Scam in GeorgiaTaxis
Inflated taxi fares and pushy drivers in Georgia
How it works
Drivers quote tourists high fares. At Tbilisi Airport, some charge several times the usual fare or falsely claim a price is the official rate. Drivers approach passengers straight after baggage claim and may become intimidating when refused. In Gori, drivers outside the Stalin Museum push tours to Uplistsikhe and quote much higher prices.
Warning signs
- A driver approaches you immediately after baggage claim and pushes you to follow.
- A driver insists a high fare is the official rate.
- A driver outside the Stalin Museum presses you to book a tour.
How to avoid it
- Check an app fare before accepting a ride.
- Agree on the full fare before getting into a street taxi.
- Do not assume an airport taxi is fairly priced because the driver calls it official.
- Avoid the drivers hustling for tours outside the Stalin Museum.
If it happens to you
Stand your ground and walk away if necessary, when it is safe to do so.
- Get to a safe place. If you are threatened or need urgent police or ambulance help, call 112.
- Write down what happened while you remember it. Save the location, time, agreed price and amount paid.
- Keep receipts, booking details and screenshots. Record vehicle or venue details only if it is safe.
- If a card or phone was stolen, contact your card issuer and secure the affected accounts promptly. Ask about disputed payments where relevant.
- Report theft, threats or fraud to police. Ask for a report reference or written record for your insurer.
- Contact your insurer about a claim. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate about replacement documents.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/tbilisi2026Got scammed 3 times in 1 week in tbilisiA traveller says an airport driver demanded roughly 100 lari for six kilometres and initially locked the doors when asked to stop.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/Sakartvelo2024Tourist traps to avoid in Georgia ?An Airbnb manager reports guests being charged 200–250 lari by airport taxi drivers for journeys costing around 50 lari through Bolt.Read on Reddit
- Government adviceGeorgia travel adviceCanadian travel advice warns that unofficial taxi drivers generally do not use meters and may overcharge passengers.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the inflated taxi fares and pushy drivers scam in Georgia?
Drivers quote tourists high fares. At Tbilisi Airport, some charge several times the usual fare or falsely claim a price is the official rate. Drivers approach passengers straight after baggage claim and may become intimidating when refused. In Gori, drivers outside the Stalin Museum push tours to Uplistsikhe and quote much higher prices.
How can I spot it early?
A driver approaches you immediately after baggage claim and pushes you to follow. A driver insists a high fare is the official rate. A driver outside the Stalin Museum presses you to book a tour.
How do I avoid inflated taxi fares and pushy drivers in Georgia?
Check an app fare before accepting a ride. Agree on the full fare before getting into a street taxi. Do not assume an airport taxi is fairly priced because the driver calls it official. Avoid the drivers hustling for tours outside the Stalin Museum.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stand your ground and walk away if necessary, when it is safe to do so.
Where in Georgia does this happen?
Especially Tbilisi Airport and the north side of the Stalin Museum in Gori. It has been reported in Tbilisi, Gori.
How much can it cost me?
Airport scammers may charge several times the usual fare. One false claim is an official rate of 80 lari. A separate airport rate listed for 2023 is 60–70 lari, about twice the Bolt fare; these are dated figures.
How common is this scam in Georgia?
Common. Georgia is generally very safe for visitors. The main risks described here are taxi tricks, inflated tourist prices and a few serious bar scams in Tbilisi. Pickpocketing by young children is also a concern in part of Batumi.
Are there similar scams in Georgia?
Yes: taxi drivers refusing to give change, taxi surcharge for trouble finding the address, rigged taxi meter.
Who can I report it to?
Police: call 112 for urgent help involving threats, theft or forced payment. For a non-urgent report, approach police and provide the location, time, payment details and any evidence. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a missing card and report unauthorised transactions. Ask whether a disputed payment can be challenged. Taxi app or transport company: report the ride through the app or company's support channel. Include the trip record, agreed fare and amount demanded. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, medical records and any police report. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is lost or stolen, or you need consular help. Postal company: for a missing or damaged parcel, submit the posting receipt and tracking details and request an investigation.
What number do I call in an emergency in Georgia?
Police: 112, Ambulance: 112.
Reviewed by @snuck