Everything about obtaining a visa to Georgia on your own in 2021

Our holiday in Georgia in 2021

We flew to Georgia from Antalya to return home - at that time air traffic between Russia and Turkey was still closed, and we had to look for loopholes. Georgia is a pleasant and tasty way to Russia, and we stayed in the hospitable country for eleven days. We visited a lot of places: we walked around Tbilisi, and then rented a car and drove along Kakheti, Imereti and the Georgian Military Road. So now we know all the rules of entry into and exit from Georgia for Russians from personal experience! Also in this post we will share current information about the situation with Covid in Georgia.

All about Georgia →

Documents for travel to Georgia

What documents are needed to travel to Georgia? Everything is very simple here: Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians do not need a visa if their stay in the country does not exceed 1 year. A foreign passport, of course, is needed for a trip to Georgia; it must be valid for the entire duration of the trip and should not contain Abkhaz stamps (otherwise there will be problems, so enter Abkhazia with an internal passport).

Insurance is not a mandatory item, but for your peace of mind we recommend that you arrange it on the websites Sravni.ru or Cherehapa. They compare prices from all major insurance companies. You can choose a policy according to the parameters you need and the best price. We always take out insurance.

Rooftops of Tbilisi.

How to get to Georgia from Russia now

In short, it’s not easy. There are no direct flights from 2021. The only adequate way is to fly to Turkey (Istanbul, Antalya) or Armenia (Gyumri, Yerevan), and from there go to Georgia. Look for tickets at Aviasales. Read more about all the ways to get to Georgia from Russia.

Many believe that the land borders between Russia and Georgia are open. This is wrong! Be careful: for now Russia does not allow Russians to go to Georgia without grounds (treatment, work, family, residence permit). But from Georgia, Russians can safely enter Russia by car through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, since this will be the return of citizens home. That’s exactly how we returned – by minivan transfer through the checkpoint.

Food prices in Georgia - 2021

Delicious Georgian cuisine is one of the main reasons why tourists love this country. Many people come here just for all these khinkali, khachapuri and kebabs! According to reviews from all tourists who vacationed in Georgia, food prices are quite reasonable, and cooking on your own while on vacation is not always cheaper than eating in a cafe.

Portions are often very large (with some exceptions), you can order half a portion - check this if you are not ready for a large meal. Sometimes the waiters even warned us that the portion would be large and asked if we would like to order a smaller one.

Our average bill in a cafe in Tbilisi is 25-35 lari for two. These are two or three main courses, tea or lemonade, and dessert. In most cafes and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is added to the order amount.

What to bring from Georgia >>

Huge khachapuri in Adjarian style.

Prices in cafes in Georgia in 2021:

• Adjarian khachapuri - from 6 GEL;
• khinkali, 1 pc. — 0.5-0.7 GEL;
• eggplants with nuts - 5-7 GEL;
• lobiani and kubdari - 4-7 GEL;
• kebab, skewer - 6-10 GEL;
• coffee and hot chocolate - 2-3.5 GEL;
• tea - 1.5 GEL;
• Borjomi water – 1 GEL.

Portions in Georgia are large! In the photo: rich Georgian khashi soup.

Delicious Georgian khinkali.
There are different fillings: meat, cheese, mushrooms and others. 5-8 pieces are enough to fill you up. The selection of goods in supermarkets large cities is approximately the same as in Russia; you can find anything (which cannot be said about small villages). Vegetables and fruits are usually cheaper to buy either at markets or in supermarkets. Prices in single stalls on the streets are usually overpriced. Many products are brought to Georgia from Russia, even labels with information are in Russian, so in the store you will feel like you are in your own Pyaterochka.

Approximate prices for products in stores in 2021:

• milk (1 l) - up to $1.5;
• bread (500 g) - from $0.2 to $0.4;
• local cheese (kg) - $2-4;
• eggs (12 pcs) - $1.2-1.6;
• bottle of wine - $3-6;
• water (1.5 l) - $0.3-0.5;
• bananas (kg) - $1.2-2;
• apples (kg) - $0.6-1.2;
• figs (kg) - from $0.8;
• grapes (kg) - about $3;
• oranges (kg) - $0.6-1.7.

