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Latest update: 31 January 2025
Letting Georgia surprise you is always a great idea. Still, I’d like to share some practical tips and info before you head to Georgia. To help you be well-prepared for your trip so you can avoid unwanted surprises.
Phone and internet
When traveling abroad, you should always check the costs of calling, texting, and using data with your phone provider. This is no different for a trip to Georgia. And unfortunately, there’s a good chance that data in Georgia isn’t included in your plan.
Still want to be online, even if it’s just to check Google Maps? Then, I recommend an eSIM (please check if your phone supports it first). I tried Airalo for the first time in Georgia, and it worked great. I bought the eSIM at home and installed the app. Once in Georgia, I just had to activate it, which went super smoothly with the instructions.
In the app, I can see my usage and get a message when I’m running low on data. I chose 30 days and 5 GB, which was more than enough during two weeks in Georgia. I used hotel WiFi, but otherwise, I used my phone a lot, including navigation while walking and driving.
As you can see in the screenshots, I can give you a discount code for your first eSIM. Use code THISIS8469. Buy your eSIM here.
Power outlets in Georgia
You can use your regular European plugs! If you need a converter, check out Amazon’s world plugs.
Street dogs in Georgia
I’ve never encountered such friendly street dogs as in Georgia. That’s because people take good care of them. Especially in a big city like Tbilisi, the dogs are more likely to be overweight than underweight. Outside the city, it can be different – I saw some sad-looking dogs that were clearly undernourished. But you don’t need to be afraid of the street dogs. They do their thing, and you do yours.
Unofficial statistics mention 46,000 street dogs in and around Tbilisi alone in 2015, with more than half being neutered or spayed. They also get vaccinations and an ear tag to show that the dog is being cared for. But really, if you’re a dog person, you’ll want to adopt at least ten of them in Georgia.
Cars in Georgia
Driving in Georgia is… um… an adventure. Especially in Tbilisi, traffic is insanely busy. Using turn signals, yielding: nope. Good luck figuring it out! Fortunately, you don’t really need a car in Tbilisi. And once you’re outside the city, it’s all much more manageable. Just watch out for the kamikaze drivers: apparently, overtaking on highways with oncoming traffic is always an option.
By the way, Bolt taxis in Tbilisi are super cheap. So if your calves start to burn and your destination seems miles away, you can get picked up and dropped off for very little money. The Bolt drivers know how to handle city traffic – although they regularly make the sign of the cross too.
Crossing the street in Tbilisi
A result of the busy roads in Tbilisi is that crossing the street as a pedestrian can be quite exciting. On the major busy streets, you need to find an underground crossing OR run for your life – I’d go with the first option.
I got so lost at one point that I couldn’t figure out how to get to the other side. An elderly gas station attendant gestured that I should just cross. But it’s a 6 or maybe even 8-lane road, sir! He saw my hesitation, calmly walked with me to the other side, and shuffled just as calmly back. My heart was racing somewhere in my throat. I thought I was used to some crazy traffic in Amsterdam, but Tbilisi is a whole new level.
Also read my article “What to expect from Tbilisi” if you want more insight into how the city feels.
The Georgian language
It’s a hopeless task to master the Georgian language during a short vacation. The words are almost unpronounceable, and the alphabet is unreadable to us. Additionally, there are different language variations in the country. The ‘main language’ is Kartuli Ena. It has 38 letters and only five vowels. A guide told me that Georgians don’t make male or female distinctions in language. “We’re all equal,” she says.
Dress code in a Georgian church
When on vacation, I often visit churches. In Georgia, they have rules different from those we’re used to. When visiting a Georgian Orthodox church, stick to the dress code. Often there’s a basket with scarves and wraps at the entrance, but I prefer to bring my own stuff.
For women: cover your head with a scarf, wear a skirt that goes below the knee (even with long pants, you’ll often still get handed a wrap skirt), and shoulders must be covered.
For men: wear long pants, take off your cap or hat, and shoulders must be covered.
Please note that you can’t take photos in most Georgian churches. Some people think these rules don’t apply to them, but really, they apply to everyone. So be respectful.
Reading tip: The Eighth Life (for Brilka)
I usually buy a Lonely Planet to prepare for a trip, but this time I also went for a novel. “The Eighth Life (for Brilka)” is truly a beautiful book. You follow the stories of different family members from around 1900 until now in chronological order. Seven lives are told in detail, and you get a piece of Georgian history along the way. From the tsar to communism and from Stalin to the fall of the Berlin Wall. I honestly missed some of these things in history class, while others I recognize. The seventh life belongs to the narrator, who passes the story on to Brilka. She gets to live the eighth life.
You need to enjoy reading, though, because the book is over 1,000 pages, and it’s pretty heavy stuff. But I love the beautiful prose, and I really got sucked into the story. When I walk through Tbilisi, the stories play in my head again. Maybe I should read it one more time…
More Georgia travel inspiration?
Useful links for your Georgia trip
- Accommodation. Favorite remains Booking.com. Would you rather stay in a hostel? Check Hostelworld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook, and Viator. ‘Free’ walking tours can be booked at Freetour.com or GuruWalk.
- Car rental. If you want to compare prices and insurance coverage, try Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com. In Georgia, a private transfer or tour with a private driver is often very affordable. Use GoTrip for this.
- Reading tip. If you like reading, I recommend buying this fantastic book: The Eighth Life (for Brilka). It is about generations of women living and suffering in Georgia. More than 1000 pages, so get cozy and comfortable!
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Train and Bus Travel by train or bus through Georgia with Busbud, 12Go, or Omio.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Start your search at Expedia or CheapOair.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Georgia.
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