Everything You need to know to prepare your trip to Georgia!

• ! Entry regulations & visa requirements
• How to get to Georgia
• Where to stay in Tbilisi
• Cash and Card-Payment
• Mobile Data
• Transportation
• Safety
• Real Estate for foreigners

Where to stay in Tbilisi?

• If you prefer comfort and privacy, we have some AirBNB Partnerships. You can pick the one more fitting to your preferences and budget and text them the code DRIVINGLICENSE2024 for a discount. Let us know which one you booked to be able to provide you a discount accordingly.

• During my stays in Georgia, I was booking everything on booking.com or Airbnb, mostly staying at a single room (11-20$+/night) but if you are on a very low budget, hostels with good reviews might be a better option for you (3$+). I don't recommend shared rooms in hostels as it's not 100% safe.

• Driving school you'll go to is located very close to this place. You'll save a bit of money and time if you stay closer, but it's not the nicest area in Tbilisi, nothing is happening there and taxis are very cheap inside Tbilisi (7€ for a 30 min ride or 2-3€ for 20 min in the city). You will stay there maximum 1-2 hours per day for 2-4 days so maybe it's nicer to stay at a cooler place in town and just take a taxi to the class.

• Ideally book locations with good ratings and a lot of positive feedback. I got scammed once in Batumi, as the flat didn't exist. AirBNB and Booking - both can be subject to scams. Don't pay big money in advance!

• Don't book for a long period directly! Ideally just book for couple of days first and when you arrive and see the accommodation - extend it. You also don't know how long you'll need. Maybe the whole process will be much faster. No need to book 2-3 weeks directly.

• Central areas with vibrant life are: Old Tbilisi, Liberty Square area, Rustaveli, Technical University, Saburtalo/Vake (a bit further away), and Around Metro Station Marjanishvili.

Health Insurance

Entry regulations & visa requirements

• Check visa requirements for your citizenship online. Most countries have visa-free entry. Remember that Georiga is not in the EU so you need your national Passport to enter. You will get a stamp when entering and exiting Georgia. Make sure you have some free space on a page.
• Purpose of Travel: Tourism.
• Check that your passport is valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry
• Health insurance is not required (anymore, they canceled the law) but might be useful.
• We don't know about the need for return flight requirements. Usually, they don't ask about it. If they'll ask you, just book a cancellable option on the spot and cancel after passing the border. EU citizens will most probably not be asked about it.

How to get to Georgia

• I usually check either skyscanner.com, kiwi or booking.com for cheapest flight tickets. Flying with a handluggage only (or a small personal item) might be the best option cause it includes a backpack and you can buy some more cloths locally for cheap (e.g. in local markets). Use the "whole month feature" if you are flexible.

• You can fly either to Tbilisi or to Kutaisi. Kutaisi has some low-cost airlines (Wizzair). If you are arriving in Kutaisi Airport, I'd recommend to book this train to Tbilisi in advance. It's cheap, modern and fast. Around 12$ and 3h.

• Our whole process if only set up in Tbilisi. We can help you with the process in other cities too but can't promise English speaking part. Russian speakers are good to go.

• As the exam process duration depends on how successful you are at the exams, we suggest to either book flexible return flights or no return flight at all.

Cash and Card Payment

• In Tbilisi you can pay with apple/google-pay in most restaurants and cafes.
• To buy stuff from local markets and to pay for your driving lessons you'll need some cash though.
• You can withdraw Euro and then exchange it to Lari (local currency). Make sure to compare different exchange rates. They may vary by some digits.
• In banks you usually need a bank account to exchange. But there are many small exchange-kiosks where you would just need to show your passport.
• For Germans: DKB Card offers free withdrawals in Georgia. I've used it successfully even in smaller cities.
• I had a situation when banks didn't accept some of my credit cards for withdrawal. It only worked with my Debit card. Make sure to bring different cards you possess just in case.

Transportation from the airport and in Tbilisi

• Tbilisi Airport has free WiFi which is enough to order a Bolt to your accommodation.
• Bolt is 4-5 times cheaper than taxis you'll see at the entrance. Don't ride with them unless you are a Nigerian Prince with a ton of money. Bolt is safer too!
• Download Bolt or "Yandex Go" beforehand and register, just to have the account already.
• Tbilisi has a pretty good public transportation system. I've used metro and busses (easy to plan with google maps) but mostly just took a bolt as it's very cheap, fast and convenient.
• If you want to have Mobile Internet right away, You can also get an e-Sim from Airalo. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo. Use code MIKALA8808 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/Zw6M
• To go to the examination centre, I usually took the Bolt there and came back with a local bus. Google maps are good to plan this if you are on a budget.
• If you are arriving in Kutaisi Airport, I'd recommend to book this train to Tbilisi in advance. It's cheap, modern and fast. Around 12$ and 3h.

Safety

• Georgia is a relatively safe country. I felt pretty sage even in small cities at night. We still recommend you to take good care of your belongings and not leave money/documents unattended. If you lose your passport you'll have hard time leaving the country and would need embassy assistance.
• Currently, there are protests against some controversial governmental policies in Georgia. Please don't attend these protests and stay away from central squares where you'll notice a lot of people protesting. If you stay aside the protests, there is no danger for you. Especially as a foreigner, you are not involved in any way.
• Don't go to dark remote places in town alone, especially as a woman. Valid for every country in the world, not just Georgia.
• Don't wear expensive watches on the street
• Some drivers might not hold themselves to the rules much. Be careful when crossing the road even on the green signal.
• Read more about Driving International blog for Expats, Nomads and Travelers