Georgia

Travel tips for Georgia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. Recent 2026 traveler reports on Reddit describe Georgia as a card-first country in cities, but strongly advise carrying cash for markets, rural guesthouses, and travel outside major urban centers.

Try the food

  • Khachapuri (ხაჭაპური): A decadent, boat-shaped bread stuffed with molten cheese and topped with a raw egg and a pat of butter.
  • Khinkali (ხინკალი): Large, twisted dough dumplings filled with spiced meat and a rich, savory broth that you slurp before eating the rest.
  • Badrijani Nigvzit (ბადრიჯანი ნიგვზით): Fried eggplant slices rolled around a savory, garlic-infused walnut paste and garnished with pomegranate seeds.
  • Lobio (ლობიო): A hearty, thick bean stew flavored with coriander, walnuts, and garlic, traditionally served in a clay pot.

Say it in Georgian

  • Hello: გამარჯობა (gamarjoba)
  • Thank you: მადლობა (madloba)
  • Please: გთხოვთ (gtkhovt)
  • Excuse me: უკაცრავად (ukatsravad)
  • How much is this?: რა ღირს? (ra ghirs?)
  • The bill please: ანგარიში, გთხოვთ (angarishi, gtkhovt)
  • Yes / No: კი / არა (ki / ara)
  • Goodbye: ნახვამდის (nakhvamdis)

Essentials

Plugs
Type C / Type F
Voltage
220V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Tap water
Usually safe
Emergency
112 (all services)
SIM tip
Pick up a Magti SIM card at the airport arrivals hall for the most reliable 4G coverage across the country, including mountainous regions.

Etiquette

A 10-15% service charge is often automatically added to restaurant bills, but leaving a few extra Lari in cash for the server is highly appreciated.

Airports in Georgia