Georgia

Georgia is compact enough to mix easy city time with big mountain detours, but transport can be slower than the map suggests. In Tbilisi, the metro is simple, cheap, and useful for crossing the city quickly, while marshrutkas — shared minibuses — connect towns and villages for very little money. For longer journeys, book intercity trains where possible, especially for routes like Tbilisi to Batumi or Tbilisi to Kutaisi, because they are more comfortable than vans and easier to plan around. If you want flexibility in the Caucasus, hire a driver for a day trip to places like Mtskheta, Kazbegi, or Kakheti; road conditions and mountain weather can change fast. Keep a little cash for transport, as not every service accepts cards. It also helps to have Hello eSIM activated before you land, so you can check timetables, navigate from the airport, and message drivers without roaming surprises. If you are travelling with others, Hello’s trip planning tools can help keep route notes, confirmations, and day plans in one place.

Food is one of the best reasons to travel in Georgia, and the meals are generous, social, and deeply regional. Start with khachapuri, the beloved cheese bread; the boat-shaped Adjaruli khachapuri from Batumi, with egg and butter in the centre, is especially memorable. Try khinkali too — juicy dumplings from the mountains, traditionally eaten by hand, holding them from the top knot and sipping the broth first. For everyday eating, look for grilled meats, bean stews, fresh herbs, and walnut-rich dishes such as pkhali and badrijani nigvzit. Wine lovers should plan time in Kakheti, where small cellars and larger wineries pour local varieties like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli. Many tastings, family dinners, and roadside meals are best enjoyed slowly, so it is useful to track costs in lari with Hello’s budget tracking if you are tasting your way across the country. In restaurants, sharing is normal, and splitting the bill with travel companions is easier when everyone is keeping track in the Hello app.

To understand Georgia beyond the capital, spend time in places where history and daily life overlap. Tbilisi has layered charm: old sulphur baths in Abanotubani, contemporary cafés, carved balconies, and hillside views from Narikala Fortress. Outside the city, Mtskheta is essential for its monasteries and riverside setting, while Kutaisi offers a slower western feel and easy access to natural sights like the Prometheus Cave area. In the mountains, Stepantsminda near Kazbek delivers dramatic scenery, but the appeal is also in the road itself — villages, roadside stalls, and unpredictable weather make the journey part of the experience. If you want a more cultural trip, time your visit with church festivals, local markets, or a family meal, where toasts and hospitality matter as much as the menu. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to pin down opening hours, transfer times, and must-see stops, especially if you are combining cities, monasteries, and mountain roads in one itinerary.

Georgia is still good value for many travellers, but prices vary a lot between city centres, wine regions, and remote mountain areas. Keep cash in lari for small cafés, markets, taxis, and marshrutkas, while cards are widely accepted in larger hotels and restaurants. A basic lunch might be affordable, but wine tastings, private transfers, and guided day trips add up quickly, so it pays to track spending as you go. Weather can also affect costs and plans: winter mountain travel may require extra transport time, while summer brings busier routes and fuller guesthouses. Connectivity is generally decent in cities, but it is wise to buy and activate Hello eSIM before you land so you can order transport, check maps, and translate signs without hunting for a SIM shop on arrival. If you are travelling as a pair or group, Hello’s expense splitting is handy for dividing shared taxis, dinners, and guesthouse bills fairly. A little preparation goes a long way here, especially if your plan includes both urban stops and remote landscapes.