How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Georgian Lari (GEL)

💰 Click here to see Georgia Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: June, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ₾2.68

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: ₾80.00 – ₾135.00 ($29.85 – $50.37)

Mid-range: ₾134.00 – ₾300.00 ($50.00 – $111.94)

Comfortable: ₾300.00 – ₾600.00 ($111.94 – $223.88)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: ₾16.00 – ₾40.00 ($5.97 – $14.93)

Mid-range hotel: ₾145.00 – ₾200.00 ($54.10 – $74.63)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: ₾20.00 ($7.46)

Mid-range meal: ₾60.00 ($22.39)

Upscale meal: ₾120.00 ($44.78)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: ₾1.00 ($0.37)

Monthly transport pass: ₾50.00 ($18.66)

One of the most common messages we get from readers planning a Georgia trip in 2026 goes something like this: “I just got back and realised I was losing money on every ATM withdrawal and every card payment — I had no idea.” The Georgian Lari is a stable, relatively easy currency to work with, but the gap between a smart approach and a careless one can easily cost you 50–150 GEL over a two-week trip. That’s a good meal in Tbilisi, a night in a guesthouse in Mestia, or a return marshrutka to Kazbegi. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your money where it belongs — in your pocket.

Understanding the Georgian Lari: Denominations, History, and Why Cash Still Matters

The Georgian Lari (GEL) has been the country’s official currency since 1995, replacing the coupon that briefly served as a transitional currency after independence. It is subdivided into 100 Tetri, though Tetri coins are becoming increasingly rare in everyday transactions — most amounts get rounded to the nearest Lari at markets and small shops.

Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 GEL. The 50 and 100 GEL notes are the most practical for daily spending. The 200 GEL note exists but is harder to break at smaller vendors, so avoid accumulating them if you can. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Tetri, plus a 1 GEL coin.

In 2026, Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi are genuinely cashless-friendly cities. You can spend a full day in central Tbilisi or along Batumi’s boulevard touching almost nothing but your phone or a contactless card. Most supermarkets, cafes, sit-down restaurants, hotels, and even many pharmacies accept Visa and Mastercard with tap-to-pay.

But step outside the urban core and the picture shifts quickly. Marshrutka drivers do not have card readers — they never have and there is no indication that will change in the near future. Village guesthouses in Svaneti or Tusheti work in cash. The woman selling churchkhela at a roadside stall near Gori is not running a Stripe terminal. Mountain hiking guides, small wine producers at Rtveli, and most local taxis outside city centres expect Lari in hand. Carry cash. The question is simply how to acquire it at the best rate possible.

The Best Cards to Use in Georgia in 2026

If you are travelling from Europe, the UK, North America, or Australia, you almost certainly have access to at least one multi-currency card that will serve you far better than your standard high-street bank card. Here is how the leading options stack up for Georgia specifically in 2026.

Revolut

Revolut remains the most widely used travel card among visitors to Georgia in 2026. On the Standard (free) plan, POS transactions in GEL are free up to 5,000 GEL per month, converted at the interbank rate. ATM withdrawals are free up to 700 GEL per month or 5 withdrawals — whichever comes first — after which a 2% fee applies with a minimum charge of 2 GEL per transaction.

The key caveat: Revolut applies a 1% markup on currency exchange during weekends (Friday night to Sunday night, market time). If you are converting a large amount or loading GEL onto your account, do it on a weekday. Premium and Metal plans raise the free ATM limit significantly. Revolut’s app is available at revolut.com.

Wise

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the strongest option if you want to hold GEL directly in your account before you travel. Conversion fees from major currencies to GEL typically run between 0.45% and 0.65% — among the lowest available. Free ATM withdrawals are available up to 600 GEL per month across 2 transactions. Beyond that, a fee of 1.75% plus a fixed 2 GEL per withdrawal applies.

Since 2024, Wise has introduced a slightly higher fixed fee on out-of-allowance ATM withdrawals to offset increased banking network costs in the region. POS payments remain free with no weekend markup. The Wise card is available at wise.com.

N26 and Monzo

Both cards work well in Georgia. N26 is more practical for European travellers; Monzo remains UK-focused but functions without issues internationally. Both offer competitive interbank rates on POS transactions and free ATM withdrawals up to a monthly limit, after which fees of 1.5–2% apply. Since 2024, both have refined their free ATM tiers slightly downward on base plans. Neither charges a weekend markup, which gives them a minor edge over Revolut for travellers who tend to handle money on weekends. N26 is at n26.com; Monzo at monzo.com.

