27 Essential Travel Tips for Georgia (The Country)

I’ve spent nearly 2 years living in Georgia, immersing myself in its rich and fascinating culture. Georgia is a true crossroads of East and West. There are many familiar elements to everyday life, but there are also some things to know before arriving.

In this guide, I share essential travel tips for Georgia — from navigating the cities and greeting others respectfully to attending a supra. Learn how to properly share a toast, eat khinkali like a pro, and exactly how many flowers to bring your dinner host (trust me, you don’t want to make that mistake)!

27 Travel Tips for Georgia

Bring Layers in All Seasons

Georgia is a mountainous nation and no trip would be complete without visiting the alpine regions — Svaneti and Tusheti, especially! Even in summer, the higher elevations get cooler at night. You may also encounter rain, particularly around the Black Sea Coast, so a rain jacket is a must on your Georgia packing list. 

A good fleece jacket and a rain shell will carry you through most seasons, though you may want a heavier fleece for the later months.

New Travel Insurance Requirement

As of January 1, 2026, a new law is in effect for visitors to Georgia requiring basic health and accident. You can use either domestic Georgian providers or foreign travel insurance policies. I’d recommend a Georgian provider, especially if Georgia is your only destination. This helpful article summarizes the law and offers a few suggestions for the best domestic providers.

I wasn’t asked to provide proof of coverage at customs on my most recent trip, but it’s better not to take chances without it.

Take Your Time at the Dinner Table

If invited to a meal, there are a few things to remember. Georgian food is delicious and your hosts will insist on you helping yourself. Don’t think you need to pile your plate high or wolf down your food, though! It’s better to take a little at a time and eat a little at a time. 

Georgian supras are meant to last several hours and dishes often trickle out as the evening progresses. Dessert and fruit are usually served afterward, too — and they make some rich cakes and pastries, so save room!

Drink and Share Your Sentiments with Each Toast 

In Georgia, toasting is an art form. The ceremonies are led by a tamada (toastmaster), who will offer a series of toasts on a wide variety of subjects. Men are expected to drink with each toast and offer their own sentiments on the subject. Women are not required to drink with every toast. 

The more of your glass you drain, the more emphatically you agree with the toast. Don’t feel pressured to keep pace with either the eloquence or the amount consumed, though. Just say something simple and sincere — even a mere gaumarjos is enough — and drink as much as you’re comfortable with.

Georgians aren’t quite as strict about elbows on the table (in my experience), but it’s best to mirror what your hosts are doing. It’s also better to ask for an item than to reach for it.

Know the Proper Way to Eat Khinkali

Of all Georgia’s delicious dishes, few can rival the savory dumping khinkali. There is a proper way to eat these. Grab it by the nub on top, flip it over, and bite. Be careful, though, because the juices inside will be hot! You may need to suck some of the juice out before taking the next bite. The nubs are usually not eaten, being left as a “tally.” 

Trying to eat khinkali with a fork will provoke a range of reactions, from amusement to mild bewilderment!

Mismatched Caps and Clear Liquids in Old Bottles Indicate Booze 

Georgians love a good drink and the local spirit chacha can pack a serious punch. The standard strength is 40% ABV, but it gets to around 60-72%, especially in the villages. If you’re passing the time with friends and you see a clear liquid in a Coca-Cola bottle or a bottle with a mismatched lid, brace yourself!

Bring a Gift If Invited to Someone’s House

It’s standard practice in Georgia to bring a gift when invited to someone’s house. You won’t be expected to, as a foreigner, but it is always a nice gesture. 

Standard gifts to bring include wine or spirits, chocolates, confectioneries, or tea. Flowers are another option, but there’s an important nuance to them — which leads to the next tip.

Get Familiar with These Taboos and Local Quirks

Georgian culture picked up an Eastern European quirk about odd versus even numbers of flowers in bouquets. Odd numbers of flowers are acceptable for celebrations, but even numbers are only for funerals. Flowers are always appreciated, but be sure you’ve got the right amount! 

There’s also a mixed view of toasting with beer. Traditionally, only one’s enemies were toasted with beer, but this attitude has changed in recent years. If drinking beer with friends, it might be better to let them make the first move on toasting.

Also, blowing your nose in public is considered rude (even more so than in the West).

