Are you considering traveling to Tbilisi but wondering how expensive it is and how much to budget for your trip?

I recently spent a week traveling across Georgia, covering Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Sighnaghi and Kakheti as well as Kazbegi. Out of a lot places I have traveled to in Europe post pandemic, Georgia is one of those rare countries where the dollar (or pounds in my case) still goes a long way.

However not everything is necessarily cheap in Georgia and Tbilisi, but there are ways to maximise your travel experience without spending a lot, in this post we will cover just how expensive Tbilisi is, what you can expect to spend and how to maximise your experience on a budget.

At-a-Glance: Daily Costs in Tbilisi
• Budget: $30–45 per day
• Mid-range: $60–90 per day
• Comfortable: $100–150 per day
(This covers a hotel, meals, and local transport. Day trips, wine tastings or splurges will push it higher.)

Is Tbilisi expensive to visit?

No, Tbilisi is generally an affordable travel destination, especially when compared to places in Western Europe and North America. On average you can expect to spend about $70–$120 per day, covering accommodation, meals, transport, and activities, making Tbilisi a great budget friendly destination.

For more on must see places, food and hidden gems in Tbilisi, check out my Tbilisi Itinerary guide.

How expensive is Tbilisi, Georgia to visit?

On average you can expect to spend about $70–$120 per day in Tbilisi, Georgia. Covering accommodation, meals, transport, and activities, making it a great budget friendly destination.

• Food: Budget meals cost GEL 20–50 ($7–$18), while mid-range dining for two costs GEL 80–180 ($28–$65).
• Transport: Metro rides cost just GEL 1 ($0.35), and taxis for short distances range from GEL 5–15 ($1.80–$5).
• Accommodation: Budget hostels start at GEL 40–70 ($14–$25) per night, and mid-range hotels range from GEL 200–400 ($70–$140).
• Other Expenses: Essentials like groceries and utilities are also reasonably priced.

Daily Costs Compared: Tbilisi vs Other Cities in Georgia

Tbilisi is usually the most expensive overall, Batumi can be slightly cheaper outside of summer, and Kutaisi is the most affordable year-round.
• Tbilisi — Budget $30–45 | Mid-range $60–90 | Comfortable $100–150
• Batumi — Budget $25–40 | Mid-range $55–85 | Comfortable $95–140
• Kutaisi — Budget $20–35 | Mid-range $50–75 | Comfortable $90–120

Currency in Georgia 

The local currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL). It is abbreviated as GE. The rates can fluctuate over time but were approximately as follows at the time of the post – 

One Georgian Lari (GEL) = $0.37 USD/ £0.29 GB

Cost of Accommodation in Georgia and Tbilisi

This can vary widely, based on whether you want to go budget or splash out on a nice hotel. One thing is for sure: I found accommodation in Tbilisi, and in fact most of Georgia, to be much cheaper than the rest of Europe.

• Budget: Fabrika Hostel — from $7–18/night. A Soviet-era sewing factory turned creative hub and one of the most unique hostels I’ve ever stayed at.
• Mid-range: Shota @ Rustaveli Boutique Hotel and IOTA Hotel Tbilisi — around $36–90/night. Both offer comfort, style, and central locations.
• Luxury/Boutique: Stamba Hotel and Tiflis Palace — from $110+. Perfect if you want design-forward or romantic Old Town stays.

Not sure where to base yourself? Compare neighborhoods in my Where to Stay in Tbilisi guide.

Below is an approximate guide to prices for accommodation.

Budget Tier (Hostels & Guesthouses):

Price: 20 to 50 GEL per night ($7–$18 USD)

Mid-Range Tier (Hotels & Airbnb):

Price: About 100 to 250 GEL per night ($36–$90 USD)

High-End Tier (Luxury Hotels & Boutique Stays):

Price: About 300 GEL and up per night ($110 USD and above)

Prices can also largely vary depending on the time of year, with peak season (spring and autumn) generally being more expensive than off-season months.

I personally spent about $20 pp (50 GEL) per night for a hostel for the first two nights, then about $60 (150 GEL) per night per person for a nicer hotel.

