Practical information Georgia

No, French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals enter Georgia visa-free and benefit from a stay of up to 365 consecutive days. A simple stamp is affixed upon arrival at Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi international airports, or at land borders. No fees are charged. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. We however recommend validity of at least six months after your return date, as a precaution in case of itinerary changes. No proof of accommodation or return ticket is required in practice, although border police may ask a few questions about the purpose of your stay.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Georgia. We recommend keeping your universal vaccinations up to date: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and whooping cough. Hepatitis A vaccination is advised for all travelers, and hepatitis B for long or repeated stays. Rabies vaccination may be considered for hikers venturing into remote villages in the Caucasus, where stray dogs still circulate. There is no malaria in Georgia. Tap water is safe to drink in Tbilisi and in most cities; it is safer to drink bottled water in rural areas. A consultation at an international vaccination center one month before departure will allow you to confirm your vaccination status.

Excluding international flights, budget between €60 and €100 per day per person for a comfortable trip, with a double room and private driver on certain legs. A room in a family guesthouse runs around €30 to €50 per night for two, including breakfast, versus €80 to €150 for a charming hotel in Tbilisi or Batumi. A full meal in a local restaurant costs €10 to €15 per person, wine included. A tasting in a family winery in Kakheti comes to around €20. Transport is inexpensive: €2 per marshrutka ride, €80 to €120 per day for a private driver. Your budget climbs quickly if you combine domestic flights and upscale hotels.

The two best windows are May-June and September-October. In spring, the valleys are in bloom, temperatures are mild at 18 to 25 degrees in Tbilissi, and snow gradually melts in the mountains. September coincides with the harvest (rtveli) in Kakheti, a peak time of the year. October offers striking autumn colors in the Caucasus. July and August are hot in the plains, up to 35 degrees in Tbilissi, but perfect at altitude for hiking in Svaneti and Kazbek. Winter (December to March) suits ski enthusiasts at Gudauri or Bakuriani, but closes roads to Svaneti and complicates access to several sites. Avoid November and April, humid and grey transitions.

The country can be crossed in one day from east to west, but mountain roads significantly slow down travel. The marshrutka network (shared minibuses) serves all villages from Tbilissi for a few lari, practical but uncomfortable over long distances. The overnight train Tbilissi-Batumi is a pleasant alternative, around 25 euros in a cabin. For Svaneti, a domestic flight Tbilissi-Mestia in a small plane (around 70 euros) saves eight hours of driving. We recommend a private English-speaking driver for mountain stages, toward Kazbegi, Tusheti or Svaneti: safety, flexibility and photo stops. Renting a car is possible, but local driving requires experience.

Georgia is among the safest countries in the region, with a low crime rate and hospitality that remains deeply rooted in its culture. Women traveling alone move about without particular difficulty, including on public transport. Precautions are those of any trip: watch your belongings on crowded marshrutkas, avoid displaying valuables at night in the lower districts of Tbilisi. Two zones remain inaccessible: Abkhazia and South Ossetia, separatist territories under Russian influence, to be avoided. The Pankissi border region can now be visited without concern with a local guide. Our team in Tbilisi keeps you informed day by day of any developments.