20 Travel Tips for Georgia: Actually Useful Things to Know
Want some insider Georgia travel tips to help your trip go smoothly?
We’ve got you!
We have spent twelve months in Georgia over the last three years, and it’s fair to say that we are obsessed with this beautiful country. The food, the wine, the mountains, the architecture, the culture, the people, even the marshrutkas! And while we love the place, there are some travel tips for Georgia that you really should know before you head over there.
The country is like no other Eastern Europe country, and equally like none of its neighbours in the Caucasus region. Georgia is unique!
With everything from public transport to language tips to the best local ATMs, this guide has all the nitty gritty practical things you need to know before you go to Georgia.
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1. Traditional Georgian Cuisine Has a Lot of Naturally Veg/Vegan Dishes
I was beside myself when we found the massive variety of local vegetarian and vegan food options! Cheesy, carby, beans, dumplings, walnuts in everything, tasty salads, punchy veg stews.
We gave Georgia an 8/10 on the vegetarian-friendliness scale.
You will have no issues finding something vegetarian to eat even if you head well off the beaten path.
Coffee Country or Tea Town: Tea Town, although really there isn’t much prominence of either. Georgians drink wine instead 😉
2. Georgia is Recognised as the Birthplace of Wine
Wine has been being made in Georgia for 8,000 years. Yep, since before the French, and even before the ancient Egyptians!
The very oldest wine-making vessels, called qvevri, have been found right here.
3. Restaurants Often Have a Compulsory Service Charge
Tips aren’t requested at restaurants, but there is often a non-negotiable service charge. It should be marked on the menu or included in the marked price on the menu, but it’s not always the case. If it is on top of the menu price, it is usually around 10%, but we have seen it up to 18%.
4. Georgian Language is Like Nothing You Have Ever Seen!
Georgian script is beautiful and fascinating and swirly and it’s completely unique.
Learn some of the basics for your trip. I’ve put the Georgian script next to the English equivalent below.
5. Georgians Don’t Call Georgia, ‘Georgia’
In Georgian the country is called Sakhartvelo, so not even close to the anglicised version of the name!
Savvy Traveller Pro Tips 🇬🇪
After exploring Georgia for nine months, these are our favourite booking tools that we couldn’t travel without!
6. Grab Yourself a Prepaid Tourist SIM
Magti is pretty reliable. It has great optional add-ons like unlimited data for 24 hours (which is perfect for when you get to a guesthouse that has poor wifi or there is a power cut.)
7. Highlights of a Trip to Georgia
Definitely try to incorporate these into your Georgia itinerary:
8. You’ll Need Cash
Georgian currency is the Lari (GEL) and I’d say it’s about 50/50 on whether you’ll have to pay with cash or card. Hotels, big restaurants, supermarkets etc. will have card payment options.
9. There is a Magic Fee-Free ATM!
The best ATM for foreign cards with ZERO withdrawal fees is Basis Bank. We also managed to get some free withdrawals at some Cartu ATMs though it wasn’t consistent throughout the country like with Basis.
10. Travelling by Marshrutka is a Quintessential Georgian Experience
A marshrutka is a minivan bus common throughout ex-Soviet republics, and Georgia uses them to travel all over the country.
They don’t have much/any leg room, there’s only a tiny space for luggage, the drivers go super speedy, but they are affordable and will get you to your destination quickly.
It is a quintessential Georgian experience, and I would argue that you really have not been to Georgia if you haven’t squeezed yourself into a marshrutka!
11. The Train System is Limited But Good
Georgia has old Soviet trains that chug along at a painfully slow speed and high-speed modern trains, so make sure you check what you’re letting yourself in for before you book your ticket!
The network across the country is a little limited, but it will take you to many of the main cities and is definitely more comfortable than a squeezy marshrutka.
12. Driving is a Bit Chaotic
Renting a car in Georgia and driving yourself will definitely be an adventure and will give you access to SO much of the country that is not supported by the local public transport. BUT, standards of driving in Georgia are poor and can be flat out dangerous, so I would only recommend self-drive if you are a very experienced and confident driver.
And you will likely be shocked when you see the condition of some of the cars on the road (not the hire cars!)
‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ (They’re a bit broken, but they still go!) It’s a shock when your taxi driver turns up in a battered car, but having said this, we never personally felt unsafe on the roads.
