Mobile Internet in Georgia – How to choose a SIM Card

Mobile internet in Georgia is among the cheapest in Europe. Unlimited 4G for a month costs around 12 $ when you buy a local SIM card from a city store. Three operators share the market – Magti, Silknet (formerly Geocell), and Cellfie (formerly Beeline) – and the gap between them matters more than you might expect. eSIM is also available from both local carriers and international providers. Here is a breakdown of every option with prices and hidden pitfalls.

Key takeaways:

• Best coverage goes to Magti: reliable signal in the mountains of Svaneti, along the Georgian Military Highway, and in most remote villages
• Cheapest plans come from Cellfie: 10 GB for roughly 2 $ via the app, but coverage drops sharply outside major cities
• Airport SIM cards cost 2–3× more than the same plans in city stores – wait if you can
• You need your passport to buy a physical SIM – no exceptions
• eSIM can be activated before departure – starting from 2 $ for 1 GB, setup takes about 2 minutes
• 5G is live in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, though coverage is still patchy
• Wi-Fi is available in virtually every café and hotel, but speeds vary widely

Georgia has three mobile operators, and the choice boils down to a simple trade-off: pay slightly more for reliability, or save money and deal with coverage gaps.

Magti (MagtiCom) is the largest carrier with roughly 1.8 million subscribers. It claims 4G/4.5G/5G coverage across 99% of the populated territory. In practice, Magti holds a signal even on mountain passes, on the road to Kazbegi, and deep into Svaneti. Most expats and locals use Magti. A SIM card costs 10 GEL (≈ 4 $), eSIM the same. Unlimited data for 30 days runs 32 GEL (≈ 12 $). One downside is aggressive SMS spam – dial *182# immediately after purchase to opt out.

Silknet (formerly Geocell) is the second-largest operator with 1.6 million subscribers. It was the first to launch 5G in central Tbilisi. Urban coverage rivals Magti, but remote areas – especially Upper Svaneti and around Vardzia – can be unreliable. SIM card costs 5 GEL (≈ 2 $). Tourist package: 4 GB + unlimited calls/SMS + 15 minutes of international calls for 15 days at 15 GEL (≈ 6 $).

Cellfie (formerly Beeline) is the budget option with 1.1 million subscribers. App-exclusive deals offer 10 GB for just 5 GEL (≈ 2 $), making it the cheapest on the market. SIM card costs 1–3 GEL. However, 4G coverage is noticeably weaker: outside Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, the signal often drops to Edge. Not recommended for mountain travel.

*via the app, **Cellfie unlimited requires linking a payment card in the app

(Updated: February 2026)

All three operators have kiosks in the arrivals hall at Tbilisi International Airport, Kutaisi International Airport, and Batumi International Airport. They operate 24/7. However, airport packages cost 1.5–3× more than equivalent plans in city stores. For example, the Magti tourist package at the airport is 30 GEL for 3 GB + calls, while in a city store you can get a SIM (10 GEL) plus 5 GB (12 GEL) for a better deal overall.

Tip: If you need internet right away, use airport Wi-Fi to call a ride through Bolt, then buy your SIM in the city. Airport Wi-Fi tends to work better in the departures hall.

Magti, Silknet, and Cellfie stores line the main streets of every major city. In Tbilisi, flagship stores are located on Rustaveli Avenue. Setup takes about 5 minutes – just bring your passport. Staff at city stores generally speak good English.

Important: There are no Magti stores in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) or Mestia. If you are heading there directly from the airport, buy your SIM before leaving or use an eSIM.

SIM cards are also sold at Carrefour and Goodwill supermarkets, as well as smaller shops. However, plan options tend to be limited, and staff may not assist with setup.

If your smartphone supports eSIM, you have two paths: a local eSIM from a Georgian carrier, or an international eSIM from a third-party provider.

Magti and Cellfie offer eSIM. Magti charges the same as a physical SIM – 10 GEL. Cellfie sells eSIM for 5 GEL with remote purchase available through their website. The advantage is a Georgian phone number and access to local rates. The drawback – Magti eSIM still requires a store visit with your passport.

Convenient because it activates before departure. Prices start at around 2 $ for 1 GB, but for comparable data volumes, international eSIM is significantly more expensive than a local SIM. The trade-off is zero paperwork, no store hunting, and instant connectivity when your plane lands.

When eSIM makes more sense than a local SIM:

• short trips (1–3 days) where time savings outweigh cost savings
• your phone is locked to a specific carrier
• you are transiting through multiple countries (regional eSIM package)
• you want to keep your home number active (eSIM runs in parallel with your main SIM)

When a local SIM is cheaper:

• trips of 5 days or longer
• you need large data volumes or unlimited plans
• you plan to make local calls

Below is a comparison of eSIM plans from verified providers. All prices are for local coverage in Georgia.

