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Your First Day in Georgia: Airport, SIM, Cash, Taxis & What NOT to Do

Wander-Lush | Georgia Travel

21,564 views

Planning your first trip to Georgia? This practical arrival guide covers what to do in your first few hours after landing – from airport taxis and SIM cards to cash, transport, hotel check-in, first meals, and what to organise before you move on from Tbilisi.

I’ve lived in Georgia for more than six years, and these are the things I recommend sorting out first so your arrival is smooth and stress-free.

In this video:

00:00 – Intro
00:49 – Arriving at the airport (visas, insurance & immigration)
03:19 – SIM cards, eSIMs & getting online
04:40 – Cash, ATMs & card payments
06:25 – Airport to city (taxis, Bolt, buses & transfers)
11:22 – Checking into your accommodation
14:30 – Safety, street dogs, pharmacies & first essentials
17:20 – Your first meal in Tbilisi
19:19 – What to do on your first evening or first morning
21:37 – Buying a public transport card
22:55 – Advance bookings & onward travel

Helpful links mentioned in the video:

GoTrip private transfers (affiliate link):
https://gotrip.ge/en/?p=wander-lush

Local Rent car hire (affiliate link):
https://localrent.com/en/georgia/?r=4610

Sign up to Wise (affiliate link):
https://wise.prf.hn/click/camref:1100...[p_id:1011l45145]

Georgia mandatory insurance guide:
https://wander-lush.org/travel-insura...

Official GeoConsul website for visa/document requirements:
https://geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-...

Official list of restricted/prohibited medications in Georgia (PDF):
https://www.rs.ge/Media/Default/Image...

Luggage storage in Tbilisi:
https://wander-lush.org/tbilisi-lugga...

My favourite restaurants in Tbilisi:
https://wander-lush.org/tbilisi-georg...

Guide to buying train tickets in Georgia:
https://wander-lush.org/trains-in-geo...

Guide to booking marshrutka tickets online:
https://wander-lush.org/georgia-marsh...

Complete first-timer’s guide to Georgia:
https://wander-lush.org/georgia-count...

Tbilisi City Guide ebook + discount code:
https://payhip.com/b/v2I4K
Use code YT10 for 10% off

More Georgia travel resources:
https://wander-lush.org/

Thanks so much for watching – and enjoy your trip to Georgia!

20 Comments

@ChineduOpara 2 months ago

As someone who.is im the early planning stages of moving to Georgia next year, this is the BEST and most informative video I have found. THANK YOU EMILY!

@Megora07 3 months ago

Emily, I could not thank you enough for the wealth of knowledge you’ve shared and continue to share about Georgia. I consider myself a fairly savvy, well-traveled individual, but planning our Georgia trip (myself and my 21 year old son who is my travel and adventure buddy) has definitely presented some unknown territory. I can’t imagine how much longer it would’ve taken me to plan this trip had it not been for you. The resources you share both here and on your blog have been truly invaluable. We arrive in Georgia on 7/20 for a 16 day adventure, and we cannot wait to explore that beautiful country! Thank you, thank you!

@burn2406 1 month ago

I think I felt my cortisol lower while you spoke during this whole video. This is a really great video explaining what to do, all in a clear/calm voice. Thank you.

@TheMoveAbroadExpert 5 days ago

Really helpful information and so well presented, thank you!

@john-y6k4g 2 weeks ago

Thank you for so much practical information. You answered questions. I didn't even know. I was going to ask fantastic job making this video❤

@darryllp9399 2 weeks ago

Such useful, helpful information, and beautifully presented 🤗

@autonicaadabsurdum 10 days ago

Exactly what I needed. Thanks.

@travelpacknomad 9 hours ago

I got 1 year free visa do I need return ticket? Because I don't know how long I'm gonna stay I guess more than 1 weeks.

@officialstylechild 2 weeks ago

Fantastic video. Thank you

@Irina-te7nm 1 month ago

You are so good at this Emily, very informative with clear instructions.
I am from Sydney, flying to 5 Stans next week, then to Tbilisi. I've rented an apartment in Tbilisi for 2 weeks, so your restaurant guide will be very handy. The tour I was interested in has been cancelled because I was the only one interested in it, so I was left unsure what to do next. Your link to "Go Trip" just solved that problem. Thank you.

@martinvanbentum9196 3 months ago

Metro money card,nice souvenir to get friends and family to travel to Georgië.

@StreetLevelPerspectives 1 month ago

When I planned my trip to Georgia a couple of years ago, a majority of the planning that I did was based upon your Blog. The only exception being that I fell for the taxi scam, considering I arrived late at night and an exceptional visit to Gori. I would love to see more content on Kartuli, as the language and the alphabets are fascinating. By the time I left Georgia, I had only picked up a few words such as Gamarjoba, Madloba and Modi but would love to learn alot more, including trying to pronounce the word for water!!!

@roygbiv163 3 months ago (edited)

This is amazing. Thank you so much. Can you make a video about every country I want to travel to? Haha. Your video is so information dense and free of fluff. Really refreshing compared to some other travel bloggers. Your website is INSANE with useful information. I hope you’re making a good living doing this stuff. We’ll be booking most hotels through your recommendations. We like to travel consciously and try ensure our money goes to the people who make possible the experiences we love.

@martinvanbentum9196 3 months ago

Charming as always.

@jackhamilton8362 2 weeks ago

This is such a great, informative video. Thank you so much!

@dannvinther5194 3 weeks ago

Thanks. Very helpful

@remazeldagirl2673 1 month ago

Wow. This is a gold mine of info. I plan to visit Batumi next year and this video has relieved a lot of things that stress me out about traveling, especially the phone system! Thank you so much.