Currency in Georgia | GEL

Lari is the national currency of Georgia, which means “treasure” and “wealth” in translation from the Georgian language. Code of the currency - GEL (ISO 4217) After entering in 1995, all settlements in the country are made in lari.

Lari is subdivided into 100 Tetri. Paper bills in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 are the most note in circulation. There are also iron coins in denominations of one and two laris. Tetri is 5, 10, 20 and 50. Tetri 1 and 2 are out of circulation. You can buy investment coins and 500 lari banknotes dedicated to significant dates.

The inscriptions on the money are made in two languages, Georgian and English. On a 200 lari bill, it is also in the Abkhaz language.

What currency to take with you to Georgia

It is best to take dollars or euros. Only Lari are accepted for settlements in the country, so it is better to exchange the brought currency. In most exchange offices in Georgia, you can exchange dollars, euros, less often rubles, manats and hryvnias or other curencies. In banks, the range of currencies for exchange is wider. Banks work from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. There are branches working in the first half of Saturday.

Currency rates and where to exchange money in Georgia

When exchanging currency at the airport, keep in mind that the rate will be slightly lower, but quite acceptable for exchanging hundreds, another. Or change the required amount, and exchange the rest locally.

You can exchange currency in Georgia at any bank, exchange office and even hand-held in the markets, but this is a rarity.

There are private exchange offices in many places. On busy streets, near the subway, along tourist routes. Also in the center of Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi they will come across to you in almost every step.

Often, rates are better in an exchange office than in banks, and exchanging doolars and euros for lari can sometimes be significantly more profitable. Exchange points sometimes do not look very presentable, but the main thing is to look at the exchange rate. There is no commission, but if in doubt you can ask.

Getting permission for such activities in Georgia is quite simple, that is why they can be found everywhere.

You should not change in the first one that comes across, take a walk, look and compare the courses in several, and the less pop tourist route it is, the more profitable will be your currency exchanging rate for Georgian lari.

• The ruble to lari exchange rate can be viewed here
  
• See the link dollar to lari
  
• The Euro to GEL exchange rate can be found here
  

When exchanging currency, you must present your passport, but you will not always be asked if it is an exchanger and not a bank.

Pay by card in Georgia

Paying with a bank card in Georgia is possible in most supermarkets, pharmacies, hotels, restaurants and gas stations. ATMs are available and there are many in the center and on tourist routes. ATM interfaces are usually in three languages: Georgian, Russian and English.

Also, when withdrawing cash in lari, double conversion is possible in some ATMs if you exchange not USD or EU. For example, you have a card in rubles and you want to withdraw lari, then the ATM will convert your rubles into dollars, then dollars into laris and then you'll receive GEL. Therefore, it is better to take a dollar or euro card.

Card or cash, what is better in Georgia

Whether you use a bank card or cash for payments depends on your preferences. However, it is worth having some cash with you in Georgia. For example, for a taxi and in transport, only cash is accepted. You will also need them in the markets, in small shops, at the nearest points with fruits, ice cream, souvenirs, and in many other places. Keep in mind that the further you are from major cities, the more cash is in use.

How much money to take with you to Georgia

There are no restrictions on the import of money into Georgia. You can import any amount and declare them, too, is not required. The main thing is that you can legally take it out of your country. Those. you can enter even with a suitcase of money, if your country has no problems with it.

There are restrictions on the import of lari - you can import an amount of no more than 25,000 GEL. If the amount is more, you need to provide a document on the origin of the money. You can export Georgian currency only 3000 GEL in paper or iron money. This is enough for the collection, I hope)) You can exchange lari outside Georgia only in very few banks.

Imported foreign currency can be exported within a year from the date of entry. It is possible to take out foreign currency from Georgia without declaring it in the amount of $ 10,000 or an equivalent amount in another currency.

See this article for import and export customs regulations in Georgia.

How much money do you need for a vacation in Georgia?

It depends on your preferences, income, and the number of travelers. For a week per person, $ 250- $ 500 will be enough including accommodation, food, transport, excursions and more.

Many people in Georgia have a salary in the region of $ 300, but it should be borne in mind that they are at home and you are traveling. In general, Georgia is not an expensive country, but, if you wish, you can find yourself entertainment for every taste and income.

Travel money, useful tips

As with any trip, you should be careful not to forget about the precautions and basic rules for handling money on the trip. This applies not only to Georgia:

1. Find out which currency is best to take with. I hope you read the above
   
2. Have both a card and cash. The card can demagnetize or break, get lost, so it's good if you have several cards.
   
3. SMS notification is connected. It is worth knowing the bank number to block the card if you have lost it.
   
4. When calculating, do not give the card back, do not let go, but ask to bring the terminal. Otherwise, you may find that during the night you have already managed to visit a London hotel, fly to Barcelona and even ride a rental car in Bratislava.
   
5. Take the required amount with you and possibly a card just in case.
   
6. Keep your money in a safe if it is a hotel, or in a suitcase with a lock.
   
7. Break your money apart and don't keep “all your eggs in one basket”.
   
8. When exchanging currency or making payments, count on the spot without leaving.
   
9. Do not “shine” with large sums and remember that in Georgia, as in the whole world, there are pickpockets and scammers.
   

Advice from the author: it is worth bargaining in the markets and wherever you think it is appropriate, because the price declared to the tourist can often be overstated;) Even with my good Georgian, but a touch of Russian accent, they often claim more expensive.

This is normal wherever there are tourists, but no one bothers you to bargain.