Practical Travel Tips for Georgia

We would like to help you plan and realise your adventure in the fascinating country of Georgia, which is why we have put together some practical travel tips for Georgia for you.

In this article, you will find lots of useful information for your trip to Georgia. We explain how best to fly there, how to enter the country, how long you can stay and what you should know about visas. We also provide tips on currency and currency exchange, clothing, drinking water and much more.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact form at the end of the text. We will be happy to help!

Flights to Georgia

Georgia has three international airports, namely in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. We are pleased to inform you that you can book both direct and connecting flights to Georgia. We have put together a list of airlines that fly to Georgia.

Direct flights

• Lufthansa
• Eurowings
• Condor
• Wizzair

Flights with connecting flights

• Pegasus
• Turkish Airlines
• Airbaltik
• Austrian
• Lot

Other links

• fluege.de
• Skyscanner
• Idealo

Entry, visa, residence

We are pleased to present you with some practical travel tips for Georgia. An important point here is the topic of entry, residence and visa. You are welcome to find out more about this here:

Entry documents:

• Passport: For guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a passport that is valid for at least another 6 months is sufficient.
• Identity card: Citizens of Germany and Austria can also travel to Georgia with an identity card if they are taking a direct flight. Please note that you should still carry your passport with you when flying with a transfer, as some countries may not accept the identity card.

Visa

Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland can travel to Georgia without a visa and stay there for up to 360 days.

Other EU countries

This is also possible for citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Cyprus.

For further information   CLICK HERE

Currency and exchange rates

What is the name of the Georgian currency and what is the exchange rate?

The Georgian currency is called Lari, with the small amount being called ‘Tetri’. Please note that the exchange rate is subject to constant fluctuations. You are welcome to check the current rate of the Lari HERE.

Exchange options

You can exchange currency in all of Georgia’s larger cities, either in banks or in special exchange offices. Please remember to take your passport or ID card with you, as this is required as security at some exchange offices and banks. This service is also available at airports, but the exchange rate there may be slightly lower.

ATMs and credit cards

ATMs are widely available in most major cities and generally work reliably, so you can rely on them. It is really convenient that you can pay by credit card in almost all large supermarkets, department stores and petrol stations.

Cash

Please note that in remote areas, villages and settlements, it may not be possible to use credit cards. Therefore, we recommend that you always take some cash with you. Please also note that in these regions, change may be limited. Therefore, we recommend that you do not take large bills with you.

Transport and traffic

Regional transport

The public transport system in Georgia is very well developed. For regional transport, so-called marshrutkas, a kind of minibus, and trains are available, so there is something for everyone. Of course, private taxis and minivans are also available.

Please note that you have to pay for your ride in cash when using marshrutkas, taxis and minivans, as unfortunately there are no online tickets available. If you are planning a train journey, you can easily buy your ticket online at the following website.

TRAIN TICKETS

Inner-city transport

For local transport, we recommend that you use the city buses. At each stop, there is an electronic board that will easily inform you about the next departures. You will not only see which buses are going in which direction, but also which numbers they have. The information is of course also available in English.

Tbilisi has a metro that you can easily use with a Metroman card. You can easily purchase this practical card at the metro entrance and top it up with money. A single journey costs just 1 lari, no matter how far you want to travel or how long you are on the move.

Private taxis and taxi companies are also available in Georgia at all times. If you are looking for a taxi, we can recommend the BOLT taxi company. You can easily order a taxi there using an app and conveniently pay online.

Clothing

The people of Georgia are very open and freedom-loving, which also applies to clothing. There is no specific dress code in everyday life. However, the situation is a little different in churches. There are certain rules that must be observed.

Rules for women

• Wearing a headscarf is mandatory.
• Women are expected to wear a skirt. Shorts or trousers are strictly forbidden in churches.
• If women forget their headscarves, they can borrow a headscarf and a skirt free of charge at any church.

Rules for men

• Men are not allowed to enter churches wearing caps.
• Men are not allowed to wear shorts.
• If someone is wearing shorts in a church, free skirts can be used on the premises.

Following these guidelines is important to enter religious sites appropriately and to respect local traditions.

Telephone and communication

Internet

Georgia is a well-connected country and internet access is available almost everywhere, especially in hotels and guest houses, both in large cities and in remote regions.

Telephone

Telephone and mobile phone services also work very well in Georgia. The largest providers are Magti and Geocell, which cover the whole country. These services can be used not only for phone calls but also for mobile internet, which is relatively inexpensive.

SIM card

SIM cards can be easily purchased at airports. However, it is recommended to do this at a travel agency to get information about rates and other conditions. If you are planning a trip through a travel agency, it is advisable to order the SIM card there to save additional time when purchasing it.

Drinking water

Tap water

The article also contains practical travel tips for Georgia on the subject of drinking water. Tap water in Georgia, especially in the mountainous regions, is generally safe to drink. However, it is advisable to ask locally. If you are sensitive or have concerns, you can buy water in supermarkets, which can be found even in the smallest villages. Bottled water is available in sizes ranging from 0.5 litres to 10 litres.

In some regions and villages, there are water pipes or taps directly on the street that can also be used as drinking water. It is important to observe local conditions and to inform yourself accordingly.

Mountain springs

When hiking in the mountains, you may come across springs that provide drinking water. Please check with your hiking guide before using them.

Food and dishes

The tasty Georgian cuisine is characterised by its diversity and is rich in salads, meat dishes and dairy products. The use of bread and dough in many dishes is characteristic. Walnuts and hot pepper are also important ingredients in many dishes.

This gives Georgian cuisine a special flavour that some guests may find takes some getting used to. It is advisable to be mindful of this to avoid any digestive problems.

Emergency services and assistance – 112

The emergency services in Georgia are well developed and work effectively. The single emergency number for all emergencies in Georgia is 112. No matter what kind of help you need, you can call this number to get the support you require.