Tbilisi prices in 2026: khinkali ₾1–1.5 each (~$0.36–0.54), hostel bed ₾25–40/night (~$9–14), lunch at a local cafe ₾15–25 (~$5–9), Bolt ride across town ₾4–8 (~$1.4–2.9). Georgia has become 20–30% more expensive since 2022, but it still costs less than most European cities. Exchange rate: 1 GEL ≈ $0.36. Daily budget: backpacker ₾80 (~$29), mid-range ₾200 (~$72), comfortable ₾400 (~$144).
Is Georgia still affordable in 2026?
Every tour, someone asks me: "Timur, is Tbilisi really as cheap as they say?" The honest answer: it used to be. Between 2019 and 2021, Tbilisi was extraordinarily cheap. Then, starting in 2022, over 100,000 expats moved in, rents nearly doubled, and restaurant prices followed.
That said — compared to Barcelona, Istanbul, or Prague, Tbilisi in May 2026 is still significantly cheaper. A sit-down lunch with wine runs €10–15. A night in a proper guesthouse is €20–30. In most European cities, that gets you a sandwich at a bar counter.
This guide gives you real numbers, verified in April–May 2026. Not estimates from two years ago, and not rounded-up figures for peace of mind — actual prices from places I know personally.
Currency and exchange: Georgian Lari, exchange rates, cards
Georgia's currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL, symbol ₾). As of May 2026:
| Currency | 1 GEL equals | 100 GEL equals |
|---|---|---|
| USD (dollar) | ≈ $0.36 | ≈ $36 |
| EUR (euro) | ≈ €0.33 | ≈ €33 |
| GBP (pound) | ≈ £0.28 | ≈ £28 |
Where to exchange money
- Currency exchange booths near Rustaveli Avenue and Deserter's Bazaar — best rates in the city. Look for "Exchange" signs with no commission.
- TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs — accept Visa and Mastercard, typically 1–2% fee.
- Airport exchange — rates are 5–8% worse. Only change the minimum you need for a taxi.
Accommodation: hostel, guesthouse, hotel — prices by district
Tbilisi has accommodation for every budget. The most atmospheric and convenient neighbourhoods: Sololaki (historic centre), Abanotubani (old town, sulphur bath district), Vera (quiet, residential), and Saburtalo (modern, further from tourists but cheaper).
| Type | Price ₾/night | Price $/night | Best neighbourhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel (dormitory bed) | ₾25–40 | $9–14 | Sololaki, Marjanishvili |
| Guesthouse (private room) | ₾60–100 | $22–36 | Sololaki, Abanotubani |
| Airbnb / apartment | ₾80–150 | $29–54 | Vera, Saburtalo |
| 3-star hotel | ₾120–200 | $43–72 | Rustaveli, centre |
| 4–5-star hotel | ₾300–700 | $108–250 | Old town, riverfront |
Food prices: khinkali, khachapuri, cafes, restaurants
Eating in Tbilisi is one of the main reasons to come. Georgian food is hearty, flavourful, and even in the more tourist-facing spots, rarely disappoints. The trick is knowing which ones to avoid — and those are easy to spot (photos of dishes on the door, menus in four languages, folded napkins on the table).
Prices for specific dishes
| Dish | Price ₾ | Price $ | Where to find it cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khinkali (1 piece) | ₾1–1.5 | $0.36–0.54 | Local khinkali houses near the station |
| Imereti khachapuri (round) | ₾5–8 | $1.8–2.9 | Neighbourhood bakeries in Sololaki |
| Adjarian khachapuri (boat) | ₾10–14 | $3.6–5 | Similar price everywhere |
| Pkhali assortment | ₾5–7 | $1.8–2.5 | Deserter's Bazaar |
| Lobio (bean stew in clay pot) | ₾6–8 | $2.2–2.9 | Cafes on Agmashenebeli Ave |
| Mtsvadi (Georgian BBQ) | ₾10–18 | $3.6–6.5 | Courtyard cafes in Didube |
| Badrijani (aubergine with walnut) | ₾5–8 | $1.8–2.9 | Any non-tourist cafe |
| Coffee | ₾3–6 | $1.1–2.2 | Fabrika complex, Fabrice |
| Glass of wine (restaurant) | ₾6–12 | $2.2–4.3 | Draft wine at a bar — ₾4–6 |
| 1 litre of draft wine | ₾5–10 | $1.8–3.6 | Deserter's Bazaar, ₾3–5 |
Total meal costs by format
| Format | Cost ₾ | Cost $ | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery snack | ₾3–8 | $1–3 | Khachapuri + drink |
| Lunch at a local cafe | ₾15–25 | $5–9 | Soup, khinkali, lobio, tea |
| Lunch at a tourist cafe | ₾30–50 | $11–18 | Same dishes, better view |
| Dinner with wine (2 people) | ₾80–120 | $29–43 | Starters, mains, bottle of wine |
| Dinner at a proper restaurant (2 ppl) | ₾120–200 | $43–72 | Full table, good wine |
Transport in Tbilisi: metro, Bolt, marshrutka, airport taxi
Tbilisi is walkable in the centre, but the metro and Bolt cover everything else efficiently. Public transport requires a Metrocard (₾5 deposit + top-up), available at any metro station.
