Georgia

Indian passport holders can visit Georgia visa-free if they hold a valid visa or permanent residence permit from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, or an EU/Schengen country. For travelers without a qualifying OECD visa, a Georgian e-Visa must be applied for online in advance at evisa.gov.ge. Important entry regulations: all tourists visiting Georgia are required to possess valid travel health and accident insurance covering a minimum of 30,000 GEL (approximately INR 9,00,000) for the full duration of their stay. You must also carry a printed confirmed return ticket, hotel voucher, and proof of funds (cash in USD/EUR or credit card statements).

The best times to visit Georgia are spring (May to June) and autumn (September to October). Spring offers lush green landscapes and mild temperatures ideal for sightseeing in Tbilisi and day trips to Kakheti wine country. Autumn, particularly September and October, is widely considered the finest season, coinciding with the grape harvest (Rtveli) and offering stunning foliage. Summer (July to August) can be hot in Tbilisi (above 35 degrees C) but is excellent for mountain trekking in Svaneti and Kazbegi. Winter is ideal for skiing at Gudauri and Bakuriani resorts.

The official currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL). The Lari is the only legal tender for everyday transactions. US Dollars and Euros are widely recognised and can be exchanged at banks and licensed exchange offices in city centres; airport exchange rates are typically less favourable. Card payments (Visa and Mastercard) are standard in Tbilisi and Batumi restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. Cash is essential in rural areas, marshrutka (minibus) rides, small guesthouses, and village markets. ATMs are readily available in all major cities.

Georgia has several transport options. Comfortable trains operated by Georgian Railway connect Tbilisi to Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, and Gori. For shorter intercity journeys, marshrutkas (shared minibuses) depart from fixed stations and are the most affordable option. For mountain regions like Svaneti, Tusheti, and Kazbegi, private transfers or 4x4 vehicle hire is strongly recommended. In Tbilisi, the metro is clean and efficient; the Metromoney card covers metro and bus travel. The Bolt ride-hailing app is widely used for taxis in cities and is far more reliable than hailing street cabs.

Georgian is the official language and uses its own unique ancient script. Russian is understood by many older residents due to the Soviet era, but is increasingly giving way to English among younger Georgians and those in the hospitality and tourism industry. In Tbilisi and Batumi, English signage and English-speaking staff are common in hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites. Outside major cities, a translation app is helpful. Learning basic phrases such as Gamarjoba (Hello) and Madloba (Thank you) is greatly appreciated by locals.

Georgian cuisine is celebrated worldwide and is central to the country's identity. Must-try dishes include khachapuri (bread filled with cheese and egg, especially the Adjaruli boat-shaped variant), khinkali (juicy spiced meat or vegetable soup dumplings), badrijani nigvzit (fried aubergine with walnut paste), and churchkhela (grape and walnut candy). Georgia is one of the oldest wine-producing nations in the world with an 8,000-year winemaking history, famous for amber (orange) wines fermented in underground clay vessels called qvevri. The Kakheti region east of Tbilisi is the wine heartland and is an easy day trip or weekend destination.

Georgia is generally very safe for tourists, including solo travelers and families. Crime rates are low and Georgians are known for exceptional hospitality. Standard travel precautions apply: be mindful of road safety when self-driving on mountain roads, use the Bolt app rather than unsolicited taxis, and keep belongings secure in crowded markets. Check your government's latest travel advisory, particularly regarding the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, which are controlled by Russian-backed authorities and are not safe to visit.

Top destinations include Tbilisi (the capital, famous for its old town, sulfur bathhouses, Narikala fortress, and vibrant food scene), Mtskheta (the ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site), Kazbegi or Stepantsminda (offering iconic views of the Gergeti Trinity Church against Mount Kazbek), the Kakheti wine region, Svaneti (a remote mountainous region with medieval tower villages), Batumi on the Black Sea coast, Kutaisi (home to the UNESCO-listed Bagrati Cathedral and proximity to Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon), and Vardzia cave monastery.

