10 Things to Know Before You Travel to Georgia

1. Insurance is now mandatory

Since 1 January 2026 every visitor needs health and accident cover of at least 30,000 GEL for the whole stay, in English or Georgian.

Taxi drivers at the airport ask several times the app price. With Bolt or Yandex Go you see the fare before you ride.

Every price is in lari. When a card terminal or ATM offers your home currency, refuse it and pay in lari.

One tap of a contactless card gives you 90 minutes on metro and buses. The airport bus 337 costs the same.

At a feast the toastmaster leads long toasts. You do not have to finish every glass; a sip is polite.

Women cover their hair and wear a skirt, men wear long trousers. Wraps are usually lent at the door.

Start hikes early, carry a warm layer and do not rely on phone signal in remote valleys.

Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region are occupied. Entering them from Russia is illegal under Georgian law.

Tbilisi–Batumi trains sell out in July and August. Buy on tkt.ge a few days ahead.

Gamarjoba (hello) and madloba (thank you) will open many doors and smiles.