Arriving in Tbilisi, you might think cash has become a thing of the past: at the first café, the card terminal works without a hitch. But later you make your way to the marshrutka station, a farmers' market or a guesthouse in the countryside, and the driver holds out his hand for lari. Many travelers misjudge the balance between cash and cards. Some carry too much foreign currency and lose money on the exchange rate, while others carry too few lari and spend half a day looking for an ATM. This guide will help you find the right balance and plan your budget.
The Basics: What Lari Are
Georgia's currency is the lari (GEL), introduced in 1995. One lari is divided into 100 tetri. In circulation are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lari, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri and 1 and 2 lari.
In Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, it is easier to pay by card, but a significant part of the economy, especially in small towns, rural areas and some service sectors, still operates on cash. The safest approach is to combine both: pay by card for large purchases and use lari in cash for everyday small expenses.
Small denominations matter more than you might think. A 5 or 10 lari banknote will easily pay for a bakery purchase, where you can buy khachapuri straight from the oven. But a 200 lari note will often make a shopkeeper sigh and go off in search of change.
Where You Need a Card and Where You Need Cash
Although cards will be accepted even more widely in Georgia's cities in 2026 than in 2024, cash remains indispensable in several situations:
— Marshrutkas. On intercity and local routes outside Tbilisi, cash is often the only way to pay. — Small shops and markets. This applies to farmers' markets, street food and small souvenir stalls. — Rural areas. In many places far from the main tourist centers, cards may not be accepted. — Tips. Some restaurants allow you to leave a tip by card, but cash is preferable for waiters, taxi drivers and guides. — Unexpected expenses. It is always useful to have a cash reserve for emergencies.
A simple rule: use your card for hotels, supermarket purchases and bills at most restaurants. Cash will come in handy for transport, snacks, small purchases and just in case.
How to Use a Bank Card Without Losing Money
In the cities, paying by card is easy. However, how you do it determines whether you lose money on fees.
By 2026, contactless payment terminals are expected to be found in nearly all urban shops, restaurants and major services. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express and Discover are less common, although they are gradually being introduced as well. Apple Pay and Google Pay will most likely work with most major Georgian banks and payment terminals.
Notify your bank about your trip so that your card is not blocked for suspicious activity. Check whether your bank charges a fee for foreign transactions — it is usually 1–3% of the amount. A card without such a fee will help you save during a two-week vacation.
Sometimes a payment terminal offers to charge the amount in your home currency — for example, in dollars or euros. This service is called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). You should decline it and always choose payment in lari. The rate under dynamic currency conversion is usually unfavorable, and the merchant's bank may also levy additional charges.
A practical tip: take two cards from different banks, for example Visa and Mastercard, and keep them in separate places. If one is blocked or swallowed by an ATM, you will have a backup. Before departure, set up Apple Pay or Google Pay — this will give you a third payment method in the cities.
ATMs: Networks, Fees and Safety Rules
ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns. The main networks belong to three banks: TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia and Liberty Bank, whose ATMs are often located in post offices and small settlements.
Georgian banks usually charge a fee for cash withdrawals with foreign cards. The expected fee is about 3–5 lari per transaction, plus possibly 1–2% of the amount. The fee is shown on the screen before you confirm, so you can cancel the transaction. Your own bank may charge separate fees for withdrawals at a foreign ATM and for a foreign transaction.
Daily limits depend on the bank and the terms of your card and usually range from 500 to 2,000 lari. You can often withdraw money several times, but you will pay a fee for each transaction. Therefore, one large withdrawal is usually more cost-effective than several small ones.
To withdraw cash, insert your card, choose a language (English is always available), enter your PIN, select the cash withdrawal option, specify the amount in lari, read the fee information on the screen and confirm the transaction. Take the money first, then the card and the receipt.
Use ATMs in well-lit, safe places, preferably in bank branches or shopping centers. Pay attention to people around you, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and do not use a device that looks suspicious.
Exchange Offices: Which Currency to Bring and How to Exchange It
Exchange offices with "Exchange" or "Money Exchange" signs are found everywhere in large cities and tourist districts. They often offer a slightly better rate than banks and usually do not charge a commission. Banks also exchange currency, but their rates are generally less favorable.
US dollars and euros are the easiest to exchange, and they offer the best rate. British pounds are also often accepted. Canadian and Australian dollars and Swiss francs may be exchanged at a less favorable rate or only at large branches. Other currencies are not worth bringing.
Rates are displayed on electronic boards or signs. Compare offers in two or three places and confirm there is no commission before handing over your money. Be wary of rates that seem too good to be true, and never exchange money with people on the street. When exchanging, you will be told the amount in lari, you will hand over your currency, and then you will recount the money you receive on the spot. A passport is usually not requested for small exchanges, but you may be asked for one if the amount exceeds the equivalent of 3,000 lari. Keep the receipt.
