What you need to know when going on a trip to Georgia. When and where to go to Georgia, do you need visas, what to see and visit in Georgia. Food and prices, etc.
Georgia has long attracted me with its khachapuri and mountainous expanses, but so far I still could not get to this dream country because of my Asia, Europe and Siberia .. Finally, it is getting closer and closer, and while I decided to start with this Guest post... My Georgian specialist Victor is also a global traveler and photographer whom we met in Phuket. He spent his childhood in Batumi and has come to Georgia every summer to this day. Victor's website Georgiabest.ru turned out to be the most useful for me in preparing for the first trip, and in this article Victor briefly but succinctly tells the most important thing: this is information about how to get to Georgia, about visas, prices, interesting places ah Georgia worth visiting and so on.
Victor, traveler, guide in Georgia: Georgiabest.ru Yes, Georgia is on everyone's lips these days. And not in vain, oh not in vain. Come and see for yourself. So that later, too, closing his eyes, with a dreamy air, broadcast to friends how good it is, fun and sincerely. Of course, there are exceptions among the happy crowds of tourists, but they only prove the rule. And the rule is that this country will not leave anyone indifferent. And you have no reason to deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know Georgia and discover its amazing inhabitants and the breathtaking beauty of nature. What can we say about cultural, architectural and historical monuments, which are here literally at every step, and often - right in the courtyards of people, such as towers in Svaneti or ancient qvevri in Kakheti ...
In winter they go to Georgia to have a fun and unforgettable meeting New Year: v new year's eve the whole country explodes with hundreds of thousands of fireworks. Also in winter they come here to go skiing and snowboarding in Bakuriani and Gudauri. Well, given that the winter in Georgia is not so cold in comparison with the Ukrainian or Russian, then it will be all the same to see the sights in different parts of the country, with the exception, perhaps, of the remote regions of Tusheti and Racha, and even more so, to walk in Tbilisi and Mtskheta comfortable and not cold.
Important about winter in Georgia:
- In winter, and especially in March, there is a possibility of strong gusty winds, which usually last 2-3 days.
- Heating in apartments and hotels in Georgia is not as good as in Russia - it is cool.
- Due to snowfalls, they may block the Georgian Military Road - the only highway connecting the country with Russia, and it will not always be possible to get to Stepantsminda to see the legendary Kazbek and the Gergeti Church.
- Georgia has a couple of excellent ski resorts with good slopes and open spaces for freeriding: Gudauri, 80 km from Vladikavkaz (for beginners and advanced) and Bakuriani, 180 km from Tbilisi (more difficult tracks).
May June- a good period for those who do not like the heat. There are no such high temperatures, because of which in summer Tbilisi is practically empty: everyone is trying to leave, and even more so, to take the children somewhere in the forest or in the mountains. In general, in Georgia it is an almost indestructible tradition - to take children in the summer to 3, or at least 2 resorts in order to change the air and raise immunity. So in the period from May to early July, usually locals go to the mountains or coniferous forests. Pines bloom in May, and this pine air is very useful for both adults and children.
But in Tbilisi at this time it is quite comfortable. As a rule, it rains from time to time, the sun is shining, but not yet burning everything around, plus local vegetables and fruits appear on the shelves. You can overeat from the heart, because the prices are quite reasonable in comparison with the megacities of neighboring countries.
End of summer. Well, if you are a fan of the scorching sun, sea, beach and watermelons - come to Georgia in July-September. You can fly straight to Batumi, go to Kobuleti, Kvariati, Shekvetili, Ureki, Sarpi or Cape Verde(Mtsvane Konkhi). During this period, you will also find yourself in an incredible abundance of local fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs.
Late fall. It may seem that from October to December in Georgia it is gray, uninteresting, cold, and there is nothing to do. In fact, not entirely true. It is still quite warm in October, and it is a pleasure to go on excursions, and the counters are bursting with the gifts of the Georgian land: grapes, persimmons, figs - these are just a few examples. The famous Georgian tangerines will start in November. Also, in autumn they go to Georgia to see such a colorful and unforgettable event as "rtveli" - grape harvest. A visit to rtveli is in itself a sufficient reason to come here in the middle of autumn.
An important factor in favor of planning a trip at this time (and also from February to March) - more low prices on lodging and excursions than during the high season. So weigh the pros and cons and choose the perfect time for you.
Visa to Georgia (not required)
Good news, if you are traveling from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and 88 other countries, you do not need a visa, at the border they will simply put an entry stamp on your passport. Moreover, citizens of Russia, if you suddenly want to stay, (and this is a very possible scenario, as practice shows), you can stay for a whole year, you will not need a visa.
Is it safe for Russian-speaking tourists in Georgia?
One often hears the question: "How safe is it for Russians to go to Georgia?" Given the tense relations between these two states, the question is quite understandable.
But among Georgians, it causes either laughter or bewilderment. "How could you even think that the Russians are dangerous here?" - this is how the answer to your question from the lips of local residents will sound like this.
Georgians, and everyone who lives in this southern country, for the most part, they are peaceful and hospitable, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The older generation in Georgia speaks excellent Russian, and some of the young people too. Although young people usually know English better than Russian, as such, you will not have a barrier in communicating with the local population. Someone who knows Russian is sure to be found nearby.
And in the field of tourist services, even more so: sellers, guides, drivers, hotel staff speak Russian.
How to get to Georgia on your own
On the this moment you can get to Georgia either by air or by land, or, if you are coming from Ukraine, by sea - by ferry. Trains, unfortunately, do not run here yet.
- Airplanes fly to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. They fly in Kutaisi, so this a good option, especially since there are also many interesting places in this part of Georgia, you can even stay there for a couple of days. A Moscow-Tbilisi air ticket costs around $ 80, you can find the most profitable tickets.
- You can come by your own car - this is even greater freedom of movement and unrealistically beautiful roads.
- It takes a long time to get there by bus Moscow-Tbilisi, but on a budget (about $ 60). There is a bus from Kiev.
- By ferry you can get to Georgia from Odessa. Although it is long and at a price close to air travel.
Prices in Georgia: for recreation and for life
Another topical question is how much will it cost to rest or live in Georgia. This is understandable - you want to have an idea in advance, at least roughly, how much money to take with you and what to be prepared for.
As for housing prices- then here, as luck would have it, well, what conditions do you prefer. - from $ 4 per night per person, clean and in the city center - from $ 10. Apartments for rent during the season cost $ 30 and more. Usually a nice renovated apartment with a good location costs $ 50-60.
→ Rent a home for a long time the easiest way is already in place, or write an announcement in advance in the Facebook group (a group in the city where you want to live). In the winter season, many not cheap hotels rent rooms for a long time very cheaply, you can find them in the region of $ 200 / month.
Taxi around the city- from 5-15 lari (2-7 $). Guide services - from 100 GEL ($ 40) per day, car rental - from $ 50 per day. Gasoline costs 2.35 lari ($ 1).
Entrance to many historical places is free, or within 3-7 lari ($ 1.25-3).
Look at examples of food prices if you have the strength and desire to cook on your own in a country where there is delicious street food and fairly reasonable prices in restaurants:
- Sugar 1 kg - 2 GEL ($ 0.75)
- Bread - 70 tetri ($ 0.25)
- Local apples - 1.5 GEL (0.6 $)
- Potatoes - 80 tetri ($ 0.3)
- Georgian cheese - from 6 lari ($ 2.5)
- Grain coffee 100 g - from 1.5 lari (0.6 $)
- Milk - 2.50 lari ($ 1)
- Churchkhela - 3 GEL ($ 1.15)
→ Some restaurants in Tbilisi worth visiting:
- Art Cafe Gabriadze (Shovteli St., 13) is one of the most original institutions in Tbilisi, an author's cafe created by the artist and director Rezo Gabriadze, the author of "Kin-dza-za", the sculptor of the famous monument "Chizhik-Pyzhik" in St. Petersburg ...
- Restaurant "Khinkali House" (Rustaveli, 37, Rustaveli metro station). Works around the clock, the name speaks for itself :).
- Dukhan "Racha" (Lermontov st. 6). This place is for locals, most of the visitors are men. The place is very atmospheric, you can order Georgian national dishes here, but it is best to try the dishes, characteristic of the region Racha: apkhazuri, lobiani, etc.
- Art Cafe "Shevardnadze Garden" - an institution that combines a "shabby chic" style cafe, a garden and a flower shop. Location: Latkini microdistrict. at the end of st. Khudadova, (not far from the police station).
