Using TBC Bank of Georgia as a Tourist: What You Need to Know

You land in Tbilisi, your home bank has charged you a foreign fee, the ATM asks a question about “accepting the rate,” and the minibus driver wants cash you don’t have yet. That is the real money headache for visitors in 2026. Georgia is easy to pay in once you know the system, and TBC Bank sits at the centre of it. This guide explains how a tourist can use TBC’s ATMs, branches and payment network, where the limits are, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

The Lari in Your Pocket: Notes, Coins and How Georgia Pays

The official currency is the Georgian lari (GEL), introduced in 1995. One lari is divided into 100 tetri. Banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 GEL. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri, plus 1 and 2 GEL.

In Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, cards work almost everywhere and tapping is normal. Outside the cities the picture changes fast. Small shops, village guesthouses and many transport services still run on paper money. The best plan is a mix: a card for daily spending and a cash reserve for everything else.

TBC ATMs: Where to Find Them, Fees and Limits

TBC Bank is one of the largest banks in Georgia, and its ATMs are everywhere in cities. You will also find them in most towns, usually at bank branches, supermarkets, shopping malls and petrol stations. They handle cash withdrawals and balance checks. Some also offer currency exchange, but the rates are often not the best.

Fees for foreign cards. If your Visa, Mastercard or American Express was not issued by TBC or another Georgian bank, TBC typically charges a withdrawal fee. As of 2024/2025, this is generally around 3 GEL to 8 GEL per transaction, or a percentage of the amount (for example 2–3%), whichever is higher. Your home bank may add its own foreign ATM fee on top. TBC can change its fees, so read the on-screen message about charges before you confirm.

Withdrawal limits. Foreign cards usually allow 500 GEL to 1,500 GEL per transaction, with a daily limit of 2,000 GEL to 3,000 GEL. Your own bank may set lower limits, so check them before you travel.

Since each withdrawal carries a fee, taking out a larger amount less often is cheaper than making many small withdrawals. Just don’t carry more cash than you need.

Step-by-Step: Withdrawing Cash and Refusing DCC

The most expensive mistake at a Georgian ATM is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). The machine offers to charge you in your home currency, such as USD or EUR. It looks helpful, but it usually gives you a worse exchange rate. Always choose GEL and let your home bank do the conversion.

1. Insert your card.
2. Choose your language. English is always available.
3. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
4. Select “Withdrawal” or “Cash Withdrawal.”
5. Choose the account type: “Checking” or “Savings” for most foreign debit cards, “Credit” for credit cards.
6. Enter the amount in GEL.
7. If the screen asks “Accept this exchange rate for USD XXX?”, select NO or “Withdraw in GEL.”
8. Confirm the transaction.
9. Take your cash, then your card and receipt.

Choose machines in well-lit, secure places, such as inside a bank lobby or a busy supermarket entrance. Cover the keypad with your hand when you type your PIN, and stay aware of who is standing behind you.

TBC Branches and the TBC mBank App: What Tourists Can and Can’t Do

A TBC branch is useful for currency exchange, international money transfers and help with card problems. Opening an account is a different story. It typically requires a residency permit or long-term visa, so it is not practical for a short trip. Bring your passport for larger exchanges (over 3,000 GEL) or any complex transaction. Waiting times vary by location and hour. Lunch breaks and the end of the workday are the busiest, so go mid-morning if you can. The bank’s official website is tbcbank.ge.

The bank’s mobile app is called “TBC mBank” (also listed as the “TBC Bank App”). Its full features usually need a Georgian TBC account, so as a tourist you won’t be able to use it for transactions or account management. Don’t waste time trying to set it up before your trip.

Contactless payment is a separate matter. TBC supports Apple Pay and Google Pay for its own cardholders, but you don’t need a TBC account to tap and pay. If your home bank supports Apple Pay or Google Pay and the terminal accepts contactless, your phone will work at Georgian shops.

Paying by Card and Phone Across Georgia

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in urban areas: supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, pharmacies and hotels. American Express is accepted in fewer places, though that is slowly improving. Most terminals in Georgia support EMV chip-and-PIN and contactless, so tapping a card or phone is usually the fastest option in cities.

Still, don’t rely on one card. Carry a second card from a different network, and keep it in a separate place from your main one.

Where Cash Still Rules

Despite the card boom, several everyday situations need lari notes:

• Marshrutka minibuses: intercity and local minibuses are cash-only.
• Street taxis: drivers often prefer or require cash.
• Small shops and markets: independent shops, fresh produce stalls and street vendors are often cash-only.
• Rural areas and mountain villages: card acceptance falls sharply outside the big cities. If you are heading to places like Kazbegi or Svaneti, withdraw enough before you leave town.
• Small tips: some restaurants let you tip by card, but cash is preferred for smaller amounts and for tour guides.

Carry 100–200 GEL in cash at all times for emergencies and small purchases. Smaller notes help too, because small vendors may not be able to change a 100 or 200 GEL note.

Exchanging Money: SAXE Offices, Banks and the Airport

Exchange offices. Independent offices, usually marked “SAXE” or “Exchange,” are common in cities and tourist areas. They often offer slightly better rates for USD and EUR than banks, especially for small and medium amounts. Many advertise “0% Commission,” but the real cost is in the gap between the “Buy” and “Sell” rates. Check both. For amounts typically under 3,000 GEL, ID is usually not required.

