Here’s a complete breakdown of costs per person for all the seven days of our trip to Georgia.
Where: Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Transport: Airlines, Bus, Taxi, Train
When: October 2016
Who: One backpacker
Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)
How long: Seven days
Note: International flights in and out of Georgia are NOT included in the costs.
All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. The exchange rate at the time of visiting is assumed to be USD 1 = GEL 2.34.
Accommodation
City | Accommodation | Cost/night | Notes |
Tbilisi | Namaste Hostel | $110.68 | Four nights. Double bed with balcony/terrace. Shared bathroom. |
Kutaisi | Edemi Hotel | $23.07 | One night. Double bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
Mestia | Guest House Edelweiss | $29.90 | One night. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
Ushguli | Guest House Shoanelni | $53.84 | One night. Double bed. Shared bathroom. Dinner & breakfast included. |
Tbilisi | Pomegranate Hostel | $34.18 | One night. Double bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
Flights
From-to | Airline | Cost | Notes |
Mestia – Natakhatari (Tbilisi) | Vanilla Sky | $28.63 | One-way flight. Economy. Includes transportation from Natakhtari to Tbilisi. |
Planning & Information
What | Cost | Notes |
Vanilla Sky | $28.63 | One way from Mestia to Tbilisi. GEL 67. |
Accommodation for all days | $125.83 | Per person. See the list and costs above. |
Total Costs | $154.46 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $154.46 | Per person |
Day 1 – Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori, Uplistsikhe
What | Cost | Notes |
SIM card | $2.99 | GEL 7 for 2GB data only, valid for 30 days. |
Bus from airport to Freedom Square | $0.21 | GEL 0.50. One way. |
Taxi from Tbilisi to Mtskheta | $8.55 | GEL 20 per taxi. One way. |
Breakfast in Mtskheta | $0.85 | GEL 4 for two Kachapuris, one coffee & one tea. Hence, GEL 2 per person. |
Taxi from Mtskheta to Gori | $8.55 | GEL 20 per person. One way. |
Uplistsike Entrance Fees | $1.28 | GEL 3 per person. |
Taxi from Gori center to station | $2.14 | GEL 5 per taxi. |
Train from Gori to Kutaisi | $0.43 | GEL 1 per person, one way. |
Snacks & water | $4.70 | GEL 22 for two persons. |
Dinner in Kutaisi | $7.05 | GEL 33 for two people at Almano restaurant. |
Total Costs | $33.55 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $188.01 | Per person |
Day 2 – Kutaisi
What | Cost | Notes |
Taxi to monasteries | $8.55 | GEL 20. |
Brunch at Tea House restaurant | $6.62 | GEL 31 for two people |
Taxi to McDonald’s bus station | $4.27 | GEL 10 per taxi. |
Bus from Kutaisi to Zugdidi | $2.99 | GEL 7 per person. |
Bus from Zugdidi to Mestia | $6.41 | GEL 15 per person. One way. |
Coffee on way to Mestia | $0.85 | GEL 2 per person. |
Snacks & water | $2.13 | GEL 5 per person. |
Dinner in Mestia | $4.27 | GEL 20 for two people at Sunseti restaurant. |
Total Costs | $36.09 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $224.10 | Per person |
Day 3 – Mestia, Ushguli
What | Cost | Notes |
Breakfast at hotel | $4.27 | GEL 10 per person. |
Khergiani Tower entrance | $0.85 | GEL 2 per person |
Ethnographic museum | $2.13 | GEL 5 |
Taxi from Mestia to Ushguli | $21.36 | GEL 50 per person. |
Snacks & water | $2.13 | GEL 5 per person. |
Total Costs | $30.74 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $254.84 | Per person |
Day 4 – Ushguli to Mestia to Tbilisi
What | Cost | Notes |
Lunch at Pasanauri restaurant | $8.55 | GEL 41 for two persons. |
Tbilisi Metro | $2.13 | GEL 2 for card, GEL 3 for top-up. |
Coffee at Irish cafe | $2.13 | GEL 5 |
Sheesha & tea at Marrakech restaurant | $12.82 | GEL 60 for two persons. |
Kachapuris from street-side restaurant | $1.28 | GEL 6 for two persons. |
Water | $0.85 | GEL 2 per person. |
Total Costs | $27.76 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $282.60 | Per person |
Day 5 – Sighnaghi, Tbilisi
What | Cost | Notes |
Shawrma for breakfast | $2.57 | GEL 6 for a 6-inch shawrma. |
Bus to Signagi and back | $5.13 | GEL 12 per person. Two way. |
Kachapuri | $0.85 | GEL 2. |
Wine tasting & food | $24.57 | GEL 115 for two persons. |
Water | $0.85 | GEL 2 per person. |
Total Costs | $33.97 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $316.57 | Per person |
Day 6 – Kazbegi, Tbilisi
What | Cost | Notes |
Taxi to Kazbegi | $6.41 | GEL 15 per person. One way. |
Taxi from Kazbegi to Trinity Church | $4.27 | GEL 10 for a taxi. |
Lunch at Stepantsminda | $9.40 | GEL 22 for one person. |
Taxi from Kazbegi to Tbilisi | $4.27 | GEL 10 per person. One way. |
Dinner in Tbilisi | $2.56 | GEL 6 for Shawrma in street-corner restaurant. |
Water | $1.70 | GEL 4 per person. |
Total Costs | $28.61 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $345.18 | Per person |
Day 7 – Tbilisi
What | Cost | Notes |
Breakfast at Cafe Canape | $7.26 | GEL 34 for two persons. |
Souvenirs | $19.23 | GEL 45 for fridge magnets, postcards, etc. |
Lunch at Friend’s House | $12.82 | GEL 30 for one person. |
Taxi to airport | $8.55 | GEL 20 per taxi. |
Water | $1.70 | GEL 4 per person. |
Miscellaneous | $8.55 | GEL 20, for example using toilets. |
Total Costs | $58.11 | Per person |
Overall Costs | $403.29 | Per person |