Is Georgia expensive? I went to the Eastern European country to find out!
The Caucasian country of Georgia is just starting to make waves on travellers’ radars – although frequent travellers will tell you they’ve either been there or put it on their list a while ago!
While Georgia has generally been a cheaper destination, like many places, the price has risen in the last few years. This increase has been boosted also by its increasing popularity as a tourist destination.
That said, Georgia still remains affordable when compared with many other countries in Europe.
I recently spent three weeks in Georgia, and here’s a sample of what I spent for accommodation, food, activities and transport!
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Is Georgia expensive?
The short answer is no, not really, although the cost of travel in Georgia is slowly increasing.
Nonetheless, you can still have a fantastic meal out for less than $15 per head, find a glass of (good!) wine for around $2, stay in a decent private room for $20 and enjoy day tours for $20 – $25.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown.
Cost of flights to Georgia
The main cost for visitors to Georgia is the flights. Tbilisi and Kutaisi Airports are relatively well-connected to destinations in Europe and Central Asia, but they generally only fly to major cities.
If you’re looking for budget airlines, WizzAir connects various cities in Europe with Tbilisi, and you can also fly with Pegasus via Istanbul.
There isn’t currently a direct flight from the UK to Georgia, but this is set to change in May 2024. However, this will be a Georgian Airways flight, which will likely be quite pricey.
So, if you want to cut costs and are flying from somewhere that doesn’t have cheap direct flights, I’d say flying Pegasus via Istanbul is probably your best bet.
Cost of accommodation in Georgia
The cost of accommodation in Georgia can really vary.
We stayed at the 5* Radisson Blu Hotel Iveria in the centre of Tbilisi which cost $156 per night (based on staying for 7 nights).
This is one of the most luxurious hotels in Georgia, so the price wasn’t bad considering the service and quality of rooms!
We also stayed at the Legends Spa Resort in Tskaltubo. To be honest, I thought this hotel was a little dated (the spa isn’t like any that you might be used to!) and it cost around $70 per night.
All that said, guesthouses in Georgia can be very affordable. For example, basic but highly-rated hotels in Tbilisi like Gamarjoba Hotel and Doors Hotel can come in at $25-30 for a double room for the night.
If you’re staying in hostels, the price goes down even further. The cheapest rate I found in Tbilisi was the BroBro Hostel which cost just $4 per night!
Cost of food in Georgia
Food in Georgia is plentiful and generally cheap!
Here are the costs of some meals I had while in the country:
- Cafe Leila, Tbilisi – £16.00 (this was for a starter, main and soft drink)
- Cafe Daphna, Tbilisi – $16 (for a portion of khinkali and soft drink)
- Khinkali House, Tbilisi – $10 (for a glass of wine, portion of khinkali and half a portion of phkali)
Cost of drink in Georgia
The cost of alcohol can vary throughout Georgia – in many places, it’s very affordable, but in hotels it can be dearer.
For example, a bottle of wine in Hotel Paliani in Mestia, Svaneti, cost around $18 – but you can get that for much cheaper elsewhere!
We enjoyed wine tasting at Midi Wine Bar in Batumi for $12 each, which consisted of three “samples” of wine (which was basically three small glasses of wine) and we got an extra for free because the winemaker was there!
Generally, wine cost between $1.50 – $4 per glass, depending on where. In some regions, it can be even cheaper and of course, it’s always more budget-friendly to buy by the bottle.
Beer usually cost around $1-$3, depending on the brand and again, where. In more expensive places, it could go up to $5 but in exceptionally cheap venues, it might even be under $1.
Cost of activities in Georgia
Activities in Georgia are generally affordable!
Here are a few things you can do in the region and their costs:
- National Museum of Georgia: 5 GEL ($2) per person
- Tbilisi highlights guided tour: $13 per person (tips-based walking tours are also available)
- Tbilisi to Kazbegi Day Trip: around $40 per person (a small group van tour with a guide, driver and attractions included)
- Tbilisi to wine region day trip (including wine tastings): around $35 per person (a small group van tour with a guide, driver and attractions included)
- Skiing in Mestia: $33 for a day’s lift pass and ski rental (prices go down if you rent/ buy a pass for longer). Mestia is probably Georgia’s cheapest ski destination.
- Sulfur Baths in Tbilisi: $5-$15 per hour
Cost of transport in Georgia
Transport in Georgia is very affordable!
Marshutkas are the main way of getting around, and they cost anywhere from $0.50 – $10, depending on where you’re going ($10 is the upper end!).
There’s also an excellent rail service. We bought tickets from Kutaisi to Tbilisi – the old, slow train was around $6 (for a five hour ride!) and the high-speed train was about $20 (for less than three hours).
For best prices, book on the official Georgia Railway website (which is in English).
Bolt taxis are also extremely cheap in Georgia at the moment. We were taking taxis across Tbilisi for $1-$2 per ride. Outside of the cities, you’ll need to negotiate taxi prices – generally these are a bit more expensive for tourists.
For example, I paid around $6 for a 15 minute ride in a van to the ski lift in Mestia (I had skis with me, which probably cost more!).
Is Tbilisi cheap or expensive?
In the grand scheme of things, Tbilisi is quite a cheap city.
Accommodations, from hostels to luxury hotels, are available at rates lower than in many Western cities.
Your budget will stretch much further for eating out too, with an array of affordable dining options throughout the city.
Prices in Tbilisi can be slightly higher than in rural areas, but it’s still excellent value!
How much is a pint of beer in Georgia?
The cost of a pint of beer in Georgia varies depending on where you are.
In local pubs or bars, you might pay between 3-5 GEL ($1-$2) for a pint. However, prices can be higher in more touristy areas or upscale establishments.
Local beers are generally cheaper than imported ones.
Is Euro accepted in Georgia?
The official currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL), and it is the most widely accepted currency for transactions.
Some larger hotels, restaurants, and stores in tourist areas do accept Euros, but you’ll be faced with a steep conversion rate – so I’d always recommend paying in local currency (either cash or through your card).
Is Georgia or Turkey cheaper?
Both Georgia and Turkey have historically been excellent value for travellers, but Turkey has been victim of hyper inflation in recent years and prices have gone up.
Generally, Georgia is cheaper, especially when it comes to accommodation and dining.
But Turkey does offer more “vacation” style hotels and resorts (largely due to its Mediterranean coastline!) at good value.
So, is Tbilisi cheap or expensive?
The cost of travel in Tbilisi is increasing, but it’s still a budget-friendly travel destination. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to reach out on Instagram or Facebook!