- Machakhela (26 Meydan) is a chain restaurant, one of the best is the restaurant on Meydan Square, in the very center of the old city. It is easy to recognize by the volumetric inscription located in front of the entrance: I love Tbilisi. Sitting in the restaurant, you can admire the panorama of the city from a window, balcony or open terrace.
- Samikitno Restaurant (25 Merab Kostava St).
- Mirzaani (delicious beer, address: 140 Akaki Tsereteli Ave).
- Salobio.
- Hincklees sahli.
Although these are rather eateries, they are clean, some of them with interesting Georgian-style interiors, and the food there is almost like homemade.
In general, it is necessary to try to find an institution in Georgia where Georgian cuisine is poorly prepared. Barbecue prices - from 12 lari ($ 5), Khinkali - 70 tetri little thing. Five pieces - and nothing else will fit into you out of habit. But you have to. Khachapuri - 7 GEL ($ 3), kebab - from 6 GEL ($ 2.5). Tea, coffee, lemonade - about 2 lari ($ 0.8) per cup / bottle.
Street food is also tasty and inexpensive: lobiani, kubdari, pichini, khachapuri cost 2 GEL on average.
Georgian cuisine. What you should definitely try
You can write endlessly about Georgian cuisine. But even better to come and taste everything for yourself. We can only guide you so that you are not completely lost in the novelty, variety and names that are unfamiliar to the ear.
Khinkali Khinkali- the most famous dish of Georgian cuisine. They look like sacks of dense dough, stuffed with minced meat and herbs, including cilantro. A correct khinkali should have at least 16 folds, according to knowledgeable people. It is important to eat them correctly: grab the leg with your hands or a fork (a compromise for non-locals), bite gently, drink the delicious juice, and then eat everything except the leg. You can pour tomato sauce satsebeli into the hole in the khinkali. Khinkali with mushrooms is prepared for vegetarians.
Khachapuri Khachapuri. There are many different types of them: imeruli, ajaruli, megruli, and, of course, ajaruli. Adjarian khachapuri in the form of a boat and with an egg broken into a cheese filling and butter is a real celebration of taste. This is a must try. Some establishments serve a huge ajaruli, nicknamed the Titanic - enough for a whole company or family. You need to pinch off the pieces of dough on the sides of the khachapuri and dip them into the hot filling.
Lobio and mchadi... A simple, hearty and delicious dish. Red beans cooked with spices in a ketsi (clay pot) and unleavened cornmeal flatbread. There are even establishments that are called “lobiynaya” - for example, the Salobio cafe, which has already become a separate attraction of the city of Mtskheta, where Alexander Sergeevich himself once enjoyed the famous Mtskheta pies and lobio.
If you are not afraid of new flavors and unusual combinations, try the following very colorful dishes:
Chakapuli- young meat stewed with herbs and spices, as well as sour green tkemali.
Hashi- very much an amateur. If you are that lover, you will be delighted. In Georgia, khash is so respected that separate establishments have been created for them: khash. And they open very early in the morning - at about 4:00. Because this fatty, nourishing, scalding hot giblet soup with a lot of garlic is very beneficial for a hangover. It is usually eaten with chacha.
For vegetarians, Georgia is also full of freedom. There are all kinds of cheese, and kinzmari (fish in cilantro sauce) and pkhali - pasta made from spinach, cabbage, beet tops or beets with spices, and infusion with mint, and various soups, and mushrooms fried in ketsi, and ajapsandal - stew from tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant and potatoes, and a variety of pickles.
All kinds of spices, herbs, herbs, and nuts are generously used in Georgian cuisine. Even an ordinary tomato-cucumber salad here turns into a work of art, because they put aromatic regani (red basil) and add nut sauce to it. Nuts are put in fried eggplant rolls, in satsivi, in baji, and in kharcho soup.
Wine in Georgia. Special wine and gastronomic tours, the cuisine of Georgia is so tasty and distinctive, but you don't need to say anything about wines - come and taste.
What to see in Georgia, where to visit? Top 7 interesting places
Georgia, although small in territory, can compete with the largest and most ancient countries in terms of the number of sights and beautiful corners. It will probably take several months or years to see everything that Georgia has to offer! So you have to make a plan, choosing the most interesting for you. But there are places that every self-respecting traveler in Georgia must visit. We list them for you to note.
Metekhi Church of the Mother of God and the monument to King Vakhtang in Tbilisi It's far to go, there are many such places in Tbilisi itself:
- Narikala fortress,
- Sameba temple,
- Meidan (one of the central squares of Tbilisi),
- sulfur baths ...
Ancient city of Mtskheta(20 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.840922, 44.707233) . Near Tbilisi is Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia. In this renewed city and in its surroundings, you will see many beautiful, important and holy places: the Jvari monastery on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Shiomgvime monastery, and many others. Also, the city itself has been restored, there is a large selection of souvenirs, spices, churchkhel, and it's just nice to walk along its cozy streets.
Vardzia(240 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.381223, 43.284173) - not the only ancient cave city, but perhaps the most spectacular. 8 "floors", about 600 caves. Incredible place, where people lived for many centuries, hiding from numerous enemies.
Svaneti. Also a very distinctive and unique region in Georgia - Svaneti - a historical mountainous region in the North-West of Georgia (coordinates 42.904220, 42.503335). It attracts tourists from all over the world. Svaneti throughout its history has never been conquered and conquered. And special people live here - the Svans, the real harsh highlanders. Many of the courtyards still have ancient defensive towers that once belonged to their ancestors and were built about 1000 years ago.
Prometheus cave near Kutaisi (42.376771, 42.600971), discovered in 1983, is located next to the Sataplia Nature Reserve, which also has a smaller cave and dinosaur footprints. A very spectacular place. Inside there is a cave with beautiful lighting, huge stalactites, and it will not leave indifferent either adults or children. You can even go boating on the underground lake.
Martvili canyon - one of the most beautiful in the Megrelian Region It is definitely worth seeing and incredibly beautiful Martvili Canyon (North-West Georgia, coordinates: 42.457356, 42.377148)... If you are in Georgia during the hot season, be sure to visit this beautiful place, sail from the upper to the lower canyon by boat and swim at the waterfall.
Fortress Rabat in Meskheti (coordinates: 41.642829, 42.977166)- a restored medieval Turkish fortress with an area of 7 hectares and modern infrastructure. Beautiful, majestic, convenient for visiting and family entertainment.
Ureki black sand (41.987783, 41.760103). If you visit Georgia in summer or early autumn, be sure to take the opportunity to visit the Black Sea coast, on the unique beach with magnetic sand in Ureki. This black sand is renowned for its healing properties for joints and the circulatory system.
Cities of Georgia worth visiting
Tbilisi- a unique capital, the heart of Sakartvelo, where in the old city you will find narrow streets, old carpets, openwork grilles on windows and balconies, the aroma of coffee and a special relaxed atmosphere, so unusual big cities... You can walk in Tbilisi not a day or two, discovering new interesting places and institutions every day. Historical and cultural monuments here are presented in abundance. It is unforgivable to come to Georgia and not get to know Tbilisi.
Tbilisi travel guide can be explored
Colonnade on Primorsky Boulevard - Batumi Batumi Is a lively and charming town on the Black Sea. Beaches, musical fountains, old and new houses, a moving monument to lovers, an alphabet tower, bicycles for rent, a fish market where fish of your choice is cooked in front of your eyes, and much more awaits you to surprise and delight.
Sighnaghi - the city of love Sighnaghi- a restored, romantic, cozy city with red roofs and a view of the Alazani Valley. There is a 24-hour wedding palace here, where couples from different countries can get married by submitting Required documents.
Car tourism in Georgia
Gasoline cost in Georgia - a little less than a dollar per liter.
About movement. Be prepared for the chaotic traffic on the roads of Georgia, everyone honking, cutting off, violating, so keep your eyes open. There are problems with parking in the center of Tbilisi - there are not enough places, there are paid parking at Rike Park and on Meydan, as well as underground parking at large supermarkets, be guided by them, because in central regions in most cities, you can park only if you buy such a service from the mayor's office.
There are several autobahns in Georgia - this is part of the Tbilisi-Batumi road, as well as the Rustavi and Gori autobahns. The government plans to build new roads and restore existing ones.
Now in Georgia, the introduction of new system fines. According to this bill, the driver will have 100 points per year, and a certain amount will be charged for violations. If the point limit is reached, you will have to take the license exam again. Special “smart” video cameras are being installed around the city.
