Preparing for Georgia: money, connectivity and transport
Prepare a backup way to pay, connectivity for your first hours and a clear route to your accommodation. Do not make the trip depend on one card, one app or constant internet access.
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In this guide
Money: lari and a backup payment method
Georgia’s national currency is the lari, GEL. Ask your bank whether your particular card will work, which restrictions and fees apply, and how transactions are confirmed. The payment-network logo alone is not a guarantee.
- Keep a small cash reserve for unavailable terminals or ATMs.
- Compare the final amount and commission before exchanging money; keep the receipt.
- Do not assume every small-town purchase or journey can be paid by card.
Check your device before buying an eSIM
Compare roaming, a local SIM and eSIM for your route. Support depends on the phone model and regional variant; check carrier locks too. Installing an eSIM profile requires internet access.
Check whether the package includes calls and SMS or only data, when validity starts and how to top up. Keep access to your usual SIM if it receives banking codes. Continuous coverage on mountain routes is not guaranteed.
Choose transport for the route
For intercity travel, compare rail, bus, minibus and a prearranged transfer. Check the departure point, baggage, connections and arrival time, not only the price. Confirm schedules with the operator for your date.
- For a late arrival, agree the meeting point and driver contact beforehand.
- For car hire, check licence requirements, deposit, motor insurance and permitted roads. Travel medical insurance does not replace motor insurance.
- Leave a buffer between a mountain journey and an important flight.
Prepare separately for mountain travel
Check the forecast and road restrictions immediately before leaving. Build in spare time and an alternative plan: conditions on a pass are not the weather in Tbilisi. Ask a local operator whether your vehicle is suitable.
For walking, prepare footwear, layers, water, power and an offline map. Discuss skills, equipment and guiding for technical routes. Do not assume trekking, skiing or other activities are included in a standard policy.
Build an offline folder on your phone
112 is Georgia’s single emergency number for urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance. Use policy support, not the emergency line, for routine insurance questions.
- Official policy PDF and the assistance contacts printed in it.
- Travel-document details and reservations in protected storage; keep originals separately.
- Accommodation address, host contact, tickets and departure points.
- ASSURA and consular contacts, an offline map and backup power.
Sources and documents
Information, not a guarantee of admission or reimbursement. Recheck changing requirements before travel; the applicable official document determines the terms.