What a trip to Georgia costs and where to exchange lari profitably

How to build a budget, why Georgia has so many exchange offices and how their rates differ, when to pay by card and how not to overpay for a taxi.

Georgia remains one of the affordable destinations: accommodation, food and transport inside the country are often cheaper than in Europe, though in the resort season prices in Batumi and in the mountains rise noticeably. The spread is large, so it is more reliable to build the budget yourself: split costs into accommodation, food, transport, excursions, connectivity and a reserve, and convert the total into your own currency in our converter.

Where to exchange money

There are many exchange offices in the cities, and their rates differ noticeably, even on neighbouring streets. Compare two or three and go by the amount you get in hand, not the sign. At the airport and in a hotel the rate is usually worse. Large, clean notes are usually exchanged on better terms than small, worn ones.

Cards and cash

You can pay by card without problems in Tbilisi, Batumi and in large hotels and restaurants, but villages, markets and minibuses need cash lari. If a terminal offers to charge "in your own currency", choose lari: the terminal's conversion is usually worse than your bank's rate. ATMs charge a fee, so withdraw less often and more, and before you go ask your bank whether your card works abroad.

Taxis and tips

In cities it is convenient to call a taxi through an app: the price is visible before the ride, unlike street taxis, where it is best to agree on it in advance. In restaurants a service charge is sometimes already added to the bill, so check the receipt before leaving a tip.