plate number.

You can add vehicles, see which passes you’ve purchased, check the hourly zonal Tbilisi parking map, pay for hourly parking, activate the free 15-minute option, and even pay parking fines.

To make any payment, you first need to top up your balance — pay-as-you-go isn’t available. A commission fee of 0.50 GEL applies when topping up.

Once ready, select your vehicle, choose the parking zone, enter the lot number shown on the street sign (for example, A010), and press “start parking.” You’ll then be able to choose between free 15 minutes, free minutes plus paid time, or paid parking only.

For cars with transit or foreign plates, only the vehicle number is required. No ID or identification code is needed for either parking permits or hourly payments.

Paying via prepaid parking machines

Prepaid parking machines are spread across the city and are operated mainly by banks. The two most widespread ones are the light blue of TBC Bank and the bright orange of Bank of Georgia (BoG), which look like ATMs but are not. These machines can be used for various service payments, including parking.

Unfortunately, not all machines offer the same options. Some allow you to purchase combined parking tickets, while others only support permits and hourly parking. Most machines accept cash, and some also accept cards.

While many offer an English menu, some sections — especially those related to zonal parking — may still appear in Georgian, even when English is selected. 

In addition, some machines may require a local Georgian SIM card to receive an SMS verification code, though this isn’t clearly stated on the machine before you start the payment process.

Another important detail is that hourly zonal parking paid at machines is rounded to fixed time blocks (such as 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 1:30 hours), not charged by the minute. This means you’ll need to estimate how long you’ll be parked — staying even slightly over the paid time can result in a fine.

Paying online via the parking website

You can also pay for parking in Tbilisi through the official parking website. 

The main drawback is that the website is only available in Georgian, so you’ll need to enable a translation extension in your browser. Registration is required to access most features.

To buy a parking permit, you’ll need the vehicle number and the owner’s ID number (or the organization’s ID number if the car is rented). For hourly zonal parking, only the zone code (for example, A010) and the vehicle number are required. A 0.50 GEL commission fee is added at the time of payment.

If you’re driving a car with foreign or transit plates, you can tick the appropriate option and enter just the plate number — no ID or organization number is needed.

Paying online via TBC Pay and BoG Pay

Another option is to use the online versions of prepaid machines, such as TBC Pay and BoG Pay. Both platforms offer full English menus and don’t require a local phone number for verification, which makes them convenient for visitors.

Each platform has its limitations. BoG Pay allows parking permits and hourly zonal payments for both Georgian and foreign-registered vehicles.

TBC Pay supports parking permits, fines, and zonal passes for vehicles registered in Georgia and abroad, but only via combined parking tickets (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), not hourly payments. Commission fees apply in both cases.

You can complete payments without creating an account — if prompted to log in, closing the window often redirects you to a card payment page.

Parking fines in Tbilisi

Parking rules in Tbilisi are enforced more actively than many visitors expect, especially in central areas and hourly zonal parking spaces. Fines vary by violation type, and in many cases, non-payment doubles the fine. Typically, you have 30 calendar days to pay after getting the fine. 

Most common parking fines

Failing to pay for paid or hourly zonal parking results in a 50 GEL fine. This is one of the most frequent tickets issued in the city, particularly in central neighborhoods and touristy areas.

Parking where “Stopping is prohibited” or “Standing is prohibited” signs are in place also carries a 50 GEL fine.

Parking on a sidewalk results in immediate towing rather than just a fine. This applies even in areas where sidewalk parking may appear common.

Higher-penalty violations

Some violations come with higher fines due to safety or accessibility concerns:

• Parking on a bicycle path or bicycle lane: 100 GEL
• Parking in a taxi-only parking area: 100 GEL
• Parking in a space designated for disabled persons: 100 GEL
• Parking at an electric vehicle charging point without authorization: 100 GEL
• Abandoning a vehicle on the road: 100 GEL
• Parking trailers, buses, or similar vehicles in parking spaces meant for cars: 100 GEL

Towing, wheel blocking, and notifications

In addition to fines, the municipality is authorized to tow vehicles to a secured parking lot, charge a separate towing and storage fee, and block wheels in some instances of violation.

If your car is towed, you’ll need to pay both the fine and the towing-related fees before retrieving it.

Parking fines are no longer left on the windshield. Instead, a digital report is issued, and the registered vehicle owner is notified via official channels, including SMS.

How to check and pay parking fines in Tbilisi

Checking parking fines

The easiest way to check if you got a parking fine in Tbilisi is through the Tbilisi parking app. Once your vehicle is added, click “fines,” then add the plate number again to see any issued parking fines.

If you have a local bank account with TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia, you can also add your vehicle to your online banking profile. Any registered parking fines linked to your license plate will then show up automatically in the banking app.

You can also check fines on the police.ge platform. Keep in mind that this system primarily shows fines issued by traffic police (such as camera-recorded or roadside violations) rather than municipal parking fines. However, it’s still useful to check just in case.

Paying parking fines

You can pay parking fines through several channels, including the Tbilisi parking app, online banking (TBC or BoG), prepaid parking machines around the city, the official Tbilisi parking website, and at a bank branch.

If you’ve been fined, you have 30 days to pay, but it’s best to pay promptly. Unpaid fines can double in payment and may cause issues later.

Tbilisi parking FAQ

Is parking free in Tbilisi?

Yes, free parking in Tbilisi is still common, especially in areas without parking signs or zone markings. However, a paid parking permit or zonal parking is often the safer choice.

Can tourists use the Tbilisi parking app?

Yes. Tourists can fully use the Tbilisi parking app. In some cases, a Georgian ID or a local phone number is not required; please refer to the sections above.  

Is parking free on weekends in Tbilisi?

No. Parking rules and fees apply every day, including weekends and public holidays.

Can I park overnight in Tbilisi?

Overnight parking in Tbilisi is allowed anywhere you have parking signs and hourly zonal markings. In central areas, private garages are a safe alternative.

Do rental cars get parking fines in Tbilisi?

Yes. Parking fines are issued to the vehicle, not the driver. For rental cars, the fine is sent to the rental company.

What happens if I don’t pay a parking fine?

Unpaid parking fines can double over time and may cause issues later. It’s best to check and pay fines as soon as possible.

Can my car be towed in Tbilisi?

Yes. Cars parked on sidewalks, blocking entrances, or creating safety issues can be towed immediately.