The road patrol is more loyal to tourists than to the locals, moreover, it helps if you turn to them.
The most beautiful roads- this is the road to Racha, Svaneti and Tushetia, although the latter can be reached only from June to September.
Georgian military road by which we enter Georgia from Russia is incredibly beautiful, but the quality of the road pleases much less than the landscapes. However, this is not so important, let's see what sights you will pass immediately after entering Georgia along the Georgian Military Highway:
- All along the route there are Georgian monuments of antiquity: cathedrals, fortresses, watchtowers. On the Georgian Military Highway there are Mtskheta, the Jvari temple-monastery (late 6th - early 7th centuries), Zemo-Avchal hydroelectric power station.
- The village of Chmi, where there is a complex of archaeological monuments from the Bronze Age to the late Middle Ages and a large Alanian burial ground of the 6th-9th centuries, where a large number of weapons, implements, and household items of the Alans were found.
- Mount Kazbek (5033 m).
- Darial fortification, built in 1804 in the Darial Gorge to guard the road.
- "Tamara's Castle" - ruins old tower on the opposite bank of the Terek.
- Zion Grove is a green oasis among the snowy peaks of the Caucasus.
- Cross Pass - highest point Georgian Military Highway.
- Gudauri abyss and the highest mountain village on the Georgian Military Highway Gudauri.
What a tourist should know about Georgia
- Georgia is a patriarchal country with living traditions, respectful attitude to elders, strong nepotism.
- The Orthodox Church has a great influence in the country. When visiting churches and monasteries, be prepared for the fact that women may need to cover their heads, wrapped in a scarf if they are not wearing a skirt. Not all places inside temples can be photographed.
- Children are treated with awe, they are allowed a lot, they are bathed in love and attention. Strangers may try to kiss your baby by the arms and squeeze on the cheeks, and in a restaurant they may well pick it up and carry it away, for example, to the kitchen, or walk around the hall with them. Some parents find such heightened attention tactless, while others rejoice and admire. Be that as it may, these are the nuances that you need to be prepared for in order to adequately respond.
- Georgia is a mixture of east and west, and this is its zest and charm. This is not a "sleek" tourist country.
- On the central streets and in the metro, you can meet harmless but annoying gypsies and beggars.
- People smoke in many public places, although the banning law has practically been passed.
- The streets are not everywhere perfectly clean and restored, although the latter is considered by many visitors to be just a plus.
- Most people are benevolent and hospitable, not because they expect a monetary reward from you, but because they are by nature such, and have not yet forgotten those qualities that are considered the main ones for every worthy resident of this amazing country.
Georgiabest.ru - Victor's site and the most complete guide-guide to Georgia, I highly recommend it to bookmarks to everyone who is going on a trip to this country. You can rate this article:
How to get to Georgia by car in 2020 from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities? What do you need to cross the border? The nuances of travel, the necessary documents, as well as reviews and advice from tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020.
Traveling to Georgia by car - unforgettable journey along the Georgian Military Highway, which has repeatedly been recognized as the most beautiful mountain route in the world. If you haven't driven it yet, it's definitely time. Read the article and hit the road!
Note: the only legal crossing of the Russian-Georgian border by land is through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint.
Rent a car is the best way to travel! - reliable and convenient car rental service in Georgia. Choose a car according to your taste and budget - there is a wide choice. The cost of car rental is from $ 23 per day. Do you have any questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you with everything.
Look for copyright interesting excursions on Sputnik and. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Route to Georgia from Russian cities
How to get to Georgia by car
Road to Georgia from Moscow
From Moscow to Georgia by car, the route runs along the M-4 "Don" highway through Voronezh to Rostov-on-Don. This section of the path of about 1100 km is not very memorable. The track is four-lane, with high-quality coverage and a couple of paid sections (30 and 55 rubles). According to the reviews of tourists, having left Moscow in the morning, you can drive this section in a day and get up for the night.
Further, the path runs through Kushchevskaya, Oktyabrskaya to the intersection with the P-217 Kavkaz highway (formerly M-29), through Kropotkin, Armavir, Nevinnomyssk, Vladikavkaz. From there, take the A-161 Vladikavkaz-Georgia highway (formerly P-301) to the border. Here begins the mountainous terrain, only two lanes for traffic, in some places four. There are dangerous sections, descents and ascents. The whole way is about 2000 km. From the border to Tbilisi, another 200 km along the mountain road. The infrastructure on the Russian side is well developed, with roadside motels, cafes and gas stations.
From St. Petersburg
It is optimal to move along the highway M-10 "St. Petersburg-Moscow" through Valdai, Tver to Moscow. Then go along the MKAD to the M-4 "Don" highway and go to the republic along the route described above from Moscow. Most likely, you will have to make two stops for the night - to go 2500 km to the border, another 200 km to Tbilisi, and crossing the border may take time.
From Yekaterinburg
The same long way has to be done by car from Yekaterinburg - 2600 km to the border. Usually travelers start their journey along the federal highway M-5 "Ural". The route runs through Kyshtym, Zlatoust, Ufa, Oktyabrsky to Togliatti. Here you can take the first break and stop for the night, then continue your journey along the P-228 "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd" highway to Volgograd, and along the P-221 "Volgograd-Elista" through Kamyshin to Elista. The third day of the trip will pass through the Stavropol Territory (Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk), Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia (Maysky, Terek, Ardon) to Vladikavkaz, from there to the border along the A-161 highway.
From Samara
Go 1700 km to the border. First, along the P-228 "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd" highway. The overnight stay can be done in the Volgograd region. Further, the path lies on Elista, Vladikavkaz to Upper Lars.
From Rostov
From Rostov to the border to go about 700 km. Theoretically, if you do not get stuck in traffic jams, you can meet in two days, with 1 stop for the night. You can get from Rostov to Vladikavkaz and Georgia using the described "Moscow" route (second part) through Kushchevskaya, Armavir, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik.
From Perm
To go to the border 2500 km, the journey will take 3 days. From Perm you need to go to the Krasnokamsk bypass road and keep your way in the direction of Izhevsk, then the route passes through Naberezhnye Chelny, Cheremshan, Sukhodol, Togliatti. Here you can stay for the night. Then continue the way through Kamyshin, Sadovoe, Elista, here you can stop a second time. The third day of the trip will pass through Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk, Maysky, Terek, Ardon, Vladikavkaz and to the border.
Mountain serpentine, Georgia (Photo: unsplash.com / @dominik_jirovsky)
Border crossing
In 2020, to cross the border with Georgia by car, you must have the following documents with you: passport (for all passengers), registration certificate and driver's license (for the driver). International car insurance is not required to enter Georgia. Visas for Russians since 2012.
The procedure for crossing the border is quite simple and usually short-lived - within an hour. There are delays on the Russian side. Tourists write that some particularly hasty drivers with a region number 15 tend to skip the line, which inevitably leads to clashes with other drivers. Inspection of a car is usually quick and impartial.
Roads in Georgia
The country is developing tourism, and you can see it on the roads. They have been renovated almost everywhere, at least the main tourist destinations. There are areas of open off-road. There are such sections on the Georgian Military Highway due to mudflows, which completely block traffic. And although the authorities fix the problem quickly, the quality of the road suffers greatly.
According to reviews on car trips to Georgia for 2019-2020, for some travelers the section of the road through the Cross Pass caused an outright shock: there is practically no asphalt from Kobi to Gudauri. This is a section with a high accident rate, it is easy to pierce the bottom of a car with a low ground clearance here, so you have to drive at the speed of a turtle, and preferably in a car with a high seating position. However, the skill of the driver has not yet been canceled.
Road sign after Arsha (Photo: med_fassih / flickr.com) Travel route in Georgia by car
The beginning of the trip to Georgia begins with the Georgian Military Highway, where the beauty of the surrounding landscapes simply delights. Kazbek, Terek, Daryala gorge, People's Friendship Arch, temples.
Usually all travelers start sightseeing from the capital -. Further, the route in Georgia by car can be as follows: from Tbilisi to Mtskheta and Ananuri, from Ananuri to Telavi, from there to Gremi and Tusheti or to David Gareji.
You can go from Tbilisi to Gori with a visit to Uplistsikhe, from there to Kutaisi, then to Mestia and Batumi. Some go to Borjomi - 160 kilometers from the capital - to drink mineral water and visit the nearby cave city of Vadzia, Khervisi and the fortress in Akhaltsikh. In summer, the Black Sea resorts are very popular: Sarpi, Gonio, Kvariati,.
