We will tell you how much money to take to rest in Georgia with comfort, as well as the costs of accommodation, food, tours, etc.
Tourism in Georgia is one of the main components of the country's budget. This hospitable country welcomes guests from all over the world, inviting them to enjoy shashlik and "Kindzmarauli" accompanied by eloquent toasts. Here, you can have a great beach holiday, breathe fresh sea air, go hiking in the mountains, and discover many interesting places. Georgia captures your heart from the very first moment — as soon as you step off the plane or get off the train.
That's why tourists often choose Georgia for their vacation, and many of them return to this sunny land more than once. For them, and for those visiting Georgia for the first time, we have prepared a brief overview with up-to-date information about prices in the country.
In this article, we will tell you how much money you need to take with you to travel on a budget or enjoy a more comfortable stay. We'll share tips on how and where to save — and much more.
How to plan your budget
The national currency in Georgia is the Georgian lari (GEL). You can find the approximate exchange rate online.
Preferred payment methods
When visiting Georgia, be prepared to conduct all transactions in the local currency, which is the Georgian lari. Other currencies are unlikely to be accepted. It is best to exchange your currency at dedicated exchange points, which are available in most cities. There are also exchange facilities at airports, but it is not recommended to exchange money there, as the rates may not be favorable.
You can also use credit or debit cards for payment, but keep in mind that some small towns may not have ATMs or exchange facilities available.
Where to exchange money
To exchange money within Georgia,
look for exchange offices outside of tourist areas, as the rates and commissions may be less favorable there.
You can exchange money at airports
or at the border crossing through the Upper Lars (if you are traveling by car), but the rates there may not be very favorable.
The best option
is to exchange money in Tbilisi or Batumi, as it is more advantageous in larger cities.
How much money to take
It all depends on many factors: the cost of accommodation (whether you rent it or booked a tour), airline ticket prices (which vary by day of the week and season), whether you have planned excursions (with or without a guide), and whether you have insurance.
Budget vacation for one week
Meals at mid-range cafes, fast food, or groceries from a supermarket.
Excursions with a driver by car.
Basic souvenirs and other minimal expenses.
This option will cost you about 350–400 GEL per week per person. Or 55–60 GEL per day.
Mid-range vacation for two weeks
Meals in restaurants.
About four quality excursions.
Expensive souvenirs for loved ones.
All of this will cost you 1200–1400 GEL per person for two weeks. Or 90–100 GEL per day.
Luxury vacation for 21 days
Dining in high-end restaurants.
Buying expensive souvenirs.
Excursions with car rental.
Such a vacation will cost you 3000–3500 GEL for the entire trip or 150–170 GEL per day.
Accommodation in Georgia
On average, expect to pay 30–40 USD per night for two people in the provinces. It's best to book your accommodation in advance — about 2 months before your trip. That way, you'll have more options and better prices. You can do this on various websites that offer listings for tourists with different budgets.
The housing stock in Georgia is quite old, so places with better living conditions will cost significantly more. A budget option is an apartment or guesthouse. Staying in a hostel will cost around 8–10 USD per person per night. A typical hotel is a private, non-branded guesthouse, usually of a 2-star level.
Central Tbilisi offers apartments for 50–60 USD per night. From October to April, prices drop, and during that time you can rent a nice apartment with a sea view in central Batumi for 25–30 USD.
If you book a hotel or apartment, 7 nights (3 nights in Tbilisi and 4 in Batumi) will cost around 350–400 USD for two.
How much to spend on food
To eat comfortably, plan on spending 40 GEL per day per person, or up to 60 GEL if you want more variety.
Georgian fast food
This is the cheapest and very tasty type of food in Georgia. A khachapuri Adjaruli (cheese bread boat) with meat or vegetable filling, enough for two, costs 8–10 GEL, while a regular khachapuri is around 3–4 GEL. Traditional Georgian bread costs 1.5 GEL. Of course, you shouldn't rely on fast food all the time, but if you're on a tight budget — it’s doable for a few days.
Restaurants and cafés
Georgian cuisine is delicious and hearty, but often quite spicy. You should be ready for this before visiting a restaurant. Some places cater to European tastes and offer less spicy dishes.
The average bill at a café or restaurant for two people is around 50–70 GEL, excluding alcohol. If you plan to order drinks, add at least 10–15 GEL.
It all depends on your taste — in Georgia, you can eat affordably by ordering a portion of khinkali with lemonade for just 12–15 GEL. This portion is often shared by two, as the serving sizes are generous.
To help you estimate the cost of lunch or dinner for two, here’s a short list of the most popular Georgian dishes:
Kharcho soup – 7–9 GEL;
Shashlik – 12–15 GEL;
Ojahuri (potatoes with pork) – 14–16 GEL;
Eggplants with walnuts – 5–6 GEL;
Lobiani – 3–4 GEL;
Meat khinkali – 0.8–1 GEL per piece;
Khachapuri – 6–9 GEL;
Bottle of lemonade – 2.5–3 GEL.