| Transport option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (single journey) | ₾1 | Requires Metrocard |
| Bus / marshrutka (minibus) | ₾1 | Same card |
| Bolt across town | ₾4–8 ($1.4–2.9) | Fastest and most transparent |
| Street taxi | ₾10–20 | Always agree on price before getting in |
| Airport taxi → city centre | ₾30–40 | Bolt usually ₾25–35, safer |
| Airport bus → city centre | ₾1 | Route 37, takes 40–60 minutes |
| Marshrutka: Tbilisi → Kazbegi | ₾10–15 | From Didube bus station |
| Marshrutka: Tbilisi → Mtskheta | ₾1–2 | Very frequent departures |
Tours: group vs private guide — what's the real difference?
Tours are a significant separate line item. It's worth understanding the difference between aggregators (GetYourGuide, Viator, Tripster) and booking directly with a private guide. Aggregators charge 20–30% commission on top, which is built into the price you see.
| Tour | Group tour (aggregator) | Private guide Sakhva |
|---|---|---|
| Kazbegi day trip | $45–70 / person | from ₾175 / person |
| Kakheti wine tour | $40–60 / person | from ₾170 / person |
| Night Tbilisi walk | $25–40 / person | from ₾94 / person |
| Mtskheta monasteries | $20–35 / person | from ₾120 / person |
| Batumi + Adjaria | $50–70 / person | from ₾123 / person |
The difference isn't only price. With a private guide you get a flexible itinerary, no bus of 20 strangers, stops when and where you want, meals where locals eat — not where the bus operator has a commission agreement.
Entertainment: sulphur baths, cable car, museums, wine tasting
Tbilisi is full of things to do that cost very little. The sulphur baths in Abanotubani are the city's signature experience. Public halls are the cheapest option; private cabins are cleaner and more intimate.
| Activity | Price ₾ | Price $ |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur baths — public hall | ₾3–5 | $1–1.8 |
| Sulphur baths — private cabin (1 hour) | ₾30–150 | $11–54 |
| Cable car (Narikala fortress) | ₾5 | $1.8 |
| National Museum of Georgia | ₾15–20 | $5–7 |
| Open Air Museum of Ethnography | ₾10 | $3.6 |
| Wine tasting at a bar | ₾30–50 | $11–18 |
| Winery tasting in Kakheti | ₾20–40 | $7–14 |
| Boat ride on the Mtkvari river | ₾10–20 | $3.6–7 |
| Concert at the Philharmonic | ₾20–50 | $7–18 |
| Nightclub entry | ₾0–20 | $0–7 |
Daily budgets: backpacker, mid-range, comfortable
Three realistic budget tiers for Tbilisi. All prices in GEL. Exchange rate: 1 GEL ≈ $0.36.
| Expense | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₾25–35 (dorm) | ₾80–100 (guesthouse) | ₾150–200 (3* hotel) |
| Breakfast | ₾5 (bakery) | ₾12–15 (cafe) | ₾20–30 (coffee shop) |
| Lunch | ₾10–15 (khinkali house) | ₾20–30 (cafe) | ₾40–60 (restaurant) |
| Dinner | ₾15–20 (with wine) | ₾30–50 (cafe + wine) | ₾80–120 (restaurant) |
| Transport | ₾2–5 (metro) | ₾10–15 (Bolt + metro) | ₾20–30 (taxi) |
| Activities | ₾5–10 (baths / cable car) | ₾20–30 (museum + bar) | ₾50–80 (guided tour) |
| Daily total | ~₾80 / ~$29 | ~₾200 / ~$72 | ~₾400 / ~$144 |
For a week: backpacker ~₾560 (~$200), mid-range ~₾1,400 (~$500), comfortable ~₾2,800 (~$1,000). Flights and any day trips to Kazbegi or Kakheti are on top of this.
7 practical tips to spend less in Tbilisi
- Eat where locals eat. No English menu on the door means lower prices and better food. Agmashenebeli Avenue, Avlabari, Didube — khinkali cost ₾1 there.
- Buy wine at the market. Deserter's Bazaar: draft wine starts at ₾3–5 per litre. The same wine in a restaurant runs ₾30–60 per litre.
- Use Bolt, not street taxis. The price difference is 2–3x. Set it up before you arrive and link a card.
- Walk the centre. From Rustaveli to Narikala Fortress is 20 minutes on foot. Take the cable car up (₾5), walk back down — free, and arguably prettier.
- Book guesthouses directly. Many Sololaki guesthouses give a 10–15% discount if you message them directly on WhatsApp rather than booking through Booking.com.
- Try the public sulphur baths. ₾3–5 gets you the same centuries-old water as the expensive private cabins. The "Irakli" bath on Abanotubani is the oldest operating bath in the city.
- Get a local SIM card. Magti SIM with 10 GB of data: ₾5–10 at the airport. Without it, you are paying for roaming or hunting for Wi-Fi. With it, you have Bolt, navigation, and instant translation.