Dining and Food Expenses 

As a foodie, eating out in Tbilisi was a highlight. With so much good food to try, most meals felt like amazing value.

• Budget dining: $5–10 per person for hearty meals at local eateries (khachapuri, khinkali).
• Mid-range restaurants: $10–25 per person, usually with shared plates and wine.
• Upscale dining: $30+ per person at modern Georgian restaurants or for wine-paired tasting menus.

Want to taste it all in one go? Book this highly recommended Tbilisi food & culture walking tour by Wander & Savour.

I have also detailed here the must-try local Georgian dishes + the cost of eating out in Georgia based on my trip.

How much does a meal cost in Tbilisi?

Budget Dining (US$5 to $10 per person)

• You can  easily enjoy a hearty meals at local eateries for just $5 to $10 per person. This would typically cover 1-2 dishes, perhaps extra for drinks or wine. Many casual eateries do the iconic Geoorgian dishes of like khachapuri and khinkali at prices that won’t dent your wallet.

Mid Range Restaurant (US$10 to $25 per person):

• Mid-range restaurants are a great balance between price and experience. Most meals I had in Georgia, fell into this range. The meals would typically cover a few dishes to share with a drink.
• I found most dishes and menus in Georgia are designed to be shared, which I love, because it allows you to try much more variety of dishes. 

High-End Dining (US$30 + per person):

• If you’re looking to splurge, Georgia’s upscale dining is worth it. I can’t say I ate I ate too many such meals. 
• Instead of eating out at a high end restaurant we actually opted to spend more on doing an immersive wine tasting and dining experience at a local vineyard hosted by the owner of the winery – all up this was probably our most expensive meal and cost us just over $30. Our dinner hosted at the winery, included an astonishing variety of 10 plus homemade appetizers and dishes plus wine to share.
• Nonetheless if you are looking for some modern George and cuisine/  fine dining there are plenty of excellent options to try in Tbilisi.

Tipping is not customary is Georgia, as such the prices you see on the menu are typically what you will find on the total bill with no additional amounts added. 

How much is a glass of wine in Georgia

Cost of a wine in Georgia: A glass of wine typically cost between 10 to 15 GEL at most wine bars I visited in Tbilisi. 

Georgian’s pride themselves for Georgian wine, and rightly so! Georgia is famous for being the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence indicating winemaking around 8000 BC.

Look out for ‘qveri’ wine on menu, this is traditional Georgian wine produced in large clay vessels known as qvevri. These are buried underground for fermentation and aging, giving the wine a deeper, richer colour and taste. 

Curious about Georgia’s qvevri wines? Join a traditional wine tasting in Tbilisi

How much is a pint of beer in Tbilisi?

The cost of a pint of beer in Tbilis is about USD $1.5 – 3 (4 – 10 GEL) if ordering at a local bar or pub in Tbilisi. Prices can be slightly higher in Old Town. 

As for craft beers and speciality bars, beers here can be priced slightly higher around US$3-5 (7 – 14 GEL).

Cost of Transportation in Tbilisi

Getting around Tbilisi is easy and affordable, probably more so than most other cities in Europe. If you’re looking for public transport options, there are local city buses, the metro, and the cable car. All of which are budget-friendly. A one-way ticket on public transport costs just 1 GEL (around $0.35 USD), while a ride on the cable car is about 2.5 GEL ($0.90 USD). 

Taxis and ridehares like Bolt operate within the city and usually cost between 5 and 15 GEL ($2–$5 USD). I was amazed with how quick and cheap these were. I would highly recommend this option especially if you are with a group of people, its much easier to just get a Bolt to get around.

If however you plan to mostly utilize public transport, than I would recommend getting the Metromoney card, which simplifies payment and can be purchased for 2 GEL ($0.72 USD) at any metro station or ticket office.

Cost of Sightseeing in Tbilisi and Georgia

Tbilisi is rich in history and culture and there is much to see by way of museums, and unique  attractions, many of which are affordable or even free to visit.

Entry fees for popular attractions like the Narikala Fortress are typically free, while places such as the sulfur baths may cost anywhere from 20 to 200 GEL ($7–$70 USD), depending on the level of service you are looking for. 

