How to carry money to Georgia from India — forex cards, GEL currency and ATM guide (2026)
By Kabir Malhotra (Kabir Malhotra writes about how Indian travel buyers actually pay — UPI vs credit card vs forex card surcharges, reward-point math on the top travel credit cards, RBI tokenisation, EMI-on-flights and the small fees that compound across a year of bookings.) · Published · 13 min read
Georgia uses the Georgian Lari (GEL) — not available in India. Indian travellers should carry USD cash for conversion on arrival and a zero-markup forex card for ATM withdrawals and card payments in Tbilisi and Batumi.
TL;DR — how Indian travellers should carry money to Georgia
Georgia uses the Georgian Lari (GEL), which is not available at Indian forex counters or banks. Carry USD 200–400 in cash — USD is the most widely exchanged foreign currency in Tbilisi — and load a zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global, Wise or Scapia) for ATM withdrawals and card payments. Georgia is relatively cash-friendly at smaller restaurants and guesthouses, but major hotels, wine bars and tour operators in Tbilisi and Batumi accept Visa and Mastercard cards. You can carry up to USD 10,000 in cash out of India without a customs declaration.
What currency does Georgia use, and can I buy it in India?
The Georgian Lari (GEL) is Georgia's national currency. As of mid-2026, 1 USD buys approximately 2.65–2.75 GEL (so 1 GEL ≈ ₹30–32). In practical terms: a full Georgian breakfast (churchkhela, cheese bread and coffee) at a local Tbilisi cafe costs around 15–25 GEL (₹450–800); a guesthouse outside the city centre runs 60–120 GEL per night (₹1,800–3,800); and a bottle of local Saperavi wine from a winery in Kakheti starts at around 20–40 GEL (₹600–1,300).
The Lari is not available at Indian banks, Thomas Cook counters, or HDFC/ICICI forex desks in any meaningful quantity — it simply is not a currency Indian providers stock reliably.
Your practical options: (1) carry USD cash and exchange at Tbilisi airport or at one of the many currency exchange booths in the city centre (Liberty Square area, Rustaveli Avenue and Marjanishvili area all have competitive rates), or (2) withdraw GEL directly from ATMs in Georgia using a forex card loaded in USD or EUR. Georgia's exchange market is transparent and competitive — you typically get within 1–1.5% of the interbank rate at a city exchange booth, better than most countries. Pro tip: TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs at Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport (TBS) dispense GEL with reasonable fees. There are also private exchange booths in the arrivals hall — compare the rates displayed on their screens before transacting.
How much cash can I legally carry from India to Georgia?
The same RBI/FEMA framework applies regardless of destination:
- Under the Basic Travel Quota (BTQ), Indian residents can purchase up to USD 10,000 equivalent in foreign currency per trip for personal travel. Amounts in cash over USD 3,000 typically require a forex purchase certificate from your bank or authorised dealer — ask for this receipt and keep it while travelling.
- Indian Customs requires a Currency Declaration Form (CDF) for any amount above USD 10,000 equivalent at departure.
- Georgia has no restriction on foreign currency brought in by tourists, but amounts over USD 30,000 equivalent must be declared at Georgian customs on arrival.
- The annual LRS limit is USD 250,000 — a Georgia holiday is well within this.
- TCS reminder: Forex remittances above ₹7 lakh per financial year (via LRS — e.g., loading a forex card) attract TCS of 20%, which you can reclaim as an ITR credit. A Georgia trip is usually well under this threshold.
For a typical 7–10 day Georgia trip, USD 300–500 in cash is sufficient for day-to-day spending in GEL, with your forex card handling hotels and larger purchases.
Forex card vs credit card vs cash in Georgia
| Payment method | Best used for | Cost to Indian traveller |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global/Wise/Scapia) | ATM GEL withdrawals, hotels, restaurants | ~0–0.5% spread + local ATM fee (≈ GEL 1–3 per withdrawal) |
| Standard Indian credit card (SBI, HDFC, Axis) | Hotel deposits, emergencies only | 3–4% forex markup + 18% GST on fee |
| USD cash → GEL at exchange booth | Guesthouses, markets, rural areas, wine tours | 1–1.5% off interbank; competitive in Tbilisi city centre |
| EUR cash → GEL | Alternative to USD; slightly less demand | Similar to USD exchange; USD preferred |
USD cash is the most useful foreign currency to carry to Georgia — virtually every exchange booth stocks it and rates are competitive. EUR also works well. Avoid carrying British pounds, AED or any other currency expecting good rates in Georgia. Among Indian forex cards, Niyo Global (Federal Bank Visa), Scapia (IDFC FIRST Visa) and Wise (multi-currency Visa) all work well at TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs. Compare current forex card options via the FlightGPT forex tool.
ATM tips for Georgia — which banks, what fees?
ATMs are abundant in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. In smaller towns and the mountain regions (Kazbegi, Mestia, Sighnaghi), ATMs are present but limited in number and may have lower cash reserves — carry enough GEL when heading into the Caucasus highlands.
- TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia are the two largest networks and are most reliable for foreign cards. Both have ATMs inside and outside Tbilisi airport arrivals.