Standard Bank Cards

If you are using a standard debit or credit card from a traditional bank, expect to pay a foreign transaction fee of 1.5–3% on every purchase, plus your bank’s own ATM withdrawal fee on top of the local ATM charge. Over two weeks of active spending, this adds up fast. If you have time before your trip, opening a Wise or Revolut account costs nothing and takes under 20 minutes.

How to Use ATMs in Georgia Without Getting Burned

Georgia has a dense ATM network in cities and reasonable coverage in larger towns. The three dominant networks are TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, and Liberty Bank. Here is what to expect from each in 2026.

TBC Bank

TBC Bank ATMs are the most visible in Tbilisi and Batumi — you will find them inside supermarkets, at metro stations, along Rustaveli Avenue, and in most shopping malls. For foreign cards, TBC charges a flat fee of 5 GEL per transaction. The maximum single withdrawal is typically 1,500–2,000 GEL. The interface offers English as standard. Website: tbcbank.ge.

Bank of Georgia

Bank of Georgia (BOG) has a similarly wide network and is particularly well-represented near tourist infrastructure — airport arrival halls, major hotels, and Batumi’s seafront. Their foreign card fee matches TBC at 5 GEL per transaction, with the same 1,500–2,000 GEL per-transaction withdrawal limit. Website: bankofgeorgia.ge.

Liberty Bank

Liberty Bank charges 3 GEL per transaction for foreign cards — a small but real saving if you are making multiple withdrawals. Their ATMs are common in smaller towns and are often located inside post offices. The per-transaction withdrawal limit is slightly lower at 1,000–1,500 GEL. Website: libertybank.ge.

The practical takeaway: if you are withdrawing frequently, Liberty Bank saves you 2 GEL per transaction compared to TBC or BOG. On a 10-withdrawal trip, that is 20 GEL — trivial for some, meaningful for budget travellers.

Step-by-Step: ATM Withdrawal in Georgia

1. Insert your card and select English from the language menu.
2. Enter your PIN.
3. Select Withdrawal or Cash Withdrawal.
4. Enter your desired amount in GEL.
5. The ATM will display the transaction fee (if applicable). Confirm if you accept it.
6. Critical step: If the screen asks whether you want to proceed “with conversion” or “without conversion” — or shows you an exchange rate and asks you to confirm — always choose without conversion or continue in GEL. This declines Dynamic Currency Conversion (covered in detail below).
7. Collect your cash first, then your card. Many machines beep if you forget your card.

Since 2024, TBC and Bank of Georgia have standardised their foreign card fees at 5 GEL across their networks, where some machines were previously inconsistent. Liberty Bank, which formerly waived fees at some locations for certain foreign cards, now charges 3 GEL at most of its ATMs.

Currency Exchange Offices: How to Read the Boards and Find the Best Rate

Georgia’s currency exchange offices — identifiable by signs reading “Exchange” or the Georgian script “ვალუტის გაცვლა” — are genuinely competitive in city centres. The mechanics are straightforward, but there are real differences in value between a good office and a mediocre one.

How to Read the Rate Board

Every exchange office displays two rates for each currency pair: Buy (ყიდვა — the rate at which they buy your foreign currency) and Sell (გაყიდვა — the rate at which they sell you foreign currency). You are selling them your USD or EUR to receive GEL, so the Buy rate is the one that matters for you. A higher Buy rate means more GEL for your dollars or euros.

The spread — the gap between Buy and Sell — is where the exchange office makes its money. A spread of 1–2% for USD or EUR is competitive. A spread above 3–4% should prompt you to walk to the next office. In high-traffic tourist zones, offices compete visibly, so rates on the same street can vary noticeably.

Airport Exchange: Avoid for Large Sums

The exchange desks at Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport and Kutaisi International Airport consistently offer spreads of 5–7%, which is the travel equivalent of a convenience tax. Exchange only what you need for the immediate journey — 50–100 USD or EUR is more than enough to cover a taxi, metro card, and a meal while you get oriented. Exchange the rest once you are in the city centre.

The “0% Commission” Claim

Virtually every exchange office in Georgia advertises zero commission. This is technically accurate — they do not charge a separate commission fee on top of the transaction. Their margin is entirely built into the rate. Do not let the “0% Commission” sign distract you from comparing the actual rates displayed on the board.

One positive development since 2024: Georgian financial regulations now require exchange offices to display their rates more consistently and without obscured fees. Competitive pressure in tourist-heavy areas like Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi and the Old Town has tightened spreads slightly. Always count your cash before leaving the counter and ask for a receipt.

Dynamic Currency Conversion: The Silent Budget Killer

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is the single most common way travellers lose money in Georgia without realising it. It works like this: you tap your card at a restaurant or withdraw from an ATM, and the terminal or machine offers to charge you in your home currency — say, British pounds, US dollars, or euros — instead of Georgian Lari. It often sounds helpful. It is not.

