Frequently asked questions about Georgia

Yes. Georgia is one of the safest countries in the region for travellers. Petty crime is uncommon in tourist areas, locals are famously hospitable, and Tbilisi and other cities feel safe to walk in at night. Use the same common sense you would anywhere — keep an eye on your belongings on public transport and at crowded sights. The breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not accessible from the rest of Georgia.

May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm weather, green mountains, and fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are hot in the lowlands (30–35 °C in Tbilisi) but ideal for hiking in Svaneti and Kazbegi. Skiing in Gudauri and Bakuriani runs December through early April. Spring brings wildflowers; autumn is wine-harvest season in Kakheti.

Citizens of about 95 countries — including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most CIS states — can enter Georgia visa-free for up to one year. Other nationalities can apply for an e-visa online before arrival. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Always check the latest rules on the official Georgian government portal before booking.

A first trip works well in 7–10 days: 3 days in Tbilisi (with day trips to Mtskheta and Kazbegi), 2 in Kakheti's wine country, and 2–3 in Svaneti or on the Black Sea coast. With 2 weeks you can cover most of the country at a comfortable pace, including Vardzia cave city and the Adjara region around Batumi.

Georgia is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Mid-range travellers typically spend 40–70 USD per day including a guesthouse, meals, transport, and a paid attraction or two. Budget travellers can do it for 25–40 USD per day. A khachapuri costs 4–8 USD, a glass of local wine 2–4 USD, and a taxi across Tbilisi rarely exceeds 5 USD.

Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL). ATMs are widely available in Tbilisi and tourist hubs, and most restaurants, hotels and shops in cities accept cards. Carry some cash for marshrutkas (minibuses), small village guesthouses and mountain regions where card terminals are rare.

Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) connect almost every town and are cheap (5–25 GEL for most routes). Trains link Tbilisi with Batumi, Zugdidi and Kutaisi. Renting a car gives flexibility for the mountains — Kazbegi, Svaneti and Tusheti — though the roads to Svaneti and Tusheti are challenging. Private drivers for day trips cost 100–200 USD per day.

Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is about 3 hours from Tbilisi via the Georgian Military Highway. Daily marshrutkas leave from Didube station (15–20 GEL), or you can hire a shared taxi (around 25–30 GEL per seat). Most travellers visit on a day trip with a private driver, which lets you stop at Ananuri Fortress, Jvari Pass and the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument along the way.

The official language is Georgian, written in its own unique script. Russian is widely understood by older generations. English is common in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kazbegi and tourist-facing businesses, but less so in rural areas — knowing a few Georgian phrases (gamarjoba — hello, madloba — thank you) is appreciated everywhere.

Yes, tap water in Tbilisi and most other cities is safe to drink and Georgians drink it without filtering. In remote mountain villages, locals often prefer spring water — your guesthouse will tell you. Bottled water is cheap and widely available if you'd rather not risk it.