What currency is used in Tbilisi?

Tbilisi uses the Georgian lari (GEL).

How much does a day in Tbilisi cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Tbilisi?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Tbilisi without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Tbilisi travel guide

Georgia

Wooden balconies, sulphur baths and a famous hospitality tradition. Tbilisi is cheap, creative and one of the easiest places in the world to be invited to dinner.

Essentials

Language: Georgian; Russian is widely understood, and many younger people speak English
Currency: Georgian lari (GEL)
Plugs: Types C and F, 220 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Many restaurants add a service charge of around 10 percent; where they do not, leaving 5 to 10 percent is appreciated.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $60-100, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Tbilisi

Old Town: the domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani and the fortress above.
Sololaki: grand old houses, hidden courtyards and wine bars.
Vake: a greener, residential area with parks and cafés.

Getting around Tbilisi

The metro is cheap and fast, and ride-hailing apps cover the rest. Expect hills and uneven pavements in the old districts.

Best time to visit Tbilisi

May to June and September to October, before and after the summer heat.

Top things to do in Tbilisi

Ride the cable car from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress
Book a private room at one of the Abanotubani sulphur baths
Browse the Dry Bridge market for Soviet-era badges, cameras and paintings
See the ancient gold jewellery in the treasury of the Georgian National Museum
Spend an evening at Fabrika, a former sewing factory turned courtyard of bars and studios

What to eat in Tbilisi

Khachapuri: cheese-filled bread; the Adjarian kind is boat-shaped with an egg on top
Khinkali: soup dumplings, eaten by hand and held by the twisted top
Badrijani nigvzit: fried aubergine rolled around a garlicky walnut paste
Churchkhela: nuts threaded on string and dipped in thickened grape juice

Day trips from Tbilisi

Mtskheta: the ancient capital, with Jvari Monastery on the hill above, about 30 minutes by road
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda): Gergeti Trinity Church below Mount Kazbek, about three hours along the Georgian Military Road
Sighnaghi: a hilltop town in the Kakheti wine region, about two hours by road

Local etiquette

In churches women cover their hair, shoulders and knees and men remove hats; scarves are often lent at the door. At a supra the tamada leads the toasts, and wine is drunk after a toast rather than sipped at will.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Magti and Silknet are cheap and quick to buy with a passport, and Wi-Fi is widespread in cafés and guesthouses.

Staying safe

Street crime is relatively low, but drivers can be aggressive and do not always stop at crossings, so use underpasses where they exist. Ride-hailing apps avoid fare disputes with unofficial taxis.

A local tip

If you are invited to a supra, a Georgian feast, say yes and pace yourself through the toasts.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Tbilisi on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Tbilisi for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Tbilisi, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Tbilisi

What currency is used in Tbilisi?: Tbilisi uses the Georgian lari (GEL).
What is the emergency number in Tbilisi?: In Tbilisi, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?: May to June and September to October, before and after the summer heat.
How much does a day in Tbilisi cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Tbilisi?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Tbilisi without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

More guides in Europe

All Europe guides · Every city guide