Is Tbilisi Expensive to Visit in 2024?
Are you considering traveling to Tbilisi and Georgia as a destination but wondering how expensive it is and how much to budget for your travel? This post covers everything you need to know regarding the cost of travel in Tbilisi as a tourist – from accommodation, to dining out as well as attractions and things to do.
Is Tbilisi cheap for tourists?
I recently spent a week traveling across Georgia, spending 5 days in Tbilisi and found that visiting Tbilisi is surprisingly affordable. Out of a lot places I have traveled to in Europe post pandemic, Tbilisi and Georgia is general still felt like one of those rare places where your your dollar (or pounds in my case) still goes a long way compared to other destinations.
However not everything is necessarily cheap in Tbilisi, but there are ways to maximise your travel experience without spending large, in this post we will cover just that.
Is Tbilisi expensive to visit?
I wasn’t sure what to expect when first arriving in Tbilisi, however to my pleasant surprise, Tbilisi and Georgia in general are a bery affordable destination, especially compared to Western Europe.
On average, as a tourist you can expect to spend about 150–300 GEL ($50–$110 USD) per day to cover daily costs and activities as a tourist.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 20–50 GEL ($7–$18 USD), while mid-range dining for two is typically 80–180 GEL ($28–$65 USD). Public transportation is very cheap, with a metro ride costing 1 GEL ($0.35 USD), and taxis averaging 5–15 GEL ($1.80–$5 USD) for short distances. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels at 40–70 GEL ($14–$25 USD) per night to mid-range hotels for 200–400 GEL ($70–$140 USD). Essentials like groceries and utilities are also reasonably priced, making Tbilisi an attractive destination for budget-conscious travelers and expats.
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 –
1 Georgian Lari (GEL) to US Dollar (USD): Approximately $0.37 USD/ £0.29 GB
Cost of Accommodation in 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 a lot cheaper than expected, compared to the rest of Europe.
Below is an approximate guide to prices for accommodation.
Budget Tier (Hostels & Guesthouses):
Price: 20 to 50 GEL per night ($7–$18 USD)
These are ideal if you’re on a budget and looking to cover basic amenities. In fact one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at was in Tbilisi – Fabrika, also famously known as a old Soviet ers sewing factory which in recent times has been converted into a trendy hostel, in a stylish, urban area which is part of a budding creative community in Tbilisi.
Mid-Range Tier (Hotels & Airbnb):
Price: About 100 to 250 GEL per night ($36–$90 USD)
Perfect if you’re looking for more comfort and a range of amenities like private bathrooms and central locations in the Old Town of Tbilisi.
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 easily one of the highlights of visiting the city. With so much great food to try. Check out our in depth guide here on Georgian foods to try and the cost of eating out in Georgia.
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 $30. Our dinner hosted at the winery, included an astonishing variety of 10 plus homemade appetizers and dishes plus wine to share.
- Nonetheless if you are looking for some modern George and cuisine/ fine dining there are plenty of excellent options to try in Tbilisi.
How much is a glass of wine in Tbilisi
Tipping is not customary is Georgia, as such the prices you see on the menu are typically what you will find on the total bill with no additional amounts added.
Cost of a wine in Georgia: A glass of wine typically cost between 10 to 15 GEL at most wine bars I visited in Tbilisi.
Cost of wine tasting in Tbilisi: Firstly a wine tasting in Tbilisi is perhaps slightly cheaper than one in the wine region which is typically done at the winery itself. In Tbilisi at a bar you can expect to spend about US$ 10 – 30 (30 – 90 GEL) for a wine tasting which typically will cover 3 – 6 wines. With a wine tasting typically costing about
Georgian’s pride themselves for Georgian wine, and rightly so! Georgia is famous for being the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence indicating winemaking in the country which dates back to around 8000 BC! Georgian wine in often produce in large clay vessels known as qvei, which are buried underground for fermentation and aging.
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 Tbilsi
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
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 100 GEL ($7–$35 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 own 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 in Tbilisi to choose from. 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.
Are you heading to Tbilisi? Check out other useful guides on Tbilisi below
