- In 2026, plan on roughly 100-170 GEL ($40-65) per person per day as a backpacker, 250-450 GEL ($95-175) mid-range and 600-1,050 GEL ($230-400) with boutique hotels and a private driver-guide.
- Accommodation is the biggest variable: a hostel bed in Tbilisi starts around 25 GEL ($10), while a design hotel in Kazbegi or Tbilisi can pass 1,000 GEL ($385) a night.
- Everyday costs stay low: one khinkali dumpling costs 1-2.5 GEL, the Tbilisi metro charges 1 GEL a ride, and decent shop wine sells for 15-40 GEL a bottle.
- A private car with driver costs about 200-450 GEL ($75-175) per day for the whole vehicle, so it becomes good value once two to four people share it.
- Check restaurant bills for a 10 to 15 percent service charge before tipping, and carry cash for marshrutkas, village guesthouses and family cellars.
A backpacker in Georgia spends about 100-170 GEL ($40-65) a day in 2026, a mid-range traveller 250-450 GEL ($95-175), and anyone using boutique hotels and a private driver 600 GEL ($230) or more. A full week, before international flights, comes to roughly 700 to 1,200 GEL for backpackers and 1,750 to 3,150 GEL mid-range. Prices have climbed in Tbilisi since 2022, but the country is still far cheaper than Western Europe.
This guide breaks those numbers down. You will find daily budgets by travel style, room prices city by city, what food, wine and transport actually cost, rough prices for guided activities, a sample week, how private tour quotes are put together, and how lari, cards, cash machines, service charges and tipping work. All figures are approximate 2026 ranges, converted at roughly 2.6 lari per dollar, and they assume two people sharing a room.
How much does Georgia cost per day in 2026?
These daily ranges are per person, for two people sharing a room, and they cover a typical mix of Tbilisi, the mountains and wine country. Batumi in August and ski resorts at New Year sit at the top of each range or above it; Kutaisi and village guesthouses sit at the bottom.
| Per person per day (approx. 2026) | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | 35-55 GEL ($13-21): dorm bed or half a guesthouse room | 75-150 GEL ($29-60): good guesthouse or 3-star hotel | 200-400 GEL ($75-155): boutique, design or wine-estate hotel |
| Eating and drinking | 40-60 GEL ($15-23): bakeries, canteens, one sit-down meal | 80-130 GEL ($30-50): two restaurant meals with wine | 150-250 GEL ($60-95): top restaurants and good bottles |
| Getting around | 10-25 GEL ($4-10): metro, marshrutkas, the odd taxi | 60-110 GEL ($23-40): a shared driver on some days, Bolt in cities | 150-250 GEL ($60-95): a driver-guide on most days |
| Activities and tastings | 10-20 GEL ($4-8) | 30-50 GEL ($12-19) | 80-130 GEL ($30-50) |
| SIM, snacks, small extras | 5-10 GEL ($2-4) | 5-10 GEL ($2-4) | About 20 GEL ($8) |
| Total per day | 100-170 GEL ($40-65) | 250-450 GEL ($95-175) | 600-1,050 GEL ($230-400) |
Travelling solo
Solo travellers pay more per head because rooms and drivers are not shared. A single room usually costs 70 to 90 percent of a double, and a private driver costs the same for one passenger as for three. Add roughly a third to the mid-range and comfort figures, or join shared day tours and use marshrutkas to keep the backpacker budget intact.
What is not included
International flights, the travel health insurance every foreign visitor must hold since 1 January 2026, and souvenirs such as wine to take home. Budget for the insurance before you leave: border officers and airlines can ask to see it.
Accommodation prices in Georgia by city
Rooms take the largest share of any budget, and prices vary more by city and season than by star rating. These are typical 2026 rates per night, for the whole room unless it is a dorm bed, in the main season from May to October.
| City | Hostel bed | Guesthouse or simple hotel (double) | Mid-range hotel (double) | Boutique or upscale (double) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | 25-50 GEL ($10-19) | 90-150 GEL ($35-60) | 180-350 GEL ($70-135) | 400-1,000+ GEL ($155-385+) |
| Batumi (summer) | 30-60 GEL ($12-23) | 80-160 GEL ($30-60) | 180-400 GEL ($70-155) | 450-1,000 GEL ($175-385) |
| Kutaisi | 25-40 GEL ($10-15) | 70-120 GEL ($27-45) | 140-250 GEL ($55-95) | 250-450 GEL ($95-175) |
| Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) | 30-50 GEL ($12-19) | 100-180 GEL ($40-70) | 200-400 GEL ($75-155) | 500-1,000 GEL ($190-385) |
| Sighnaghi and Telavi | 30-45 GEL ($12-17) | 80-150 GEL ($30-60) | 160-300 GEL ($60-115) | 350-900 GEL ($135-345) for wine estates |
| Mestia (Svaneti) | 30-50 GEL ($12-19) | 100-180 GEL ($40-70) | 180-300 GEL ($70-115) | 300-600 GEL ($115-230) |
Guesthouses and half board
Family guesthouses are the best value in the country. In Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti and Kakheti villages, most hosts offer half board: a home-cooked dinner with wine or chacha, plus breakfast, for an extra 30 to 50 GEL ($12-19) per person. In remote places such as Tusheti or the villages on the Mestia to Ushguli trek, half board is often the only way to eat, so it is usually priced per person rather than per room.
