Organize your stay Georgia
Covid-19 : current situation Georgia
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Georgia. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Georgia
The official currency is the lari (GEL, official abbreviation). 1 lari is equal to 100 tetris. Exchange rates in February 2020: 1 €, 3.14 GEL; 1 CHF 2.92 GEL; 1 USD, 2.85 GEL.
ATMs can be found just about everywhere in small and large cities accepting Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus cards, inside banks or in the street. In Tbilisi and other cities, money changers are plentiful, exchanging dollars, euros, etc
You can pay for your hotel bill, medium and high-end restaurants, and purchases in souvenir shops with your credit card. Plan on small bills or the exact change in laris to take the bus, taxi and other small expenses.
Budget & Tips Georgia
Travel on a mini budget, a lunch on the go or in a doukani, a cheap restaurant very popular in the country.
Passport and visas Georgia
European Union citizens with a valid passport or a valid national identity card can stay in Georgia for less than one year without a visa. Remember to make photocopies of your documents: if they are lost or stolen, the process will be much easier. If you plan to continue your trip by exploring Azerbaijan or Armenia, only passports are accepted by these two countries.
Warning: If you are travelling to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia, do not attempt to enter Georgia afterwards. You will be prosecuted by the Georgian authorities and may face up to five years in prison.
Driver's license Georgia
An international driver's license is recommended for driving in Georgia. Before you leave, you can obtain it from your prefecture.
Health Georgia
It is always strongly recommended to keep your health record up to date and, before departure, to consult your doctor for a health check-up and to consult an international vaccination centre, such as the Institut Pasteur. Always leave with a good insurance policy, covering all medical expenses and medical repatriation.
It is important to be assured that you are well vaccinated against tuberculosis, DT polyo, and mumps, rubella and measles for the younger ones. No vaccination is mandatory for entry into Georgia, but in addition to being up to date, recommendations for other vaccinations will vary depending on the length of your stay, travel conditions, itinerary and the region you are visiting.
In any case, vaccination against hepatitis A is essential, hepatitis B, typhoid, central European tick-borne encephalitis if you plan to go on a trek, and of course rabies, given the very high number of stray dogs in the country. Avoid all contact with them.
Observe basic hygiene rules. Tap water is drinkable, except in remote provinces. Mosquitoes are particularly aggressive, so remember to bring repellent and clothing with repellent. Southeast Georgia is prone to malaria.
Prepare your first-aid kit with basic necessities (aspirin, bandages, mosquito repellent, disinfectants, sun cream, antidiarrheals, hydro-alcoholic washing solution), local pharmacies are however well equipped.
Pay attention to the composition of certain medicines. Georgia has very strict rules regarding their importation. Some of them, such as painkillers containing opiates (codeine is one of them, as well as medicines containing benzodiazepine), are prohibited in Georgia, while they are tolerated by prescription in Europe. They are related to the law on narcotic drugs in force in Georgia, as the authorities have drawn up a list of banned components of which these two substances are part. Medicines must be declared at customs with the detailed prescription. French tourists have already been arrested with these medicines in their luggage. No more than ten packets of medicines are allowed. Consult the website of the French embassy. In case of illness on the spot, quickly contact the embassy services which has a list of doctors on the spot and will eventually decide on your repatriation. In the event of serious illness or accident, you will indeed have to plan for repatriation, as hospitals are not up to European standards.
Pharmacies, which are numerous, are sometimes open 24 hours a day in Tbilisi, but always opt for an establishment belonging to a large chain (Aversi, GPC and PSP) where staff are more likely to speak English than in small local pharmacies.
Time difference Georgia
Georgia is on the GMT + 4 time zone: there are therefore 3 hours more in winter than in France, and 2 hours more in summer.
Spoken languages Georgia
The official language is Georgian. Before Georgia's independence in 1991, Russian was compulsory during schooling, but this language is in sharp decline. About half of the population speaks Russian. The younger generation in urban areas is learning and speaking English or German more easily. The Armenian minorities speak Armenian and Azeri.
Communication Georgia
In the field, you will be able to communicate easily in English; the younger generation has a good command of it. English is spoken in all tourist places
Electricity and measurements Georgia
The voltage is 220 V, you don't usually need an adapter, otherwise your hotel will provide you with one. The metric system is the same as in France. The plugs are European standard C and F.
Luggage Georgia
There is no need to overload yourself, in case you forget, you can always get supplies from Georgia. Always remember to take a good pair of walking shoes - if you are going on a trek, take the right equipment. Bring a flashlight, which is always useful in mountainous regions or in the poorly lit streets of some cities.
"In Rome, do as the Romans do" as the old saying goes. When travelling, it is always advisable to adapt to local customs. Georgians, both men and women, always wear what is known as classic dress. There is no need to shock, miniskirts and marcel tee-shirts are requested to stay in France.
Depending on the season and the region you are visiting, take light or warm clothes: warm clothes in the mountains and lighter clothes on the Black Sea coast and in the plains. Men never wear shorts or Bermuda shorts, even in the heat. Stay modest, sexy outfits are not appropriate.
When visiting religious sites, such as cathedrals, churches and others, women should always cover their hair, shoulders and legs, even if you are already wearing pants. Correct dress is required and mandatory for men too, shorts and bermuda shorts are also forbidden, as are sleeveless T-shirts. Scarves and large pieces of fabric that you can use as a skirt guide are available at the entrance to the churches. If you forget to cover up, you will be reminded.
Also remember to take a first-aid kit with basic pharmaceuticals.
