Georgian Lari Exchange Rate 2026 — USD, EUR, GBP & Tips

The Georgian Lari (GEL, ₾) is Georgia's national currency, introduced in 1995. It is relatively stable and widely accepted across the country. For international visitors, knowing the current exchange rates, the best places to exchange money, and which cards and payment methods work in Tbilisi can save you significant money and hassle. Here is everything you need to know for 2026.

Current Georgian Lari Exchange Rates (2026)

Where to Exchange Money in Tbilisi

Not all exchange options are equal. Here is the hierarchy from best to worst rates:

1. Private Exchange Bureaus (Savaluto) — Best Rates

Independent currency exchange offices (called savaluto in Georgian) consistently offer the best rates in Tbilisi. The highest concentration is around:

• Liberty Square (Tavisuplebis Moedani) — dozens of licensed exchange offices within 200m radius; rates are competitive because they are all next to each other
• Rustaveli Avenue — good rates, especially near the Rustaveli metro station
• Agmashenebeli Avenue — popular with locals; rates slightly better than tourist areas
• Deserters Market (Dezerter Bazaar) — not just for vegetables; the market area around it has excellent exchange rates used by locals
• Lilo Mall / East Point Mall — if you are near Tbilisi's outer areas

2. Bank Branches — Good Rates, Slower Process

Georgia's two main banks — TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia (BOG) — have extensive branch networks across Tbilisi. Their exchange rates are close to mid-market but slightly below the best private bureaus. Benefits: safe, official receipts, English-speaking staff at most city-center branches. Downside: may require passport for large sums.

3. Airport Exchange — Avoid if Possible

Tbilisi Airport has exchange counters both in arrivals and departures. Their rates are significantly worse — typically 5–8% below mid-market. If you land with no local currency at all, exchange just enough for your taxi or hotel ($20–30 USD) and get the rest at a city-center bureau.

ATMs in Tbilisi — Fees and Best Options

ATMs are widely available in Tbilisi — every metro station area, mall, and major street has multiple machines. However, local ATM fees vary significantly:

In addition to the local ATM fee, your home bank will likely charge a foreign ATM fee (typically $1–5 per withdrawal) and a currency conversion fee (typically 1–3%). Use a Wise or Revolut card to avoid these charges — they offer near mid-market rates with minimal fees.

Which Cards Work in Georgia?

Cards That Work Well

Apple Pay & Google Pay

Both Apple Pay and Google Pay work excellently in Tbilisi. Nearly all modern POS terminals in supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and shops support contactless NFC payments. Coverage is near 100% in the city center and major shopping malls. In smaller towns, markets, and rural guesthouses, cash is still preferred.

Your card linked to Apple Pay or Google Pay must be a valid Visa or Mastercard from an issuing bank that supports tokenization — this covers most EU, US, UK, and international banks. Cards from Israeli, UAE, Japanese, Korean, and Australian banks generally work fine.

TBC Pay & BOG Pay Apps

If you open a Georgian bank account (easy for residents; tourists can also open accounts at TBC or BOG with passport + tax registration), you can use:

• TBC Pay: Georgian mobile payment app; works at TBC-affiliated merchants; also supports P2P transfers
• BOG Pay (Pay BOG): Bank of Georgia's payment app; similar functionality

For short-term tourists, these are not necessary — your regular Visa/Mastercard or Apple Pay works fine. For long-term residents and digital nomads, opening a Georgian account is worth it for lower fees and local services.

How Much Cash to Bring to Georgia

Here is a practical breakdown of daily budgets in Georgia for 2026:

For a 7-day trip at the mid-range level, budget approximately $500–750 USD for in-country spending (excluding flights). Georgia is significantly cheaper than Western Europe — your money goes far here.

Paying for Tours & Local Services

Tour guides, private drivers, and local experiences typically accept both cash and card, though cash is sometimes preferred for smaller operators. Day tours from Tbilisi (Kazbegi, Kakheti, Mtskheta) range from 45–80 EUR/person for group tours, and 120–250 EUR for private tours. Most established tour operators accept card payments.

Money-Saving Tips for Georgia

1. Skip the airport exchange: Change only $20–30 at the airport for your immediate needs. Exchange the bulk at a Liberty Square bureau the next morning.
2. Bring USD or EUR (not your home currency): Most Georgian exchange offices work primarily with USD, EUR, and GBP. Exotic currencies (AUD, NZD, SGD, etc.) may only be accepted at bank branches with worse rates — exchange them to USD/EUR before traveling.
3. Use Wise or Revolut: For any card payments or ATM withdrawals, Wise and Revolut offer near mid-market rates with low fees — significantly cheaper than most bank cards with foreign transaction fees.
4. Decline DCC at ATMs: Always choose "charge in GEL" when prompted at ATMs. Never let the ATM convert the currency for you.
5. Use TBC or BOG ATMs: These have the lowest local ATM fees (1–1.5 GEL). Available at every metro station and major street.
6. Monitor xe.com: Check the mid-market rate before heading to an exchange office. If the bureau quotes more than 2% below mid-market, negotiate or find another one nearby.
7. Open a Georgian account for long stays: TBC Bank and BOG both offer accounts for foreigners with a passport. The process takes 15–30 minutes. This gets you Georgian Lari ATM card, local IBAN for transfers, and access to better rates on digital transactions.
8. Pay restaurants and large shops by card: Major restaurants and shops prefer card (lower cash handling cost for them) and will accept it readily. Save your cash for markets, taxis, and local bazaars.

Sending Money to/from Georgia

If you need to transfer money internationally from Georgia, or receive money while in Tbilisi:

• Wise (TransferWise): Best option for international transfers in/out of Georgia. Supports GEL. Near mid-market rates.
• Western Union: Available at most Georgian bank branches; useful for receiving cash in person
• PayPal: Limited functionality in Georgia; not all accounts can send/receive GEL. Availability can change.
• SWIFT transfer: Both TBC and BOG support incoming SWIFT transfers in USD/EUR, which are then converted to GEL at the bank's rate.
• Crypto: Georgia has an active crypto community and several licensed crypto exchange services in Tbilisi; P2P crypto-to-GEL trades are common among the expat community.