Georgia

When to Visit Georgia?

The best time to visit Georgia is during the summer months, between June and September. During this period, the weather is generally favorable with minimal rainfall. Although it can get quite hot at times, the conditions are ideal for hiking, which we will be doing quite a bit in this itinerary. Personally, I'd prefer hot days over rainy ones any day.

Georgia does attract quite a lot of tourists during the summer months, so if you want to avoid crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in May or October. Also, try to avoid visiting popular places or doing day trips on weekends.

If you're looking to ski, you can also visit Georgia during the winter months, from December to February. Although this itinerary focuses more on summer activities, you could easily swap hiking for skiing. It's also worth considering renting a car, as public transportation tends to run less frequently during this season.

How to Get to Georgia?

This itinerary begins in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, so your first step will be getting there. Direct flights to Tbilisi are limited, so you'll likely need to rely on transit flights, such as Turkish Airlines via Ankara, Qatar Airways via Doha, or Air Astana via Almaty. You can use Skyscanner or Expedia to find the most affordable flights from your home country.

How to Get From Tbilisi Airport to City Center?

By Bus: The cheapest way to get from Tbilisi Airport to the City Center is to take bus #337 from the airport straight to Liberty Square. The bus often waits for passengers at this bus stop on your right from the airport's exit.

The bus runs between 6:59 AM and 10:59 PM every 15 minutes every day, and it takes about 1 hour to arrive at Pushkin Square Bus Stop. You can easily pay for the ticket by tapping your credit card on the machines inside the bus, and it will only cost you 1 GEL.

By Bolt Taxi: If you are arriving outside of the bus operational time, you will be better off hailing a taxi via Bolt Taxi app than getting a random taxi from the airport.

Trust me, there are often scammers in disguise. I have a friend who got scammed by these taxi drivers because they told them that it is going to cost only 20 GEL, but what they didn't know is that that is the per kilometer price. They ended up having to pay almost 200 GEL for the trip! Avoid random airport taxis at all costs!

Make sure you download the Bolt app prior to your arrival and get an eSIM so that you can access the internet when you arrive. Once here, just punch in your hotel and the app will find a taxi for you. It should cost around 40 GEL and takes around 30 minutes.

How to Get Around Georgia?

By Day Trips: One of my favorite ways to get around Georgia as a solo traveler is to go on day trips, but instead of going back to where I left the same day, I ask them to drop me off at the destination I want. This way, I got to meet a lot of people, got to see everything along the way, and get to travel where I want in a comfortable van.

For example, I took a day trip to Kazbegi, got to visit Ananuri Complex, Russia-Georgian Friendship, and Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, all in one day, without having to worry about the logistics, and it cost me only 25 USD.

It is the perfect way to get around the country without wasting time on travel days. You can browse for more day trips you can take in Georgia here: day trips in Georgia. There are many that will take you all over the country, so be sure to check them out.

By Marshrutka Vans: One of the cheapest ways to get around Georgia is by taking marshrutka vans, a local mode of transportation with roots in Soviet-era Georgia. These minivans will take you across the country, though they lack many comforts.

For example, they are rarely equipped with air conditioning, making summer travel quite challenging. The seats often lack cushioning, and sometimes they squeeze in a few too many passengers. While it’s not as cramped as transportation in some parts of Southeast Asia, it's still less spacious compared to taking a larger bus or a shared taxi.

You can usually find these vans at bus stations near the city center, which makes them easily accessible. They often leave when full, so there is no fixed schedule. If you want to take one, I highly recommend you get there 30 minutes before the departure time you want, so you can secure a spot by the window. Trust me, you are going to need it.

By Shared Taxi/Transfer: Another great budget option to get around Georgia is to go with a shared taxi instead of a marshrutka van. These taxis are often waiting for passengers near the bus terminal, and they will often try to pool people until it's full before they leave.

They are a bit more expensive than a marshrutka van and the availability is rather random, but if you can secure one, you are going to have a much more comfortable experience. You can also find shared transfers operated by tour agencies online and book them in advance here, although they only run during the summer months.

By Trains: Georgia has an excellent train system that connects its major cities, and it is an awesome and scenic way to travel around the country. While it's usually a bit slower than buses or marshrutkas, it’s much more comfortable, with European-style double-deck cabins. The trains do tend to get booked quickly though, so be sure to book in advance here.

Private Transfer: If you're looking for the most comfortable way to get around Georgia without driving yourself and don’t mind paying extra, private transfers are a great option. You can browse for private transfers here.

By Car: You can also rent a car from Tbilisi Airport and drive around Georgia. The roads are generally in good condition, except perhaps in Svaneti, but as long as you drive slowly and follow the rules of the road, you should be fine.

How Much Money Do I Need For A Trip To Georgia?

What to Pack for Georgia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Georgia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.