When a Georgian merchant’s bank does the conversion for you, they apply their own exchange rate, which typically includes a markup of 5–10% over the real interbank rate. Your own bank or card provider — especially if you are using Revolut, Wise, or N26 — will almost certainly give you a significantly better rate. By accepting DCC, you are voluntarily handing that margin to a bank you have never heard of.

At a POS terminal, the question usually appears as a choice between two amounts: one in GEL, one in your home currency. Always select the GEL amount. If a terminal automatically processes in your home currency without asking, flag it to the merchant and ask them to re-run the transaction in GEL — most terminals allow this.

At ATMs, the DCC prompt typically appears as a screen asking whether you want to “lock in” a rate or “proceed with conversion”. The phrasing is designed to sound reassuring. Decline it every time and choose to proceed in GEL. The tactile experience of navigating this on a Georgian ATM screen — the slightly dim display, the Georgian and English text sharing the interface — can feel rushed, especially when there is a queue behind you. Slow down. This one decision is worth taking an extra five seconds.

Cash vs. Card by Situation: A Practical Reference

The right payment method in Georgia depends entirely on where you are and what you are doing. Here is a direct breakdown by situation.

Always Use Cash

• Marshrutka minibuses: Intercity marshrutkas from Didube and Ortachala stations in Tbilisi, or from local terminals in other cities, are cash-only. A Tbilisi–Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) marshrutka costs around 20–25 GEL. Pay the driver directly, either at boarding or just before departure.
• Village guesthouses in Svaneti, Tusheti, Kakheti highlands: Many family-run guesthouses do not have card terminals. Bring enough GEL to cover accommodation and meals before heading into remote areas.
• Markets and bazaars: The Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi, the market in Kutaisi, and most roadside produce stalls operate entirely in cash.
• Small, traditional restaurants (Sakhe-Cafe): Outside the capital, many local canteens do not have POS terminals.

Card Works Well

• Supermarkets: Carrefour, Goodwill, Spar, and most city supermarkets accept contactless payment without issue.
• Hotels and guesthouses in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi: Standard card acceptance at the front desk.
• Restaurants in tourist areas: Most mid-range and upscale restaurants in Tbilisi’s Fabrika district, Vera neighbourhood, and Batumi’s boulevard strip accept Visa and Mastercard.
• Georgian Railway tickets: Online booking via railway.ge accepts Visa and Mastercard. Station ticket windows take both cash and card. A second-class Tbilisi–Batumi ticket on the Stadler Kiss train costs 45–55 GEL; Tbilisi–Kutaisi runs 25–35 GEL; Tbilisi–Zugdidi is 30–40 GEL.

Tbilisi Metro and City Buses

Since 2024, the Tbilisi metro and buses have fully integrated contactless bank card acceptance at turnstiles. A single ride costs 1.50 GEL. Tap your Visa or Mastercard directly at the reader — no Metromoney card required for short-term visitors. The Metromoney card (2 GEL to purchase, reloadable at machines in stations) is still available and useful if you are staying longer and prefer to top up in advance.

Tipping in Georgia: What Is Expected, What Is Generous

Tipping in Georgia sits in a middle ground between obligatory and optional, and the answer genuinely depends on the context.

Restaurants

Check your bill carefully. Many restaurants in Tbilisi and Batumi include a service charge of 10–18% — it will appear on the itemised receipt as “service fee” or “მომსახურების საკომისიო”. If it is already there, you have already tipped. You can leave a small extra amount in cash for exceptional service, but it is not expected.

If there is no service charge, leaving 10% is the standard for good service. In a local canteen where the total bill is 15 GEL, rounding up to 17–18 GEL is entirely appropriate.

Taxis

For Bolt or Yandex Go rides (the dominant app-based taxi services in Georgia), rounding up the fare to the nearest round number is the norm. On a 7.40 GEL fare, paying 8 GEL is fine. Large tips are not expected but are genuinely appreciated, particularly for drivers who help with luggage or navigate difficult roads.

Tour Guides

For private guides, 20–50 GEL per person per day is a reasonable range depending on the quality and duration of the experience. For group tours, 5–10 GEL per person is appropriate. Georgian guides are often highly knowledgeable and passionate — good service is worth acknowledging.

Hotel Staff

Leave 2–5 GEL for porters. For housekeeping at a hotel you are staying at for several nights, 5 GEL left on the bed each day or a lump sum at checkout is a kind gesture that goes a long way.

2026 Budget Reality: What Things Actually Cost in GEL

Understanding exchange rates in isolation is only useful if you know what you are exchanging money for. Here is an honest snapshot of costs across spending categories in 2026.