13. Bolt is THE Taxi App
Bolt is great. Affordable, reliable, no having to barter, no need for cash.
14. Is Georgia in Europe or Asia?
This is a super controversial topic. Where is the Europe/Asia border? Who knows? Georgia sits in an area often referred to as Eurasia, but if you speak to Georgians, they will tell you that Georgia is in Europe. And when you visit Georgia, you will be able to tell that it feels European.
15. Jaywalking is a Fineable Offense
Guess how we found this one out!
Yep, this was not our finest hour, but now we know and can let you know too!
There is a large police presence in Tbilisi in particular and if you are caught walking across a main road, you can be fined. Make sure you pay the fine on time and before you leave the country because otherwise you may have issues at the border.
16. Visit Between Mid-June to September for Hiking
We ourselves have made the mistake of heading into the mountains too early in the season to then find out that the trails are closed because of snow. Mid to late June is considered the start of the hiking season for Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and Mestia, and is usually about the time that the road up to Tusheti is cleared. If you’re wanting to hike from Mestia to Ushguli, don’t head over that way too early! We made the mistake of visiting at the end of May, and the route was still blocked with snow.
17. Georgia is a Year-Round Destination
Winter in Georgia is cold, and it’ll snow up in the mountains which means that it’s great for skiing. And Georgia celebrates Orthodox Christmas on 7th Jan, which means that Christmas celebrations continue through the end of the year and into January!
Spring can be a bit rainy but is a great time to explore the country without many tourists. It’s also when the Pagan festival of Berikaoba is celebrated, and oh my God if you want a unique experience, this is ABSOLUTELY the one. I have a full blog post coming up, but I can tell you that you’ll get mud smeared on your face and you’ll have to watch out for whips!
Summer is the best time for hiking in the mountains but can get really busy at the coast in Batumi, and very hot in Tbilisi – often hitting 40°C.
Autumn has nice temperatures, fewer tourists, colourful landscapes, and is harvest time especially rtveli grape harvest!
18. Eating Khinkali with a Knife and Fork is Blasphemous
Yeah, just don’t do it! Khinkali are Georgia’s famous soupy dumplings, and if you just cut straight into one of these guys, the broth is going to end up all over your plate and ruin your khinkali experience. Also, you’ll definitely be identifying yourself as a tourist and you’ll get the judgemental side eye from the whole restaurant.
Ok, I’m joshing; it won’t be that bad. But still, it’s kind of disrespectful to the khinkali.
Instead, pick up your khinkali with the nob of thick dough and flip it upside down. Take a nibble to make a small whole in the dough and then suck the broth out of the khinkali. Once it’s safe to eat without dribbling khinkali juice all down you, carefully eat the rest apart from the nob of dough. If you manage to eat khinkali without spilling juice on yourself or your plate, you’ve cracked it!
19. Cover Up at Religious Sites
Orthodox churches require everyone to cover knees and shoulders, and women to cover their hair. At larger churches, you’ll often find skirts or scarves to borrow, or you could just throw a scarf in your bag just in case.
20. Georgians Aren’t Early Risers
Georgia doesn’t really get going until late morning. We would be up and about in Tbilisi (the capital city) at 09:30 and we’d be more or less alone! Cafes, museums, shops etc. often won’t open til 11am. So take that extra time and have a lie in. Or take advantage and get up and exploring the cities with your camera to get all the photos without the crowds in the way.
In a Nutshell
Georgia is the ultimate travel destination. It has one of the world’s best cuisines, mountains, coastline, skiing, hiking, characterful cities, medieval villages, UNESCO churches. It is the world’s oldest wine producer!
I dare you to go to Georgia and not say, ‘I could totally live here!’ at least once 😉
Plan more of your trip with these:
- Georgia Transport Guide: Marshrutka Madness
- Your Georgian Vegetarian Food Guide: 33 Must-Eats
- Tbilisi Airport to the City Centre: 3 Ways to Get There
- Is Tbilisi Worth Visiting? Yes! Here’s Why…
- Where to Stay in Tbilisi: 5 Best Neighbourhoods for Tourists
- Sulphur Bath in Tbilisi: What Is It Really Like?
- 7 Things to Do in Mtskheta and How to Get There
- 11 Great Things to Do in Gori, Georgia
- How to Get from Kutaisi Airport to the City Centre: 3 Best Methods
- Top 10 Things to Do in Kutaisi (plus day trips)
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