Georgia uses the Georgian lari, GEL. Cards work well in cities, supermarkets, many restaurants, and even some city transport, but cash still matters for markets, small guesthouses, and rural stops. ATMs are easy to find in cities, and foreign card withdrawal fees are often around 2–5 GEL, with some machines quoting roughly 3.5 GEL plus 2%. Check the screen and refuse dynamic currency conversion. Exchange offices in town usually beat airport desks and bank counters. Budget anchors help, khachapuri 3–8 GEL, cafe lunch 20–35 GEL, guesthouses 30–80 GEL.

Georgia splits fast by region. The west, Batumi and the Black Sea side, is humid, wetter, and greener. The east, Tbilisi and Kakheti, is drier and more continental. Summer in the eastern lowlands gets hot, around 30–35°C, while spring and fall are much easier for city days. In the high mountains, weather changes completely, with cool summers, snow in winter, and some roads only working well from June to September. So one small country, but very different packing lists.

The biggest real risk is political protests in Tbilisi, especially around Rustaveli Avenue and parliament. If a crowd forms, leave early and take another street. Crime is fairly low, but pickpocketing can happen in busy places, and drink spiking is a real nightlife risk, so buy your own drink and keep it in sight. Avoid Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and areas near the boundary lines. Mountain roads can get rough in bad weather, especially in winter, so keep plans flexible there.

For long trips, trains are the best bet on the Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Poti, Batumi corridor. Book on railway.ge or TKT, usually 15–35 GEL, with Tbilisi to Batumi from about 35 GEL. Marshrutkas are the cheap default for places trains do not reach, often around 10–25 GEL on many intercity routes, but they can be cramped and leave when full. In Tbilisi, city transport is easy, 1 GEL for 90 minutes. For taxis, use Bolt or Yandex Go, not random street cars.

Everyday health issues are simple stuff, heat, dehydration, stomach trouble, and altitude in the mountains. Summer in lowland cities can hit 30–35°C, so carry water and slow down in the afternoon. Tap water is generally fine in Georgia, but if a place looks doubtful, switch to bottled or treated water. Be up to date on routine vaccines, MMR, and consider hepatitis A and B. Medical care is much better in Tbilisi than outside it, and treatment can be expensive, so good insurance is important.

Magti is the safe choice, especially if the trip includes mountains or rural areas. Its tourist SIM is available free at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports. Data bundles include 1,000 MB for 5 GEL, 3,000 MB for 9 GEL, 5,000 MB for 12 GEL, 20,000 MB for 30 GEL, plus unlimited week for 10 GEL or unlimited month for 35 GEL. Cellfie is cheaper and fine for city time, with eSIM at 1 GEL, but rural coverage is weaker. Silknet is another option, though pricing is less clear online. Bring passport for SIM registration.

Georgian is the main language, and the script is its own thing, so signs can look hard at first. In Tbilisi, Batumi, hostels, and tourist cafes, English is usually fine, especially with younger people. On transport, in markets, and in smaller towns, English drops fast. Older people may know more Russian than English. Learn a few Georgian basics, keep your phone translator ready, and daily travel gets much easier.

Daily life feels warm, social, and a bit formal in a good way. People can be very welcoming, and meals can turn into long toasts and conversation, especially if a host is involved. Tipping is modest, around 10% in restaurants for good service, and cash is better if you want staff to actually get it. Haggling is light and only really normal in flea markets or some souvenir stalls. Dress modestly for churches and monasteries, shoulders and knees covered, and women may need a head covering at some sites.

Food is one of the best budget parts of Georgia. The easy cheap staple is khachapuri, usually 3–8 GEL, and it fills the job fast. Add khinkali, lobio, and churchkhela for low-cost eating without feeling sad about it. A simple cafe lunch often lands around 20–35 GEL. Street food and bakery snacks are good budget tactics, especially in cities and bus stations. Wine is everywhere, especially in Kakheti, and local house wine can quietly increase the daily budget if nobody is paying attention.