Western Asia
Western AsiaGeorgiaTravel guide
- Tbilisi
- Akhaltsikhe
- Batumi
- Borjomi
- Gori
- Kutaisi
Georgia is a mountainous country in the Caucasus, where Europe and Asia meet. It has a Black Sea coast, ancient churches, wine-growing valleys and a long tradition of welcoming guests.
Why go
Explore medieval churches, monasteries and ancient forts.
Visit the wine-growing valleys of Kakheti.
Enjoy Black Sea resorts and swimming.
Discover mountain scenery and national parks.
Try Georgian food and wine.
Getting there
By air
- Tbilisi has flights from several European and Gulf cities.
- Kutaisi has flights from many European destinations.
- Batumi has flights from Istanbul and other cities.
By land
- Direct buses connect Tbilisi with Istanbul, Baku, Athens, Thessaloniki and Russian cities.
- The source describes a sleeper train from Yerevan to Georgia, with more frequent service in summer.
- The source says passenger trains between Georgia and Azerbaijan stopped in 2020 and had not resumed as of May 2023.
By sea
- The source lists a ferry from Burgas to Batumi, operated by Navbul.
- It also lists boat services from Istanbul to Batumi and Poti.
Customs
- A foreign vehicle may stay for up to three months, or two months if its owner is a Georgian citizen.
- The source lists vehicle overstay charges of ₾50 per day, capped at ₾1,000, as of 2022. It also describes a possible ₾250 road police fine.
- Temporary registration can provide Georgian number plates for up to three years. The source lists ₾50 for registration and ₾75 for plates.
Getting around
Bus and minibus
Buses mainly serve large cities, routes between cities and international routes. Some airport buses run at times linked to international flights. A marshrutka is a minibus used for travel between places. Bus stations and central markets are useful places to ask about transport to remote areas.
Train
Fast trains are usually modern and have limited places. Local trains are slower, older and very cheap. The Tbilisi–Batumi journey takes about five hours and passes countryside and the Black Sea coast. Trains also connect Tbilisi with Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Gori. Trains are more comfortable than crowded minibuses, but can cost more.
Car and taxi
Main roads between major cities are usually in good condition. Country roads may be damaged, and animals can block traffic. Driving can be chaotic, with dangerous overtaking. Most visitors may find it easier to travel as passengers. Ask your accommodation about local car rental companies. Carry small notes for taxis and ask whether the driver has change before you travel.
Mountain transport
Buses and taxis do not reach every remote mountain area. You may need to walk, hire a jeep or find a ride on a goods truck. Truck rides require flexible plans, while jeep hire can be expensive because fuel is scarce.
What to see and do
Borjomi Kharagauli National Park
Explore a nature reserve with varied plants, animals and scenery.
Medieval churches and monasteries
Georgia has many historic religious buildings, including several with World Heritage status.
Ancient towered forts
These buildings across the countryside reflect Georgia's long history.
Georgian National Museum
The source highlights a Georgian statue from the second century before Christ displayed here.
Swim in the Black Sea
Sea resorts such as Anaklia offer places to swim.
Follow the wine route in Kakheti
Explore a region linked to Georgia's long history of wine making.
Food and drink
Georgian cooking
Many dishes contain meat and use garlic, coriander, walnuts and dill.
Local neighbourhood restaurants
Places a block or two away from main tourist streets can offer good-value Georgian meals.
Canteen-style cafés
These offer a variety of Georgian food, including dishes such as phkali, khachapuri and kuchmachi.
Home meals
An invitation to someone's home can introduce you to dishes beyond the usual restaurant choices.
Churchkhela and tklapi
Packaged versions are sold as food souvenirs.
Georgian wine
Georgia has a long wine-making history and 521 native grape varieties. Wine shops offer a wide choice, while supermarkets may sell some wines more cheaply.
Money
Georgian lari (GEL), written ₾. One lari equals 100 tetri.
- Keep small notes and coins with you. Large notes can be difficult to spend, especially in taxis.
- Ask taxi drivers about change before handing over a large note.
- Exchange kiosks in Tbilisi and Kutaisi generally offer better rates for US dollars and euros than for other currencies.
- Exchange rates outside cities are usually worse. A kiosk may ask for identification.
Tipping: Tipping is common in Western-style restaurants in Tbilisi, but is rarely expected in traditional places and is not expected in bars. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge, rising to 15% in some Tbilisi venues.
Typical costs
- The source's 2022 examples list a city bus or metro ride at ₾1.
- A minibus journey was listed at about ₾6 per 100 kilometres in 2022.
- Taxi examples from 2022 were ₾0.80–1.30 per kilometre, with a ₾3 minimum.
