Georgia Travel Costs: What Your Trip Really Costs on the Ground
- Currency: Georgian lari (GEL). 1 euro is about 3 lari (summer 2026, rate fluctuates).
- Daily budget on the ground per person: budget approx. 90–150 GEL (€30–50), mid-range approx. 200–370 GEL (€65–125).
- Metro and bus in Tbilisi: 1 GEL for 90 minutes, pay by card.
- Khachapuri from a bakery from approx. 3 GEL, in a restaurant 12–18 GEL.
- All prices are guide values from several sources – they can differ on the ground.
A trip to Georgia is cheap on the ground – especially food, wine and local transport. Hotels in Tbilisi and Batumi in high season and tours into the mountains are pricier. Here you find typical prices and realistic daily budgets.
Currency and exchange rate
- Currency: Georgian lari (GEL, symbol ₾), 1 lari = 100 tetri.
- Rate: in summer 2026 the euro was around 3 lari. The rate fluctuates – check it shortly before your trip.
- Cash: there are ATMs in all towns. Watch your bank's fees and decline the conversion into euros at the ATM – it is usually more expensive.
Typical prices on the ground
| Item | Price in GEL | approx. € |
|---|---|---|
| Khachapuri from a bakery | 3–8 | 1–3 |
| Adjarian khachapuri in a restaurant | 12–18 | 4–6 |
| Beer (0.5 l, draught) | 4–8 | 1.50–3 |
| Metro or bus in Tbilisi (90 minutes) | 1 | 0.35 |
| Day ticket, Tbilisi public transport | 3 | 1 |
| Metromoney card (one-off) | 2 | 0.70 |
| Dorm bed | 20–50 | 7–17 |
| Double room in a guesthouse | 40–100 | 13–33 |
| Mid-range or boutique hotel | 130–300 | 43–100 |
On the metro and buses you pay contactless with a bank card or Metromoney card, not cash. With foreign cards a ride may cost slightly more (not verified).
Daily budget per person
| Travel style | per day in GEL | approx. € | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 90–150 | 30–50 | guesthouse or hostel, bakeries and simple eateries, marshrutka |
| Mid-range | 200–370 | 65–125 | mid-range hotel, restaurants, the occasional taxi |
| Comfortable | from 600 | from 200 | good hotel, driver or tours, wine tastings |
Not included: flights, rental car, guided tours and admission fees. Travelling as a couple lowers costs per person because you share rooms and taxis.
Where Georgia gets more expensive
- High season: July, August and weekends in September/October – room prices rise in Kazbegi, Mestia and Batumi. Booking early pays off.
- Tours and drivers: day trips with a driver or 4×4 tours (e.g. to Ushguli or Tusheti) are the biggest item after accommodation.
- Tourist restaurants: in Tbilisi's old town and on the boulevard in Batumi you pay much more than a few streets away.
Money-saving tips
- Guesthouses instead of hotels – often with breakfast and a family atmosphere.
- Marshrutka and train instead of taxis for longer distances.
- Taxi by app (e.g. Bolt or Yandex Go) instead of hailing on the street – fixed price in advance.
- Bakeries for lunch: khachapuri and lobiani are filling and cheap.
- Shoulder season (April/May, October) – cheaper and less crowded. When each region is worth it: Best time to visit Georgia.
Other costs before your trip
- Flights: who flies where from Germany: Direct flights to Georgia.
- Health insurance: mandatory at entry since 2026 – details in Georgia entry requirements 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia expensive?
Not for most European travellers. Food, public transport and simple accommodation are clearly cheaper than in Western Europe. In Tbilisi and Batumi and in high season, hotel prices rise noticeably.
How much money do I need per day in Georgia?
As a rough guide per person: on a budget with guesthouses and marshrutkas about 90–150 lari (€30–50), with a mid-range hotel and restaurants about 200–370 lari (€65–125). Tours, rental car and flights come on top.
Can I pay by card in Georgia?
In Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi almost everywhere, including metro and buses. In villages, guesthouses and marshrutkas you often need cash. There are ATMs in all towns.
Should I bring euros or lari?
Lari are easiest to get from ATMs or exchange offices, and euros are exchanged without problems. You pay in lari.
Sources: Sakhva Travel: Tbilisi Prices 2026 · The Georgian Guide: Georgia Travel Budget 2026 · Wander-Lush: Tbilisi Public Transport Guide · fxfeed: EUR/GEL rate. All information without guarantee; rules can change at short notice.