Review of food prices in Georgia >>

If you are not afraid of baking , then one meal, for example, while sightseeing, can be replaced by eating khachapuri (or something else tasty) on the go - tasty, cheap, fast, satisfying. Georgians themselves willingly buy baked goods from local bakeries.

Wine shelves in a Tbilisi store (Photo: unsplash.com / @anastsiia_voiten)

Conditions for entry into Georgia in 2021

The rules for entry into Georgia in 2021 for Russians are extremely simple: you need either a PCR test or a certificate of vaccination with any vaccine. Children under 10 years old do not need to take any tests before or after entry.

With PCR test. It must be submitted no earlier than 72 hours before departure. We showed the result on paper in English, but at the airport I saw that they also accepted it from the phone screen. Then, on the third day of your stay in the country, you must do a repeat PCR test (from $35), otherwise there will be a fine of 600 GEL - border guards check. Save the result on your phone and show it to the officer when you leave. Read below where to get a PCR test in Georgia.

With certificate . A certificate of vaccination with any vaccine is suitable for the flight; it is better to have a paper one in English. If you cross the land border or by water, you additionally need to do a PCR test 72 hours in advance.

And another important nuance . Be sure to fill out a special form online before flying to Georgia. The absence of this bureaucratic piece of paper greatly spoiled the nerves of many tourists at the reception desk! Many were turned away and demanded to come with this form. Just show the employee the letter that will be sent to the post office - it contains your full name and registration form number. You can fill out the form even a few hours before departure.

Our advice . In such difficult times, you should only go on vacation with insurance. You can buy insurance profitably and easily on the Cherekhapa service - a policy with coverage for coronavirus treatment costs from 400 rubles for a week, plus they have a convenient website and good support service. We always use it ourselves.

Is it possible to travel to Georgia now?

From February 1, 2021, Georgia lifted all restrictions on regular international flights introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 1, Georgia opened its land borders. Foreign citizens who have either completed a vaccination course or passed a negative PCR test will be able to enter the country.

From the end of June 2021, the curfew and mandatory wearing of masks on the street were lifted in Georgia.

Is entry into Georgia now open for Russians? And when will Georgia open its borders with Russia?

From February 1, 2021, Georgia is open to international tourism.

From March 1, Russians can officially enter Georgia with a negative COVID-19 test result . Entry is also free for everyone (including Russians) who have already completed the full course of vaccination. Any vaccine.

From June 1, Georgia opens land borders.

No later than 48 hours before arriving in Georgia, everyone except Georgian citizens must fill out a special application form.

Due to the pandemic, the rules for entry into Georgia have changed. But the sunsets in Tbilisi are still just as peaceful

Entry to Georgia for freelancers: current requirements

Freelancers with a confirmed income of over $2,000 per month are allowed into Georgia. To enter, you must first fill out an application and receive approval.

Georgia only accepts freelancers who already have a foreign employer or customer at the time of application. Not all foreigners have a chance of entry approval, but only citizens of those countries that are listed on the website where the application is filled out. Proven income and health insurance are required.

Freelancers will have to self-isolate or quarantine in Georgia upon arrival.

Where to take a PCR test in Georgia

According to the new conditions for entry into Georgia from June 1, 2021, if you do not have a vaccination certificate or if you have one, but you arrived in the country by land or water, you need to take a PCR test on the third day of your stay. This is very important, because at the border they can pay a fine of 600 GEL!

There is a list of laboratories where you can take the test, but it will only help you if you know the Georgian language. We don’t know him, so we had to scour the Internet in search of information.

In Georgia, taking a PCR test costs an average of 100 lari. But on the Vinsky forum they recommend the Neolab , where the cheapest tests are only 85 GEL. Plus they work even on weekends! You can sign up via e-mail, Viber/Whatsapp or call the numbers listed on the Neolab website. The staff speaks Russian. Don't forget your passports. The result is sent by email the next day. There is no need to pick up the piece of paper - the border guards only need the electronic version, and besides, they have the result of your test in their database.