Museums typically charge an entrance fee of 5 to 15 GEL, with the Georgian National Museum being the main and largest museum worth checking out.

Nonetheless, I dont think you need to spend much to actually enjoy Tbilisi, with plenty of free things to do like wandering the Old Town, taking in the sights of Rike Park, or hiking up Sololaki Hill for panoramic views.

My personal recommendations are:

1) Free Tbilisi Walking tour 

I love doing walking tours to orient around a new city and Tbilisi with its rich history is no exception. I highly recommend using FreeTour.com to book a tour. We booked a free walking tour with View Tours Georgia led by Teko.

She not only covered a lot of fascinating history but has great recommendations of things to see and do around town. We also got a free wine tasting as part of the tour! 10/10 

Although free, we tipped the customary amount of about EUR 10 (30 GEL) per person. 

2) Museum of Soviet Occupation

This museum is in fact part of the larger Georgian National Museum at 3 Shota Rustaveli Avenue, this museum documents Georgia’s experience under Soviet rule from 1921 to 1991. The exhibits include photographs, documents, and personal stories highlighting the struggles and resistance during this period.Highly recommend it as a small museum, when you have an hour to spare and want a good history lesson.

Hours: Typically open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but it’s advisable to check the latest schedule before visiting.

3) Stalin’s Underground Printing House Museum

This place is unreal. 100% recommend it for the ‘in character’ guides who welcomed us and oriented us around the place.

This is the actual home of the underground tunnel and printing room where Stalin produced his  anti-Tsarist propaganda in the early 1900s. They have really kept the vibe and aesthetic as true as possible in this day and age, which really adds to the character of the place. 

Admission Fee: Admission is technically free, although before going I had read that the museum operates on a tip basis – about 10 GEL per person. We tried to tip but this as not accepted. Nonetheless, best to check online before going and keep a small amount aside for tips. 

Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, however best to confirm the current hours before visiting.

Shopping and Souvenir Prices 

Souvenir and gift shopping is highly affordable with there being plenty of markets and local shops, especially in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Georgia is also know for it  ceramics, and textiles which are often sold at local markets and artisan shops.

However, I was limited with what weight I could carry, so I stuck to food and drink items. Some good options are – 

Traditional Georgian Wine: A must-have souvenir, with bottles ranging from 20 to 100 GEL ($7 to $35 USD). I would recommend specialty shops like Vinotheca or Karalashvili for authentic local selections.

Minankari Jewelry: Traditional enamel jewelry priced between 50 and 500 GEL ($18 to $180 USD).  A great place for quality handcrafted choices is Ethno Design or Gallery 27.

Churchkhela: A tasty Georgian sweet, available for 3 to 5 GEL ($1 to $1.80 USD) each. You can pretty much fine these at any local market or shop. These looks odd, like candle wax, but trust me its all edible and delicious! With the outside being a thin layer of dried fruits surrounding chopped walnuts on the inside. 

So is Georgia Expensive to visit in 2025?

No, Georgia is an affordable travel destination, especially compared to Western Europe and North America. As a traveler, you can expect to spend about $40–$100 per day, covering accommodation, meals, transport, and activities.

• Accommodation: Budget options start at GEL 30–70 ($11–$25) per night, while mid-range hotels range from GEL 150–350 ($55–$130).
• Food: Local meals cost GEL 15–40 ($5–$15), and mid-range dining for two is GEL 80–180 ($28–$65).
• Transport: Public transportation is cheap, with metro and bus fares at GEL 1 ($0.35) and taxis ranging from GEL 5–20 ($2–$7).
• Attractions: Many cultural sites and natural landmarks are free or low-cost, with museum entry typically GEL 5–15 ($2–$6).

Georgia, outside of Tbilisi is generally even more cheaper, especially when it comes to spending on accommodation and food.

Ready to Book Your Trip?

• Compare hotels in Tbilisi →
• Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups →
• Join a food or wine tour in Tbilisi →

Don’t miss my related guides:

• Where to Stay in Tbilisi
• Food Prices in Georgia
• Tbilisi Itinerary

FAQs About Costs in Tbilisi

Are you heading to Tbilisi? Check out other useful guides on Tbilisi below

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