A selection of popular excursions in Georgia:
Hotels and apartments in Georgia
See how much hotels cost in Georgia in summer 2020:
| A type | Price per day (rub.) | Example |
| Budget guest house in Kutaisi | from 600 ₽ | White House Kutaisi |
| Budget guesthouse in the center of Tbilisi | from 1200 ₽ | Guest House Kato |
| 3 * hotel with breakfast in Old Tbilisi | from 3000 ₽ | 7 Baits Hotel |
| Hotel 3 * by the sea in Batumi | from 1700 ₽ | Cozy Corner Hotel |
| 5 * hotel by the sea in Batumi | from 9300 ₽ | JRW Welmond Hotel & Casino |
Prices for rooms, apartments and houses in Georgia in the summer of 2020:
| A type | Price per day (rub.) | Example |
| Inexpensive room in the center of Kutaisi | from 800 ₽ | Room in Kutaisi |
| Apartment with a courtyard in the center of Tbilisi (2 bedrooms) | from 3000 ₽ | Tips and reviews for traveling to Georgia by car Drivers will need a lot of patience during a trip to Georgia by car. According to tourists, in the Stavropol Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia, many faced open extortion of money from local traffic police officers. Therefore, the best way to avoid this situation is not to violate. There are serpentines in the mountains, so drive carefully. Besides, Georgia has a disgusting driving style. This can be seen especially clearly in Tbilisi. Changing from the far left to turn right, not turning on the direction indicator, cutting off another car, driving at a red light - all this is in the order of things. Gasoline is expensive - on average, a liter of 95 costs 2.20 lari (at the current exchange rate of 52 rubles). According to the reviews of tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020, they will not be allowed into the country with cans, but you can fill a full tank in the Vladikavkaz area. By the way, there are no gas stations on the road right behind Upper Lars, and there is no currency exchange either. The first gas station will appear only in Gudauri. The food is not the cheapest, but delicious and the portions are large. Dinner at the cafe - 30 GEL per person. Very good Georgian wine costs 25-30 GEL per bottle. Remember that no more than 3 liters of alcoholic beverages per person can be imported into Russia. In general, it is safe in the country, you can safely go on a trip with children. The main highways are patrolled by the police, they will also help in case of a problem. The population is friendly, many speak Russian, so the language barrier is not felt.
(Photo: sergi2190 / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0) First photo: vampa_ / flickr.com / CC BY-SA 2.0 license. |
The places are marked on the map, it was in this order that we traveled through the cities of Georgia and in the same sequence I will tell you the most important thing about them.
Tbilisi
Loud Tbilisi, conquered us as soon as we left the airport and got into the minibus, here everyone is constantly beeping and talking, talking, and if you move away from the streets and go to the Botanical Garden, for example, then extraneous sounds disappear and you only hear the noise of a waterfall and rustle of foliage, so you can get to know the calm side of the city. It is also a bold city - I was surprised and liked the modern architecture, for example, this pipe in the photo is a theater.
What to see?
- Narikala Fortress;
- Statue of Mother of Kartli;
- Tbilisi Botanical Garden;
- Bridge of Peace;
- Shardeni street;
- Freedom Square;
- Russtaveli Avenue;
- Europe Square and Rike Park;
- Meydan Square.
Where to stay? We stayed at Popova Apartments, we would not recommend it. In the room, except for the bed, nothing else fits. You open the door from the bathtub and find yourself immediately on the bed, there is no place on the floor. The whole room is literally two by two meters.
From the pros: 5 minutes to the city center.
You can book accommodation at a bargain price on hotellook.com. This is a hotel aggregator that compares prices on all booking sites and shows the best one.
Where is it tasty and inexpensive? Samikitno, it is located just on the Meydan Square through which all tourist routes lie. There is a veranda overlooking the square, prices are below average, a huge selection of various khachapuri and khinkali (with spinach, vegetables, cottage cheese, with different kinds meat), a small khachapuri (which is actually very large) - costs 150 rubles.
Mtskheta, Jvari monastery
Jvari monastery- this is a famous temple on a mountain near the city of Mtskheta, tourists come here to look at the confluence of the Aragva and Kura rivers, we are no exception. True, for all its popularity, Jvari is inconvenient for visiting, direct regular transport does not go here, the track is a little off to the side and it is high-speed, but it is here that hitchhiking is well developed.
You can find out 10 reasons why you should visit Georgia.
Continuation of our route
Keep the post for yourself for the future, share with your friends in social networks and if you want to visit Georgia write about it in the comments and make a wish so that the trip happens in the near future, and then whatever happens.
Good afternoon, dear readers. In this article you will find useful tips about how to independently go on vacation to Georgia.
Benefits of independent travel to Georgia
Georgia is a special country, with its own traditions and refined national cuisine... A huge number of unique historical sites are concentrated in a small area. There is a warm Black Sea, Caucasian mountains, and plains with small hills. More than one country in the world you will not see so many things at once. This is probably why tour operators take a lot of money for organizing holidays in this country. A trip on a tourist voucher lasting less than a week goes into the amount for which you can live in Georgia for about a month, rent good housing and have nothing to deny yourself.
The tour through the agency provides a standard route to the most favorite places of tourists. But there are many more unique places in Georgia that are worth seeing. In a constant rush for a guide, surrounded by strangers, the trip can be so frustrating that you will no longer want to continue the trip. It takes time to travel at least part of the country and see Georgia a little from the inside. Most travelers know this and go to Georgia on their own. And you too can follow their example.
Tip: Do not be afraid that it will not work, be afraid that you will not try.
Knowing all the nuances of the upcoming trip, it will not be difficult to organize your vacation independently and in advance. The first step is to decide on the transport that is convenient for you to get to Georgia.
How to quickly and comfortably get to Georgia
There are several options for how to quickly and conveniently get to Georgia:
- by plane flight to Georgia
- train ride
- bus ride
- flight by plane to Vladikavkaz, then by bus to Georgia.
- flight by plane to Azerbaijan or Armenia, then by bus or train to Georgia.
The easiest option is to fly by plane. Flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Rostov-on-Don and other cities of Russia will be delivered in a couple of hours to one of the airports in Georgia. There are three of them in the country: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi. It should be noted right away that it is more convenient to plan the travel route, depending on the city in which the landing will be. So you can save time on road trips by looking in order at all the planned places and not winding unnecessary circles. Another flight option is Moscow-Vladikavkaz. Then by bus across the land across the border to Georgia. Buses from Vladikavkaz leave every 1.5 hours. Travel time is 5-6 hours. You can also fly to Armenia (Yerevan) or Azerbaijan (Baku) by plane and get from the capitals to Tbilisi by train. The train schedule is available on the Internet. It makes no sense to give here even an approximate one, since it changes depending on the season. You can also get there by buses from these capitals.
A trip by your own car is also possible, the road will pass through the Russian-Georgian border at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. Verification of documents at the border may take some time. Depending on the season, the number of tourists entering the country varies.
Another option is to go by train to Vladikavkaz and from here also by bus through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. Due to the tense Abkhaz-Georgian situation, it is impossible to pass through Abkhazia, entry is prohibited. Georgian border guards will regard this as an attempt to illegally cross the border, even if you are from Russia.
Tourists from Sochi can get to Georgia by water transport... Several hours of travel on the "Kamet" fly by unnoticed and fill with new emotions.
Documents required for travel to Georgia
List of documents required for travel and for crossing the border:
- international passport
- a child's foreign passport if you are traveling with children
- if you wish, you can take out insurance.
Tip: Check your passport for stamps on crossing the borders of Abkhazia or North Ossetia. If they are, they will refuse to enter Georgia. Change your passport.
To travel to Georgia, you must have with you a foreign passport, which will be valid for at least a month after the expected date of return to the Russian Federation. So there will be no unnecessary problems with a trip in the opposite direction, in case of unforeseen situations. Since Georgia is a country high mountains, turbulent rivers, snowy rocks and other extreme landscapes, a trip here can be fraught with some dangers. In this case, it is best to take care of insurance, which, if necessary, will cover all incurred costs associated with treatment, return and other troubles.