Also consider the cost of fruits, which are especially cheap in summer and autumn — and you'll have a rough idea of your food expenses. If you eat at budget cafés once or twice a day and have breakfast at home or with khachapuri, expect to spend around 300–400 USD for two people over 10 days.
Supermarkets and markets in Georgia: cooking on your own
Georgia is not a very expensive country in terms of product prices. Most items are sold at prices similar to those in Ukraine. The exception is dairy products: due to limited grazing land, cows are few and dairy is more expensive. Local products in stores include wine, beer, mineral water, and Adjara tea. Everything else is imported, including some from Ukraine.
If you avoid luxury and cook at home with simple ingredients, you can manage on 35–50 GEL per person per day. With strict budgeting — around 25 GEL. Supermarkets have a limited assortment, and most items are imported.
Current food prices in Georgian stores:
Milk — 4–6 GEL per liter;
Suluguni cheese — 14–18 GEL per kg;
Adyghe cheese — 11–14 GEL per kg;
Bread — 1.8–2.5 GEL;
Lavash — 1.2–1.5 GEL;
Pasta — 2–3.5 GEL per 500 g pack;
Sliced sausage — 10–18 GEL per kg;
Sausages — 14–20 GEL per kg;
Loose cookies — 10–13 GEL per kg;
Loose candies — 9–15 GEL per kg;
Eggs — 4–5.5 GEL for 10 pieces.
Vegetables and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables are available in a wide variety in shops and supermarkets. However, experienced tourists recommend buying them at markets and private vegetable stalls. There they are much fresher, and buyers have the opportunity to bargain well. Some sellers automatically raise the price when they see tourists, so the best way to lower it is to pretend you are leaving. After such tactics, the final price usually drops quickly.
For buying vegetables and fruits, the central and oldest market in Tbilisi is recommended — there you can get quite good deals. The average prices in Georgia look roughly like this:
tomatoes — 5–6 GEL;
cucumbers — 4–5 GEL;
peppers — 7–9 GEL;
apples — 2.5–4 GEL;
potatoes — 2–2.5 GEL;
onions — 2.2–3 GEL;
grapes — 4–6 GEL;
Another quite good Georgian market is located in Batumi on Mayakovsky Street. In Borjomi, you can find a bazaar near the bus station, almost in the city center.
Alcohol
Vodka in Georgia is quite expensive — around 55–75 GEL. For those who absolutely cannot do without alcohol, we recommend drinking wine, which is very tasty in this region. Prices for this alcoholic beverage vary widely and start from 8 GEL. However, for 14–16 GEL you can find quite decent wines like "Alazani Valley" or "Kindzmarauli."
Other prices for alcoholic drinks are as follows:
Local beer — 6–8 GEL for 2 liters;
Heineken (0.5 l) — 4–4.5 GEL;
Lowenbrau and Beck's (0.5 l) — 3.5–4 GEL;
"Zhiguli" (1 l) — 5.5–6 GEL;
Excursions: how to save money in Georgia
Georgia is famous for its attractions and beautiful places. We will tell you how to save on excursions without sacrificing the experience.
Travelers' tips:
Plan and book excursions in advance. The better the guide, the harder it is to get a spot, especially in the warm season;
Renting a car with a driver is usually cheaper than ordering taxis;
Very cheap excursions are often poor quality. And it’s hard to save well — such tours often include hidden costs.
Car trip with a guide (private excursion)
If you are traveling to Georgia with a large group, this option is best for you. You can book a car online. You also have the option to find a guide yourself on forums or social networks. The quality of the excursion with such a guide may be lower, but the price is significantly more attractive.
If you are lucky, on a private excursion you can visit places where groups don’t go, some of which are far from public transport stops. The guide fully focuses on you and your wishes; during stops you can take your time to photograph and enjoy the views. You pay for the car, and if you travel with friends, it will be cheaper. Approximate price — from 130 EUR per excursion.
Private excursion routes
Excursion programs specially designed and adapted for 1–4 people are quite popular in Georgia. Such tours allow you to get very close to local attractions and learn about Georgian customs.
The approximate cost of the most popular tours from Batumi is:
Adjara Mountains
(ancient bridge, waterfalls, Gonio and Gvara fortresses, observation deck with a wonderful panorama of Batumi) — 130 EUR;
Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave
(including a visit to thermal springs) — 150 EUR;
Machakhela Gorge
(waterfalls, suspension and stone bridges, old fortress, and dinner in a hospitable Georgian family) — 170 EUR.
Group tours
This option is chosen by tourists with a limited budget, but some travelers are dissatisfied with guides, buses, and short stops. However, there are websites offering decent group tours. We recommend reading reviews before booking. Price – from 35 EUR per tour.