Budget Tier

• Bed in a hostel dorm, Tbilisi: 35–55 GEL per night
• Khinkali (9 dumplings) at a local khinkali house: 12–18 GEL
• Tbilisi metro single ride: 1.50 GEL
• Marshrutka Tbilisi to Mtskheta: 1.50–2 GEL
• Local beer (500ml) at a neighbourhood bar: 6–10 GEL
• Bottle of local mineral water (0.5L): 1.50–2.50 GEL

Mid-Range Tier

• Double room at a mid-range guesthouse, Tbilisi: 120–200 GEL per night
• Sit-down dinner for two with wine, Tbilisi: 90–160 GEL
• Bolt taxi, central Tbilisi to airport: 25–35 GEL
• Marshrutka Tbilisi to Kazbegi: 20–25 GEL
• Train Tbilisi to Batumi (2nd class): 45–55 GEL
• Day tour from Tbilisi (Kazbegi group tour): 80–120 GEL per person

Comfortable Tier

• Boutique hotel double room, Tbilisi: 280–500 GEL per night
• Private guided day tour: 300–600 GEL total
• Dinner at an upscale Tbilisi restaurant: 150–300 GEL for two
• 4×4 vehicle hire for Kazbegi/Tusheti: 350–600 GEL per day including driver
• Winery tasting and tour, Kakheti: 50–100 GEL per person

Common Mistakes That Cost Travellers Real Money

These are the errors we see repeatedly from readers who get in touch after their trip.

• Exchanging large sums at the airport: Even on a 200 USD exchange, an airport spread of 6% versus a city centre spread of 1.5% costs you roughly 18–20 GEL. Not catastrophic on its own, but multiply this across multiple exchanges and it compounds.



• Accepting DCC without realising it: Some POS terminals in Georgia auto-select DCC and you have to actively opt out. Pay attention to the currency shown on the terminal screen before you tap.
• Making multiple small ATM withdrawals: Each TBC or Bank of Georgia ATM visit costs 5 GEL in fees. Withdraw a realistic amount for 3–4 days at once rather than visiting the ATM daily.
• Using a standard bank card with foreign transaction fees: A 2.5% foreign transaction fee on 1,000 GEL of spending is 25 GEL — roughly the cost of getting from Tbilisi to Kazbegi. A free multi-currency card eliminates this entirely.
• Carrying only card in mountain areas: Connectivity for card terminals can be unreliable in places like Ushguli, Omalo, or remote sections of the Alazani valley. Carry enough cash before you leave the nearest town.
• Confusing the service charge for an optional tip: Paying 10% on top of a bill that already includes a 15% service charge means you have tipped 25% total. Check the bill line by line.
• Trying to pay in USD or EUR at regular shops: It is illegal for Georgian merchants to accept foreign currency for domestic transactions. Even if a vendor tries to accommodate you, the rate they apply will be worse than any exchange office in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get Georgian Lari when I arrive?

For most travellers in 2026, the best approach is to bring a multi-currency card (Revolut, Wise, or N26) and withdraw cash from a Liberty Bank ATM for a 3 GEL fee, or TBC/Bank of Georgia for 5 GEL. Exchange a small amount at an airport desk — 50–100 USD or EUR — for the taxi and first few hours, then use city-centre exchange offices or ATMs for the rest.

Is Georgia a cash or cashless country?

Both, depending on where you are. Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi are reliably card-friendly in 2026, with contactless accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and on the metro. Marshrutkas, village guesthouses, mountain markets, and most rural services are cash-only. Always carry a working supply of GEL notes.

Can I use USD or EUR directly in Georgia?

It is illegal for Georgian merchants to accept foreign currency for everyday transactions. Some high-end hotels and private tour operators quote prices in USD or EUR and may accept payment in those currencies, but their conversion rates will be unfavourable. Always exchange into GEL for daily spending.

How much does it cost to withdraw cash from an ATM in Georgia?

In 2026, TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia charge foreign cards 5 GEL per transaction. Liberty Bank charges 3 GEL. On top of that, your own card provider may charge its own fee — multi-currency cards like Revolut and Wise offer free withdrawals up to monthly limits (700 GEL and 600 GEL respectively on base plans) before their fees kick in.

What is tipping etiquette in Georgia?

Check your restaurant bill first — a 10–18% service charge is often already included. If it is not, leave 10% for good service. Round up taxi fares to the nearest Lari. For private tour guides, 20–50 GEL per person per day reflects strong appreciation. Hotel porters and housekeeping staff: 2–5 GEL is appropriate and well-received.

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📷 Featured image by omar jabri on Unsplash.