You’ve seen the photos — the cobblestone streets of Tbilisi, the snow-kissed peaks of Gudauri, the laid-back Black Sea vibes of Batumi. No wonder Georgia is on your radar if you’re living in Dubai. It’s close, visa-accessible (for most), and offers that perfect mix of Europe and the Caucasus.
But let me tell you something upfront:
While Georgia is stunning, it’s also not as simple as people make it sound on Instagram.
I’ve done four trips from Dubai to Georgia — solo, with friends, and once as part of a guided group. I’ve made mistakes, learned the hard way, and helped enough people along the way to now give you this straight-up guide:
I know how tempting it is to skip the research and go by what your colleague told you.
But trust me, not every UAE resident is eligible for visa on arrival in Georgia.
On my first trip, one of our group members — a Pakistani passport holder — wasn’t allowed to board at DXB because he didn’t check the rules.
Even though he had a UAE residence visa, he needed to apply in advance.
🔑 What to Do:
Don’t rely on WhatsApp forwards or old blog posts.
Visit the official Georgia e-Visa portal.
Check by passport type, not just your UAE residence status.
Download our “Visa Rules by Nationality” Georgia Travel PDF Checklist here (Updated 2025).
Let me paint the picture: You land in Tbilisi in May, step out of the airport in shorts and a t-shirt…
And boom — 11°C, wind in your face, and drizzling rain.
Been there. Shivered through that.
Georgia has wild weather mood swings. Sunny mornings, chilly evenings, and snow in the mountains — even in spring.
What I always pack now:
Windproof jacket
Layered clothing
A pair of thermals if I’m heading to Kazbegi or Gudauri
🌡️ Smart Move:
Check region-specific weather for Tbilisi, Gudauri, and Batumi — they’re often very different.
Don’t land in Tbilisi with just dirhams in your wallet.
You’ll end up overpaying or wasting time hunting for an open exchange counter.
💡 On my second trip, I assumed airport exchange rates would be decent — I lost 18% in conversion.
Since then, I do one of these two:
Convert some cash to Georgian Lari (GEL) at a trusted exchange in Dubai (like Al Ansari).
Withdraw GEL from a local ATM using my UAE bank card (check if your card works internationally).
💳 Also — cards don’t work everywhere, especially in countryside areas and taxis. Carry at least 100–150 GEL in cash daily.
📌 Pro Tip: Exchange rates are better in the city (like NovaCredit in Tbilisi) than at the airport.
This is a rookie UAE traveler mistake.
I’ve seen itineraries like:
Tbilisi → Mtskheta → Gudauri → Kazbegi → Kutaisi → Batumi → back to Tbilisi…
All in 4 days.
Don’t do it.
I tried that once, and it turned into a car-bound blur. The roads in Georgia — especially to Gudauri and Kazbegi — are winding, and you’ll spend more time driving than soaking in the beauty.
Better Plan:
4 Days? Stick to Tbilisi + 1-2 day trips.
6 Days? Add Kazbegi and Gudauri.
8+ Days? Explore Batumi or wine country (Kakheti).
📥 Get our Realistic “Georgia in 4/6/8 Days” Itinerary Blueprint
There’s no Uber at Tbilisi Airport.
And if you land late (like I did once at 1:00 AM), you’ll meet… Georgia’s infamous airport taxi hustle.
My friend paid 120 GEL for a ride that costs 35 GEL via Bolt.
What I do now:
Prebook a Bolt or Yandex Go ride as soon as I land.
Or, arrange a pickup with your hotel or Airbnb host.
Or, go old-school and book a reliable driver before arrival.
🚗 Bonus: Avoid black taxis with no meters.
Tbilisi has English speakers in tourist areas.
But outside the city? In local eateries, mountain villages, or roadside gas stations? Good luck.
On a trip to Sighnaghi, I ended up miming “toilet” and “coffee” in a roadside café. We laughed about it later — but it was frustrating in the moment.
🧠 Download Google Translate (offline) for Georgian and Russian.
Learn basics like:
Hello (Gamarjoba)
Thank you (Madloba)
How much? (Ra ghirs?)
It shows effort — and trust me, Georgians appreciate it.
I skipped getting a SIM once, thinking Wi-Fi would suffice.
Then:
Lost GPS on a mountain road
Missed my Airbnb check-in code
Couldn’t call my driver for airport drop
Never again.
📲 Grab a Magti, Geocell, or Beeline SIM at the airport.
Expect to pay around 30-40 GEL for 5–10 GB. Coverage is excellent, even in rural areas.
Or if you prefer, use eSIMs like Airalo — perfect for short trips.
📡 Local Data = Convenience, Maps, Translations, Safety.
Old Town Tbilisi is beautiful… and loaded with overpriced, low-quality restaurants designed for tourists.
On my first visit, I paid 60 GEL for bland khachapuri and watery soup.
A local later took me to a hole-in-the-wall place for 12 GEL — and it was mind-blowingly good.
For authentic eats:
Sakhli #11 (Tbilisi)
Alubali (Rustaveli)
Shemoikhede Genatsvale (Budget local eats)
Want wine tastings? Avoid the flashy shops and try family-owned cellars in Kakheti.
Driving gives you freedom, sure — but Georgia is not like driving on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Expect:
Aggressive overtaking
Narrow mountain roads
No clear road signs in rural areas
Random animals crossing!
One time near Stepantsminda, we were caught in a snow squall with no warning and no snow tires.
📌 Tips if you’re driving:
Always choose full insurance
Use Maps.me or Waze (not just Google Maps)
Know basic mountain driving rules
If unsure, hire a driver — it’s affordable and safer.
This one bites hard when things go wrong.
I once had a flight cancellation due to snow, and my hotel wouldn’t refund the stay.
Another time, a group member slipped during a hike — ER visits in Georgia aren’t cheap if you’re uninsured.
Always get travel insurance — even if your trip is just 3 days.
Great options from the UAE:
Allianz Travel
AIG
Watania Takaful (for Muslim travelers)
Look for:
Medical coverage
Trip cancellation
Lost baggage
Georgia is magical — from warm locals and jaw-dropping views to soulful food and surreal adventures.
But it’s not plug-and-play like Dubai.
You need to do a bit of homework, plan realistically, and adapt to a new rhythm.
And when you do — Georgia rewards you with experiences you’ll never forget.
🎁 Grab your Free “Dubai to Georgia Travel Starter Kit”
Includes:
Visa rules by nationality
Realistic itineraries
Currency tips
Foodie’s guide
Local SIM + Transfer checklist
📩 Just enter your email, and get it instantly in your inbox.
🚀 Or skip the stress — Let us plan your trip for you.
Book a free 15-minute call with our travel experts who’ve been there, done that, and fixed every possible mistake.
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