Georgia

Georgia is small on the map but huge in variety, from the cobbled streets of Tbilisi to the Caucasus peaks around Kazbegi and the vineyards of Kakheti. Most travellers start in Tbilisi, spending 3–4 days exploring the Old Town, sulfur baths in Abanotubani, and viewpoints like Narikala Fortress before heading out to the mountains or wine country.

Plan your route around your interests:

• Nature & hiking: Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli), Kazbegi, Tusheti.
• Wine & food: Kakheti (Sighnaghi, Telavi), Imereti (Kutaisi).
• Sea & subtropics: Batumi and the Black Sea coast.

Distances look short but roads can be slow, so avoid cramming too many regions into a week. Use Hello’s trip planning to map out travel times between cities, add reservations, and keep everything in one place offline. Buying and activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you’re online the moment you step off the plane, making it easier to order rides, check timetables, and navigate Tbilisi’s maze-like backstreets without hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Most visitors feel comfortable with 7–14 days for a first trip, with at least one overnight outside the capital to experience Georgia’s famous rural hospitality.

Moving around Georgia is part of the adventure. The most common long-distance transport is the marshrutka – a shared minibus leaving from hubs like Tbilisi’s Didube and Ortachala stations. They’re cheap and frequent, but can be crowded and leave when full rather than on a fixed schedule. Ask the driver for the price in advance, and keep small cash on hand.

For a smoother ride, Georgia has improving train connections between Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi; book popular routes a day or two ahead, especially in summer. Long-distance coaches also run on key routes and can be more comfortable than marshrutkas.

Renting a car offers maximum flexibility for remote areas like Khevsureti or smaller Kakheti villages, but driving can be intense: expect potholes, livestock on roads, and assertive local drivers. If you’re not comfortable driving, hiring a local driver for day trips is common.

Use Hello eSIM data to check real-time marshrutka departure spots, call a ride-hailing service in cities, or translate addresses for taxi drivers who may not read Latin script. Add transport tickets and car rental details to your Hello trip planning so all your routes, confirmation numbers, and times sit in one place, even when you’re offline in the mountains.

Georgian cuisine is a major reason many people fall in love with the country. Start with khinkali (soup-filled dumplings), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread, especially the boat-shaped Adjarian style), pkhali (colorful vegetable pâtés with walnuts), and clay-pot stews like chakapuli or ojakhuri. Vegetarians eat very well here, thanks to bean dishes like lobio and tomato–cucumber salads drenched in herbs.

In Tbilisi, explore dining streets like Erekle II and Vera district wine bars. In Kakheti, visit family wineries around Sighnaghi or Telavi to taste amber wines aged in qvevri (clay vessels). Many small wineries are by appointment only; use Hello trip planning to keep track of bookings and tasting times.

Portions are generous and sharing is normal, which is perfect if you’re not sure what to order. Use Hello’s expense splitting when eating with travel companions so everyone can pay their share of that lavish supra (feast) without awkward math.

Typical prices: a casual local meal might be around 20–35 GEL (roughly 7–13 USD), and a glass of good house wine can start from 5–10 GEL (about 2–4 USD). Use Hello’s budget tracking to log meals in GEL so you can see how much you’re spending and know when to indulge in another round of khinkali.

Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL). Cards are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but you’ll want cash in villages, markets, and for marshrutkas. ATMs are easy to find in urban areas. Keep a small stash of low-denomination notes for taxis, church donations, and roadside fruit stalls.

Everyday costs are moderate: inner-city bus or metro rides in Tbilisi are usually just a few GEL, and a coffee at a local café might be 4–7 GEL (around 1.50–3 USD). Hello’s budget tracking helps you monitor these small daily spends in GEL so they don’t quietly add up.

For connectivity, an eSIM from Hello lets you get online instantly without visiting a kiosk or dealing with language barriers. Activate it before your trip, land with data working, and use maps, translations, and ride apps straight away. This is especially helpful in areas where signs are only in Georgian script or where English is less common.

Tap water is generally safe in cities, though many travellers prefer bottled water in remote regions. Dress code is relaxed, but bring a scarf or shawl to cover shoulders or head when entering churches and monasteries like Jvari or Gelati. When splitting taxis, day tours, or guesthouse bills with friends, use Hello’s expense splitting so everyone can settle up easily in the local currency.