Money & Currency
Georgian Lari (GEL)
1 Lari = 100 Tetri. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Tetri, 1 and 2 Lari. Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Lari.
Exchange rate (reference value 2025): 1 EUR ≈ 2.95 GEL / 1 GEL ≈ 0.34 EUR
Exchanging & Withdrawing Money
- ATMs: Everywhere in cities. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Withdrawal in GEL, occasionally also in USD/EUR possible. Fees: 1–3 GEL per withdrawal + fees from your home bank.
- Exchange offices: Numerous in Tbilisi and all cities. Fair rates (no black market needed). Simply bring euros or dollars and exchange as needed.
- Credit cards: Accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, and supermarkets. In guesthouses, rural areas, marshrutkas, and markets: cash only!
How affordable is Georgia really?
Georgia is extremely affordable — even by Eastern European standards. A few examples:
| Item | Price (GEL) | Price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Khinkali (1 piece) | 0.80–1 | 0.27–0.34 |
| Metro ride Tbilisi | 1 | 0.34 |
| Beer (0.5l in restaurant) | 4–6 | 1.35–2 |
| Marshrutka ride (100 km) | 5–10 | 1.70–3.40 |
| Bottle of good wine (supermarket) | 10–25 | 3.40–8.50 |
| Guesthouse (double room with breakfast) | 60–120 | 20–40 |
💡 Tipp
Always withdraw in GEL at ATMs, never in EUR — otherwise, the bank sets a worse rate (Dynamic Currency Conversion). And: A travel credit card without foreign fees (e.g., DKB, Barclays) saves fees throughout the trip.