Rent a house in Georgia
When planning a trip to Georgia on your own, you need to take care of the place of residence in advance. Speaking about whether it is necessary to book accommodation for the entire duration of the proposed trip in advance, we note that for the first 2-3 days of living in Georgia, you need to book a room or hotel. Arriving at the place after a long journey, it is not very convenient to wander around with suitcases in hand and look for where to stay for the night. It is much more pleasant to take a taxi, to your room, take a break and start your excursion around this wonderful country with renewed vigor. Here the question arises: "For how many days to book accommodation in Georgia?" It will not be possible to answer it unequivocally. It all depends on the plans and route of the trip. If you decide to visit only one Batumi, then it is advisable to rent a house for the entire period of your vacation. And if the trip involves visiting several cities, then you need to think about it. It may be more convenient for you to book a hotel on the spot, 2-3 days before the expected departure from the current city. If, having arrived in Batumi, you plan to go to Tbilisi in two days, and then want to lie a little more on the warm beach, you will not have to waste time and money in order to cancel your reservation in Tbilisi. And 2-3 days will be enough to find accommodation in a new city.
In Georgia, the service of providing housing for rent is quite developed. On many well-known sites, you can choose and book the option that suits you. Price range from $ 4 to $ 200.
Advice: exchange rubles in advance for dollars and euros, so you will save a lot
The main types of housing that can be rented are:
- rooms in local houses
- room in hostels
- hotel rooms
- daily rate apartments.
One of the cheapest housing options is to rent a room in a local house. Georgians are friendly and good-natured people, they will feed you, and give you drink, and tell you a lot of interesting things about the country. I immediately remembered the quote of Otar Ioseliane: "In Georgia, they don't shout at drunken husbands - they pity them and put them to bed." So, it is not customary to shout at guests, especially in a Georgian house. A guest in Georgia is a messenger of God. Despite the hospitality of the people, one should not forget about the rules of good manners and neglect their hospitality.
For about 25 lari, you will be provided with an individual room, a shared kitchen and a bathroom. It is inexpensive to rent a room in a guesthouse. You will have your own room and a lot of cheerful neighbors, the same tourists as you.
Accommodation at the hotel will cost an average of $ 20 to $ 200, depending on the class of the hotel. Here, all the necessary conditions will be provided individually.
For tourists traveling big company or a family, a convenient option would be to rent an apartment for rent. Prices start at 30 GEL.
Hotels map
What to ride in Georgia
Basically, urban transport in Georgia is regular buses and minibuses (minibuses). They are quite convenient and fast to move around the city. The price of a single trip is about 0.5 GEL. It is sometimes impossible to get to some interesting places by public transport. Taxi drivers know these directions and deliberately raise fares. If necessary, it is better to use an official taxi, this will significantly save money.
Intercity buses are quite comfortable. But it can be tiresome to travel more than an hour in a minibus. Local population does not hesitate to throw a couple of trunks under the passengers' feet to hand them over to the neighboring city. In addition, they are already cramped and hot in them. But, despite these inconveniences, long trips involve visits to the most beautiful places, seeing which, all gloomy thoughts are immediately dispelled.
In the very popular destination, which connects the two main parts of Georgia, runs a modernized train linking Tbilisi-Batumi. Travel time is 5.5 hours.
Trains also run in the following directions: Tbilisi - Kutaisi, Tbilisi - Ozurgeti, Batumi - Kutaisi, Tbilisi - Poti, Tbilisi - Borjomi, Tbilisi - Zugdidi. In fact, this is all one railway line: it begins in Azerbaijan through Tbilisi, Gori, Rioni, then to Batumi with adjacent branches to Armenia, Borjomi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Poti.
The main directions and timetables of trains need to be clarified on the spot, as there are changes in time and seasons.
There is a metro in Tbilisi, you can also get around by minibuses and buses. You can go to the suburbs from the bus stations, in the city there are two of them on Mayakovskaya and Gogol streets. There are also commercial bus companies. It's much easier with them. All private buses have a specific timetable. Directions of buses to almost all cities of Georgia. Very convenient for independent travel.
Advice: When going on a tour of the mountainous areas of Georgia, do not take unnecessary things with you. Excursions here involve long hiking and ascents to the mountains.
The best rest and a full-fledged excursion in Georgia will be obtained if you have a car. Traveling around the beauty of Georgia in your cars, there is no time limit. If you don't want to travel from Russia to Georgia on your own, you can use the car rental service on the spot. It is better if it is an SUV, since it is impossible to drive to some places without a sedan. Choose the route with the most developed infrastructure.
An approximate travel route in Georgia: Tbilisi-Kazbeg-Alazanska Valley
Having purchased tickets or having determined an approximate route of travel, it is necessary to think over the travel route.
Going to Georgia for 5-7 days for the first time, you can plan your visit only the most famous places, since, it is impossible to inspect everything at once. At the same time, it will be a good reason to come again.
To enjoy beautiful nature, see ancient monasteries and fortresses, get closer to famous peak Georgia, drink good wine and taste delicious food, you can consider the following route: Tbilisi-Kazbeg-Alazani Valley.
Advice: think in advance about the exact travel route and allocate the time of stay at each point.
What attractions are along the route
To explore the city of Tbilisi, you need to stop here for two or three days. The city itself is very beautiful. Here old streets, stone-paved, beautiful facades, many interesting monuments, museums, bridges, parks and streets and many more interesting things worth paying attention to. Not far from the city is the village of Mtskheta, famous for its ancient Jvari monastery, built on the mountain. A stunning view of Tbilisi opens up from there. The confluence of two rivers (Mtkvari) is clearly visible. The visit will take at least half a day.
When entering the country, through the Russian border, the path passes along the Georgian military road, so a second visit to this historical site, does not take much time, because on the way here, you can immediately see its sights. We didn’t have time - there’s nothing to worry about. On the way, there will be an old fortress, which is located on the bank of the reservoir. Next is the ski resort. All along the route, you can arrange endless photo sessions against the backdrop of beautiful Georgian landscapes.
Further, the path goes to the village (Kazbegi). Here you can see the pearl of the Caucasus - Mount Kazbeg. The Gergeti Monastery was built at the foot of the mountain. To enjoy beautiful view mountain peak and inspect the monastery, you will need to climb a little up the mountain. Locals will be happy to take you to the point in 20 minutes. It is much more convenient and faster. The ascent to the foot takes about 2 hours. After the tour, you can go to one of the hostels to relax and spend the night. There is also a hotel in the village, panoramic views from which will remain in your memory for a long time, if you decide to spend a little.
The next morning you can walk a little more along the local beauties and then move back to Tbilisi, the return will be somewhere in the evening. Here you will have to stay overnight again, and in the morning leave for the historical region of Georgia, Kakheti. There you will see a small one, which is located on the slope of a cliff, the remains of towers and a fortress.
Your gaze will see the beautiful Alazani Valley in the background Caucasus mountains... It is impossible to enjoy the beauty of these places in one day, if time permits, you need to allocate at least one full day to visit them. A detailed inspection of all the sights on this route will take a week, at least.
A route that will allow you to see all the beautiful places of Georgia: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo - Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli) - Batumi - Tbilisi - Signagi.
This route starts like the previous one. It takes about two days to get to know Tbilisi and its environs. Further along the way, the village of Mtskheta, here you can get acquainted with, which is located on the mountain. From a height, see the city with its confluence of rivers and you can stay overnight.
In the morning you can drive in the direction of Kutaisi. Those who love the museum are advised to go to Gori. For those who do not really like institutions of this kind, advice is to immediately climb the Gori Fortress in order to inspect the city and the adjacent territories from a height. After Gori visit Borjomi, taste it mineral water, enjoy the fresh air and unique atmosphere, here you need to stay with an overnight stay.
After the cave complex, you can go to relax on the beach in Batumi. On this route, you need to allocate about 10-12 days. If you have a rented car, the time required will be significantly reduced.
When to go to Georgia
I must say that the holiday season in Georgia is always open. From to October, you can go to the sea, and from December they open ski resorts... Just don't choose November to visit this country. At this time, there are fogs, rains and ice in the mountains.
Tip: Plan your trip in the months that best suit your vacation plans.
Going on a trip to Georgia, you can independently change routes and adjust them to your personal preferences. To organize your vacation as comfortably as possible, advice from experienced travelers will help.
For those who are just going to visit Georgia, I would like to give a recommendation in the form of a statement: "Be restrained in business and passionate in travel."
These are really the right words. By postponing the trip "to a distant box", we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to experience new feelings, to receive a charge of positive emotions. You need to rest regularly. Why then live if you work all the time.
