Currency & Payment

Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL, ₾), divided into 100 tetri. The capital is Tbilisi. Cash is still widely used, especially in markets and rural areas, though cards are common in cities. It is handy to keep small lari notes and coins for taxis, bakeries and local shops.

Exchange offices are plentiful in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi, Batumi and at Kutaisi and Tbilisi airports. US dollars and euros are the easiest currencies to change and usually get good rates. Compare a couple of nearby offices, avoid changing large sums at the airport, and count your money before leaving the counter.

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels, restaurants and larger shops in Georgia, and contactless is common in Tbilisi and Batumi. Visa and Mastercard are the most useful. In markets, small family-run cafes, rural areas and for taxis, cash is still king, so carry some lari alongside your card.

ATMs are plentiful in cities, run by banks such as TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, and many dispense both lari and US dollars. They are fewer in remote mountain areas, so withdraw cash before heading out. Watch out for foreign-card fees and always decline home-currency conversion (DCC) to get the better rate.

Mobile payment is growing in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi and Batumi. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many contactless terminals, and local bank apps and QR-based payments are increasingly used. Coverage is patchier outside the main cities, so it is still wise to carry a physical card and some cash as a backup.

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Georgia. In restaurants, a service charge of around 10% is often already added to the bill, so check first; if it is not, leaving about 10% for good service is common. Rounding up is fine for taxis and cafes, and small tips for hotel staff and guides are welcome.

Georgia is generally affordable for travellers, with good value on food, wine and local transport. Tbilisi and beach-season Batumi are pricier than smaller towns and rural areas. You can eat very well for little at local eateries and bakeries, and famous Georgian wine is inexpensive by international standards.

Georgia has a Tax Free (VAT refund) scheme for foreign visitors on eligible purchases above a minimum amount from participating shops. Ask for a tax-free receipt when you buy, then get customs validation and claim your refund when you leave the country, within the required time limit. Keep the goods, receipts and forms together for inspection.