Tbilisi: Itineraries, Budget & Everything You Need to Know

Georgia is good almost any season, with a few nuances.

May-June — the best time for Tbilisi and mountain excursions. Warm (20-28°C), green, with mountain roads open. Plenty of tourists, but not overwhelming.

September-October — wine season and the second favorite. Rtveli (the grape harvest) in September-October is an event in itself in Kakheti. Temperatures are comfortable, with golden autumn in the mountains.

July-August — hot in Tbilisi (up to 35-38°C), but this is when people head to the mountains (Kazbegi, Svaneti). Prices peak; book ahead.

December-March — cool and sometimes rainy, but the ski season is on at Gudauri. New Year in Tbilisi has a special atmosphere. Prices at their lowest.

Tbilisi is one of the most affordable cities for international travelers.

Accommodation (per night): hostel in the old town — $18-30, guesthouse — $30-55, 3-star hotel — $55-105, boutique hotel in a historic building — $105-235.

Food: khinkali at a casual spot — under $1 per dumpling, lunch with khachapuri and salad — $8-15, dinner with wine at a good restaurant — $25-50 per person. Georgian wine at a restaurant from $12 a bottle; from $5 in shops.

Transport: metro around $0.30 per ride, marshrutka (minibus) $0.30-0.45, taxi in town via Bolt or Yandex — $2.50-6.

Excursions: day trip to Kazbegi with car and guide — $35-60 per person; on your own by marshrutka, around $6 round trip.

Total for 5 days: budget — $295-470 (excluding flights), comfortable — $650-1,000.

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) connects with most major European and Middle Eastern hubs. Carriers include Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, FlyDubai, and Georgian Airways, among others. Flight time from European hubs is around 3-5 hours.

From the airport to the center: express bus #37 to the Isani metro station — around $0.70, ~40 minutes. A Bolt taxi to the center — $7-11; regular taxis may ask more — bargain or use the app.

Old town (Abanotubani / Metekhi) — the heart of Tbilisi. Pros: maximum atmosphere, all major sights nearby, sulfur baths within walking distance. Cons: narrow streets, difficult parking, some accommodations in older buildings with quirks.

Avlabari — a quiet district above the old town with views of Metekhi and the Kura. Pros: peaceful, beautiful views, authentic, cheaper than the tourist core. Cons: slightly off the main sights.

Rustaveli / Vera — the central avenue and adjacent neighborhoods. Pros: convenient location, good hotels, theaters, galleries, and cafes. Cons: more urban and less authentic feel.

Marjanishvili — the youth-and-arts quarter. Pros: best bars, restaurants, and coffee shops in town, nightlife, hipster vibe. Cons: farther from the main sights.

• Cards or cash: most places accept cards, but small cafes, markets, and private vendors prefer cash lari. ATMs are widespread with low fees.
• Taxis: always use Bolt or Yandex Taxi — they work well. Street taxis significantly inflate prices for tourists.
• Sulfur baths in Abanotubani: worth trying at least once — from $6 per hour at the public ones, private cabins from $30/hour for two. Book ahead on weekends.
• How to eat khinkali: hold by the "tail" (don't eat it), bite from the side, and drink the broth before eating the rest — that's the rule.
• Respect at churches: Georgia is deeply Orthodox. Women need a headscarf in churches; shoulders and knees must be covered. Strictly enforced.
• Language: the Georgian alphabet isn't readable on sight, but nearly all young Georgians speak English, and older generations often speak Russian. Don't hesitate to ask for directions.
• Wine: try Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, and qvevri wines — they're unique to Georgia. In a good shop or at a Kakheti producer, they're far cheaper than at restaurants.