In conclusion, we add that the more information you accumulate about Georgia, the easier it will be for you to plan your trip. Do not hesitate to ask for advice from friends who have already traveled here, how they organized their vacation. Someone will tell you one thing, someone else, and a full-fledged picture of the upcoming trip will be formed. By listening to the advice of those who have "experienced everything for themselves", you can avoid unpleasant mistakes and unnecessary financial waste in connection with a trip to Georgia. In case you want to relax in Georgia, but it's scary to go on your own, there is always the opportunity to purchase a tour through an agency. It's up to you to decide.
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In August 2018, my girlfriend and I went on vacation to Georgia.
Vadim Muratov
rested in Georgia
I wanted to see the mountains, and she - the sea. In Georgia, there is both - the country perfectly suited our criteria.
We liked Georgia. It's warm, tasty and kind people there. When we left, we realized that we would come back here again. I will tell you how to organize such a trip, how much it cost and how the main prices have changed in 2020.
Spent 87 800 RUR in 10 days in Georgia
Flights
42,700 RUB
15 900 RUB
12 200 RUB
Entertainment
10 400 RUB
Intercity transfers
3330 RUB
Urban transport
2250 RUB
Souvenirs
745 RUB
cellular
275 RUB
Route
We had 10 days to travel. At first we wanted to travel around the country: to see the capital, to go to Mayakovsky's homeland in Kutaisi, to drink mineral water directly from the spring in Borjomi. Then we realized that dividing 10 days for all cities means wasting time on the road.
$ 2.7 billion
earned Georgia on tourism in 2017
As a result, we decided to stop at Tbilisi and Batumi. We went to the capital for the sake of national flavor and Mount Kazbek, which is located 165 km from the city. In Batumi, we planned to swim in the Black Sea.
At first glance, we did not like Tbilisi. All around were unkempt buildings, stray dogs and beggars. But the first impression was wrong. The capital fascinated us with the beautiful architecture of the old town and panoramic views. There are also delicious local fruits and friendly people.
Batumi has not sunk into the soul. The sea was wonderful, warm and calm, but the city itself seemed to me like an ordinary resort like Tuapse. There is a bright embankment and houses hung with tourists' towels. The old center is beautiful, but there are too many people and narrow streets. If we knew in advance, it would be better to go to Borjomi for a couple of days.
We spent seven days in Tbilisi, three days in Batumi. This time was enough to see the main attractions. But in general, 10 days for Georgia was not enough for us: 12 days would be better, and 20 - ideal. Then we could visit Kutaisi, Borjomi, walk along the beaches along the Black Sea and climb other picturesque mountains.
From the popular sights of Georgia, we looked ancient city Mtskheta and Mount Kazbek.
width = "1000" height = "667" class = "" style = "max-width: 1000px; height: auto"> Pebble beaches of Batumi are similar to Russian ones. Sellers of churchkhela, bathing slippers and bananas walk past the tourists. A chaise longue costs 3 ₾ (75 R) When is the best time to go
From the west, Georgia washes Black Sea, it's humid and hot here. In the east of the country, summers are hot and dry, in July +29 ° C.
July, August and September are suitable for seaside holidays. The temperature of the Black Sea water in August is 27 ° C. There are fewer tourists in September, but the water is still warm at 25 ° C. We drove at the end of August, and the weather was good: there was no heat, and a light rain fell only once.
Winter is mild everywhere. In January in Tbilisi and Batumi, the temperature rarely drops below zero. Fans of skiing go to the resorts: Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia or Goderdzi.
Flight
We flew to Tbilisi from Yekaterinburg. Tickets were bought three months before the trip. On a one-way flight we spent 17 190 R for two. We flew back through Moscow for 25,510 rubles. On average, the cost of a flight from Moscow to Tbilisi ranges from 5 to 15 thousand rubles one way. There are also direct flights from Russia to Batumi and Kutaisi.
From July 8, 2019, direct flights between Russia and Georgia are closed. Therefore, now you can get to the country only with transfers. From Moscow they fly with transfers in Yerevan, Baku, Riga and Minsk. A single ticket costs from RUB 7,500. From Yekaterinburg, the price of a flight starts from 15,000 RUR - this is with a 12-hour change.
You can also take the bus. There are direct flights directly from Moscow to Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi. A ticket to Tbilisi costs 3500 RUR, it will take almost 30 hours to travel. If you go from Vladikavkaz, the ticket will cost 2000 R, travel time is about 4 hours. Direct flight "Pobeda" from Moscow to Vladikavkaz - 3500 rubles more.
In Tbilisi, you can get from the airport to the center by taxi for 15-20 ₾ (375-500 R) or by bus number 37 for 0.5 GEL (12 R). During the day, he walks every 15 minutes, at night - once every half an hour.
We took a taxi so as not to wander around an unfamiliar city. It cost 19.1 GEL (480 R) to get from the airport to an apartment in the center. A driver named Mamuka took us with a breeze to Russian rap.
Money
The national currency of Georgia is lari (₾). During our trip, 1 lari cost 25 R. In March 2020 - 26 R.
Cards are accepted in cafes, restaurants and large chain stores. We had no problems with currency exchange. There are many exchange offices and bank branches in the center, at train stations and tourist streets. Most often we met Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank. It was more profitable to exchange rubles for lari at the Bank of Georgia than at TBC. Lari in TBC cost 32 R, in the "Bank of Georgia" - 27 R.
We took with us 30,000 rubles. The money was divided into three parts: one was exchanged for dollars, the second was put on cards, the third was left in cash. After the trip, we analyzed the expenses and came to the conclusion that it was more profitable to exchange rubles for dollars, and then for lari. So we would save 30 GEL (750 R). For this money, you can have dinner together in a restaurant.
Lodging
We chose accommodation three months before the trip. To save money, we compared prices on Airbnb.com and Booking.com. At the end of August 2018, a hotel room through "Booking" cost at least 4000-5000 R per day. In 2020, a room in a three-star hotel within 1 km from the center of Tbilisi through "Booking" costs from 2500 RUR per day. An apartment through Airbnb in the center can be found for 2 thousand, so we booked through it.
It is convenient to live in Tbilisi in the historical center: Old Town, Avlabari, Mtatsminda, Sololaki. Here are old buildings of the 19th century, narrow streets and main attractions. The main street of the city, Rustaveli Avenue, is located in the Mtatsminda district. There are many cafes, shops and several museums.
We lived in the Sololaki area. We walked around all the sights in three days - we didn't even use the metro or buses. An apartment in the center on Tabidze Street near Freedom Square cost 11 830 RUR for six nights. It had everything you needed: two beds, a bathroom, a kitchen with a refrigerator, a gas stove and even a washing machine. In 2020, the same apartment for the same dates costs RUB 14,930.
14 930 RUB
stand six nights in an apartment on Tabidze Street
The way everyone dried their clothes was unusual: on the clothesline in the street. I haven't used clothespins since the late nineties, but I had to. Clothes are hung on a rope and the block is rolled. The pants slowly move away from the window, and there is room for a T-shirt.
In the Chugureti area, we stayed one night before the flight, because we found a cheap apartment there for 770 RUR per day. In 2020, the apartment has risen in price to 1029 R per day, but appliances have appeared there, the furniture has changed.
In Batumi there is history Center and young areas. The center lies between Chavchavadze, Baratashvili, Gogebashvili and Rustaveli streets. There are beautiful buildings of the late 19th century with average price rent on Airbnb 2000 R per day. In new districts, housing within a 15-minute walk from the coast costs 1100 RUR per day. The line along the sea is actively being built up, here you can find an option from 800 R per day. The city is expanding thanks to the influx of tourists from Turkey, Russia and Armenia. In shops and exchangers, inscriptions in Turkish are often found.
In Batumi, we first encountered a paid elevator. You can enter it using a key fob that looks like an intercom key. It is applied to a display in an elevator. Points are deducted from the key fob for each trip. On what basis is not clear. Sometimes a point was written off, at other times two or three. We were lucky: the hostess gave out a keychain with 30 trips. We spent half in two days. If there was no key fob, I would have to climb up the stairs to the seventh floor.
Our apartment in Batumi. Photo: Airbnb.ru 
Our apartment in Batumi was somewhat reminiscent of a room in a three-star hotel with a kitchen. It was not very comfortable and there were few dishes: two cutlery, two mugs, three plates and one frying pan. There was simply nowhere to lay out the food - I had to cut the salads directly into the frying pan. We were upset, but did not conflict with the hostess, because we arrived for two nights. Just got a four-star rating on Airbnb.
An ambulance hospital was also under construction next to the house. During the day it was noisy and dirty because of the construction site: if the windows were opened, the floor was covered with white dust. Work began no earlier than ten in the morning, and by our return at about nine in the evening it was already quiet. They escaped the heat with an air conditioner.
