What currency should I take with me to Georgia?

When travelling, financial matters are often more important than the itinerary: without cash or a working bank card, even a short trip can become a source of stress. The good news is that it’s easy to spend money in Georgia, and currency exchange and cash withdrawals are handled transparently. Let’s take a look at what currency to take with you, what to bear in mind regarding cards, and how to get cash locally without unnecessary fees.

Local currency and exchange rate

The national currency is the Georgian lari, which is divided into one hundred tetri. Banknotes ranging from 5 to 100 lari and coins are in common use, and you can pay with them everywhere, from markets to large supermarkets.

There is only one official currency in Georgia, but in tourist areas, dollars and euros are sometimes accepted, albeit at an unfavourable exchange rate. It is better to exchange your money for lari straight away so as not to overpay sellers for the conversion.

Before travelling, many people wonder how much 1 lari is worth in terms of the currency they’re used to. The exchange rate fluctuates, but as a rough guide, one lari is worth about a third of a dollar, so it’s easy to work out the amounts on menus and price tags in your head.

The exchange rate fluctuates daily in line with the global market, so it’s worth checking the current rate before you travel. Within the country, prices are quoted only in lari, and attempts to pay in foreign currency are almost always a bad deal due to the seller’s undervalued exchange rate.

How much should I budget for the trip?

Georgia remains an affordable destination, and the cost depends largely on the type of holiday you choose. If you keep it simple, staying in guesthouses and eating local cuisine, it’s perfectly possible to get by on a modest budget per person per day.

The average tourist spends money on accommodation, meals in cafés, transport and sightseeing tours, and it is precisely the last two items that can easily run up the bill. Wine, markets and restaurants with a view are tempting, so it’s best to carry a bit more cash than you’ve budgeted for, especially in wine-producing regions and at holiday resorts.

Cash and cards: what works

An important point for tourists from Russia: Russian bank cards have not worked in Georgia since 2022, including Visa, Mastercard and Mir. You cannot rely on them, so the main payment methods are cash or a card issued by a foreign bank.

It’s more convenient to take large-denomination US dollars or euros with you: they’re accepted at any currency exchange bureau at a favourable rate. Rubles are also exchanged, but the rate is noticeably worse, and smaller exchange bureaux are reluctant to accept them.

It’s best to take banknotes that are in decent condition, without any tears or severe wear and tear: old and crumpled notes are sometimes accepted at a discount. Higher-denomination notes offer a better exchange rate, but keep a couple of smaller notes to hand for taxis, water and tips from the very start of your trip.

In towns and cities, you can use a foreign bank card to pay for almost everything: cafés, hotels, supermarkets and petrol stations. However, at markets, in mountain villages and when paying private guides, cash is still the norm, so it’s risky to plan your itinerary without taking any with you.

Where and how to withdraw cash

There are cash machines everywhere in the cities, and it’s easy to work out how to withdraw money in Georgia, even without knowing the language. With a foreign bank card, you’ll receive lari directly, and the terminal’s menu switches to English or Russian.

When making a withdrawal, the cash machine often offers to convert the amount into your currency – you should decline this and choose to have the amount debited in lari. This way, you avoid hidden mark-ups and get a fairer exchange rate.

How to cash out a transfer from Russia

A particular challenge for many is how to withdraw cash in Georgia if their card doesn’t work there. The most popular and reliable method is to use money transfer services such as Zolotaya Korona, which allow you to collect cash at a local bank or partner outlet.

An alternative is to transfer money to friends using a foreign bank card or to exchange cryptocurrency at specialised outlets in Tbilisi and Batumi. Each option has its own fee, so it is best to compare the amounts and exchange rates in advance.

You almost always need a passport to receive a money transfer, and sometimes a local phone number as well, so it’s best to get a SIM card on your first day. It’s wiser to receive large sums in instalments: this reduces the risks and makes it easier to monitor the exchange rate for each transaction.

Practical advice on money

To avoid wasting money on the little things, stick to a few simple rules. They’ll save you both time and money on your trip.

• Exchange your money at reputable bureaux de change in the city centre, rather than at the airport.
• Keep some of the money in cash, just in case you end up in a remote area with no mobile signal.
• Keep your exchange receipts; they’ll come in handy when you convert the money back.
• Break large notes into smaller ones in advance; you’ll need small change for markets and taxis.
• Please check the ATM fee before confirming the transaction.

Conclusion

The most convenient way to travel in Georgia is with cash in US dollars or euros, and a foreign bank card to fall back on. The exchange rates are favourable, there are plenty of cash machines, and transfers via payment systems sort out your cash needs even if you don’t have a working bank card. If you’d like to work out your travel budget in advance and plan your itinerary without any financial surprises, please get in touch with us – we’ll advise you on the latest details and help you organise everything.