Indian passport holders can visit Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days under the current bilateral agreement. You simply need a valid Indian passport (at least six months validity beyond the date of entry), proof of accommodation, a return or onward travel ticket, and sufficient funds for the duration of stay. From January 2026, you also need to have valid travel health and accident insurance covering a minimum of 30,000 GEL. Always verify the latest visa policy at geoconsul.gov.ge before booking.

Mobile data coverage in Tbilisi and major cities is excellent, with 4G widely available. In remote mountain areas like upper Svaneti and Tusheti, coverage can be limited or non-existent, so download offline maps before heading into the mountains. Local SIM cards from providers such as Magti, Geocell (Silknet), and Beeline are inexpensive and can be purchased at the airport or in the city. Most hotels, cafes, and restaurants in Tbilisi and Batumi offer free Wi-Fi.

A minimum of 7 to 10 days is recommended to experience Georgia's main highlights including Tbilisi and its surroundings, at least one mountain region (Kazbegi or Svaneti), the Kakheti wine country, and Kutaisi with its nearby natural wonders. For a more immersive experience covering the Black Sea coast, cave cities like Vardzia, and Borjomi national park, 14 days is ideal. Georgia rewards slow travel and unhurried exploration.

Georgia is a predominantly Orthodox Christian country and its churches are active places of worship. Women must cover their heads and shoulders when entering Orthodox churches; many churches provide shawls or capes at the entrance. Men should remove hats inside. Dress modestly at religious sites. The Supra (traditional Georgian feast) is a sacred social institution, and if invited to one, it is considered impolite to refuse food or the toasts made by the Tamada (toastmaster). Photography inside some churches may require permission.

Georgia has diverse microclimates due to its geography. Tbilisi has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers (35 to 40 degrees C in July and August) and cold winters (occasional snow). The Black Sea coast (Batumi) is subtropical and very wet year-round. The high Caucasus mountains have alpine climates with snow from October through April. Eastern Georgia (Kakheti) is warmer and drier, making it ideal for vineyards.

Yes, tap water is generally clean and safe to drink throughout Georgia, including Tbilisi, Batumi, and mountain regions. The water originates from mountain springs and glacial sources and is rigorously monitored. Bottled still and carbonated natural mineral waters (such as Borjomi and Nabeghlavi) are widely available and popular.

The single emergency number across Georgia is 112, which connects callers to Police, Ambulance, and Fire and Rescue services. Calls to 112 are free 24/7 from any mobile phone or landline, even without a SIM card installed or with a zero credit balance. Operators can assist in Georgian, English, and Russian.

Tourists can drive in Georgia using a valid domestic driving license written in Latin script (English). Carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national license is strongly recommended for seamless car rentals and police checkpoints. Traffic drives on the right side of the road. Mountain roads like the Georgian Military Highway require confident driving and winter tires from November to April.

Prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs can be purchased upon arrival at Tbilisi, Kutaisi, or Batumi International Airports and at official operator stores in city centres. The leading mobile operators are Magti and Silknet (Geocell), which offer excellent 4G coverage across cities and major mountain tourist corridors. Passport registration is legally required at the time of purchase.

Georgia uses European standard Type C and Type F round two-pin plugs operating on 220 volts at 50 Hz. Travelers from countries using Type G (UK) or Type A/B (US/Japan) will need a standard European two-pin travel plug adapter.

Tipping is increasingly common in Georgia, particularly in Tbilisi and tourist centres. Many upscale restaurants add a 10 to 18 percent service charge to the final bill. If no service charge is included, leaving a 10 percent cash tip for good service is standard. For taxi drivers booked through the Bolt app, rounding up or tipping via the app is appreciated.

Georgia enforces strict regulations on importing pharmaceuticals. Certain common over-the-counter painkillers, sleeping pills, and medications containing codeine, pseudoephedrine, or tramadol are strictly controlled or prohibited. Always carry prescription medicines in their original packaging accompanied by an official doctor prescription translated into English or Georgian.