- ATM fees from Georgian banks typically range from GEL 1 to GEL 3 per withdrawal (roughly ₹30–95) — very low by international standards.
- Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) if the ATM offers to charge in INR or USD — always choose GEL to get the best rate through your card network (Visa/Mastercard interbank).
- Maximum withdrawal per transaction is typically GEL 400–800 (roughly ₹12,000–25,000) depending on the bank and your card limits.
- In Kazbegi and Mestia, there are ATMs in the main villages, but they occasionally run out of cash during peak summer and ski season — withdraw in Tbilisi before a mountain day trip.
Flights from India to Georgia — routing and tips
There are no direct flights from any Indian city to Tbilisi as of 2026. The most common connections for Indian travellers:
- Via Dubai (DXB): flydubai operates Tbilisi routes; IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet connect major Indian cities to Dubai. Total journey Delhi to Tbilisi is typically 8–11 hours including connection.
- Via Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines connects Tbilisi from its Istanbul hub with onward flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Istanbul–Tbilisi is about 3 hours.
- Via Sharjah or Abu Dhabi: Air Arabia and Etihad occasionally offer competitive options.
Georgia offers visa-free entry for Indian passport holders for stays up to one year — one of the most generous visa policies for Indians globally. No e-visa is required; simply arrive at Tbilisi airport with a valid passport. This makes Georgia an easy destination to add to a multi-country itinerary. Check current Delhi to Tbilisi or Mumbai to Tbilisi fares on FlightGPT — prices vary significantly by connection city and booking window.
Is Georgia good value for Indian travellers, and what to budget?
Georgia is excellent value for Indian travellers — food, accommodation, wine and transport are all notably affordable even by Indian metropolitan standards. Tbilisi's Old Town guesthouses, Kakheti wine tours and Kazbegi mountain hikes offer experiences comparable to European destinations at a fraction of the cost.
- Budget traveller: USD 30–45/day (guesthouses, khinkali dumplings and khachapuri cheese bread from local spots, shared marshrutka rides)
- Mid-range: USD 60–90/day (boutique hotels in old Tbilisi, wine tasting tours, day trips to Kazbegi or Sighnaghi, a cable car ride over the Mtkvari River)
- Comfortable: USD 100–140/day (upscale hotels like Rooms Hotel or Fabrika area boutiques, private car hire to Kakheti, winery cellar experiences)
A 7-night Georgia trip for a mid-range Indian couple typically costs USD 800–1,200 on the ground excluding flights. Note: tipping is customary at Georgian restaurants — 10% is standard, and GEL cash makes this easy. Also budget for the Kazbegi day trip (shared transfer from Tbilisi costs around GEL 40–80 per person, or GEL 250–400 for a private vehicle) — one of the highlights of any Georgia visit.
Bottom line
For Georgia from India: the Georgian Lari cannot be bought in India, so carry USD 200–400 in cash to exchange at Tbilisi city-centre booths (slightly better rates than the airport) and load a zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global, Wise or Scapia) for ATM withdrawals and card purchases. Georgia's exchange market is open and transparent — Liberty Square booths in Tbilisi often display real-time rates and margins. Avoid DCC at ATMs and card terminals. The ₹7 lakh LRS threshold before TCS kicks in is unlikely to be hit on a Georgia holiday, but keep records of all forex purchases. With visa-free access and outstanding value, Georgia remains one of the best-kept secrets for Indian international travellers.
Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them. Compare forex card options on FlightGPT →
Frequently asked questions
Can I use USD in Georgia directly, without converting to GEL?
In some tourist-facing businesses — certain hotels, wine bars and tour operators in Tbilisi — USD may be accepted at an agreed rate. However, official prices are in GEL and most street-level purchases require GEL. It is better to convert USD to GEL at an exchange booth in the city centre.
Is Georgia a cash or card economy?
A mix. Tbilisi and Batumi are increasingly card-friendly — restaurants, hotels and supermarkets accept Visa and Mastercard. But taxis (unless using Bolt or Yandex Go app), guesthouses in smaller towns, bazaars, marshrutkas (minibuses) and rural accommodation require GEL cash.
Does India have an LRS limit I should worry about for Georgia?
The LRS limit is USD 250,000 per financial year — far beyond any leisure trip to Georgia. The more relevant threshold is ₹7 lakh, above which TCS of 20% applies to forex remittances via LRS. Most Georgia trips from India will be under this amount.
Which is better — USD or EUR to carry to Georgia?
USD is marginally better — it is the most commonly exchanged foreign currency at Georgian exchange booths and the rates are competitive. EUR works equally well at most booths. Avoid carrying British pounds or any other currency expecting a good deal.
Can I use UPI or Rupay cards in Georgia?
Not in any meaningful way as of 2026. UPI is not interoperable with Georgian payment systems. Rupay cards on the JCB network may work at some ATMs — but do not rely on it. Use a Visa or Mastercard-based forex card (Niyo, Wise, Scapia) as your primary tool.
Do Indians need a visa for Georgia?
No. Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Georgia for up to one year. This is one of the most generous visa policies in the world for Indian citizens — no prior application or e-visa is needed. Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport with a valid passport and onward ticket.