Georgia Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL), written as ₾, and the most recent National Bank of Georgia rate available for October 2026 puts S$1 at approximately 2.03 GEL. Use cards and contactless payments in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, hotels, supermarkets, and established restaurants, but carry GEL for markets, marshrutkas, mountain villages, small guesthouses, and tips. Exchange only modest amounts at a time, withdraw from bank ATMs, and always choose to pay or withdraw in GEL rather than accepting dynamic currency conversion. A useful travel budget is around 30–60 GEL for a casual day, excluding accommodation and major tours. The Georgia destination guide pairs well with this practical Georgia money guide when planning routes and daily spending.

The Georgian lari is Georgia’s official currency, and travellers should budget in GEL rather than relying on US dollars or euros for everyday purchases. As a current October 2026 reference, the National Bank of Georgia lists 1 SGD at about 2.03 GEL, meaning S$10 is roughly 20.30 GEL and 100 GEL is approximately S$49.20 before bank spreads or fees. Rates change daily, so treat this as a planning estimate rather than a guaranteed conversion.

Georgia’s exchange rate can vary between the official rate, banks, exchange booths, and card networks. Compare the displayed rate and commission before handing over cash. Central Tbilisi, especially around Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, and the railway station, has many exchange offices, while Batumi and Kutaisi also offer convenient options. Avoid exchanging money at airports unless necessary, as convenience rates may be less attractive.

Practical Georgia money tips include:

• Bring a backup card and keep emergency cash separately.
• Exchange smaller amounts first until you understand your spending pace.
• Keep 5, 10, and 20 GEL notes for bakeries, marshrutkas, small shops, and tips.
• Do not assume foreign cash is accepted just because a price is quoted in dollars; legal everyday transactions are made in GEL.

The safest Georgia exchange strategy is to compare licensed exchange offices and banks in busy city areas, exchange only what you need, and reject any transaction whose rate or commission is unclear. Exchange offices are common in Tbilisi and usually display rates prominently for SGD, USD, EUR, and other major currencies. Count the lari before leaving the counter and keep the receipt until you have checked the amount.

Avoid informal street exchanges, unsolicited offers, and booths that advertise an excellent rate but apply a hidden commission. Before confirming, ask how many lari you will receive for the exact amount of Singapore dollars after all charges. An apparently better headline rate can be worse once a fixed fee is included.

For most travellers, using a card for larger purchases and withdrawing GEL for small expenses is more convenient than carrying a large amount of foreign cash. Your Singapore bank may apply a foreign transaction fee, so check its fee schedule before departure. When a card terminal asks whether to charge in SGD or GEL, select GEL. Paying in Singapore dollars activates dynamic currency conversion, where the merchant or ATM operator sets the exchange rate and may add a sizeable markup.

Hello’s multi-currency expense tracking can record purchases in GEL, SGD, and other currencies while automatically converting exchange rates, making it easier to see your real trip cost as rates change.

Cards work reliably in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, but cash remains essential outside major cities and for small Georgian businesses. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, supermarkets, museums, cafés, restaurants, and modern shops; American Express generally has more limited coverage. Contactless card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are increasingly available at urban terminals, although a terminal can occasionally require chip-and-PIN.

ATMs from major Georgian banks such as Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, and Liberty Bank are widely available in cities and larger towns. Foreign-card withdrawal charges vary by bank, card, and ATM; a practical 2026 planning assumption is approximately 6–8 GEL at some major-bank ATMs, with independent tourist-area machines potentially charging up to 10 GEL. Your home bank may add another fee. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently, but avoid carrying all your money together.

At the ATM:

• Select English if needed and choose withdrawal in GEL.
• Decline conversion to SGD or another home currency.
• Review the fee before confirming.
• Use a bank branch ATM during opening hours when possible.
• Avoid brightly coloured payment kiosks, which may top up phones or pay bills rather than dispense cash.

WeChat Pay and PayPay are not dependable nationwide payment methods for ordinary Georgian travel spending. Carry a physical card, a mobile-wallet backup, and cash.

Tipping in Georgia is appreciated but not rigidly compulsory: check the bill first, and leave around 10% only when service has been good and no service charge is already included. Restaurants may add a service charge of roughly 10–18%, so paying another full tip can unintentionally make the total much higher than planned. If the bill includes service, rounding up or leaving a small amount in cash is sufficient unless the service was exceptional.

Typical customs include:

• Restaurants and cafés: Leave about 10% when no service charge appears; round up for coffee, bakeries, or casual counter service.
• Tour guides: Around 20–50 GEL per person for a satisfying full-day private or small-group tour is a useful guideline.
• Drivers: Round up short rides or add roughly 5–15% for helpful private transfers; app-based rides can be tipped in the app when available.
• Hotel staff: A few GEL for luggage assistance or housekeeping is appreciated but not expected.
• Marshrutka and taxis: No formal tip is required; round up only when convenient.

Keep small GEL notes and coins ready, because digital tipping is not universal. In restaurants, ask whether “service” is already included and confirm the final amount before tapping. This prevents confusion when a terminal displays a tip prompt after a service charge has already been added.

The easiest way to save money in Georgia is to pay in GEL, avoid dynamic currency conversion, use transparent transport apps, and confirm restaurant charges before paying. Common problems include misleading exchange-rate boards, unofficial currency exchanges, ATM conversion markups, inflated taxi fares, and menus or bills that do not clearly distinguish prices from service charges.

Use Bolt or another clearly priced ride-hailing option where available rather than accepting an unsolicited airport or station taxi. At restaurants, check whether bread, water, live music, or a service charge has been added. In markets and souvenir shops, agree on a price before accepting an item, particularly in heavily visited areas of Tbilisi, Batumi, and popular wine regions.

A realistic 2026 daily spending guide, excluding accommodation, is:

Save further by eating khachapuri, lobio, soup, and bakery food at local establishments, using public transport in Tbilisi, travelling by marshrutka between towns, and booking wine tastings or mountain excursions directly with reputable operators. Track shared costs in Hello and split expenses across multiple currencies automatically when travelling with friends.

Here are concise answers to the most common Georgia currency questions travellers ask before departure.

Should I take cash to Georgia? Yes. Cards are convenient in cities, but carry GEL for markets, rural accommodation, marshrutkas, small shops, tips, and mountain areas. A starting reserve of 100–200 GEL per person is practical for the first day.

Can I use Singapore dollars in Georgia? Usually not for everyday purchases. Exchange SGD through a reputable bank or licensed exchange office, or withdraw GEL from an ATM. Keep the official rate as a benchmark; in October 2026, S$1 was approximately 2.03 GEL before fees.

Is Georgia expensive for Singapore travellers? Georgia can be relatively affordable, especially for local food and public transport, but wine tours, ski resorts, private drivers, and central boutique accommodation raise costs quickly. Track actual spending rather than relying on mental conversions.

Do Georgian ATMs accept foreign cards? Major ATMs generally accept Visa and Mastercard, though fees and withdrawal limits vary. Decline currency conversion and select GEL.

How much should I tip in Georgia? Around 10% in restaurants when no service charge is included is a sensible standard. Tipping is appreciated, not an absolute requirement.

How do I stay connected while managing spending? Buy and activate a Hello eSIM for Georgia before departure so maps, ride-hailing, banking alerts, and Hello’s receipt-scanning and budget tools work as soon as you arrive.