- A snack or pastry was listed at ₾2 in 2022.
- A hostel bed was listed at ₾7, and a guesthouse at ₾20 per person, in 2022.
- Restaurant examples from 2022 include a filling dish from ₾6 and a meat dish at ₾10, plus a service charge.
- Church entry is free.
- Mtatsminda Park has free entry, with a ₾2 attraction card and rides costing about ₾3–10.
Language
- Georgian is the main language and has its own alphabet.
- Russian is widely spoken by older people and is useful in some ethnic minority areas.
- Younger people are more likely to speak some English.
- Most road signs use both Georgian and Latin letters, but many other signs are only in Georgian.
- საქართველო — Sakartvelo
- Georgia
Staying safe
- Most of Georgia is described as very safe for foreign visitors, with low crime levels.
- Police patrol cities and towns and can help with road problems.
- Wear a seat belt. Road accidents are a serious concern, and driving can be dangerous.
- Women may face pushy behaviour or unwanted attention. The source suggests staying with a group and dressing more conservatively in the countryside.
Local customs
Do
- Treat invitations warmly and respect your host's generosity. Discussing who will pay can embarrass the host.
- Women must cover their heads before entering a church.
- Dress more conservatively in the countryside.
- Remember that loud voices and strong gestures may be part of a friendly conversation.
- Expect direct personal questions, which are often a way of getting to know you.
Don't
- Do not take advantage of people's hospitality.
- Do not brag about your money or travel spending.
- Do not take photographs inside churches, where photography is unwelcome. The source says photographing a priest inside a church can be an offence.
Staying healthy
- Check medicine expiry information carefully. The source warns that pharmacies may sell outdated stock.
- Waste collection is poor in some villages and small towns, and rubbish may cover nearby slopes.
- Tbilisi has gyms and fitness centres with swimming pools. Such facilities are less common in other cities.
Where to stay
- Hotels and budget hostels are available in Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities.
- Private homes are often the cheapest countryside option. Expect a home stay with limited privacy.
- Some hostels look like ordinary apartments and have poor signs. Get detailed directions, map coordinates and the correct apartment bell before arriving.
- Guesthouses are common around the country and often have signs outside.
Trips to Georgia
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in Georgia
Georgia has mountain walks, forest trails, Black Sea beaches and hot springs. Mestia, Tusheti and Borjomi offer hiking, while Batumi has beaches and boat trips. Some remote mountain areas need a local guide or a vehicle with four-wheel drive.
Mestia to Ushguli
TrekUpper Svanetinear Mestia
Start in Mestia, which has several hiking trails, including a route to Ushguli.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow hiking routes.
Borjomi Kharagauli National Park
Hike
Explore the park's hiking routes. Specific starting points and transport details are not given.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow hiking routes.
Tusheti hiking
HikeTusheti
Hire a vehicle with four-wheel drive or a local guide to reach the hiking areas.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow hiking routes.
Lagodekhi Nature Reserve
Hike
Follow the reserve's hiking trails, which have two serviced huts along them. Access details are not given.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow hiking routes.
Mt. Chakvistavi round trail
Hikenear Batumi
Hiking is possible from early April, but snow may remain at the top.Walk in from Makhuntseti Bridge and Waterfall, approach from Chakvi, or hike up from Zundaga. Access from Chakvi is difficult without a car.
- Expect some snow at the top in early April.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow the trail.
Batumi beach
BeacheSouthwestern Georgianear Batumi
Reach the beach from Batumi's seaside boulevard.
- Watch for pickpockets along the beachfront.
Anaklia swimming
Beachenear Anaklia
Visit the Black Sea resort of Anaklia for swimming. Transport details are not given.
Nokalakevi Geothermal Park
Hot springnear Martvili
Visit the geothermal park near Martvili. Transport and bathing arrangements are not given.
Borjomi Natural Hot Pools
Hot springnear Borjomi
Walk about 2.8 km from the central park entrance. By car, approach on the plateau road to the east, then follow a track down to the pools.
- Cost: 10 lari.
Abanotubani sulphur baths
Hot springnear Tbilisi
Go to Bath Street, about 1 km southwest of Avlabari metro station. Choose a private bath or Bath No. 5 at 4 Mirza Fatali Akhudovi.
- Cost: Private pool: 50–200 lari per hour; massage or scrub: 5–20 lari. Bath No. 5: 10 lari for men, 6 lari for women; massage costs 10 lari extra.
Paragliding around Tbilisi
Paraglidingnear Tbilisi
Fly with a pilot around Tbilisi. Booking details and operators are not given.
