Georgia Travel FAQ

Citizens of more than 90 countries do not require visa to visit Georgia for tourism purposes. These include all European Union and CIS member states, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and others. If you have not found your residency in the list, you will be required to obtain a short-term entry-visa. Applicants might need to provide confirmation of their travel purposes, such as hotels, flights reservations, booked Georgia tour schedule, etc. The application process can be made online. More information on visa types, application procedures and others is available here.

Georgia is famous for its all year round travel opportunities. Depending on the activities pursued travellers find it attractive to visit basically any time of the year. Spring (starting from April till early June) and autumn (from September to late November) are the best seasons for those who prefer cultural and historical tours, as the weather is mostly warm, with occasional wind and rain. Summer is great in Georgia, especially if you decide to spend it trekking high in the mountains of Svaneti, Kazbegi or Tusheti, or travel to the Western part of the country to enjoy the Black Sea. Winter time is very popular among ski and snowboard enthusiasts. Gudauri and Bakuriani winter resorts are the first to pop up in mind.

There is no cash limit a visitor may bring to Georgia. But if the amount exceeds 30,000 GEL (Georgian Lari) or its equivalent it is necessary to fill out a custom declaration form and declare your money. For more information on custom regulations in Georgia please see here.

Yes, lari can be exchanged in Tbilisi international airport, as well as at any other international airports or train stations in Georgia, or at any currency exchange booths throughout the country. Exchange booths mostly operate with the following currencies: US dollar, Euro, Turkish lira, UK pound, Russian ruble. Depending on the amount to be exchanged you may be required to present your ID.

VISA, MasterCard cards are accepted almost everywhere in Georgia.

Fast passenger and electro commuter trains connect most of the Georgian major cities. Fast trains run daily between Tbilisi and Zugdidi, Tbilisi and Ozurgeti, Tbilisi and Batumi, the last makes stops in Gori, Zestaphoni, Kutaisi and Kobuleti. More information on Georgian railway schedule and trains can be found here.

There are only two domestic flight routes in Georgia operated by 'Airzena' Georgian Airways company. They are Tbilisi-Batumi (40 min) and Tbilisi-Kutaisi (30 min). There is also a short-range domestic flight between 'Natakhtari' (27 km away from Tbilisi) and 'Queen Tamar' airports (Mestia, Svanetian region). The one hour long flight operates everyday except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Yes, there are a number of companies in Georgia, which offer car rental services for both, locals and tourists. Most of them provide pick-up and drop-off options in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi with some companies also working in Telavi. In order to rent a car a person is required to provide a valid ID/passport, a driving license, and in some cases a deposit.

The table below highlights the distance between the cities, major tourist attractions and basic border crossing points in Georgia:

Cities / Places	Distance, km
Tbilisi – Mtskheta	20
Tbilisi – Telavi	100
Tbilisi – Sighnaghi	115
Tbilisi – Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)	150
Tbilisi – Gudauri	120
Tbilisi – Gori	80
Tbilisi – Borjomi	155
Tbilisi – Uplistsikhe (cave town)	90
Tbilisi – Kutaisi	230
Tbilisi – Mestia	460
Tbilisi – Batumi	365
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) – Gori	180
Telavi – Kutaisi	310
Tbilisi – Vardzia (cave town)	260
Tbilisi – David Gareja (monastery)	80
Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe (Rabat fortress)	55
Tbilisi – Sadakhlo (border with Armenia)	75
Tbilisi – Dariali (border with Russia)	160
Tbilisi – Lagodekhi (border with Azerbaijan)	160
Tbilisi – Sarpi (border with Turkey)	385

There is no general dress-code or any other clothing limitations in Georgia, except for when you visit religious places like Church or Monastery. Women have to cover their legs, head, and shoulders. Men are required to cover their legs.

The voltage in Georgia is 220V. If you want to use 110/120V devices in hotels or other places where there is only a 220/240V power you will need a step-down voltage converter or a combination converter.

National currency of Georgia is Lari (GEL). One lari consists of 100 tetri. Currently there are lari banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 denominations, and coins of 1 and 2 laris. More information about currencies used in Georgia is available here.

Georgian traditional wine making process is different from the of European one. Winemaking traditions that count 8000 years of history, today mainly concentrated in Kakheti, Eastern region of the country. The major distinguishing feature is that wine is fermented and stored in Qvevris – egg-shaped earthenware vessels. Qvevris are buried under the ground, that way an optimal temperature for ageing and storage is guaranteed. Traditional Qvevri wines are unique in their composition and have rich distinctive bouquet and taste. The most widespread are dry and semi-dry red and white wines. Click here to find more about the traditional way of Georgian winemaking.

All major cities of Georgia have street signs in two languages, Georgian and English. There are also English language direction signs and brief explanatory notes in most tourist places like Tbilisi old town, center of Batumi, or main tourist attractions throughout the country.

There are several vegetarian friendly dishes in traditional Georgian cuisine. Among the most popular dishes are Khachapuri (cheese filled pies or cheese filled breads that vary depending on the region), Khinkali (Georgian dumplings; make sure you order them with either cheese, mushrooms or vegetables), Lobio or Lobiani (bean stew served in a clay jar), baked mushrooms with Sulguni cheese (traditionally served in a clay pot), Churchkhela (Georgian candy made from grape jelly and nut), Jonjoli (pickled shrub flowers), walnut paste and some more.

In Georgia the following mobile operators provide communication services:
MAGTI
GeoCell
Beeline

Yes, foreign citizens can subscribe to any of Georgian mobile operators. ID or passport is required for subscription.