Entry Requirements during COVID-19
Citizens of any foreign countries, traveling to Georgia via any route (by air, land and sea) are no longer obliged to present either Covid-vaccination certificate or PCR-examination negative result report from June 15, 2022.
Visa Requirements
Valid passports are required for visitors of all nationalities. There is no visa requirement for those who hold a passport issued by the United States of America, Canada, Japan, Israel, member countries of European Union, the Russian Federation, GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), etc. Nationalities from CIS countries, except those holding passports from Turkmenistan do not require a visa.
For more information please visit: www.geoconsul.gov.ge/HtmlPage/Html/View?id=956&lang=Eng
Getting to Georgia
You can either use flights, trains or cross the land borders to enter Georgia. The biggest airport is Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Airport with many direct flights from Europe and Asia. Two more airports you could search flights for are Kutaisi and Batumi airports.
International trains run to Tbilisi from Yerevan, Armenia and Baku, Azerbaijan.
There’re 3 land borders with Turkey you could cross – Sarpi, Vale, Kartsakhi. From Armenia there’re also 3 land borders – Ninotsminda, Guguti and Sadakhlo. Azerbaijan connects with Georgia with 2 official borders – Red Bridge and Lagodekhi. Russia and Georgia have 1 operating border – Larsi, close to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).
Climate
The climate of the country is extremely diverse, considering the nation’s small size. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgia’s climate, protecting the nation against cold air from the north, while the Lesser Caucasus Mountains protect against from the very dry, hot air from the south. Average temperatures in summer range from 19 °C to 22 °C, and in winter from 1.5 °C to 3 °C.
Best period to travel
May-June and September-October are the mildest months in Georgia, with sunshine but not too hot. However, April is also very nice if you seek not to meet many other travelers on your route and July-August are the best for walking and adventure holidays.
Smoking
Smoking isn’t allowed at any buildings including hotels and restaurants. Those who smoke, can use balconies, terraces or enjoy their time smoking outdoors.
Water
One can drink tap water in Georgia, it is safe. But if you’re used to bottled water, better not to risk and only drink bottled mineral water.
Currency, Banks & ATM
The official currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari usually indicated as GEL. The Lari is subdivided into 100 Tetri. Currency can be changed at the airports, at some of the land borders and at many currency exchange spots. Generally, there’s no commission for exchange but recently there’re some spots which charge commission, so choose carefully!
Banks and ATM machines are available in every bigger town, but please make sure you have enough cash with you if you travel to remote areas.
Electricity
Electrical current - 220 Volts, 50 Hz. EU standard round pin plugs work throughout Georgia.
Communications
The country code is 00 995. Mobile operators (Geocell, Magti and Bee-line) cover almost the whole territory of the country (except of remote areas). You can get a mobile sim card with loaded minutes to talk and Wi-Fi. Almost all cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi in bigger towns.
Some of Georgian words you might need for communication with locals
Hello – Gamarjoba
Bye-bye – Nakhvamdis
Thanks – Madloba
Please – Tu sheidzleba
How much does it cost? – Ra ghirs?
One, two, three – Erti, ori, sami
Wine – Ghvino
Water – Tskali
Beer – Ludi
Opening hours
Banks open at 10am and close at 6pm Mondays to Fridays. On Saturday they have shorter working day 10am-2pm. Sundays they’re closed. Most of the shops open at 10am and close not earlier than 8pm. The shopping malls open at 10am and close at 10pm. Open daily. There’re some 24hr groceries but only in the major cities. Open daily. Most of the museums open at 10am and close at 6pm. Mondays they’re closed. Cafes and bars open at around 11am and most of them are open until 12pm, some till the last guest leaves.
What to wear?
Georgians dress up in a modern western style. You can easily choose your outfit if not visiting churches. For the churches please remember that women are requested to cover their hair and shoulders and wear either long dresses or long trousers. Men are requested to take off their hats and not to wear shorts.
What to try?
Khinkali (minced beef and pork-filled dumplings)
Khachapuri (cheese bread with many variations)
Shkmeruli (clay pot roasted chicken dresses in garlic sauce)
Mtsvadi (pork or veal grilled on spits)
Chakapuli (onions, lamb chops, dry white wine, and tarragon leaves);
Pkhali (pan-fried eggplants, spinach, beet root, cabbage stuffed with spiced walnut paste)
Sulguni Imeretian and Gudi’s cheeses
Mushrooms with cheese (clay pot fried champignons topped with Sulguni cheese)
Tkemali sauce (plum sauce), mixed fresh herbs (parsley, mint, dill, cilantro), garlic and salt);
Churchkhela (sausage-shaped candies of walnuts and grape juice);
Gozinaki (walnuts fried in honey);
And of course, none of the meals can be served without famous Georgian wines!
What to read?
Shota Rustaveli – The night in the panther skin
Peter Skinner – Georgia the land below the Caucasus
Simon Sebag Montefiore – Young Stalin
Kurban said – Ali and Nino
Wendell Steavenson – Stories I stole
Tony Anderson – Bread and ashes
Nicholas Tchkotoua– Timeless
Guide-books by Lonely Planet, Bradt, John Noble, Peter Nysmith.
Emergency
For all the emergency cases please call 112.