How prices change with the season
Batumi and the mountain villages raise rates by roughly a quarter to a half in July and August, and Gudauri and Bakuriani peak over New Year and in February. Tbilisi is steadier, though big concerts and conferences can fill the centre. November, March and early April bring the lowest prices and the widest choice.
Food and drink prices: khachapuri, khinkali, dinner and wine
Eating well in Georgia is easy on a small budget. Portions are large and dishes are made for sharing, so two people ordering three plates plus bread usually leave full. Tbilisi's Old Town, Sololaki and the Batumi seafront charge the most; markets, bakeries and village restaurants the least.
| Item | Approximate price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Khachapuri or lobiani from a bakery, to take away | 3-6 GEL ($1-2) |
| Imeruli or Megruli khachapuri in a restaurant | 12-25 GEL ($5-10) |
| Adjaruli khachapuri, the boat with egg and butter | 15-30 GEL ($6-12) |
| Khinkali | 1-2.5 GEL each; 12-25 GEL ($5-10) for ten |
| Mtsvadi (grilled meat), one portion | 18-35 GEL ($7-13) |
| Lobio in a clay pot | 8-15 GEL ($3-6) |
| Cappuccino in a Tbilisi cafe | 6-12 GEL ($2-5) |
| Half-litre of draught beer in a bar | 6-10 GEL ($2-4) |
| Glass of house wine | 5-12 GEL ($2-5) |
| Glass in a natural wine bar | 12-25 GEL ($5-10) |
| Good bottle of Georgian wine from a shop | 15-40 GEL ($6-15) |
| Bottle of wine in a restaurant | 40-120 GEL ($15-45) |
| Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant, with wine | 100-180 GEL ($40-70) |
| Tasting menu at a top Tbilisi restaurant | 150-300 GEL ($60-115) per person |
| Guesthouse dinner in a village | 30-50 GEL ($12-19) per person |
Shop wine is excellent value: a bottle of Saperavi or amber Rkatsiteli that would cost far more abroad sells for 20 to 30 GEL in a Tbilisi wine shop, and less straight from a family cellar. Fruit, cheese, churchkhela and bread from the markets make cheap picnic lunches for mountain days.
Transport costs in Georgia: metro, Bolt, marshrutka, train, driver and flights
Public transport is very cheap but slow and not built around the sights. Private drivers cost far more but save whole days on mountain roads. Most travellers mix the two.
| Option | Approximate cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi metro or city bus | 1 GEL ($0.40) per ride | Pay by tapping a bank card, or buy a Metromoney card |
| Bolt in Tbilisi or Batumi | 5-15 GEL ($2-6) across town; 25-40 GEL ($10-15) to Tbilisi airport | Fixed price shown before you book |
| Marshrutka, Tbilisi to Stepantsminda | 15-20 GEL ($6-8) | About 3 hours from Didube |
| Marshrutka, Tbilisi to Sighnaghi or Telavi | 10-15 GEL ($4-6) | Usually from Samgori; check locally |
| Marshrutka, Tbilisi to Kutaisi | 15-25 GEL ($6-10) | About 3.5 hours |
| Marshrutka to Mestia | Roughly 40-70 GEL ($15-27) from Tbilisi; roughly 20-40 GEL ($8-15) from Zugdidi | 8 to 9 hours direct from Tbilisi |
| Train, Tbilisi to Batumi | From about 30-35 GEL ($12-13) in second class; more in first and business class | About 4 hours on the fastest trains; sells out in summer |
| Train, Tbilisi to Zugdidi | From about 16 GEL ($6) in second class; more in higher classes | Connects with minibuses to Mestia |
| Private car with driver | 200-450 GEL ($75-175) per vehicle per day | More for a minivan, or a 4x4 on mountain roads |
| One-way transfer, Tbilisi to Mestia | Roughly 500-900 GEL ($190-345) per vehicle | 7 to 9 hours, includes the driver's empty return |
| Rental car | 80-160 GEL ($30-60) per day small car; 150-300 GEL ($60-115) for a 4x4 | Plus fuel at roughly 4 GEL a litre |
| Small plane, Natakhtari to Mestia | Fares change often; check the airline site before you plan around it | Small aircraft, weather permitting; book early |
Local 4x4s and short hops
In Stepantsminda and Mestia, drivers with 4x4s wait in the main square for trips to Gergeti Trinity Church, Juta, Truso, Ushguli or the Koruldi Lakes. Expect roughly 50 to 150 GEL ($19-60) per vehicle for short runs, and more for a full day with waiting time. Agree the price, the stops and the waiting time before you get in.
