One of the first things travelers discover in Georgia: money goes a long way. A good meal, pleasant accommodation and local wine won’t break the bank. Here’s how it looks in practice.
What things cost
A meal at a good local restaurant: about 30–60 lari per person (€10–20), with wine included. A coffee: 5–10 lari. A night at a family guesthouse: usually 80–150 lari for a double room, and a 3-star hotel runs around 200 lari. Entry to sites: generally 5–15 lari, and many are free.
What it is: the lari (GEL) is the local currency. ATMs are everywhere in the cities; in villages, carry cash.
Cheap transport
The marshrutka (minibus) is the budget backbone: an intercity ride costs just a few lari. Within the cities there’s a very cheap metro and buses. The downside: rigid schedules and little space for luggage.
Where to save — and where not to
Save on accommodation (guesthouses), food (bakeries and markets) and public transport within the cities. Don’t save in the remote mountain areas: there a private driver or an organized tour is worth every lari — it saves days of planning and gives a flexibility impossible by marshrutka.
Sample daily budget
- Budget: about €20–30 a day (guesthouse, marshrutka, local food)
- Mid-range: about €40–65 a day (hotel, restaurants, excursions)
- Many attractions — city baths, hikes, churches — cost little or nothing.
In short: Georgia lets you have a quality holiday on a small budget. The most worthwhile investment is precisely in the mountains — there, comfort is worth the difference.
Booking: Guesthouses and accommodation · Budget day trips