Money, Safety & eSIM in Georgia
Georgia's currency is the Georgian lari (GEL) — cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi and Batumi, but carry cash for rural guesthouses, marshrutka minibuses, and small-town markets. Georgia is a genuinely safe country overall; the realistic risks are mountain-road driving conditions and fast-changing high-altitude weather, not crime. Since January 1, 2026, all foreign visitors must also carry travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 GEL of coverage.
The practical layer that actually matters once you land: how to handle lari and cards, what genuinely could go wrong (spoiler: it's mostly mountain roads, not muggings), the new mandatory insurance rule in practice, and how to get connected without a shocking roaming bill.
Money and ATMs
The Georgian lari (GEL) is the currency everywhere. Exchange rates move, so check a live rate before your trip. ATMs are widely available in cities and most towns; a foreign card usually incurs a small fee from your own bank, so withdraw larger amounts less often rather than small sums repeatedly.
| Payment method | Where it works best |
|---|---|
| Cash (lari) | Rural guesthouses, marshrutka minibuses, small-town markets, church donation boxes |
| Credit/debit card | Hotels, restaurants in Tbilisi and Batumi, larger shops |
| US dollars / euros | Sometimes accepted informally for larger private transactions (drivers, guesthouses) but don't rely on it — lari is the safe default |
Is Georgia safe?
Yes, genuinely — Georgia is consistently rated among the safer countries in the region for travelers, including solo travelers and women traveling alone. The realistic risks are mountain-road driving (narrow, occasionally unpaved, weather-dependent routes like the Georgian Military Highway or roads into Svaneti) and altitude/weather changes in the Caucasus — not street crime, which is low.
The 2026 mandatory insurance rule, in practice
As covered in our visa guide, every foreign visitor must carry travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 GEL (roughly $11,000) of coverage since January 1, 2026. In practice: buy a standard travel insurance policy before you fly (most mainstream providers meet this threshold easily), keep a digital or printed copy of the policy document accessible, and be ready to show it at the border if asked. It's a new rule, so budget an extra few minutes at passport control while it beds in.
eSIM and staying connected
eSIM works well and is the easiest option if your phone supports it — providers like Airalo sell data-only Georgia plans from around $4–12 for 7–15 days, active before you even land. A physical local SIM (Magti, Geocell, or Beeline, sold at the airport or any city kiosk) costs roughly $5–10 for a couple of weeks of largely unlimited data and takes only a few minutes to set up on arrival, passport in hand.
Health and water basics
- Tbilisi's tap water is generally considered safe to drink, sourced from mountain springs — but bottled water is cheap and widely available if you'd rather not risk it in rural areas.
- Pharmacies (marked with a green cross) are common in cities and stock most basics; carry any prescription medication you need, since finding specific brands outside Tbilisi and Batumi can be hit or miss.
- See our Georgian food and wine guide for dietary-need details if allergies or vegetarian/vegan eating are a concern.
Emergency numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police, fire, and ambulance | 112 | One universal number for every emergency service, free to call from any phone, staffed with English-speaking operators. |
| US Embassy Tbilisi (for US citizens) | Check travel.state.gov for the current number | Keep the address and number saved before you travel, not just googled on the day. |
Tipping in Georgia
Tipping isn't as deeply embedded as in North America, but it's genuinely appreciated: 10-15% at restaurants for good service is the norm in Tbilisi and Batumi (check your bill first — some restaurants already add a service charge, in which case an extra tip is optional, not expected). Round up for taxis and Bolt rides rather than a strict percentage; tour guides and drivers typically get $5-15/day depending on the service. Cash tips are always welcome even where card payment is available.