Neolab has two addresses in Tbilisi and one in Batumi:

• Tashkenti, 47 in Tbilisi.
• Nutsubidze st. No. 8 in Tbilisi.
• Chavchavadze st. No. 70-72 in Batumi.

We rented on Tashkenti Street, 47. You can get there by bus No. 6 or No. 14 from the “Freedom Square” stop, then walk. Or take the bus at Rustaveli metro station.

I don't know what to do if you are in Georgia for less than three days. They write on the Vinsky forum that you don’t have to take the test again - formally you are not violating the requirements. But for those who entered Georgia before June 1 and have been living for a month/two/year, it is better to take a test before leaving, just in case.

New requirements for those entering Georgia during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many countries to introduce quarantine safety measures and stricter entry requirements, and Georgia is no exception.

From February 2021, all foreign citizens who have completed two stages of receiving the vaccine can enter Georgia.

For Russians, the conditions are even more welcoming: since the beginning of spring, Georgia has been accepting Russian tourists, even if they are not vaccinated against Covid - it is enough to present a recent certificate of a negative PCR test.

At the end of last year, the government lifted quarantine for Georgian citizens arriving in the country. Now, upon arrival, they are not automatically sent to quarantine: instead, Georgian citizens are required to go into self-isolation mode. For citizens who do not have the opportunity to self-isolate at home, the state will provide hotel accommodation.

If citizens returning to the country have the results of a PCR test carried out within the last 72 hours, then they only need to spend 8 days in self-isolation. If there are no test results, you will have to self-isolate for 12 days.

The beauty of Georgia amazes even the most experienced travelers

Entry into Georgia after the opening of borders: what requirements apply now

From February 1, Georgia again welcomes tourists from other countries. But there are several conditions.

Citizens and residents of the European Union, Switzerland, Israel, the USA, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain can enter Georgia with a negative coronavirus test result. From March 1, 2021, Russians also belong to this group.

All other foreigners must undergo a full course of vaccination against coronavirus to enter Georgia. The vaccine can be any.

Thus, Russians can choose under what conditions to enter Georgia: with a certificate of a full course of vaccination against coronavirus or with a fresh PCR test.

Entry rules have also changed for residents of Georgia. Those who take a COVID-19 test before travel will be able to choose to isolate immediately upon arrival for 8 days or take a repeat test on the third day of their stay and leave quarantine.

Is there a quarantine in Georgia now?

A foreign tourist entering Georgia with documents confirming completion of the full course of vaccination against COVID-19 is exempt from quarantine.

Now that entry into Georgia is open, there are more than enough reasons to go there. Although it is not customary to have more than enough at the Georgian table

Do I need to take a coronavirus test to enter Georgia?

A medical certificate confirming a negative test result for COVID-19, issued no later than 72 hours before entry, is required for citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Israel, the USA, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain to cross the border. This category of tourists does not require anything other than this certificate to enter Georgia. On the third day of their stay in Georgia, they must do another PCR test.

The same rules apply to Georgian citizens. And from March 1, 2021, Russians can also enter Georgia with a PCR test.

To enter Georgia, other foreign travelers must document that they have completed a full course of vaccination against coronavirus - any of the existing vaccines. Russian travelers can also choose this option, in which case it is not necessary to take a PCR test before traveling.

Before boarding a flight, all passengers and crew undergo a mandatory medical examination.

Requirements for returning tourists

I remind you that upon returning from a trip abroad, Russians must pay a fee in the form of taking two PCR tests (Muscovites can do this for free at the clinic, the rest - a fig). The first - within 72 hours after arrival, the second - within 5 days from the moment of arrival. The interval between them should be at least 24 hours. Both results must be uploaded to State Services. Otherwise, the local police officer will knock on your door and curse. The fine for disobedient people is from 15 to 40 thousand rubles. We rented it out, what else could we do? All you have to do is accept it and consider it a necessary expense along with the costs of obtaining visas or a passport.