(Updated: February 2026)

The most budget-friendly eSIM is Esim4travel: 1 GB for 1.79 $ or 10 GB for 16 $. For unlimited data without visiting a store, Yesim charges 54 $ for 30 days. For comparison, Magti's local unlimited plan is 32 GEL (≈ 12 $) – roughly 4× cheaper. Airalo is the only eSIM provider in this list offering plans with voice calls, which is useful if you need a Georgian number without visiting a store.

For more on how eSIM works and which phones are compatible, see our guide What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work.

In Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, all three operators deliver stable 4G/LTE. Download speeds typically range from 20–50 Mbps, sufficient for video calls, streaming, and map loading. 5G is available in spots across central areas of these cities, but widespread coverage is still some way off.

The real challenges begin outside major cities. On the Georgian Military Highway (from Tbilisi to Kazbegi), Magti maintains signal almost continuously, Silknet drops in deep gorges, and Cellfie may disappear entirely on certain stretches. In Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli), Magti and Silknet work in populated areas, but on mountain trails leading to Chalaadi Glacier or Koruldi Lakes, no operator will have signal.

Practical tip: Download offline maps in Google Maps or Maps.me before your trip – they will save you repeatedly in the mountains.

Kakheti (Telavi, Sighnaghi) offers good coverage from all operators, with occasional drops along the Gombori Pass. In Borjomi and Bakuriani, stable 4G is available from Magti and Silknet.

Free Wi-Fi is available at virtually all hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and cafés. In Tbilisi and Batumi, quality is generally acceptable at 10–30 Mbps. But in mountain village guesthouses, speeds can drop to 1–2 Mbps, especially in the evening when all guests connect at once.

In the Tbilisi metro, mobile signal can be patchy – it drops in tunnels but recovers at stations. There is no metro Wi-Fi.

Public Wi-Fi security deserves attention. If you are using banking apps or handling personal data, use a VPN. Learn more in our article Why eSIM Is Safer Than Public Wi-Fi.

• Check balance: *100# (Magti, Silknet) or *110# (Cellfie)
• Disable Magti SMS spam: *182#
• Top-up: via MyMagti / MySilknet / Cellfie apps, TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia terminals, or cash in-store
• APN: usually configured automatically when the SIM is inserted. If not, ask at the store

1. Which operator is best for tourists in Georgia? Magti. It provides the widest coverage nationwide, including mountain areas and Svaneti. A SIM card costs 10 GEL (≈ 4 $), and unlimited data for a month is 32 GEL (≈ 12 $). Cellfie is cheaper but unreliable outside major cities.

2. Can I buy a SIM card at the airport at night? Yes, Magti, Silknet, and Cellfie kiosks in the arrivals area of Tbilisi International Airport are open 24/7. However, prices are higher than in city stores – the same data volume will cost 1.5–3× more.

3. Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card? Yes, a passport is required for purchasing a physical SIM or local eSIM. International eSIM providers (Airalo, Esim4travel, Saily) do not require ID documents.

4. Is eSIM worth it instead of a local SIM? It depends on trip length. For 1–3 days, eSIM is more convenient since there is no need to find a store. For a week or longer, a local SIM is 2–3× cheaper per gigabyte. For example, 10 GB from Esim4travel costs 16 $, while 20 GB from Magti costs just 6 $.

5. Is there internet in the mountains of Georgia? In populated areas (Kazbegi, Mestia, Ushguli) – yes, though quality depends on the operator. Magti is the most reliable. On mountain trails and passes, signal may be unavailable from any operator. Download offline maps in advance.

For most travelers, the best approach is buying a Magti SIM card at a city store (not the airport) and loading a 5–20 GB plan for 12–15 GEL. If you need internet from the moment you land or prefer not to swap SIM cards, go with an international eSIM – but expect to pay 2–4× more for the convenience. For short trips, Esim4travel offers the best value among eSIM providers.

Read also:

• Travel Insurance for Georgia – What You Need to Know
• What to See in Tbilisi in 1, 2, and 3 Days
• eSIM Providers for Travel: Which One Offers the Best Value?
• How to Choose an eSIM Based on Trip Length

Sources:

1. MagtiCom – tourist SIM card plans
2. Silknet – mobile packages
3. Cellfie – tariff plans
4. National Bank of Georgia – exchange rates
5. Georgian Communications Commission – telecom operators