Scam in GeorgiaShopping
Tourist-area shop and restaurant markups in Georgia
How it works
Shops and restaurants in this tourist area charge double or more than comparable places elsewhere. Drinks in the old town can also be overpriced. High prices alone do not mean a bill is fraudulent.
Warning signs
- Prices are much higher than those you have seen elsewhere.
- You are about to order without checking a menu or price.
How to avoid it
- Read prices before ordering or buying.
- Compare prices outside the main tourist streets.
- Choose drinks outside the old town if you want better value.
If it happens to you
- 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/travel2026Travel experience in Georgia 🇬🇪A traveller reports being quoted six lari for apples when another customer said they had paid 2.5 lari.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/Sakartvelo2024Scams to avoid, general recommendations for tourists.A commenter warns that restaurants in heavily touristed locations with staff soliciting customers are often overpriced.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/tbilisi2026Got scammed 3 times in 1 week in tbilisiA visitor reports paying 85 lari for coffee and juice, while a local commenter describes similarly expensive refreshments in Old Tbilisi.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the tourist-area shop and restaurant markups scam in Georgia?
Shops and restaurants in this tourist area charge double or more than comparable places elsewhere. Drinks in the old town can also be overpriced. High prices alone do not mean a bill is fraudulent.
How can I spot it early?
Prices are much higher than those you have seen elsewhere. You are about to order without checking a menu or price.
How do I avoid tourist-area shop and restaurant markups in Georgia?
Read prices before ordering or buying. Compare prices outside the main tourist streets. Choose drinks outside the old town if you want better value.
Where in Georgia does this happen?
Kote Afkhazi Street and the surrounding Old Tbilisi area. It has been reported in Tbilisi.
How much can it cost me?
Double or more than prices elsewhere around Kote Afkhazi Street.
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: suspiciously cheap or counterfeit wine and mineral water, souvenirs with limited local authenticity.
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