What tours and activities cost: hikes, wine tastings and cooking classes
Sightseeing in Georgia costs little. Churches and monasteries are free to enter, though a candle or a coin in the donation box is appreciated. Museums, show caves and canyon walkways charge modest fees, usually less than a restaurant lunch. The bigger costs are guides, tastings and experiences.
- Shared group day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Kakheti or Uplistsikhe: about 60-150 GEL ($23-60) per person, depending on group size and whether lunch is included.
- Guided day hike with a qualified mountain guide: roughly 150-350 GEL ($60-135) per day for the group, more for glacier routes that need technical gear.
- Wine tasting at a family qvevri cellar: around 30-60 GEL ($12-23) per person, often with bread, cheese and churchkhela; at a large estate or with a full meal, 50-150 GEL ($19-60).
- Cooking class in Tbilisi or Kakheti, usually khinkali and khachapuri with the meal and wine afterwards: about 120-250 GEL ($45-95) per person.
- Renting a private bath room in Abanotubani by the hour costs roughly as much as a good dinner for two; the shared public pools are cheaper.
- Ski lift passes in Gudauri and Bakuriani cost a fraction of Alpine prices, and equipment rental is cheap and easy to find.
For multi-day treks, the guesthouse network keeps costs down: on the Mestia to Ushguli route you pay for half board each night, and many walkers carry only a day pack. Horse support and mountain guides are available in Svaneti, Tusheti and Kazbegi and are priced per day.
Sample budget: what one week in Georgia costs
Here is what seven days on the classic first-time loop costs per person, with three nights in Tbilisi, two in Kazbegi and two in Kakheti, for two people travelling together. International flights and insurance are excluded.
| One week, per person (approx. 2026) | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven nights' accommodation | 245-385 GEL ($95-150): hostels and family guesthouses | 525-1,050 GEL ($200-405): 3-star hotels and good guesthouses | 1,400-2,800 GEL ($540-1,075): boutique and design hotels |
| Food and drink | 280-420 GEL ($110-160) | 560-910 GEL ($215-350) | 1,050-1,750 GEL ($405-675) |
| Transport | 70-175 GEL ($27-65): marshrutkas, metro and a few taxis | 420-770 GEL ($160-295): a shared driver for the mountain and wine days | 1,050-1,750 GEL ($405-675): private driver-guide throughout |
| Activities, tastings, baths | 70-140 GEL ($27-55) | 210-350 GEL ($80-135) | 560-910 GEL ($215-350) |
| SIM card and extras | 35-80 GEL ($13-30) | 35-70 GEL ($13-27) | About 140 GEL ($55) |
| Total per person | 700-1,200 GEL ($270-460) | 1,750-3,150 GEL ($675-1,210) | 4,200-7,350 GEL ($1,615-2,825) |
Want the day-by-day route these numbers are based on? Our 7-day Georgia itinerary follows the same loop with drive times, food and places to stay.
How private tour prices in Georgia are built
A private tour quote looks like one number, but it is the sum of a few building blocks. Knowing them makes it easier to compare offers and to see where you can save.
- Vehicle and driver
Charged per day for the whole vehicle: a sedan for one to three people, a minivan for four to seven, a minibus beyond that. Days on rough mountain roads need a 4x4 and cost more, and one-way routes, such as ending in Batumi, include the driver's drive home. - Guide
A separate daily fee, usually about 150-350 GEL ($60-135) in 2026, higher for specialist wine or history guides and for languages other than English and Russian. - Hotels
The largest variable. The same route can be priced with family guesthouses, comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels or design and wine-estate hotels, and peak months cost more. - Meals and experiences
Breakfast is normally included; lunches with families, supra dinners, tastings, cooking classes, cable cars, entrance tickets and local 4x4 transfers are added as you choose. - Crew costs on overnight trips
Rooms and meals for the driver and guide away from Tbilisi are built into the price, which is one reason short trips cost more per day than long ones.
Group size changes the maths. A day with a car, driver and guide that costs around 450-750 GEL ($175-290) works out at 225-375 GEL ($85-145) each for two people, but only 110-190 GEL ($40-75) each for four. Solo travellers pay the full vehicle and guide cost, plus a single room supplement.