Batumi boat trips and yacht charters
More to doSouthwestern Georgianear Batumi
Find boats offering trips in front of the Panoramic Wheel. Yacht charters are also available.
- Cost: Boat trips from 15 lari.
Two Mountains Trail
Hikenear Batumi
Hike this trail around Mt. Chakvistavi. Downloadable trail coordinates are available.
- The trail is not well maintained.
- Use offline maps and GPS to follow the route.
Cross Mount walk
Hikenear Borjomi
30–60 minutes to the top, then 30–45 minutes to Gogia Fortress ruins.Start at the sharp wooded bend on the eastern extension of Pirosmani Street. Follow the small road and marker uphill. Continue down past Gogia Fortress ruins and exit near the west end of Pirosmani Street.
- Rain or fog can hide the views.
- The western entrance is harder to find, so walk from east to west.
Borjomi natural pools and plateau loop
Hikenear Borjomi
About 3 hours.Follow the well-marked walk from the centre to the natural pools, then return across the plateau.
Libani to Tba forest walk
Hikenear Borjomi
Take a taxi to Libani. From the abandoned sanatorium, walk 1 km to the old train station. Continue along the narrow-gauge railway through pine forest to Tba, then take a bus or shared minibus to Borjomi.
- Cost: A Bolt taxi to Libani is listed at 30 lari.
Turtle Lake walk and swimming
Hikenear Tbilisi
About 1 hour on foot from Saburtalo. Summer, for a hot-day visit.Walk up from Saburtalo along country roads, take a taxi from the centre, or use the cable car from the corner of Vake Park at 74 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue.
- Cost: Swimming entry without a deckchair: about 3 lari. Taxi from the centre: 5–10 lari.
Lake Lisi walks and swimming
Hikenear Tbilisi
Take a taxi to Lake Lisi for swimming and long mountain walks around the lake.
- Cost: Taxi: about 10–15 lari each way.
- Taxis are not always waiting for the return journey.
Akhaltsikhe Hot Thermal Source
Hot springSamtskhe-Javakhetinear Akhaltsikhe
Look for the site named Hot Thermal Source (CO2) in Akhaltsikhe. Access details are not given.
Airports, metros and trains in Georgia
Airports with scheduled flights
- BUSAlexander Kartveli Batumi International AirportBatumiMain international airport
- KUTDavid the Builder Kutaisi International AirportKopitnariMain international airport
- TBSTbilisi International AirportTbilisiMain international airport
- SUIVladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International AirportSukhumiMain international airport
Metro and subway
- TbilisiTbilisi Metro23 stations27.3 kmsince 1966
Trains
- Rail network
- 1,576 km
- Electrified
- 1,288 km
People and safety in Georgia
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.
- Christian89%
- Muslim11%
- No religion<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Legal gender change is not recognised.
- Laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #45 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
79% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 102 of 198 countries can visit Georgia easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required102
- eVisa66
- Visa required29
- Admission refused1
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe45 of 46 countries
- Americas23 of 35 countries
- Asia27 of 49 countries
- Oceania3 of 14 countries
- Africa4 of 54 countries
Questions
Where is Georgia, and what is its capital?
Georgia is in the Caucasus, between Russia and Turkey, beside the Black Sea. Its capital is Tbilisi.
Can I manage without speaking Georgian?
Younger people are more likely to know English, while many older people speak Russian. A phrasebook and basic knowledge of the Georgian alphabet can help outside Tbilisi.
What money should I carry?
Use Georgian lari and keep small notes and coins for everyday payments. Large notes can be difficult to use, especially in taxis.
How can I travel between cities?
Buses, minibuses and trains connect many cities. Trains are generally more comfortable than crowded minibuses, but may cost more.
Is Georgia safe for a first visit?
Most of Georgia is described as very safe for foreign visitors. Road safety is a major concern, so wear a seat belt and take care when travelling by car.
Do I need to book every night in advance?
The source says guesthouses are common and booking ahead is not always necessary. For apartment-style hostels, get clear directions and the correct doorbell before arriving.
What should I know before visiting a church?
Women must cover their heads. Photography inside is unwelcome, and the source warns against photographing priests inside churches.
Is tipping expected?
Tipping is common in Western-style restaurants in Tbilisi, but rarely expected in traditional places or bars. Ask whether a service charge will be added.
What is a supra?
A supra is a Georgian celebration banquet with plenty of food, wine and toasts. A master of ceremonies leads it, and it can last for hours.
What electricity supply does Georgia use?
Georgia uses 220 volts at 50 hertz, with Europlug and Schuko sockets.
Reviewed by @snuck