馃嵎 Georgia (Caucasus)

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 33% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Visa-free entry to Georgia, the country rather than the US state, is open to many nationalities, while others come in through an e-Visa. Both the official e-Visa portal and the visa page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show how your own passport is treated, so check them before booking. Proof of funds, an onward ticket and a passport valid for the length of the stay are typically requested. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Russian-occupied, and travelling to or through them is something you must NOT do, as governments advise against it and serious legal trouble can result.

Culture - take note

Hospitality is what Georgians are famous for. At a 'supra' feast the tamada (toastmaster) leads the toasts, so drink slowly and avoid abruptly refusing one. In Orthodox churches, shoulders and knees must be covered, women put a scarf over their hair, and men remove hats. Wine belongs to the culture, as does respect for elders. Tip about 10%. The lari is the currency. Check conditions before driving in the mountains, where steep roads and winter closures happen. Stray dogs are a common sight. Halal food is limited beyond Tbilisi and Batumi, so ask ahead. Religion and national symbols deserve respect.

Emergency

112 for police, fire and ambulance.

Good to know

Cash, cards and exchange

The currency is the lari. Canadian advice says credit cards may not be widely accepted in rural areas and advises having cash at all times. It warns that ATM fraud occurs, recommends machines in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, and says not to exchange money at unlicensed facilities. Cash above a set limit must be declared to customs.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, medication and knives

Canadian advice says even small amounts of cannabis can lead to prison in Georgia, and UK advice cites sentences of 5 to 25 years for drug offences, including in airport transit. Drink-driving is not tolerated. Some medicines are strictly controlled, so medication should stay in its original container and be declared to customs. Certain knives are illegal, and photographing military sites or airports may bring a penalty.

Taxis and scams

Pre-arranged and marked taxis

Where possible, book taxis ahead through an app instead of flagging them in the street, and check that the seatbelts work, says UK advice. Canadian advice says to take officially marked taxis, never share a taxi with strangers, and agree the fare beforehand when there is no meter, since unofficial taxis may overcharge.

Invitations to bars and clubs

Be wary of strangers who approach you offering to take you to a restaurant or nightclub, UK advice says. Canadian advice adds that bars can overcharge, so confirm an item's price before ordering, avoid running an open tab or handing your card to staff, and check the bill before paying. Canada also notes romance scams through online contacts.

Who can help

local government

Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)

Helps with: Georgia's national tourism body. Its Georgia Travel website lists a hotline and an office in Tbilisi for visitor questions and feedback.

Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Georgia or planning a trip there.

Phone: *9898

Email: feedback@georgia.travel

Address: 4 Sanapiro Street, 0105 Tbilisi

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Georgia Red Cross Society

Helps with: Georgia's national Red Cross society. Its website describes first aid training, disaster management work, social day centres and a volunteer network.

Who qualifies: People in Georgia who need its first aid, disaster or social services.

Phone: +995 32 2 501 105

Address: 71 Vazisubani Street, Tbilisi

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Georgia

Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Georgia office supports national migration management and border management, and its offices run a Safe Migration Hotline and assisted voluntary return enquiries.

Who qualifies: Migrants and people planning to migrate. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +995 577 251115

Email: iomtbilisi@iom.int

Address: 12 Tengiz Abuladze Street, 1st Lane, 0162 Tbilisi

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Foreign embassies in Georgia (official Diplomatic List)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Georgian foreign ministry's Diplomatic List (August 2026) lists the missions in Tbilisi and those based abroad.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or consulate.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)

Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in Georgia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 112

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Tbilisi TbilisiNarikala Fortress, a hilly old town and sulphur bathhouses are found in the capital, where the food and wine scene is lively.Photo: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0 Batumi BatumiSummer beach life, a botanical garden, a modern skyline and a long boulevard by the sea define this Black Sea resort.Photo: Archil Kikvadze, CC BY 3.0 Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)Fame comes to this mountain town, set along the Georgian Military Road, from Gergeti Trinity Church below Mount Kazbek.Photo: 袗谢褨薪邪 小械屑械薪械褑褜, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kutaisi KutaisiClose to this western city, which has a busy low-cost airport, lie Martvili Canyon, Prometheus Cave and Gelati Monastery.Photo: Kober, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kakheti (Sighnaghi) Kakheti (Sighnaghi)The walled hilltop town of Sighnaghi anchors this eastern wine region, along with vineyards and family cellars that use clay qvevri jars.Photo: George Nikoladze, Public domain Mestia (Svaneti) Mestia (Svaneti)Glaciers, outstanding mountain hiking and medieval stone defence towers define this remote highland region.Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Georgian National Tourism Administration visitor statistics (2025), georgia.travel, National Statistics Office of Georgia

Festivals and events

culture

Rtveli (grape harvest)

around Sep-Oct 2027 路 Kakheti

Visitors in Kakheti can take part in the harvest of grapes and in making wine.

culture

Tbilisoba (city festival)

around Oct 2027 路 Tbilisi

This festival celebrates the harvest and the city, with stalls selling wine and food.