Download Bolt and/or Yandex Taxi Apps Before Arriving

Most flights to Georgia arrive in the wee hours. However, otherwise-reliable buses in the capital of Tbilisi don’t start running until 7 am. I recommend using a ridesharing app instead of trusting the taxi drivers who congregate at the arrivals terminal. They charge several times what the ride is actually worth!

In Georgia, Bolt and Yandex Taxi replace popular travel apps like Uber and Lyft. Rides cost a fraction of what you’d pay back home. Note that not every car driving for these services will be marked with the company logo. You will be given the license plate and driver ID, though.

Leave Room for Souvenirs

It’s always smart to pack light when coming to Georgia. Even if you don’t buy a lot of souvenirs when you travel, you may be laden with all manner of gifts (especially wine) by new friends.

Georgians have been famous for their hospitality since ancient times, and the only guaranteed way to avoid gifts is to avoid the locals — which I categorically advise against!

👉 Bonus Tip: Looking for some truly unique gifts? Check out the Dry Bridge Market in Tbilisi. It has everything from fine art to Soviet gas masks!

Bring Spare Luggage Rather than Buying in Georgia

If you find yourself rapidly running out of room in your luggage, there are some easy solutions. One is to bring an empty travel backpack. You want a duffle-style bag that’s packable, yet durable. Many carriers (such as Turkish Airlines) allow 2 bags when traveling on long-haul flights.

You can also buy a bag in Georgia, but that takes a little discernment. Many luggage stores sell cheap suitcases, but their quality is not the best. There are brands such as Samsonite available, but they cost the same as they would back in the States.

Carry Cash, Especially in Rural Areas 

Though I have had some trouble with American Express, most places in Georgia take credit cards. But cash is still very common, especially outside the cities. As a rule of thumb, the more rural an area, the less likely you can use a credit card.

Some of the best and most unique souvenirs (as well as local produce and foods) are sold by roadside vendors. The vast majority of them will only take cash. You may even run into the odd pay toilet here and there, so always carry change.

Don’t Drink Wine Without a Toast

Wine plays an integral role in Georgian culture. Aside from its sacred use in Eucharistic services, it has an almost sacred role in everyday life. Georgians don’t drink it without a toast, and the toast will always be more than a mere “cheers!”

If you go on a wine tour in Georgia, the more touristy venues may not require a full speech. But it’s good to offer a simple “gaumarjos,” the Georgian equivalent of cheers, and wish for the health of your host and the vintners.

Greet Shopkeepers in One-On-One Settings

In America, and especially in Europe, we’re used to shopkeepers greeting us and it feels weird if nothing is said. 

Though not always customary, some staff in Georgia may ask if they can help you. This is more common in retail stores, especially higher-end ones. Greetings are also common in a more one-on-one setting, such as a bazaar. Note, too, that the older generation is more likely to speak Russian as a second language.

Learn a Few Georgian Phrases

It’s always good to learn some of the local language before arriving in any foreign country. Georgian is a difficult language, but don’t despair if you can’t master it. Many of the young people, especially in Tbilisi, speak at least a little English. 

At the same time, Georgians love it if you speak at least a little Georgian beyond hello (gamarjoba), goodbye (nakhvamdis), and thank you (madloba). Even a little effort will be deeply appreciated! WikiTravel has a great Georgian phrasebook I highly recommend checking out. 

Know When to Dress and Speak Formally 

Georgians are easygoing, but there are still unwritten rules that may be unfamiliar to Westerners. For example, the Georgian language has formal and informal forms of “you” and verbs. Use formal forms when speaking to strangers or older people.

Everyday dress tends to be classy but casual. You will find more athleisure here than in Western Europe, but you may stand out as an American tourist if you sport a full Adidas tracksuit!

Think Twice Before Renting a Car

The first thing you’ll notice about Georgian driving is how it’s a lot more aggressive than back in the States. Traffic laws are “more like guidelines,” to quote Captain Barbosa, so this can be quite a shock for most foreigners.

Tbilisi has also seen a huge influx of people moving in from the villages and everyone has been buying cars. So, the traffic often alternates between borderline chaos and stagnation. It’s even worse if there are ongoing road projects. 

Save yourself the hassle (and white-knuckles) of driving and use the metro to explore Tbilisi’s attractions instead. It’s packed at peak hours, but it’s the best way to get between most of the major attractions.