Transport
Public transport in Georgia, these are buses and minibuses. There is still a metro in Tbilisi. Travel costs 0.5 GEL (12 R) everywhere.
12 R
worth the trip public transport in Tbilisi
Routers are paid at the end of the trip. For other types of transport in Tbilisi, you can buy a single "Metromani" pass. It works on the principle of "Troika" or "Plantain" cards. They can be used to pay on the metro, buses and cable cars.
"Metromania" is issued at any metro station. For the card they take 2 GEL (50 R). Travel on it costs 0.5 GEL (12 R), there are no discounts. You can top up in terminals at metro stations, streets or stops. If there is money left on the card, you can present a check, return the card and get the balance.
We got a travel card from the landlord. We replenished it by 10 GEL (250 R), and then returned it to the owner. Spent only 5 GEL (125 R) on cable car... The rest of the time we walked.
Taxi inexpensive: a trip within the center costs 4 GEL (100 R). Taxi drivers do not comply with traffic rules, like other drivers in Georgia.
We ordered a taxi through the Taxify and Maxim applications. The car arrived within 5-10 minutes. In the Maxim application, you can drive in an address in Russian, but the maps are in Georgian.
We liked the taxi drivers in Batumi less than in Tbilisi. The drivers in the capital knew Russian better, were more polite, helped with the suitcases, and gave the change themselves.
In Batumi, the cost of the trip was changed after we got into the car. The price of the trip in the application did not take into account that leaving the station parking lot costs 2 GEL (50 R). I refused to pay in excess of the price. The driver called the taxi service manager, spoke long and loudly, and the price went up by 2 ₾. Nobody helped us with the luggage. Even in Batumi, you need to ask for change, otherwise the driver will politely say goodbye, wish you good luck and leave.
Cars with drivers. We went to Mtskheta and Mount Kazbek through the GoTrip service, which provides drivers with personal car... On the website, you can choose a tour, if you want to adjust it a little, choose a driver and book a trip.
5750 RUB
worth the trip to Mount Kazbek by car with a driver
We chose a driver with no reviews because it was cheaper and we didn’t regret it: the driver was friendly and tidy. Booked a day before the desired date and paid in cash to the driver. The trip to Mount Kazbek cost 230 GEL (5750 R).
In 2020, prices have dropped slightly: the same trip can be booked for 131 GEL (3406 R). The price that we paid also includes the ascent of the mountain by minivan. It does not count on the Goatrip.
On the Goatrip, you can ask the driver to stop to take a photo. Service rules are strict: if the driver refuses, he will be banned forever. We have used the service twice, the site is understandable, there is a Russian language. We liked the fact that you can choose the route yourself, and it is more convenient for two to ride in the back seat of a sedan than on a tour bus.
Car rent will cost $ 20-40 (1450-2900 R) per day. The main attractions are located in the mountains, where there are unpaved and rocky roads, so it is better to take an SUV. We decided not to take the car because we used the Goatrip.
Trains. We traveled from Tbilisi to Batumi by high-speed train. For one ticket they paid 25 GEL (625 R). The level of comfort was unexpectedly pleasing: these are not Soviet-era second-class carriages, but modern comfortable trains with Wi-Fi, sockets and a dry closet. We were traveling in second class on the second floor. The carriage had three seats in a row on one side, and two on the other.
Tickets are sold on the website of the Georgian railways. They are available 40 days before the departure date. You can also buy tickets through the Georgian Railway Tickets app. After payment, a letter comes with data about the trip. I didn’t figure out whether it was necessary to print tickets or whether it could be shown from a smartphone, so I reinsured myself and printed a letter from the post office. There were no problems with landing.
Bus. We went back from Batumi to Tbilisi by bus. A bus ticket is sold on the Metro-Georgia website, no registration is required. Paid 35 GEL (875 R) per person. After payment, a letter with a code is sent to the mail. It must be printed out and presented on the bus. From March to May 2020, such a trip costs 25 GEL (650 R). It is not clear whether it will be more expensive in summer.
The service on the bus is at the level of air transportation. Several times during the trip, the steward passes with a trolley with drinks, offers water, tea, coffee, and distributes headphones. There is free wifi, but slow.
There is no toilet on the bus, only paid at the bus stop. The entrance costs 0.5 GEL (12 R). Our bus departed a little late, but was delayed on the way for an hour. The reasons are not clear, because there were no traffic jams.
The final station in Tbilisi is the Ortachala bus station. This is the outskirts - it takes half an hour to get to the center by public transport.
In our opinion, it is better to travel between cities by train. It is not as comfortable as on the bus, but it is faster and cheaper. Another train arrives on schedule, and railway stations located close to the center.
Restaurants
There are streets adjacent to Freedom Square in Tbilisi, where there are many cafes, eateries and restaurants. I am a vegetarian, but in any institution I could eat to the full. Most often I ordered lobiani - a closed thin dough pie stuffed with beans and spices. This is the perfect meal for vegans: no eggs or milk, filling and inexpensive. Georgian cheeses are not suitable for vegetarians: they contain rennet. On average, a lobiani cost 10 GEL (250 R).
There are large portions in the cafe. Often we asked to wrap up with us what we didn't finish at lunch, and ate it for breakfast. The girl was delighted with the local cuisine. And I am ready to return to Georgia, if only for the sake of lemonade, which is served here in all establishments. A liter of lemon-peach lemonade cost 10 GEL (250 R).
Wine in Georgia is sold in supermarkets and specialized wine shops. A glass costs from 6 GEL (150 R), a bottle of inexpensive wine will cost 17-20 ₾ (425-500 R). Some restaurants sell their own wine. At the wine shop, I ordered freshly squeezed juice from local oranges, and this was the most delicious juice in my life.
On average, lunch cost 25-35 ₾ (625-875 R) for two. The most expensive trip to the cafe cost us 45 GEL (1125 R). With this money, they ordered fried potatoes with spices and spices for 6 GEL (150 R), lobiani for 10 GEL (250 R), kupaty with polenta for 15 GEL (375 R), a liter of homemade lemonade with mint for 10 ₾. Kupaty with polenta are Georgian sausages with spices, drenched in cornmeal porridge.
Tipping in Georgia is immediately included in the bill. This is usually 10%. The service is different, but everywhere - without haste. Nobody will rush headlong with an order. It will be cooked and brought slowly in 15-25 minutes.
1125 RUB
we spent on the most expensive lunch in a cafe
We recommend the restaurant "Sakhli No. 11" on Tabidze Street, cafe "Lagidze Waters" on the territory cathedral and khinkalny "Iveroni" on Rustaveli Avenue.
The shops
We had breakfast and dinner in the apartment. In Georgia there is a chain of hypermarkets "Carrefour", "Spar" and small shops. The cheapest place to shop is Carrefour. This is a typical large store like "Auchan" with groceries, household chemicals and baked goods. Locals go to it. In "Spara" almost all cereals and canned food are Russian. It was uncomfortable for me that the composition of local products was entirely in Georgian: neither Russian, nor english translation it is not clear what it is made of.
On average, prices in Georgia are at the level of Russian ones or lower. A Pringles package in Tbilisi costs the same 160 R as in the Chelyabinsk Pyaterochka. Only fruit and "Borjomi" are cheaper. A 0.5 liter bottle costs 0.8 GEL (20 R), in Russia - 60 R.
We bought fruits and vegetables at Carrefour and in shops near the house. There are fewer spoiled vegetables in the shops than in the supermarket. The prices were not compared: they took them where they liked them, it was always delicious.
Figs and grapes grow right on the streets, but we did not dare to pluck. Grandmothers sit near Carrefour and sell them in whole baskets at 3-4 ₾ (75-100 R) per kilo.
The cost of food in Georgia
Figs, 1 kg
4 GEL (100 Р)
Bananas, 1 kg
3-6 ₾ (75-150 R)
Cucumbers and tomatoes, 1 kg
2-5 ₾ (50-125 R)
Apples, grapes, pears, 1 kg
2-4 ₾ (50-100 R)
Lemonade "Iberia", 1 l
0.9 GEL (22 R)
"Borjomi", 0.5 l
0.8 GEL (20 R)
Watermelon, 1 kg
0.3-0.5 ₾ (7-12 R)
Attractions and entertainment
Sulfur baths in Tbilisi they are called Abanotubani. This is a beautiful place worth going to at least once. Botanicheskaya Street opens to the baths, where there are many souvenir shops, and prices are 0.5-1 ₾ lower than in other places.
