Everything a tourist needs to know about Georgia: how to travel independently (lodging, airfare, transportation, etc.), always stay connected, and more.
Georgia is a popular country for excursions, but it’s hard to get the full benefit of traditional tourist packages. The lack of charter flights and the limited number of organized tours prevent tour operators from securing significant discounts from hotels. However, a trip organized independently ensures a great vacation at an affordable price.
Traveling to Georgia on your own
Organizing a trip on your own is just as easy as booking through a tour operator. All you need is internet access and a list of websites that provide the necessary travel services.
Why pay more
Let’s compare a trip to Georgia through a tour operator and one organized individually.
Through a company, 2 nights for two people in a three-star hotel will cost around 520 USD. This includes airport transfers and a city sightseeing tour.
Booking the same hotel for the same period online will cost around 120 USD. The hotel owner may provide airport transfers for a symbolic fee (about 30 USD) or even for free. The total cost of the trip will be about 150 USD. And if you find accommodation in a private house, the amount may be even lower.
Air tickets
Georgia has international airports in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. Therefore, it's better to monitor prices in all three cities, taking into account current deals and discounts.
The easiest way to do this is via a search engine — a specialized service designed to quickly find information across all airports, including prices, destinations, and more. If you subscribe to the newsletter, you'll receive relevant updates by email.
Accommodation
If you're planning to stay at a hotel, a metasearch engine will find a suitable option based on your preferences and budget. Modern widgets provide information on apartments, flats, and private homes.
Renting an apartment (room) is always cheaper than a hotel room.
You shouldn’t pay the full accommodation fee in advance: you might want to stay longer at one resort or skip another due to bad weather.
Booking your accommodation ideally a month in advance is recommended.
Insurance
Travel insurance is not a mandatory document for a trip to Georgia. However, keep in mind that even a minor injury in this mountainous country can lead to significant expenses. Whether to get a policy or not is up to you.
If you decide to get one, you can do it through a dedicated online service. It allows you to read the agreement from home or office and receive a policy at a reasonable price.
Car (transfer, rental)
If you need a car rental, the most convenient way is to search on an aggregator website that collects information about rental companies, rates, deposits, and customer reviews. On such a website, you can also choose a specific car rather than just a "car class."
Prices for these services in Georgia are significantly lower compared to other countries. In case of car damage, the deposit will not be fully charged, but only compensation for repairs.
For those who prefer not to drive and navigate unfamiliar mountainous regions, taxi services are available. However, it is advisable not to accept tour offers from taxi drivers. The prices are inflated, and the level of service is basic.
For airport transfers or sightseeing trips, it's also better to book through a website. The fare will be cheaper than regular taxis. Without any upfront payment, you can select a specific car and driver. Customers are generally satisfied with this service when booking an affordable car.
Tours
If you are traveling to Georgia alone, you can join group tours within the city. For two or more people, it is better to opt for a private tour, which is both fascinating and cost-effective.
You can find a good tour guide online or upon arrival. In the latter case, the rates will be slightly lower compared to those offered on websites.
When organizing trips in Georgia, it is important to consider three factors: your preferences, the weather, and your budget.
How to stay connected during your trip
In Georgia, both internet and mobile communication are available. To stay connected, you can buy a local tourist SIM card or activate roaming on your phone and use your mobile operator’s internet. Each option has its own pros and cons.
Mobile Internet (Roaming)
Mobile internet is not very popular among tourists. Almost every venue has free Wi-Fi, which usually provides better speed than mobile data.
There are several situations when roaming is essential:
Contacting the taxi driver. Booking a car with a driver in Georgia is affordable, and many tourists do it. Sometimes the driver needs to reach the client (e.g., if he parked slightly away from the meeting point). If you order an airport transfer, the driver may not call an international number — and vice versa.
Calling the tour guide. If you're going on a guided tour, you need to find the guide first. You might miss each other or get lost. In this case, having contact is essential.
Viewing the route. Even if you’ve downloaded offline maps in advance, it may not be enough. Without internet access, you can’t plan your route properly, read reviews, or use the map search efficiently.
