A week in Georgia costs between $350 on a tight backpacker budget and $1,200 for comfortable mid-range travel – flights excluded. Two weeks of backpacking can be done for $650-700, while a mid-range traveler should expect $1,400-1,700. Below are exact figures for every expense category and three ready-made budget scenarios.
Key facts:
- Currency – Georgian Lari (GEL). February 2026 rate: 1 $ ≈ 2.68 GEL.
- Visa – check visa requirements for your nationality. Many passport holders enjoy visa-free entry for up to one year.
- Lunch at a local café costs $5-10, while a full dinner for two with wine runs $25-40.
- Hostels start at $7/night for a dorm bed; guesthouses at $15-25 for a private room.
- Marshrutkas (intercity minibuses) cost $3-10; ride-hailing apps charge $2-5 within cities.
- Car rental through Localrent starts at $25-35/day, often cheaper than taxis for day trips.
- Travel insurance through EKTA starts at $7/week – Insurance is mandatory. Border guards may require you to show it upon entering the country.
Accommodation: where the real savings are
Accommodation is the biggest expense in Georgia – and the biggest opportunity to save. Prices vary dramatically by city, season, and format.
In Tbilisi, hostel dorms run $7-15/night and private guesthouse rooms $15-30. A three-star hotel in the center costs $40-70. Batumi prices spike 20-30% during summer beach season but drop 30-40% in winter.
In Kutaisi and smaller towns (Mtskheta, Sighnaghi), guesthouses with breakfast go for $12-20. Hosts often include homemade meals, which genuinely cuts your food bill.
Book through Booking.com or Trip.com for the widest selection and verified reviews.
Tip: if staying 10+ days in one location, negotiate a discount directly with guesthouse owners. A 15-20% reduction is standard for longer stays.
(Updated: February 2026)
Food: $5-15 per day is realistic
Georgian food is among the best in the region – and still remarkably affordable. Khinkali cost $0.45-0.95 each (minimum order of 5), and khachapuri runs $2-5 depending on size. That's a filling lunch for $3-5.
A sit-down lunch at a local café costs $5-10. Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant with wine comes to $25-40 – an extraordinary amount of food by Western standards.
Self-catering is even cheaper: bread $0.35-0.55, tomatoes $0.75-1.80/kg, local cheese $4.50-7.50/kg, a decent bottle of wine $4-6.
(Updated: February 2026)
Transport: marshrutkas, ride-hailing, and car rental
Public transport in Tbilisi means metro ($0.37, Metromoney card) and buses. Marshrutkas are the backbone of intercity travel: Tbilisi – Batumi costs $8-12, Tbilisi – Kutaisi $4-6, Tbilisi – Kazbegi $4-5.
Ride-hailing apps charge $2-5 per city ride. Airport to downtown Tbilisi runs $8-10.
Car rental makes sense for mountain routes – Kazbegi, Mestia, Tusheti. Localrent or EconomyBookings offer cars from $25-35/day. Gasoline costs $1.10-1.30/liter. For two travelers, renting often beats the combined cost of tours and marshrutkas, with complete freedom.
Pre-book airport transfers through KiwiTaxi or Welcome Pickups for fixed pricing and meet-and-greet service.
Sightseeing and activities
Most monasteries and fortresses in Georgia are free. Narikala Fortress, Old Tbilisi, Bridge of Peace, Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – no entrance fee.
Paid attractions: Prometheus Cave $5-7, sulfur baths in Abanotubani $5-25 (shared / private room), funicular to Mtatsminda Mountain $3-5.
Group tours through GetYourGuide or Viator: Kakheti wine tour with tasting $18-25, day trip to Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church $20-30. Private guide for a full day runs $80-150.
Budget $5-15/day for activities on a backpacker trip, $15-30/day for mid-range.
Connectivity
eSIM is the most convenient option if your phone supports it – activate before departure and connect instantly upon landing at Tbilisi International Airport. Providers like Airalo, Saily, or Yesim offer plans from $5-8 for 1-3 GB per week. Compare providers in our eSIM provider comparison guide.
A local SIM card (Magti, Geocell) costs $5-8 with a data package and requires your passport to purchase.
Insurance
Travel insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. A doctor's visit without coverage can cost $50-200. Through EKTA, basic coverage starts at $7/week, extended at $12. If planning treks to Chalaadi Glacier or Koruldi Lakes, get a policy covering active recreation (from $37).
Total budget scenarios (flights excluded)
Note: add flight costs to these totals. International carriers offer direct and connecting flights to Tbilisi. Low-cost airlines sometimes fly into Kutaisi for less.
Where to save (and where not to)
Save on accommodation (guesthouses over hotels), transport (marshrutkas over taxis), and alcohol (market wine at $2-3/liter instead of restaurant markup).
Do not save on food – Georgian cuisine is already cheap, and skipping restaurants defeats half the purpose of visiting. Also avoid skimping on insurance and reliable internet – mountain areas have patchy coverage, and hiking to Gergeti Trinity Church without navigation is a gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much money do I need for a week in Georgia? Minimum $220-340 backpacking (hostels, street food, marshrutkas). Comfortable travel with guesthouses, restaurants, and tours: $570-920. All figures exclude flights.
2. What currency does Georgia use and where should I exchange money? Georgian Lari (GEL). February 2026 rate: approximately 2.68 GEL per $1. Exchange at banks and exchange offices in Tbilisi for better rates than the airport. Major international credit cards work in cities but carry cash for rural areas.
3. Is Georgia expensive for tourists? Affordable by European standards, though no longer ultra-budget – prices have risen in recent years. Comparable to the Balkans – cheaper than Croatia, roughly on par with Montenegro. Significantly cheaper than Western Europe.
4. Do I need travel insurance for Georgia? Not officially required, but highly recommended. An uninsured doctor's visit costs from $50. Policies through EKTA start at $7/week. Active recreation coverage is essential for mountain treks.
5. What budget should I plan for 14 days in Georgia? Backpacker: $430-670. Mid-range: $1,130-1,850. Luxury: from $2,340. Plus flights. Two weeks is enough to cover Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Kutaisi, Kakheti (Sighnaghi, Telavi), and Batumi.
Conclusion
Georgia remains one of the best-value destinations in the Caucasus region: generous visa policies, stunning landscapes, extraordinary food, and prices that allow a full week of quality travel for $400-600 with smart budgeting. The key is to spend where it counts – on food, wine, and experiences – because that is what makes Georgia unforgettable.
Read also: eSIM for Travel: How to Save on Roaming Charges | eSIM Providers for Travel: Which One Offers the Best Value?