Sample Weekly Budgets Per Person
Your travel style is the biggest factor in your total spending. A week in Georgia can be surprisingly affordable. A budget backpacker can manage on ₹25,000-₹35,000 (around 830-1160 GEL), staying in hostels and eating locally. A mid-range traveller, preferring
private guesthouses and a mix of restaurants, should budget ₹50,000-₹70,000 (around 1660-2330 GEL). For a more comfortable trip with boutique hotels, private tours, and fine dining, expect to spend upwards of ₹90,000 (around 3000+ GEL). These estimates exclude airfare.
Accommodation: Guesthouses, Hotels, and Hostels
Accommodation costs vary by city and season. In cities like Tbilisi and Batumi, a bed in a quality hostel dorm costs between ₹700-₹1,200 (23-40 GEL) per night. The real gems are the family-run guesthouses, which offer a private room for ₹2,500-₹4,000 (83-133 GEL) and an authentic local experience, often including breakfast. A room in a good 3-star hotel will set you back ₹4,500-₹6,500 (150-215 GEL) per night, with prices rising during the peak summer months of July and August. Booking an apartment through services like Airbnb can also be a cost-effective option, especially for longer stays.
Food and Drink: A Delicious and Affordable Feast
Georgian food is a major highlight and very budget-friendly. You can have a filling and delicious meal for relatively little money. A breakfast of Khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) from a local bakery costs just ₹150-₹350 (5-12 GEL). A lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps featuring Khinkali (dumplings), might cost ₹400-₹700 (13-23 GEL). For dinner at a mid-range restaurant with a glass of Georgia's famous wine, expect to pay ₹1,200-₹2,000 (40-67 GEL) per person. A glass of house wine can be as cheap as ₹250 (8 GEL), and a bottle in a supermarket starts from around ₹450 (15 GEL).
Getting Around: From City Metro to Country Roads
Transportation within Georgia is efficient and inexpensive. In Tbilisi, a single metro or bus ride costs around ₹30 (1 GEL), and a travel card allows for free transfers within 90 minutes. Taxis ordered through apps like Bolt are plentiful and cheap; a short trip within the city is typically ₹150-₹300 (5-10 GEL). For intercity travel, marshrutkas (shared minibuses) are the most common method. A trip from Tbilisi to the mountains of Kazbegi costs about ₹450 (15 GEL). Trains are also a comfortable option for longer distances, like the journey from Tbilisi to Batumi, with second-class tickets starting around ₹1,100 (36 GEL).
Sightseeing and Activities: Caves, Churches, and Culture
Many of Georgia's most beautiful sights, such as its numerous ancient churches and monasteries, are free to enter. However, entrance fees for national heritage sites and protected areas have increased recently. Expect to pay around ₹450 (15 GEL) for entry to cave cities like Vardzia and Uplistsikhe. More popular sites like Prometheus Cave can cost up to ₹750 (25 GEL). Day tours are a great-value way to see the countryside, with group tours starting from around ₹2,500-₹3,500 (83-116 GEL) per person. For a unique Tbilisi experience, a private room at the famous sulfur baths costs between ₹3,900-₹6,000 (130-200 GEL) per hour.