First photo: alexeynovikov / Depositphotos.com.

What to see on your own in Georgia

Georgia seems like a small country only on the map. In fact, there are a lot of interesting places here. In addition, the country is mountainous, so moving around it takes a lot of time.

It’s difficult to advise what to see in Georgia on your own, especially in just a few days or a week. We will list the places that we have taken note of for ourselves, and based on the list, you can create routes that suit your interests and timing.

Excursions from Tbilisi around Georgia >>

Mestia, Svaneti (Photo: Unsplash / pixabay.com)

Places worth seeing on an independent trip to Georgia:

1. First of all, this is the Georgian Military Road - they say it is one of the most picturesque in the world. We are big fans of mountain roads, so this is the most interesting attraction for us. If you go on a trip to Georgia in your own car, then your route will run along this road.
2. Tbilisi . We've already been here. We advise you to see not only the main attractions of Tbilisi, but also visit the cozy courtyards and magnificent ceremonial cities - for us this was a real discovery, it was for them that we fell in love with Tbilisi.
3. Batumi is the main Black Sea resort of Georgia. Read more about beach holidays in Georgia.
4. Kutaisi and Imereti in general.
5. Vardzia Monastery.
6. Kakheti is a wine-producing region. The cities of Sighnaghi and Telavi, Gremi castle, numerous monasteries.
7. Tusheti – it’s better to go here by SUV for a few days (only in summer).
8. Svaneti.
9. And much more.

Don’t try to see all of Georgia at once - you won’t be able to do it anyway, and constant travel will simply exhaust you. It’s better to carefully work out several routes and come to the country several times.

Temple in Racha, Georgia. Photo: © vampa_ / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Reviews and recommendations from tourists

How to make your independent trip to Georgia special, enjoyable and memorable? Follow these tips and tricks:

• It is better to plan your trip to Georgia in advance; book tickets and hotels online.
• Try to go to Georgia in the off-season, in winter or at least during the high season; there are a lot of tourists here in the summer.
• Come to Georgia by car - this way you will have freedom of movement and you will be able to see any sights. Don't want to spend a few days driving on the way to the Georgian border? Then rent a car on site at Myrentacar.com. An SUV is best.
• Try to find a cafe where the locals themselves eat - they certainly know where the food is best.
• Pack a traveler's first aid kit - read our tips here.
• Tourists are advised not to expect much from a beach holiday in Georgia - it is in many ways similar to what you will find in the Russian south. It is better to focus on the cultural and excursion travel program.
• If you are going to the mountains, take care of warm clothes and shoes.

11 reasons to love Tbilisi >>

Metekhi Temple in the center of Tbilisi.

Safety Tips:

• The country is safe, but you need to follow basic rules. There are gypsies, there are pickpocket boys. Be careful!
• The attitude towards Russians in Georgia is good, there is no need to worry at all. The people are friendly, polite, and ready to help.
• In Tbilisi and large cities, you can pay with a card everywhere and not withdraw money from the card, but you will need cash in public transport. In the capital, there are exchangers at every step, the rate is approximately the same everywhere. When going to a small village, stock up on local currency. It is always better to have an emergency supply of cash - this is a universal rule.
• According to reviews from tourists, change should be recalculated.
• It is worth remembering your specific driving style and being especially careful on the road. Pedestrians are usually not allowed through.

Is it worth going to Georgia? Read more reviews about holidays in Georgia.

Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta (Photo: maxbenidze / pixabay.com)

First photo: Ronan Shenhav / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Traveling with children and documents

In order to travel to Georgia with a small child, you do not need to prepare a separate package of permits. If the baby is traveling with his parents, then only their international passports will be needed, as well as the child’s birth certificate and international passport. Information about children must be indicated on the corresponding page of the adult’s passport, then the child does not need to have a foreign document. If a child is traveling with one of the parents, permission to travel with the child will be required from the other parent.

Important! “Notarized permission from parents or guardians is also necessary in the case when the baby is accompanied by grandparents, other relatives or third parties. It’s also important to remember to take out insurance.”