Banks. TBC, Bank of Georgia and Liberty give reliable but slightly less competitive rates. A passport is usually required at a bank, whatever the amount. In return you get a secure, regulated setting.

Best currencies. USD and EUR are the easiest to exchange and usually get the best rates. GBP and other major currencies are accepted but may get slightly worse rates.

Smart habits:

• Avoid exchanging much at Tbilisi International Airport, where rates are consistently worse than in the city centre. Change a small amount for immediate needs, then exchange more in town.
• Compare rates at a few offices before changing a larger sum.
• Exchange money as you need it, rather than carrying a lot of lari.



• Use reputable, well-established offices in busy areas, and count your money before leaving the counter.

Tipping Customs

Tipping is appreciated in Georgia but not demanded for every service. The details depend on the venue:

• Restaurants: a service charge of 10% to 18% is often added automatically. Check your bill carefully. If it is included, extra tipping is not strictly necessary, though rounding up for great service is common. If it is not included, 10% is standard for good service.
• Cafés and bars: round up or leave 1–2 GEL in change.
• Street taxis: round the fare up to a convenient amount.
• Bolt and Yandex Go: you can add a tip in the app after the ride.
• Tour guides: 10–20 GEL per person per day on group tours, or 50–100 GEL per day on private tours, for a good guide.
• Hotel staff: 2–5 GEL for porters or housekeepers.

Paying for Transport

Tbilisi public transport. The Metromoney card is the main payment method for the metro and buses. It costs 2 GEL to buy and can be topped up with cash or card at metro station ticket offices, and at TBC Bank Express or Bank of Georgia Express terminals.

Georgian Railway (Sakartvelos Rkinigza). You can buy tickets online at railway.ge, paying with Visa or Mastercard through secure payment gateways, often TBC Bank’s. You can also buy at station ticket offices with cash or card.

Marshrutkas. These are cash-only. You pay the driver directly, either when boarding or during the trip, depending on the route. Fares vary by distance, so keep small notes ready.

Taxis. Bolt and Yandex Go let you link a debit or credit card for automatic payment, or pay the driver in cash. With street taxis, cash is the norm, and you should agree on the fare before the car moves.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Tapping your bank card on public transport: as of 2024/2025, Visa and Mastercard are accepted at turnstiles on the Tbilisi Metro and buses for a single fare of typically 1 GEL. This is expected to become the standard way to pay in 2026, so many visitors can skip the 2 GEL Metromoney card. Support for American Express at the turnstiles is not confirmed, so carry a Visa or Mastercard for this.
• More contactless merchants: acceptance of cards and mobile wallets is expected to reach more small businesses and service providers.



• QR and local app payments: more businesses in tourist areas may adopt QR code payments through local banking apps. These are mainly built for locals, but they show where the market is heading.
• ATM fees: the range has been fairly stable, but individual banks can adjust it. Always read the screen before confirming.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Accepting DCC. Charging in USD or EUR instead of GEL usually costs you more. Always choose GEL.
• Ignoring the ATM fee screen. Fees can change, and your home bank may add its own.
• Exchanging a large sum at the airport. Rates are less favourable than in the city centre.
• Trusting “0% Commission” signs. Compare the Buy and Sell rates instead.
• Tipping twice. Check whether a 10–18% service charge is already on the bill.
• Arriving in the mountains without cash. Rural card acceptance drops sharply.
• Forgetting to tell your bank. A card flagged as suspicious can be blocked mid-trip.
• Not checking your statements. Review them regularly for unauthorised transactions.
• Flashing cash in crowds. Watch for pickpockets in busy tourist areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tourists use TBC Bank ATMs in Georgia?

Yes. TBC ATMs accept foreign Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. Expect a fee of around 3 to 8 GEL per withdrawal, or a percentage of the amount, plus any charge from your home bank. Always choose to withdraw in GEL and decline currency conversion offers on the screen.

How much can I withdraw from a TBC ATM with a foreign card?

Limits for foreign cards are typically 500 to 1,500 GEL per transaction, with a daily limit of 2,000 to 3,000 GEL. Your home bank may set lower limits of its own. Check both before you travel so you are not caught short in a rural area.

Can I open a TBC bank account as a tourist?

Generally no. Opening an account typically requires a residency permit or long-term visa, so it is not practical for short stays. Without a Georgian account you also can’t use the full TBC mBank app. Your home bank card and a mobile wallet will cover most needs.

Is it better to exchange money at a bank or a SAXE exchange office?

Exchange offices often give slightly better rates for USD and EUR, especially for small and medium amounts. Banks like TBC offer a secure, regulated environment but usually slightly worse rates and require a passport. Compare the Buy and Sell rates at a few offices before exchanging a larger sum.

Do I still need cash in Georgia in 2026?

Yes. Cards work well in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, but marshrutkas, many street taxis, small shops, markets and rural areas often need cash. Carry at least 100 to 200 GEL, and withdraw more before heading to mountain villages where ATMs and card terminals are scarce.

📷 Featured image by Muzykalne Podróże on Unsplash.