Reading reviews. In an unfamiliar city, reviews help you choose a good restaurant or café. When you're hungry, one click can show you where to eat — and where to avoid.
Contacting loved ones. A short message on a messenger or email can reassure your family. Arrivals, check-ins, and city trips are the typical things tourists share.
Calling for help. Not all trips go as planned. Unexpected situations may arise, and you may need urgent help. That’s why having connection is important.
Advantages
Before your arrival, you can book transfers, accommodation, or a rental car.
Easy to use and allows quick calls.
Disadvantages
Billing follows the tariff plan. You may not use everything you pay for.
The daily cost of calls may exceed your total expected communication expenses.
Georgian SIM Card
Buying a SIM card from a local mobile operator is beneficial for those staying in Georgia for an extended period. It's also a good option for users who often watch videos, upload photos to social media, and stream music.
There are three mobile operators in the country — Beeline, GeoCell, and Magti.
Beeline offers low rates, but coverage is weak in mountainous areas. The signal may appear and disappear in some locations. If you're staying in Tbilisi, this option is suitable.
GeoCell and Magti are more expensive, but their reliable coverage ensures connectivity regardless of location. They are ideal for travelers heading to mountain resorts.
To start using mobile services, you must register your SIM card. This can be done at the operator’s customer service center. A passport is required. Be prepared for the registration process to take some time. If you're only staying a few days, plan ahead.
You can top up your balance and purchase a data package via a payment terminal.
Sometimes, travel agencies register SIM cards under third-party names and hand them over to clients to save them the hassle.
Important! If you buy such a SIM card in Georgia, it will only work within the country.
Advantages
Affordable rates allow active internet use and frequent calls.
Your Georgian number makes it easier to contact taxi drivers, landlords, etc.
You can buy a SIM card directly at the airport.
Disadvantages
Finding a service office and registering the SIM card may take up to six hours.
It can be hard to determine the best tariff and provider.
The card won’t work in Armenia, Turkey, or other countries. You'll need to buy separate SIMs for those.
If the balance isn't topped up for three months, the card will be blocked. You'll need to buy a new one for your next trip.
You won't know your phone number before arrival, which is inconvenient for pre-booking services.
Language barriers with staff may make it hard to understand tariffs and settings. They typically speak only English or Georgian.
International SIM Card
For those who travel to different countries and want to stay connected all the time, an international SIM card is suitable. You won’t be able to use the internet extensively with this card, but you can get it right at the airport. Some tourists buy several SIM cards from different providers to be on the safe side in case one stops working.
The cost of international SIM cards is three times higher than that of local ones and will cost you about 16 USD. If you plan to visit one country, it’s better to buy a local card. For short business trips or weekends, you can confidently purchase an international one.
Advantages
The menu is simple, and the terms are brief and clear even for pensioners.
If you are not an active internet user, using such a card will be inexpensive.
Arriving for another vacation, you can use the SIM card from your previous trip, and it will remain active.
The international SIM card pays off after the third trip.
There is no need to look for offices all over the city. You can make calls immediately.
The mobile operator's billing allows the subscriber to pay only for what they used.
There is an app that lets you control not only account deductions but also the tariffs of the country you are in.
You can find out your phone number before arriving in the country. When booking or ordering services, you can provide your contact number everywhere.
The SIM card is active in many countries. Armenia, Albania, and Montenegro are no exceptions.
Mobile communication with the international card is stable and almost never fails.
There are no mandatory payments. You can use all the money on the account and then top it up later. The only requirement is to go online at least once a year.
Disadvantages
You need to pay in advance for the international card from 16 USD to 42 USD. For mobile communication, this is not cheap.
If you use the internet for a long time, the card becomes unprofitable.
Your number is assigned a British code. Locals tend not to call such numbers. Only Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp remain.
You need to think about buying a SIM card in advance because delivery takes several weeks.
Each option has its pros and cons. Therefore, before the trip, you need to analyze everything and make the right decision. Then the journey will bring pleasure, and the rest — benefit.
