How Much Does Tbilisi Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Tbilisi offers exceptional value for travelers, serving as an affordable gateway to the Caucasus mountains. While the city has seen a rise in upscale boutique options, it remains significantly cheaper than Eastern European capitals like Warsaw or Prague. Daily budgets typically range from a very accessible $35 / ₾95 for solo budget travelers to $613 / ₾1,643 for those seeking a high-end luxury experience. Costs are largely driven by accommodation choices, as dining and local transit remain remarkably inexpensive. The city's unique position as a nature-access hub means that while urban costs are low, specialized mountain excursions can increase daily spending.
Is Tbilisi expensive to visit?
Tbilisi is a highly affordable destination, with daily costs ranging from $35 / ₾95 to $613 / ₾1,643 depending on whether you choose hostel dorms or five-star luxury.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Tbilisi
$35
per person /day
$180
per person /day
$613
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $106 | $540 | $1,838 |
| 5-Day Trip | $177 | $900 | $3,064 |
| 7-Day Trip | $247 | $1,261 | $4,289 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% buffer is recommended to account for the mandatory 10–18% restaurant service charges and the $0.74 / ₾1.99 purchase fees for various transport and park cards. This also covers the small coins needed for the $0.07 / ₾0.19 apartment elevator fees often found in older districts.
How Does It Compare?
See how Tbilisi stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Tbilisi
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Typical for a generous serving of Khinkali or a Khachapuri with a drink (~$11 / ₾30). | $11 ₾30 |
| Mid-Range Dinner for Two (3 Courses) A full Georgian feast for two costs roughly $45 / ₾120 before wine. | $45 ₾119 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro/Bus Unified Fare (90 Minutes) Covers metro, blue buses, and green minibuses. Transfers are free within the 90-minute window (approx. $0.38 / ₾1.01). | $0.38 ₾1.01 |
| Narikala Cable Car (One-Way) Requires a Metromoney card. Provides the best view of the city for ~$0.93 / ₾2.49. | $0.93 ₾2.49 |
| Airport Shuttle (One-way) Hotel shuttle service. Public options like the #337 bus cost only $0.38 / ₾1.01. | $45 ₾120 |
| Bolt Taxi (Average City Ride) Bolt is significantly cheaper and safer than street taxis. Most central trips are under $3.77 / ₾10. | $3.71 ₾9.94 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Fabrika Hostel) Located in a former Soviet sewing factory, this is the most popular budget spot. Prices rise to ~$21–$26 / ₾57–₾69 in peak summer. | $17 ₾45 |
| Mid-range Boutique Hotel (Shota @ Rustaveli) Centrally located near Rustaveli Avenue. High-quality design for ~$126 / ₾338 per night. | $126 ₾339 |
| Luxury Hotel (Sheraton Grand Metechi Palace) A landmark luxury hotel with views of Old Tbilisi, costing approximately $253 / ₾679 per night. | $252 ₾677 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tbilisi Funicular One-Way Ascends to Mtatsminda Park. Price increases to ~$5.59 / ₾15 after midnight. | $3.71 ₾9.94 |
| National Museum Ticket (Non-Resident) Non-resident price for the main treasury. Students with international ID pay ~$5.53 / ₾15. | $11 ₾30 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tourist SIM - Unlimited Data (15 Days) Best coverage in Georgia. Costs about $11 / ₾30. | $11 ₾30 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Georgia E-Visa Fee Approximately $22 / ₾59. Check exemption lists as many nationalities (EU, US, etc.) enter visa-free. | $22 ₾59 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by hearty, inexpensive portions, where a meal at a local spot like Machakhela costs about $11 / ₾30. For a more formal experience, a three-course mid-range dinner for two averages $45 / ₾119, though diners should be prepared for an automatic service charge of 10–18% added to most bills.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Mapshalia
$2.97–$5.57 / ₾7.95–₾15Marjanishvili · Local chain
Legendary spot for authentic Megrelian food. A full meal costs less than $5.53 / ₾15.
Racha Dukhan
$4.46–$7.43 / ₾12–₾20Sololaki · Local chain
A basement tavern with no frills. Try the Shkmeruli (garlic chicken) for ~$6.71 / ₾18.
Salobie Bia
$5.57–$11 / ₾15–₾30Rustaveli · Local chain
Specializes in bean stew (Lobio). More refined than a dukhan but still costs ~$7.06–$12 / ₾19–₾32 per person.
Puri Guliani
$3.71–$9.29 / ₾9.94–₾25Saarbruecken Square · Bakery
The best place for gourmet Khachapuri (~$6.71 / ₾18) with a view of the river.
Machakhela (Samikitno)
$5.57–$13 / ₾15–₾35Old Town · Local chain
A reliable 24/7 chain. The 'I Love Tbilisi' sign is right outside.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is extremely cost-effective with a unified metro and bus fare of just $0.38 / ₾1.01 for a 90-minute window. For higher comfort or reaching trailheads, the Bolt app is the standard choice, with average central trips costing approximately $3.71 / ₾9.94.