As examples from our own range: Taste of Georgia is a three-day private trip from one Tbilisi hotel, a good fit for a stopover. Classic Georgia covers a full week with boutique and mountain hotels at mid-range to comfort level. Luxury Georgia uses five-star and wine-estate hotels, a senior guide and all meals with wine pairings, so it sits at the top of the comfort range.
Money in Georgia: lari, ATMs, cards, service charge and tipping
The lari
Georgia's currency is the lari (GEL), divided into 100 tetri. Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lari, and coins go up to 2 lari. In October 2026 one US dollar buys about 2.6 GEL. Shops and restaurants must price in lari, though hotels and tour companies often quote in dollars or euros.
Cash machines and exchange
ATMs from TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia and Liberty Bank are everywhere in towns, including Stepantsminda and Mestia. Many charge foreign cards a small fee, and some dispense dollars and euros as well as lari. When the machine or a card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in lari: the conversion rate is worse. Exchange offices on almost every Tbilisi street give fair rates for clean dollar and euro notes; the airport rate is poorer, so change only a little there.
Cards and cash
Visa and Mastercard work in most hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and petrol stations, and contactless payment, including phone wallets, is normal in the cities. American Express is less widely taken. Carry cash for intercity marshrutkas, markets, village guesthouses, family cellars, 4x4 drivers and tips. Tusheti has no cash machines at all, so take enough for your whole stay.
Service charge and tipping
Many restaurants and cafes add a service charge of about 10 to 15 percent to the bill. When it is there, you do not need to add more, though leaving the coins is common. When it is not, 10 percent is a fair tip for good service. Bolt drivers do not expect a tip; for street taxis, round up. On a private tour, a tip for the driver and guide at the end is customary if they looked after you well, usually around 10 percent of the daily rate. Guesthouse hosts do not expect tips, but a small gift from home is appreciated.
How to save money on a trip to Georgia
- Travel in the shoulder months: May, early June, late September and October give good weather with lower rates than July and August.
- Sleep in family guesthouses with half board outside Tbilisi; dinner is usually generous and comes with homemade wine.
- Make lunch your main meal and order wine by the carafe or jug rather than by the bottle.
- Buy fruit, cheese and bread at markets such as Dezerter Bazaar for picnic lunches on long driving days.
- Use the metro and Bolt in Tbilisi instead of hailing street taxis.
- Share a driver: two to four people make a private car cheaper per head than several taxis and day tours.
- Hike to Gergeti Trinity Church on foot rather than paying for a 4x4, and explore Old Tbilisi on your own two feet.
- Fly into Kutaisi on a low-cost airline if your trip starts in western Georgia, Svaneti or Batumi.
- Avoid Batumi and the mountain resorts in the first half of August and over New Year, when rates peak.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia cheap to visit in 2026?
Yes, by European and North American standards. A mid-range day with a good room, two restaurant meals with wine and some help from a driver costs about 250-450 GEL ($95-175) per person. Tbilisi has become noticeably pricier since 2022, while villages and smaller towns remain cheap.
How much money do I need for a week in Georgia?
Allow about 700-1,200 GEL ($270-460) per person as a backpacker, around 1,750 to 3,150 GEL ($675 to $1,210) mid-range and from 4,200 GEL ($1,615) for a comfortable trip with your own driver-guide. These figures exclude international flights and the mandatory travel insurance.
Should I bring dollars or euros to Georgia?
Either works. Both are easy to change at fair rates in exchange offices across Tbilisi and other towns, and cash machines take foreign cards. Bring clean, undamaged notes, and pay in lari wherever you are offered a choice.
Can I use a credit card in Georgia?
Yes, in cities and most hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, usually contactless. Visa and Mastercard are accepted far more widely than American Express. Keep cash for marshrutkas, markets, guesthouses, small cellars and anywhere in the mountains.
Do you tip in Georgia?
Look at the bill first: a service charge of 10 to 15 percent is often already included. Without one, about 10 percent is normal for good service. Tips for drivers and guides at the end of a tour are customary and appreciated.
How much is a taxi from Tbilisi airport to the city centre?
About 25-40 GEL ($10-15) with Bolt, depending on traffic and the time of day, for a ride of around 25 to 40 minutes. Bus 337 is the cheapest option and costs the same as a city ride.
How much does a private driver cost in Georgia?
Roughly 200-450 GEL ($75-175) a day for the car and driver in 2026, depending on distance, vehicle size and the roads. A 4x4 for mountain routes costs more, and a guide in your language is usually a separate daily fee.
Is Batumi more expensive than Tbilisi?
In July and August, often yes, especially for seafront hotels and restaurants. Outside summer, Batumi is usually a little cheaper than Tbilisi, and Kutaisi is cheaper than both.