To go to the bathhouse costs from 15 GEL (375 R) to 150 GEL (3750 R) per hour. We didn't get there, but our acquaintances gave 90 GEL (2250 R) and said that it was not worth it: it was too expensive for washing.
Cable car located in the center of Rike Park. It is open from 10:00 to 22:00. The queue is long: we stood for half an hour. The booth can accommodate six people, the ascent lasts a minute and 42 seconds.
Travel can only be paid with a Metromani card. Price - 2.5 GEL (62 R) per person. We put money on the travel card in advance so as not to replenish it at the entrance to the booths.
Funicular. The highest place in Tbilisi is Mount Mtatsminda. Upstairs there is an amusement park with a Ferris wheel. Finding the mountain is easy - there is a TV tower on it, which can be seen from any open space. You can go upstairs on foot or by cable car.
The "Metromani" pass does not work on the funicular - at the entrance you will have to buy a separate card for 2 GEL (50 R) and put money on it. The ascent costs 3 GEL (75 R) per person. You cannot return the card and return money from the account.
The funicular has one booth that runs every 15 minutes. We rode on Thursday morning, there weren't many people. The view from the cockpit is good, but there are tall trees along the rails, so nice pictures hard to do. It's easier to wait until the end of the climb: there will be a large observation deck.
width = "495" height = "742" class = "" style = "max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Tickets for the Ferris wheel are sold at small ticket offices inside the park. Ride a wheel costs 5 ₾ (125 R) per person
Botanical gardens. In Tbilisi, the botanical garden is located next to Abanotubani. The entrance costs 2 GEL (50 R). Inside - waterfalls, a river, bridges, paths. It's nice there, but the garden looks more like a large park.
The trees are not signed and the map booklet is difficult to navigate. We looked at the signs in the Mapes too. The park card that comes with the ticket is useless. With navigation in the park, everything is so bad that a Russian girl came up to us and asked where the exit was. We were able to answer only approximately.
375 RUB
a ticket to the Botanical Garden for an adult
Entrance to the botanical garden in Batumi costs 15 GEL (375 R) per adult. It takes 3-4 hours to go all the way. There are many trees in the garden from different climatic zones- from South America to Japan.
We liked the garden in Batumi more than in Tbilisi: it is easier to navigate there, there are picnic areas with Wi-Fi, free toilets. More from botanical garden there is access to the sea. We did not know about him and were upset that we arrived without bathing accessories: there are small pebbles on the beach and few people.
There is a minibus number 31 to the botanical garden, the fare is 0.5 GEL (12 R). Usually transport stops at the main entrance to the park - southwest. The driver offered to take us to the southern entrance for 3 GEL (75 R) from each: according to him, from there it is easier to walk through the park. We agreed - and in vain: we climbed the mountain in the same way, as if we entered from the main entrance. We'll be smarter next time.
Mtskheta- a city near Tbilisi, in which there are many churches. I advise you to go there on an excursion only for those who are interested in religion or temple architecture. Spending 50-60 ₾ (1250-1500 R) on temples is a pleasure for an amateur. The journey will take four hours.
Among the natural attractions of Mtskheta is the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. We read that rivers are of different colors: one is green, the other is brown. We should have seen their boundaries, but I couldn't figure out those 50 shades of brown.
Kazbek and the Gergeti temple. Tour operator "City-sites-Tbilisi" organizes bus excursions to Mount Kazbek. The tour costs 81 GEL (2106 R) per person. A view of Mount Kazbek opens at the Gergeti temple. The road to it is rocky and steep - a bus or SUV will not get there. Therefore, you will have to pay an additional 20 GEL (500 R) for renting a minivan, which will take you to the temple.
We decided to overpay and ordered a car with a driver on the Goatrip. It is more comfortable to drive together, and the driver was happy to answer my questions about life in Georgia. The trip for two cost 230 GEL (5750 R). 155 ₾ cost of the driver's service, 75 ₾ - climbing the mountain in a minivan. The journey from Tbilisi to the temple took three and a half hours.
Safety
When we left the first apartment in Tbilisi, the owner went on vacation, could not pick up the keys and asked to leave them under the rug. We did not see the owner of the second apartment in Tbilisi at all; the key was also handed over under the rug. People also leave their cars on the street with their windows ajar.
There are practically no traffic rules in Georgia. Drivers drive through narrow streets. When we were driving along the highway, the driver drove into the oncoming lane before a blind turn on a serpentine road, overtook a truck, although another one was driving towards him. At first we were amazed, then we got used to it.
There are few crossings and traffic lights for pedestrians in Tbilisi. If the zebra is still drawn, it's just a drawing on the pavement. There is still no guarantee that the pedestrian will be given the road. There are underground passages on Rustaveli Avenue, but there are not many of them. Therefore, locals run across even busy streets. The streets in the old town are narrow, so it is easier to cross them.
In the center of Tbilisi, near the temples, there are many beggars, and in general in the cities there are stray dogs and cats. Animals are spayed, vaccinated and released into the streets with tags on their ears. People are not afraid to play with street dogs and pet cats.
People
People in Georgia are sympathetic. Vendors, waiters, train station and airport workers were all friendly to us. There was no language barrier: nine out of ten Georgians with whom we spoke spoke Russian. The rest spoke English, especially the young people. Russians are treated without prejudice, we have not encountered nationalism.
Georgians are also close-knit: all residents of high-rise buildings know each other. In their free time, they visit each other. When we complained that we did not know where to put the leftover watermelon, which we did not have time to eat before leaving, our driver Davit said: "Give it to the neighbors." From his lips it sounded like something ordinary: everyone does this.
cellular
In Tbilisi, we immediately bought a sim card. They chose from the local "Magtikom" and "Beeline": there were no other operators at the airport. There was a queue to Magtikom, no brochures with prices were found, so we went to Beeline and took a tariff with 4G internet without calls. For 9 GEL (225 R) we got 4 GB of Internet.
The cashier had no change, so he deposited 10 GEL (250 R) on the account. As it turned out, it was not in vain: I still had to call. The owners of the housing were called on the phone to clarify the address or to inform them that they had arrived. Once I had to hire a taxi driver: he did not know Russian well and did not understand the first time where he needed to come, and I did not figure out where the car was in the application.
In 10 days, I spent less than a gigabyte on social networks, Instagram and Google searches. There was Wi-Fi in the apartments - this saved traffic. Now I understand that I had to take 1 GB for 4 GEL (100 R) and pay 2 GEL (50 R) for telephone calls. One lari would be enough for 10 minutes.
In March 2020, the Georgian "Beeline" had special tariffs with the Internet: for 6 GEL (156 R) they gave 4 GB for two weeks. Minutes and SMS are not included in the tariff.
I have a Xiaomi smartphone. In Russia Mobile Internet it connects automatically after changing the SIM card, and in Georgia, the settings must be registered manually. A salesperson at the Georgian Beeline branch said that only iPhones, Huawei and some Samsungs are automatically configured.
In Tbilisi and Batumi, 4G catches steadily, on highways the coverage is worse. All cafes and restaurants had free Wi-Fi. There is also a free access point "Tbilisi Love" on Freedom Square.
Souvenirs
There are souvenir shops on all tourist streets. In them you can buy magnets, key rings, felted wool toys, national clothes, bookmarks.
Compared to Moscow, prices for souvenirs are low. Magnets cost 1-3 ₾ (25-75 R), key fobs - 8 GEL (200 R), figures - 10 GEL (250 R). According to observations, in shops on Botanicheskaya Street near the Abanotubani sulfur baths, magnets cost 0.5-1 ₾ cheaper.
3375 RUB
we spent on souvenirs in Georgia
We bought a statuette for 20 GEL (500 R) and were satisfied. In total, 135 GEL (3375 R) was spent on souvenirs.
As a gift, you can bring churchkhela, that is, nuts in grape syrup. On the streets, it is sold for 2-8 ₾ (50-200 R). The thicker and longer, the more expensive. Carrefour has small churchkhela for 1 ₾ apiece and Georgian spices in foil bags. Price - 1.5-2.5 ₾ (38-63 R).
Worked on the material
Author - Vadim Muratov, editor - Anastasia Osyan, photo editor - Maxim Koposov, information designer - Zhenya Sofronov, executive officer - Anna Lesnykh, production editor - Marina Safonova, proofreader - Alexander Salita, layout designer - Evgenia Izotova