Tipping in Lari
Tipping culture in Georgia is still taking shape, and the rules depend on the establishment. In restaurants, especially in tourist spots, a service charge of 10 to 18% is often included in the bill. If it is already included, there is no obligation to leave extra, though you may if the service was excellent. If no service charge is included, it is customary to leave 10%. It is best to give cash directly to the waiter, since tips added to the bill when paying by card do not always reach the staff in full.
In cafés and bars, you can round up the bill or leave a few lari. In taxis ordered through apps such as Bolt or Yandex Go, it is customary to round the fare up to the next lari or add 1–2 lari. If you hail a car on the street, agree on the price in advance; tips are not obligatory but are appreciated. For a full day of guided tours, you can leave 10–20 lari per person. Porters and hotel housekeepers should receive 2–5 lari. Keep a few 5 and 10 lari notes handy to make it easy to leave tips.
How Much Things Cost: Budget for 2026
Below are the projected prices for 2026 in lari per person. They may change due to inflation.
— Accommodation (per night): hostel bed — 30–60 lari; mid-range hotel or guesthouse — 100–250 lari; high-end hotel — from 300 lari. — Food and drinks: street food (khachapuri, lobiani) — 5–15 lari; lunch at an inexpensive local restaurant — 20–40 lari; dinner at a mid-range restaurant — 40–80 lari; dinner at a fine dining restaurant — from 100 lari; coffee or tea — 5–10 lari; local beer — 5–12 lari. — Transport in Tbilisi: Metromoney card — 2 lari (refundable deposit); metro, bus or marshrutka ride by card — 1–1.5 lari; Bolt or Yandex Go taxi ride — 5–15 lari for a short distance, 15–30 lari for a long one. — Intercity transport: marshrutka Tbilisi–Kutaisi — 20–30 lari; Tbilisi–Batumi — 35–50 lari; Tbilisi–Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) — 20–25 lari. Train Tbilisi–Batumi: second class — 35–55 lari, first class — 60–80 lari. — Sights: museum admission — 10–30 lari; Tbilisi cable car — 2.5 lari by Metromoney card; group one-day tour — 80–200 lari. Entry to most monasteries and churches is free, but donations are welcome.
How Much Cash to Take for the Day and the Trip
Your cash needs depend on how often you can pay by card. For a budget traveler who stays in hostels and eats at local establishments, 50–80 lari in cash per day is enough. This will cover transport, snacks and small purchases. A traveler with a mid-range budget who chooses guesthouses and restaurants will be comfortable with 100–150 lari per day, paying large bills by card. Those who prefer expensive hotels will need this same amount for taxis, tips and purchases at markets.
For a week-long trip, a budget tourist will need 350–560 lari in cash, and a mid-range tourist 700–1,050 lari. If you plan trips to the countryside, where cards may not work, take more. Rather than carrying the full amount with you, it is better to withdraw lari from an ATM in the city in one or two large transactions before traveling to the mountains or small villages.
Common Mistakes
— Agreeing to pay in your home currency. This costs more; always choose lari. — Carrying only large banknotes. Small vendors and marshrutka drivers often have no change for 100 or 200 lari. — Exchanging all your money at the airport. City exchange offices usually offer a better rate. At the airport, it is worth exchanging only a small amount for the first day. — Not recounting your money or not taking a receipt. Always check the amount you receive on the spot. — Withdrawing cash from an ATM in small amounts. Each transaction incurs a fee, so one large withdrawal is more cost-effective. — Not notifying your bank about your trip. A blocked card in a foreign country is a problem that can be avoided. — Relying on cards in rural areas. Outside tourist centers, they may not be accepted. Carry enough cash. — Tipping by card. The money may not reach the staff in full. Use cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which currency should I bring to Georgia: dollars or euros? If you want to bring foreign cash, take US dollars or euros. They are the easiest to exchange at the best rate. British pounds are also widely accepted. It is best not to bring other currencies.
Can I pay by credit card everywhere in Georgia? No. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities — in supermarkets, hotels and most restaurants. But in marshrutkas, small shops, markets and many establishments in rural areas, only cash may be accepted. American Express and Discover are less common.
How much does it cost to withdraw money from a foreign card at an ATM? Georgian banks usually charge about 3–5 lari per transaction, sometimes adding 1–2% of the amount. The fee is displayed on the screen before you confirm. Your own bank may charge additional fees. Daily withdrawal limits are usually 500 to 2,000 lari.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Georgia? Specialized exchange offices usually offer a slightly better rate than banks and often do not charge a commission. Compare rates in several places, confirm there is no commission, recount your money on the spot and keep the receipt. Never exchange money with street money changers.
How much should I tip in Georgia? First, check the bill: many restaurants include a service charge of 10–18%. If no charge is included, it is customary to leave about 10% in cash for good service. In cafés and taxis, you can round up the bill. For a full day of guided tours, 10–20 lari per person is customary, and hotel staff receive 2–5 lari.
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