Georgia Currency, Money, ATMs & Tipping Guide 2026
Georgia is an inexpensive, cash-friendly country, but a little preparation saves you money on every transaction. This 2026 guide explains the local currency, realistic exchange rates, which ATMs to trust, how cards work, and the tipping etiquette that actually applies in restaurants, taxis and hotels. All rates are approximate for 2026 and move week to week, so treat them as a planning baseline rather than a fixed quote.
The Georgian lari (GEL) at a glance
The national currency is the Georgian lari, written GEL and shown with the symbol ₾. One lari divides into 100 tetri. Banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 GEL, and coins in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tetri plus 1 and 2 lari. The 100 and 200 notes can be awkward for small purchases — taxi drivers, bakeries and village shops rarely have change for them — so break large notes in supermarkets or cafes and keep a stack of 5s, 10s and 20s.
Exchange rates in 2026
| Currency | Approx. rate (2026) | 100 units ≈ |
|---|---|---|
| US dollar (USD) | 1 USD ≈ 2.70 GEL | 270 GEL |
| Euro (EUR) | 1 EUR ≈ 2.90 GEL | 290 GEL |
| British pound (GBP) | 1 GBP ≈ 3.35 GEL | 335 GEL |
The lari has been comparatively stable over the past decade and moves only modestly week to week, so you do not need to obsess over timing. Check a live rate (a currency app or an online converter) the morning you exchange or withdraw so you can sense-check what you are offered. For a fuller picture of day-to-day spending, see our Georgia trip cost guide.
ATMs: the cheapest way to get lari
The simplest and usually cheapest way to get cash is an ATM withdrawal in lari. The two most reliable networks are TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia; their machines are everywhere in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, accept foreign Visa and Mastercard, and offer an English menu. A few rules that save real money:
- Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When the machine offers to charge you "in your home currency," say no and choose to be charged in GEL — DCC bakes in a poor exchange rate.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often to spread any flat fee, but never more cash than you are comfortable carrying.
- Prefer ATMs attached to a bank branch over standalone machines in shops, which are more likely to add surcharges.
- Tell your home bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked on first use.
Cards, contactless and cash
In the cities, card payment is widespread: restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and chain shops nearly all take Visa and Mastercard, and contactless (including phone wallets) is common. Once you leave the urban centres, cash is king. Guesthouses in the mountains, marshrutka (minibus) drivers, market vendors, small wineries and rural cafes often take cash only. As a rule of thumb, keep about 100 GEL in small notes on you in the cities and double that in the regions, topping up before any trip to Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti or wine-country villages. If you are planning long drives, our driving in Georgia guide covers fuel and toll-free road costs.
Where to exchange cash
If you bring physical currency, exchange it at a bank or a dedicated exchange booth rather than at the airport, where rates are worst. USD and EUR get the best rates and widest acceptance; GBP is fine in cities but harder to change in small towns. Booths in Tbilisi (around Liberty Square, Rustaveli and the main markets) are competitive and quick — compare the displayed buy rate at two or three before handing over a large sum, and count your lari before leaving the window. Avoid changing money with individuals on the street.
Tipping etiquette in Georgia
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory, and Georgians themselves tip modestly. The norm is to round up or leave a little extra when the service was good, not to add a fixed large percentage.
| Service | Customary tip (2026) |
|---|---|
| Restaurants & cafes | Round up or 5–10% (check if a service charge is already on the bill) |
| Taxis / ride apps | Round up the fare; no percentage expected |
| Hotels (porter / housekeeping) | A few lari, optional |
| Private driver / guide (full day) | 10–20 GEL if you were happy, optional |
| Wine-cellar host / homestay | Not expected; a small gift or extra is a kind gesture |
Many restaurants now add a service charge of around 10% automatically — look at the bill before adding more so you do not tip twice. In taxis arranged through an app, the price is set in advance and a tip is genuinely optional.
Money-saving tips
- Pay in GEL, never your home currency, whether at an ATM or a card terminal.
- Carry small notes; nobody loves breaking a 100 for a 4-lari coffee.
- Use ATMs at TBC or Bank of Georgia branches and skip the ones in tourist shops.
- Keep a cash buffer before heading into the mountains, where cards rarely work.
- Combine money planning with our Georgia on a budget tips to stretch your trip further.
How OrbiTrip works
OrbiTrip is a free platform that connects you directly with local drivers. You see a fixed price before you book and pay the driver directly — there is no commission and no online card payment, so you always know the cost in lari up front. That makes budgeting your transport simple: agree the fixed price, then pay in cash or as arranged with your driver.
See drivers & fixed prices for a Tbilisi airport transfer
FAQ
Sorted your lari? Plan the ride next — read the airport transfers guide or compare fixed prices.
What currency is used in Georgia?
Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL), shown with the symbol ₾. One lari is divided into 100 tetri, and banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 GEL. It is the only currency accepted for everyday payments, so you will need lari for taxis, markets and most rural purchases.
What is the exchange rate for the lari in 2026?
As a 2026 planning baseline, 1 US dollar is worth roughly 2.70 GEL, 1 euro about 2.90 GEL and 1 British pound about 3.35 GEL. The lari is relatively stable but rates move slightly week to week, so check a live converter on the day you exchange or withdraw.
Should I use ATMs or exchange cash in Georgia?
ATM withdrawals in lari from TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia are usually the cheapest and most convenient option, and their machines have English menus and accept foreign cards. If you bring physical cash, exchange USD or EUR at a bank or exchange booth rather than the airport. Always choose to be charged in GEL, not your home currency.
Can I pay by card in Georgia?
Yes, in the cities. Restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and chain shops widely accept Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is common. Outside the cities, cash is often the only option, so keep small lari notes for guesthouses, minibuses and village shops.
How much should I tip in Georgia?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, round up or leave 5 to 10% if there is no service charge already on the bill; for taxis, round up the fare; for a private driver or guide you enjoyed, 10 to 20 GEL for a full day is a kind gesture. Georgians tip modestly, so there is no pressure to over-tip.
How much cash should I carry in Georgia?
Keep around 100 GEL in small notes on you in the cities, and roughly double that when travelling in the regions or mountains, where card payment is rare. Top up before trips to places like Kazbegi, Svaneti or Tusheti, and avoid relying on a single large note that vendors cannot change.