Georgia

Georgia feels instantly welcoming: a small country where ancient churches, Soviet-era sanatoriums, and sleek wine bars all share the same skyline. Start in Tbilisi, wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town, riding the cable car up to Narikala Fortress, and soaking in the sulfur baths of Abanotubani for a jet‑lag cure. From here, it’s easy to plan side trips with a Trip planning tool in Hello — add day excursions to Mtskheta, the cave city Uplistsikhe, or the mountain town of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda).

Distances are short, but roads can be slow and winding, so don’t try to see the whole country in one go. Focus on a couple of regions: wine country in Kakheti, the dramatic towers of Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli), or the Black Sea vibe of Batumi. With Hello eSIM connectivity, you can buy and activate your data plan before you land, then use maps and translation apps as you go — especially handy when reading menus or bus timetables written in Georgian script. Allow at least 7–10 days for a first trip; that gives you enough time for Tbilisi, one mountain area, and wine country without feeling rushed.

Getting around Georgia is straightforward once you understand the basics. The backbone of domestic travel is the marshrutka — shared minivans that connect cities and towns. They’re cheap and frequent, but they leave when full, not always on a fixed schedule. To navigate them smoothly:

• Tbilisi has major bus/marshrutka stations like Didube (for Kazbegi, Gori) and Ortachala (for southern routes).
• Ask drivers or station staff for your destination; they’ll usually point you to the right vehicle.
• Keep small bills of Georgian lari (GEL) for fares.

Intercity trains link Tbilisi with Batumi and Kutaisi, and are more comfortable for longer journeys, especially in summer. For remote areas like Tusheti or some parts of Svaneti, hiring a 4WD driver is common; roads can be steep and unpaved, and weather changes quickly. Before tackling complex routes, use Hello’s Trip planning to organize transfer times and connections in one place. Having Hello eSIM active means you can check live traffic, confirm departure times, or message guesthouses if you’re running late. If you’re traveling with companions, use Expense splitting to share costs for private transfers or rental cars without awkward math at the end of the day.

Georgia is one of those places where planning your day around meals is perfectly reasonable. You’ll quickly meet the classics: khinkali (juicy soup‑filled dumplings), khachapuri (cheese bread, with styles from Imeruli to the boat‑shaped Adjaruli), lobio (slow‑cooked beans), and grilled mtsvadi (meat skewers). In Tbilisi, try traditional restaurants in Sololaki or near Liberty Square, then seek out small family‑run spots in Kakheti and Svaneti where recipes haven’t changed for generations.

Georgia also claims some of the world’s oldest winemaking traditions. Visit a winery in Kakheti to taste amber wines fermented in clay qvevri buried underground. Many wineries offer set menus with tastings; prices vary, but expect roughly 60–120 GEL (about 22–45 USD) for a generous lunch with wine. Keep an eye on costs with Hello’s Budget tracking in GEL so you can see how much you’re spending on restaurants versus wine tastings.

A few practical tips:

• Portions are large; order slowly, and add more if needed.
• Vegetarian options are plentiful: pkhali (vegetable spreads), salads, bean dishes.
• Tap water is generally safe in cities, but many locals prefer bottled; ask if you’re unsure.

If you’re dining with friends, Hello’s Expense splitting makes it easy to share the bill after a long supra (feast) without arguing over who ate more khinkali.

Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL), and cash is still handy, especially in rural areas, markets, and marshrutkas. ATMs are widely available in cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, and many larger businesses accept cards. For everyday planning, it’s useful to know rough prices: a standard marshrutka ride between cities might be 10–25 GEL (around 3–9 USD), simple local meals 15–30 GEL (5–11 USD), and entry fees to many churches and monasteries are free or very low.

To avoid roaming surprises, set up a Hello eSIM before you fly. Once you land, your data will work immediately, so you can book last‑minute accommodation, use ride‑hailing apps, or check bus locations without hunting for Wi‑Fi. This is especially helpful in the mountains, where guesthouses might share directions via messaging apps rather than formal addresses.

For tracking spending, use Hello’s Budget tracking to log daily costs in GEL, then glance at approximate totals in your home currency. That’s useful for:

• Comparing prices between Tbilisi and smaller towns
• Monitoring shared budgets with friends
• Making sure ski trips to Gudauri or Black Sea evenings in Batumi don’t quietly blow your plans

Carry a small stash of cash, keep card details secure, and store important travel documents in your Trip planning section so everything’s backed up and easy to find.