💰 20 ways to save money in Georgia

If our arguments have had an effect and you are seriously thinking about traveling to Georgia, then this text is a must-read. We have collected the main lifehacks and recommendations to ensure that your trip does not disappoint.

Take currency to exchange

Cards from many banks work in Georgia. You can pay with them wherever there is a terminal. There are no problems with this. However, it can be difficult to withdraw cash from ATMs, as some banks set a daily limit. In addition, there is a fee for cash withdrawals.

When I needed a large sum of money, I had to withdraw cash within three days. My friends simply exchanged dollars at a good rate. Therefore, it is wiser and more profitable to take money with you.

Do not buy SIM cards at the airport and do not change money there

This advice is already hackneyed, but it’s worth recalling. You will lose a lot of money and be disappointed from the very beginning. With currency exchange, everything is simple – you will receive a smaller amount than in the city. As for the second, buy a SIM card at an inflated price. I fell for this in 2022, when I arrived in Batumi, and spent about 40 lari on a SIM card , which is equivalent to about 15 dollars.

The most popular mobile operators in Georgia: Silknet, Geocell, Magticom, Mobitel, Thuraya and Beeline. I used a Silknet card. The operator offers packages with unlimited and limited Internet for a day, three days, a week or more. This pleasure costs 2 lari per day for unlimited internet, and the network can reach you even in the mountains.

You can get a SIM card at information centers or operator offices. Sometimes cards are given out for free at the airport, but I haven’t seen anything like that. I advise you to check that the free card does not become paid.

Use taxi aggregators

Yandex Taxi and Bolt operate in Georgia. The prices are very reasonable for both, but for Yandex they are slightly lower. If there is no free transfer from the airport to the hotel, then it is better to call a taxi. And if a paid transfer is offered, then compare the cost. Because the hotel offered to take us from the airport for 50 GEL (55 BYN), and a taxi ride cost about 20 GEL (23 BYN).

Also, do not take a car from the side, because it is expensive and they can deceive you. There are unscrupulous drivers who overcharge the meter before boarding. Also, before you book a taxi, consider whether it's worth it. The fact is that in many cities there are huge traffic jams. And it may happen that walking a short distance will be a better option than calling a taxi.

However, be careful on the roads. Crossing the roadway is a quest. And here, unfortunately, no life hacks will help.

Don't talk about Armenia and Abkhazia

When talking to locals, think first, speak later. By the way, the life hack works flawlessly in everyday life. Try not to discuss Armenia and everything connected with it. Georgians may react very harshly or even be offended by this. The story is similar with Abkhazia. In general, political and religious topics are best left out.

Don't buy groceries near the road

Everything here is also simple: dust and dirt settle on goods near the road. It is better to pass by such products. In cities there are a lot of mini-markets right in the courtyards. You can shop there calmly.

In Tbilisi, the best place to buy vegetables, fruits, spices or sweets is at the “Deserter Market” – this is the largest platform with good prices. You didn’t even have to bargain: churchkhela from 1.5 GEL, spices – 1.5-2 GEL per glass, fruits from 1.5 GEL and above. But don’t buy it right away at the entrance: they inflate the price.

Bring a hat and sunscreen

If you are going to see local monasteries and churches, it is better to take a scarf in advance, or better yet two. You cover your head with one, and wrap the other around your legs instead of a skirt if you are wearing trousers. First, it will show respect for local religious preferences. Secondly, in some monasteries there are even signs that women in trousers are not allowed to enter.

It is also better to use sunscreen, especially if you go to the mountains and especially in summer. In the mountains, the sun is more intense, so it's easy to get burned. I'll also add sunglasses here. They definitely won’t be superfluous, even in winter.

I’ll also mention medications here. If you take medications on a regular basis, then worry about this in advance. In many pharmacies you can buy medications only with a prescription. They say that you can buy only the right number of tablets, even if it is 2-3. I haven’t tested it in my own experience, but you can try.

Ask about a discount

This item even works in shopping centers. And by that I don’t mean asking for a price reduction. But this way you can find out about promotions. And private sellers can drop you a couple of tens of lari even without bidding. For example, I bought a dress for 300 lari (360 BYN) instead of 350 (420 BYN). You can try to bargain at markets or from private traders, but to be honest, I didn’t see anyone bargaining. And the prices were reasonable.

Pay attention to the police

Don't let this point confuse you. Patrol cars drive with their beacons turned on. This is how they indicate their presence. If suddenly something happens or you are simply lost, then you can safely approach them and ask questions. For emergencies, use the following numbers: 111 – fire service, 122 – police, 113 – ambulance.

Download the translator

Be sure to install a mobile translator that can translate from photos. Georgians highly respect and protect their language. They use it always and everywhere. But it happens when in establishments for locals, where the cuisine is good, the menu is only in Georgian. The ingredients of products in stores are also in Georgian. This is where a translator comes in handy.

Remember the rules of behavior when visiting

And the guide shared this life hack with me. If you are invited to visit, then you should not take off your shoes. This is only acceptable for very close friends. If you offer alcohol, then you should not refuse, so as not to offend the owners. It's the same with food. If for some reason you do not want to eat or drink, or there are medical contraindications, then tactfully note that you are not allowed to do this.