Tour programs
Tours in Georgia can be easily found and booked. But if you want a high level of service, you need to try hard to find a good guide at an optimal price. Local agencies providing such services differ not only in price range but also in the quality of their staff training. Therefore, it is advisable to book your tour in advance online. This way, you can see what is offered, at what price, and under which conditions.
On average, the total cost of a trip per person in a group is approximately:
Vardzia, Rabati, and Borjomi – 110–120 GEL (lari);
Borjomi, Gori, and Uplistsikhe – 100–110 GEL (lari);
Telavi, Ikalto, Shuamta, and Tsinandali – 85–95 GEL (lari);
David Gareji – 75–85 GEL (lari);
Kazbegi, Ananuri, Stepantsminda, and Gudauri – 75–85 GEL (lari);
Gori, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta, and Jvari – 60–70 GEL (lari);
Signagi, Bodbe + Ethnographic Park – 55–65 GEL (lari);
Mtskheta, Jvari, and Samtavro – 60–70 GEL (lari).
Getting around the country: types of transport in Georgia
Transportation within Georgia is quite well developed. In Batumi, you can get around by minibuses with a fare of 0.5–0.7 GEL (lari). In Tbilisi, it is best to buy a special card for 2 GEL (lari) – available in the metro or at the cable car. The card needs to be topped up with a certain amount, and with it you can use the following types of transport:
metro – 0.6 GEL (lari);
minibus – 1 GEL (lari);
bus and cable car – 1.2 GEL (lari).
At the end of your trip to Georgia, you can return the card for the same 2 GEL (lari) or keep it as a souvenir.
Train or Intercity Bus
Besides taxis and cars, you can reach another town in Georgia by a quite comfortable train, with the ticket costing on average 25 GEL (lari) from Batumi to Tbilisi.
An international bus costs approximately the following amount per person:
Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – 6 GEL (lari);
Akhaltsikhe – Batumi – 22 GEL (lari);
Tbilisi – Kazbegi – 12 GEL (lari), the bus departs from the station near Didube metro;
Kutaisi Airport – Batumi – 20 GEL (lari);
Kutaisi Airport – Tbilisi – 22 GEL (lari);
Tbilisi – Batumi – 35 GEL (lari), departs from Isani metro;
Mestia – Batumi – 35 GEL (lari).
Taxi
Taxi prices depend on the company tariffs. It is better to find taxi drivers on special websites via the Internet – this way you can know the fare in advance. If you hail a taxi on the street by waving your hand, the ride will be much more expensive.
Car rental in Georgia
For travelers who value comfort and want to be independent, renting a car is an ideal option. There are two options available: self-driving and renting a car with a driver.
Self-driving
If you are a confident driver and not afraid of mountain roads, and if you enjoy planning your own trip, this option is perfect for you. It offers complete freedom of action, from traveling to another city to creating complex itineraries. The approximate price for car rental per day starts from 40 EUR (for up to 4 people), plus the cost of fuel.
The advantage of this option is independence and the ability to plan your own itinerary, as well as cost-effectiveness. The disadvantage is that spending a long time behind the wheel can be tiring, and planning the route will require a significant amount of time before the trip.
Car rental with a driver
Many sites offer a driver service to take you anywhere in the country. It is more convenient and cost-effective than a taxi. This option is perfect for those who value comfort and don't necessarily require a guide. By renting a car with a driver, you can relax and not worry about public transportation as the driver will take you wherever you want to go. The average price is around 200 GEL per day.
However, the drawback of this option is that the driver is not a tour guide and may not be able to provide detailed information about the places you visit.
What to bring from Georgia
You can bring many interesting things from Georgia, but you’ll need to make an effort to find something truly original. If you're not into basic souvenirs like keychains, mugs, lighters, or magnets, we recommend paying attention to:
Georgian wines — from 5–6 GEL per liter of homemade wine up to 60 GEL for a gift bottle;
Chacha — from 25 GEL per liter;
Brandy — from 30 to 250 GEL per bottle;
Wine horn, often sold in pairs — around 25 GEL each;
Cheese — around 12–25 GEL per kilogram;
Dambalkhacho cheese — 120–140 GEL per kg, a unique product so special it’s listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage;
Spices:
- Adjika (jar) — 3–6 GEL;
- Svanetian salt (200 g) — 3–4 GEL;
- Dried spices — from 1 GEL per 100 g;
Dried marigold flowers or Imeretian saffron — about 35 GEL per kg;
Sweets — 1.5–3 GEL;
Jar of honey — up to 12 GEL;
Souvenir weapons — from 15 GEL;
Clay pottery — 10–50 GEL;
Leather paintings — 60–110 GEL;
Metal embossing — 70–160 GEL;
Rings with cloisonné enamel (minankari) — around 50 GEL.
Come to Georgia, where every day begins with a smile and ends with a glass of wine. Even a short trip will bring you many bright emotions. Once you visit Georgia, you'll leave your heart there forever. We hope this information helps you prepare for your journey and enjoy your time in this amazing country.
