Travel Tips – Tbilisi, Georgia

Passport control: To cross the border you must have a valid foreign passport with a visa.

Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel: Turn on your WhatsApp no. after arriving at Airport. At the international airport in Tbilisi upon arrival, after passing through passport and customs control, you are met by a representative with a sign/placard and escorted to the transfer service, which follows the hotel where you will stay for the period of your stay in City.

Electricity/ Circuit: There are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Time: Time zone in Tbilisi, Georgia (GMT+4)

Excursions and activities: Going on excursions, carefully listen to the recommendations of the guide on clothes, for comfortable and convenient travel to interesting places.

Guided Tours: Collecting for group and individual excursions is strictly at the appointed time and the place indicated in the excursion program and agreed with the guide on the eve. The maximum waiting time is 10 minutes. If you are late for a tour, no claims for services rendered are accepted. For any possible fine for refusal/impossibility of visiting the tour, please contact the company representative.

Telephone Communications: The telephone code of is +995. When calling Georgia from other countries, it is necessary to dial the country code. 

Currency and Credit Cards: The currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL). It is divided into 100 tetri. Although prices are occasionally quoted in US dollars and euros, Georgian law requires that all goods and services are paid for in local currency. 

1USD = App. 2.60 Georgian Lari (GEL) (06 Sep.22)

Pounds sterling, US dollars, and euros are easily exchanged in the city.

All goods and services are paid in local currency. Pounds sterling, US dollars, and euros are easily exchanged. Major hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants in Tbilisi usually accept credit cards. There are ATMs in most major towns and cities. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted payment processors.

First Aid Kit: For those who regularly take medicines, it is recommended to take them with you. The guide has a formed first-aid kit, which is useful for you with mild indispositions, will save time in finding necessary medications, and will save you.

Weather: The climate of Georgia is mild and rainy on the coast and in the western plain, while it is more continental and arid in the central and eastern inland areas. In the mountains, it is colder. Georgia is a country located between Europe and Asia and overlooking the eastern coasts of the Black Sea. The mountains of the Caucasus to the north separate it from Russia. Winter along the coast is fairly mild since the average temperature in January is about 8 °C (46 °F). The sea moderates the climate, while the Caucasus Mountains in the north partially protect this area from cold winds. However, beyond the Caucasus, we find the freezing Russian plains, and a bit of cold air can sometimes surpass the mountains and reach the coast: there are on average about ten days of snowfall per year. However, even in these cases, the temperature generally only drops to -2/-3 °C (27/28 °F). Summer is warm or even a bit hot, with a daily average of around 24 °C (75 °F) in July and August; the sun often shines, but as we mentioned, there can be rainfall as well, which in summer occurs mainly in the form of downpours or thunderstorms. On the hottest days, the temperature generally reaches 35 °C (95 °F) on the coast and 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) in the western plain.

Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Georgia, but it is certainly appreciated – especially in restaurants and cafes where wages are low. If the service was good and you can afford it, please consider leaving a generous tip for your waiter (10-15% is standard).

Smoking: A smoking ban in all indoor public places comes into force in Georgia. The law on tobacco control has come into force today meaning that smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants, and offices is forbidden. 

Shopping souvenirs: Shopping and entertainment centers are open generally from 10:00 to 22:00 hrs. Unique Souvenirs in Georgia: Georgian Blue Tablecloths, Georgian wine horn, Georgian wine, Georgian Churchkhela, Georgian Enamel Jewellery, Georgian Modern Tablecloth.

Hotel Accommodation: Check-in at the hotel, usually takes place after 14:00 -15:00 hrs (Check-in time may differ in a different hotel). Upon arrival for accommodation at the hotel you need to present your passport. It is also recommended that you take a hotel’s visiting card so that, if you get lost in the city, go back without problems to the hotel. The address of the hotel is also indicated in the tourist's road book, which you were given along with the tourist's envelope. When leaving the hotel, pay for additional services and take a document confirming payment.

Dress Code for Religious Site: There is a strict dress code for visiting Orthodox churches, monasteries, and convents in Georgia. The same applies to mosques.  For men, this means covered knees (no shorts) and covered shoulders (no singlet tops). Women must cover their shoulders and knees as well, and cover their hair. Some churches in rural areas require women to wear long skirts rather than fitted pants. In my experience, a long jacket that’s zipped up will do.