georgia currency for indians

Many Indians delay booking their Georgia trip for one simple reason — they’re unsure how much cash to carry and how payments actually work there.

Questions like “Does UPI work?”, “How much GEL do I need?”, “Should I take a forex card?”, and “What’s the daily cost?” often create last-minute confusion.

This guide gives you a very clear, decision-ready breakdown:

how much cash to carry, where to exchange, which card to use, what things cost daily, and how Indians actually spend money in Georgia.

Perfect for families, couples, solo travelers, and group planners.

Most Indians can finalise their Georgia trip instantly once they know exactly how much cash to carry and what daily expenses look like.

Download the Currency & Cost Planner Sheet (PDF)

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Georgia Currency Basics (Simple Overview for Indians)

Currency Used

  • Official currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)

  • INR is not accepted anywhere

  • USD/EUR is only useful for exchanging into GEL

Approx Exchange Rate (Easy to Understand)

  • ₹1 ≈ 0.032 GEL

  • ₹1,000 ≈ 32 GEL

So ₹10,000 gives you around 320 GEL.

This simple idea makes cost calculations much easier.

cash required for georgia trip india

UPI in Georgia: Does It Work? Honest Answer for Indians

UPI Is Not Accepted in Georgia

No Indian UPI apps work:

  • Google Pay (India)

  • PhonePe

  • Paytm

  • BharatPe

What Works Instead

  • Visa / Mastercard debit cards

  • Credit cards

  • Forex cards

  • Cash (GEL)

 

Important Note

You can use UPI in India to load money onto your forex card before your trip.

How Much Cash Should Indians Carry? (Exact Amounts)

Recommended Cash to Carry (Per Person)

  • 4–5 days: ₹12,000–₹18,000 worth of GEL

  • 6–7 days: ₹18,000–₹25,000 worth of GEL

  • 8–10 days: ₹25,000–₹35,000 worth of GEL

This range covers daily expenses, snacks, cafés, small taxis, tips, and small shopping.

Why You Don’t Need More Cash

Most big expenses are paid using cards:

  • Restaurants

  • Hotels

  • Supermarkets

  • Malls

  • Tours

  • Ski rentals

Cash is only for:

  • Street vendors

  • Souvenirs

  • Small cafés

  • Tips

  • Small mountain shops

Cards work everywhere else.

How Much Does Georgia Cost Per Day for Indians? (Real Numbers)

Daily Spend (Per Person)

  • Food: ₹600–₹1,200

  • Local transport: ₹150–₹600

  • Coffee/snacks: ₹150–₹300

  • Attractions: ₹200–₹500

  • Miscellaneous: ₹100–₹300

Average Daily Budget

₹1,200–₹2,500 per person, depending on lifestyle and food choices.

This makes Georgia one of the most affordable international destinations.

Cards vs Cash vs Forex — What Should Indians Use?

When to Use Cash (GEL)

  • Street vendors

  • Small cafés

  • Souvenirs

  • Occasional taxis without apps

When to Use Debit/Credit Cards

  • Restaurants

  • Shopping

  • Airport payments

  • Hotels

  • Supermarkets

When to Use Forex Cards

  • For controlled budgets

  • Families who want to allocate fixed amounts

  • Students

  • Backup in case debit/credit card stops working

Summary Table

Where to Exchange Money for Georgia (India vs Georgia)

Best Exchange Options

  • Convert ₹3,000–₹5,000 at the Indian airport (just for arrival day)

  • Convert the rest in Tbilisi city

Best areas to exchange:

  • Liberty Square

  • Marjanishvili

Rates are usually better in the city.

Avoid These

  • Converting your full amount at Indian airport

  • Random street money exchange shops

Exchanging INR directly (never works)

Should You Withdraw Cash Using an ATM in Georgia?

Pros

  • Good real-time exchange rate

  • Convenient if you run out of GEL

Cons

  • Your bank may charge an international withdrawal fee

  • Not ideal for small withdrawals

  • Some ATMs show aggressive fees — avoid those

Recommendation

Use cards + pre-exchanged cash first.
 Withdraw from ATM only if required.

Money Tips for Couples, Families, Friends & Solo Travelers

Couples

Carry ₹20,000–₹30,000 combined cash.

Families (with kids or parents)

Carry ₹30,000–₹45,000 total cash.

Friends Group

Carry ₹12,000–₹18,000 per person.

Solo Travelers

Carry ₹12,000–₹18,000 total.

This is enough for food, daily travel, cafés, small shopping, and emergency cash.

Mistakes Indians Make With Money in Georgia (And Solutions)

Common Mistakes

  • Carrying only cash

  • Forgetting to enable international card usage

  • Bringing INR thinking it can be exchanged

  • Exchanging too much money at Indian airports

  • Not carrying a backup debit/credit card

  • Using street taxis and getting overcharged

Solutions

  • Carry mixed cash + card + forex

  • Enable international payments via app before flying

  • Use Bolt for taxis

  • Exchange only what you need

  • Keep receipts

  • Carry at least two cards per traveler

Sample 5-Day Spending Plan (Clear & Predictable)

Day 1

Cash spend: ₹700
 Snacks, small taxi, small purchases

Day 2–4

Use card for:

  • Restaurants

  • Attractions

  • Big cafés

Cash spend:
 ₹300–₹400/day for snacks and small shops

Day 5

Extra cash for shopping:
 ₹1,000–₹2,000

This model keeps your costs clear and controlled.

Why Holiday Offerz Removes All Money Confusion for Indians

What You Provide

  • Daily spend recommendations

  • Safe money exchange locations

  • Cash vs card plan for each day

  • Support if card payment fails

  • Custom budget based on group size

  • Currency & cost planning sheet

Share your travel dates — I’ll send your personalised Currency & Cost Planner Sheet.

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