Crosswalks Aren’t the Norm

Along with driving on the roads, crossing them on foot is rather… organic. There are crosswalks at major intersections and underpasses under the main roads. All other places, though, have a more spontaneous flow.

It’s second nature for locals, but will definitely take some getting used to for most visitors. If there’s not a convenient crosswalk, mirror locals as they cross.

Expect Expressive Reactions and Less Personal Space

Georgians are much more expressive than most Westerners. If you hear raised voices, don’t be alarmed. A seemingly heated argument (by our standards) may be nothing more than a mild momentary disagreement. 

Georgians may also greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, regardless of gender. It’s better to wait instead of jumping the gun on familiarity, though, because everyone is different. Georgians also tend to have smaller personal space bubbles than most Westerners.

Blend In with Dark Clothing and Know When to Dodge “Tour Guides”

If, like me, you prefer to blend in when you travel, pack darker or neutral colored clothing. You can also find good deals at local bazaars or regional chains (LC Waikiki has the best prices; most other retail stores have standard Western pricing). 

Looking like a tourist isn’t likely to draw any negative attention and Georgia is relatively scammer-free — aside from airport taxis. 

However, in more remote, yet popular areas like Svaneti, self-appointed guides may try to swoop in and offer you tours at exorbitant prices. This almost happened to me, but thankfully, my actual guide arrived in time to prevent the imposter’s plot from succeeding. 

Stay Hydrated with Filtered Still Water

Georgia gets hot in the summer and the eastern regions tend to be arid. Tap water is usually considered safe, but I always felt a little funny after drinking it — nothing too serious, but still better avoided. 

Bring a filtered water bottle (I especially recommend the GRAYL GeoPress) and almost every store has affordable bottled water for sale, too. But note that the ubiquitous sparkling mineral water doesn’t hydrate very well. 

It’s also not normal to drink still water at the table. Come to a supra pre-hydrated because all you’ll have is alcohol, soda, and sparkling water. 

Wear Customary Clothing When Visiting Churches

Many of Georgia’s most famous places are churches and monasteries. When visiting them, men and women should avoid wearing shorts or tank tops. Women are also asked to wear head coverings and long skirts. Most churches have scarves and wraps available at the entrances for this purpose.

Avoid Talking About Politics

Georgia, at the moment, is at a bit of a cultural crossroads. Relations with Russia are rocky at best. It’s better to avoid bringing up the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (be sure to call this place by its Georgian name, Samachablo, if the topic comes up).

Though largely Western-leaning politically, many everyday Georgians are displeased with what they feel is heavy-handed and condescending treatment from some Western diplomats and organizations. Despite this, most people are still very friendly and cordial on an individual level.

Let Sleeping (and Waking) Dogs Lie

Georgians have much more lax views of stray dogs than we do. For them, street dogs are a normal part of everyday life. Some locals may even pet or feed them, but I’d advise you to avoid doing so. In all my time, I’ve only had two dogs snap at me, but you never know if an otherwise adorable pup has parasites.

Carry Hand Sanitizer When Heading Out of Town

Georgia is in the process of modernizing and Tbilisi is, for the most part, quite contemporary. Rural areas, however, may not always have the same standards. 

You may find that the facilities at your pit stop outside the city may not be up to par. This has been less of a problem in recent years, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Be Prepared for Longer Wait Times at Restaurants

Georgian restaurants offer some fantastic food at reasonable prices, but are often considerably slower about serving than what we’re used to in the West. Wait staff may also seem somewhat more curt, if not rude, on some occasions. This attitude is less of a problem than it used to be, but still possible.

Some venues featuring folk music and dance (such as the ones on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi) may have no qualms about cranking the volume to near-deafening levels, too.

👉 Bonus Tip: Your best bet for an on-time meal and timely memories is to book a private food tour. This eliminates the guesswork, too, because there are a lot of restaurants in the cities.

Punctuality Is Not a Priority

Georgian tardiness plays out in more than just restaurants. Don’t be surprised if other guests show up to a supra half an hour “late.” 

If ceremonies are already underway, then everyone will drink to the health of the new arrivals. The same applies to those who need to leave the meal before the end of the evening.

***

Now, you’re good to go on your journey! Let me know what your favorite tip was in the comments below. After that, start building your itinerary with Nate’s article on things to do in Georgia.