17 Tbilisi Tips That'll Transform Your Georgia Trip
I went to Tbilisi knowing three things: wine is cheap, khachapuri exists, and the sulfur baths are good. I came back knowing seventeen things more that would have made my trip smoother, cheaper, and better. Here they are.
Before You Go
1. Your Visa Situation Is Probably Already Sorted
Georgia has one of the most generous visa policies on the planet. Citizens of 95+ countries (USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan) can enter visa-free for up to one year. Not 30 days. Not 90 days. A full year. Just arrive with a valid passport. This makes Georgia one of the easiest countries in the world to visit — or to test-drive as a digital nomad.
Indian citizens need an e-Visa ($20, applied at evisa.gov.ge).
2. Download Bolt Before Landing
Bolt is the ride-hailing app that runs Tbilisi. It's cheaper than taxis, the car is tracked, and prices are set upfront. Rides across the city cost 3-8 GEL (~$1-3). From the airport: 12-18 GEL. Without Bolt, you're negotiating with taxi drivers — and while most are honest, why bother?
The airport bus (#37) runs for 0.50 GEL but takes 40 minutes and stops running around 11PM.
3. Get a Metromoney Card Immediately
The rechargeable card (2 GEL to buy, then top up) works on the metro and all buses. Metro rides: 1 GEL. Buses: 0.50 GEL. Without the card, you can't board buses and metro ticket machines are confusing. Top up at any metro station or from the app.
Money
4. Tbilisi Is Genuinely One of Europe's Cheapest Cities
Dorms: 15-25 GEL/night ($5-9). Budget hotel: 60-120 GEL ($22-44). Khinkali dinner (12 dumplings): 12 GEL (~$4.40). Glass of wine in a restaurant: 8-20 GEL. Sulfur bath (private room): 40-120 GEL/hour.
A comfortable daily budget — including accommodation, three meals, a glass or three of wine, and an activity — is 80-150 GEL ($30-55).
5. Cards Work Almost Everywhere
Unlike much of Central Asia, Tbilisi is card-friendly. Visa and Mastercard work at restaurants, shops, and cafes. The flea market and small street vendors are cash-only. ATMs are plentiful and dispense GEL.
Food
6. Adjarian Khachapuri Is Not Optional
The boat-shaped bread filled with molten sulguni cheese, topped with a raw egg and butter knob that you stir together at the table. Tear off the bread crust and dip it into the cheese-egg mixture. This is Georgia's national dish and it will rearrange your understanding of comfort food.
Machakhela does a solid version for 8-12 GEL. Retro on Lermontov Street does a great one too.
7. Learn Khinkali Etiquette
Khinkali (soup dumplings) have rules. Pick up by the twisted top knob. Bite a small hole. Suck out the broth. Eat the dumpling. Don't eat the knob — leave it on your plate. The knob pile is your scoreboard.
1 GEL each at most restaurants. 8-15 is a normal order. Beef, pork, mushroom, and cheese varieties exist.
8. Don't Skip Churchkhela
Those candle-shaped things hanging in every market? Churchkhela — walnuts or hazelnuts dipped repeatedly in thickened grape juice until they form a chewy, sweet, nutty tube. It's Georgia's original energy bar. 3-5 GEL per piece. Buy from the Dry Bridge area or Dezerter Bazaar.
Experiences
9. Book the Sulfur Baths for Evening
The Abanotubani sulfur baths are Tbilisi's signature experience. Private rooms at Orbeliani Baths cost 40-120 GEL/hour for 2-5 people. The kisi scrub (20-40 GEL) is a brutal but exhilarating skin treatment.
Evening is the best time — the baths are dimly lit, the heat is perfect after a day of walking, and you'll sleep like the dead afterward. Book for 8-9PM.
Bring nothing — towels, soap, and slippers are provided.
10. Cross the Bridge of Peace at Night
The glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge is photogenic by day but stunning at night when thousands of LEDs light up the structure. It frames views of Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church, and the river. Best photo spot: the Rike Park side, looking toward the old town.
11. The Dry Bridge Market Is Saturday Morning
The flea market operates daily, but weekends have the best selection. Soviet memorabilia, Georgian enamel jewelry, oil paintings, vinyl records, antique daggers. Bargain at 40-50% of asking. The vintage cameras and old chess sets make unique souvenirs.
12. Take the Kakheti Wine Day Trip
The wine region is 120km east and day tours run 80-150 GEL (book through your hostel or online). Family-run wineries pour free tastings of amber/orange wines made in 8,000-year-old qvevri tradition. Vino Underground in Tbilisi (tastings 20-40 GEL) is a good introduction before the trip.
Culture
13. Learn to Say Gaumarjos — But Pace Yourself
Georgian toasting culture is elaborate and serious. At a supra (feast), the tamada (toastmaster) leads rounds of toasts to God, Georgia, ancestors, guests, and more. You're expected to drink wine with each toast. "Gaumarjos" (cheers) is the essential word.
Pacing tip: you can sip rather than drain your glass. No one will judge you. The tamada knows foreigners have limits.
14. Don't Bring Up Russia
Georgia lost 20% of its territory to Russian-occupied regions (Abkhazia and South Ossetia) in 2008. This is an extremely sensitive topic. Don't visit the occupied territories from the Russian side — it's illegal under Georgian law. If the topic comes up naturally with Georgians, listen respectfully.
15. If Invited to a Home, Bring Gifts
Wine, chocolate, or flowers (odd numbers only — even numbers are for funerals). Refusing food or drink in a Georgian home is considered rude. You will be fed more than you can possibly eat. Resistance is futile.
Day Trips
16. Mtskheta Is 20 Minutes Away — And Baku Just a Night Train Away
Georgia's ancient capital, 20km from Tbilisi, is a UNESCO site with the Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (where Jesus's robe is said to be buried). Marshrutka from Didube station: 1 GEL. Return the same way. Allow 3-4 hours.
17. Kazbegi Is Worth the Long Day
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is 150km north — a 3-hour drive through the stunning Georgian Military Highway. The Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at 2,170m with Mount Kazbek behind it, is one of the most photographed churches in the world.
Organized tours: 60-100 GEL. Marshrutka from Didube: 15 GEL (3 hours). Worth the effort on a clear day.