Accommodation Overview
Budget travelers can find beds at the popular Fabrika Hostel for about $17 / ₾45, while mid-range boutique hotels like Shota @ Rustaveli offer high-quality design for $126 / ₾339. Luxury seekers should expect to pay roughly $252 / ₾677 for landmark establishments such as the Sheraton Grand Metechi Palace.
Accommodation Budget in Tbilisi
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the #337 bus for airport transfers for just $0.38 / ₾1.01 instead of the $45 / ₾120 hotel shuttle service.
- 2 Eat at Mapshalia on Marjanishvili for authentic Megrelian food at prices significantly below the tourist average.
- 3 Purchase a Metromoney card for $0.74 / ₾1.99 to access the $0.38 / ₾1.01 unified fares and the Narikala Cable Car.
- 4 Carry small change for older apartment elevators in neighborhoods like Vera, which may require a $0.07 / ₾0.19 coin to operate.
- 5 Avoid the restaurants on Shardeni Street in the Old Town, where prices are inflated and quality is often lower than in Sololaki.
- 6 Shop for fresh produce, churchkhela, and local cheese at the Deserter Bazaar near the Station Square metro.
- 7 Drink from the 'pulpuli' (public water fountains) found throughout the city; the tap water is safe and free.
- 8 Opt for a 15-day unlimited data tourist SIM for $11 / ₾30 from Magti or Silknet rather than using international roaming.
- 9 Use the Metro to reach the Didube station for cheap 'marshrutka' shared vans to mountain destinations like Kazbegi.
- 10 Visit the Dry Bridge Market to browse antiques and art for free instead of paying for commercial galleries.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
+25–40%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-30–50%
Apr, Oct
Spring (May) and Autumn (September) offer the best weather. Winter is very cheap but can be grey, though sulfur baths are best then. Expect to pay ~$35 / ₾95 more per night for mid-range hotels in June vs January.
Events to Watch
- ● Tbilisoba (October): +50% hotel rates
- ● New Year's Eve: +100% hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hike up the steep path to the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda) statue for panoramic city views.
- 2 Walk across the glass-and-steel Bridge of Peace connecting the Old Town to Rike Park.
- 3 Watch the hourly puppet show at the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater clock tower.
- 4 Explore the Leghvtakhevi Waterfall, hidden in a canyon behind the sulfur baths.
- 5 Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), the massive centerpiece of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- 6 Wander through the sprawling open-air Dry Bridge flea market to see Soviet memorabilia.
- 7 Take the 5km scenic hike from Turtle Lake (Kus Tba) along the ridge to Mtatsminda Park.
- 8 Explore the Chronicles of Georgia, a massive bronze monument overlooking the Tbilisi Sea.
- 9 Stroll through Rike Park to see the unique 'rhino' shaped concert hall and exhibition center.
- 10 Walk the atmospheric alleyways of Sololaki to view the historic, hand-painted entrances of 19th-century mansions.
- 11 Visit the Garden of First Republic near Rustaveli Avenue for a quiet escape.
- 12 Explore the open-air courtyards of the Art Museum of Georgia during designated free access periods.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Sulfur Bath Royal Apartment (1 Hour)
The ultimate private spa experience with hot/cold pools and saunas in a historic mosaic building. Costs about $222 / ₾596.
Premium Wine Tasting (8000 Vintages)
Deep dive into ancient Qvevri wine methods with a professional sommelier for ~$28 / ₾76.
Degustation Menu at Barbarestan
Family-run restaurant using 19th-century recipes. It is a Michelin-worthy experience for ~$67 / ₾180.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Tbilisi
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Tbilisi and what they cost
Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage Site)
$1.48 / ₾3.98 by marshrutka
Free
$17 / ₾45
Kazbegi (Gergeti Trinity Church)
$11 / ₾30 by shared taxi
Free
$41 / ₾110
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Georgian Lari (GEL)
1 $ ≈ 2.68 ₾
Yes
Widely accepted in central hotels, malls, and restaurants, but cash is essential for street markets, marshrutkas, and small shops.
Tipping is not mandatory as service charges are often included, but rounding up or adding 5–10% (~$1.18–$3.53 / ₾3.16–₾9.47) in cash is highly appreciated by staff.
Use TBC or Bank of Georgia ATMs for reliability. Avoid Euronet due to high fees (~$4.71–$7.06 / ₾13–₾19). Most local ATMs don't charge a fee, but your home bank might.
Expected at dry bridge market and clothing bazaars. Never bargain in restaurants or supermarkets. You can often save ~$2.35–$5.89 / ₾6.31–₾16 on souvenirs by asking for a discount.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.42–$14 for 10GB (Airalo/Holafly) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $11 / ₾30 for 15 days unlimited data.
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, hotels, and public parks (Tbilisi City Wi-Fi).
Get a local Magti SIM card at the airport or Rustaveli Ave. It is much cheaper than eSIMs and offers superior 5G coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Tbilisi.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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