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The Complete Georgia Packing List

Georgia is the size of South Carolina but runs through a dozen climate zones. One week can put you in Tbilisi's summer heat, Svaneti's alpine cold, and Batumi's subtropical rain. Pack for all three.

Updated Apr 2026
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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Overview
  3. Country essentials
  4. Cultural notes
  5. Tbilisi and Eastern Georgia (Kakheti Wine Region)
  6. Greater Caucasus Mountains (Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti)
  7. Western Georgia and Black Sea Coast (Batumi, Kutaisi)
  8. Seasonal guide
  9. Packing Tips
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

Regions

3 regions covered

Currency

Georgian Lari (GEL)

Plug type

Type C, Type F / 220V

Language

Georgian

Georgia runs hot and dry in Tbilisi (95°F), rainy in subtropical Batumi, and cold up in the alpine Caucasus. So pack in layers. Bring a lightweight scarf for Orthodox church dress codes, sturdy hiking shoes, and a Type C/F adapter for 220V outlets. Currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL). Americans stay a year visa-free.

Georgia sits between the Greater Caucasus and the Black Sea, on the line where Europe meets Asia, and it crams a startling amount of weather into a country the size of South Carolina. Tbilisi hits dry 95°F heat in summer. Kazbegi sits at 5,000 feet and holds snow from November through April. Down on the western coast, Batumi takes over 95 inches of rain a year, which makes it one of the wettest cities in the whole Caucasus region.

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Go in May, June, September, or October. The weather then is comfortable for both the cities and the mountain trails, which is the whole game in a country this varied. July and August roast Tbilisi but open up the high Caucasus routes. Winter is December through February: skiing at Gudauri and Bakuriani, plus freezing temperatures and icy mountain roads up high.

Georgia is deeply Orthodox, and churches and monasteries turn up on nearly every itinerary, so this shapes what you pack more than the weather does. They all enforce a dress code: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, a headscarf for women, no shorts for men. A lightweight scarf covers most of it. Away from the churches, Tbilisi is fashion-conscious, with a serious cafe and nightlife scene that runs late into the night. Pack for both the chapel and the rooftop bar.

Country essentials

Plug type

Type C, Type F · 220V, 50 Hz

Currency

Georgian Lari (GEL)

Language

Georgian

Visa

US citizens can stay in Georgia for up to 365 days without a visa, which is one of the most generous visa-free arrangements anywhere for an American passport. No advance registration or arrival form is required. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. If you transit Schengen Europe on the way, plan on six months of passport validity for that leg.

SIM / data

Buy a Magti or Geocell prepaid SIM at the airport. Data is cheap. Several gigabytes runs 5 to 10 GEL ($2 to $4 USD), and an eSIM like Airalo works on newer phones. Coverage is solid in Tbilisi and the main towns, then thins out in remote mountain valleys like Tusheti.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but not expected. In restaurants, 10% is generous. Hotels do not expect tips. Tour guides and private drivers usually get 15 to 20 GEL a day. At a supra (traditional feast) in someone's home, do not leave cash. Showing up and taking part in the toasts is the thanks.

Driving side

right

Tap water

Safe to drink

Emergency #

112

Cultural notes and dress codes

  • Georgian Orthodox churches want modest dress: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, a headscarf for women, long pants for men. Most keep loaner scarves and wraps by the door, but your own is more comfortable.
  • If you get invited to a supra (traditional feast), accept. A tamada (toastmaster) runs the evening with long toasts to God, country, family, and the departed. Wait for each toast before you drink, hold your glass in both hands when a toast is to you, and keep eye contact during cheers.
  • Georgians treat guests as a gift from God, and the hospitality is real. Don't refuse food or drink offered in someone's home without a polite reason, a medical or religious one especially.
  • Take your shoes off when you enter a Georgian home unless the host says not to. Indoor slippers are often waiting for you.
  • Wine runs through the whole culture here, made continuously for over 8,000 years. Ask about qvevri (clay vessel) winemaking and learn Saperavi from Rkatsiteli, and people will warm to you.
  • The Georgian script (Mkhedruli) is its own alphabet, related to nothing else. Reading a few words or spotting menu items goes a long way, even though most tourist-area menus have English.
  • Photography is usually fine, but ask before you shoot people, especially in rural areas and at monasteries. Some church interiors ban it outright.
  • Drivers here are aggressive by Western standards, and roads outside Tbilisi can be rough, mountain passes worst of all. If you rent a car, drive defensively and get something sturdy.

The capital and surrounding lowlands, including the Kakheti wine region. Hot dry summers and mild winters with a continental flavor.

Climate: Semi-arid continental with hot summers (85 to 95°F) and cold winters (28 to 45°F). Annual rainfall is only about 20 inches, mostly in spring. Kakheti is even drier with more extreme summer heat.

  • light summer clothes
  • church modest wear
  • wine tasting attire
  • city walking shoes

👕Clothing

Essentials

  • Lightweight breathable t-shirts x5
  • Long pants or trousers x2 (Required for church visits and standard for Tbilisi restaurants)
  • Lightweight scarf or pashmina (Church head covering for women, warmth layer, sun shield)
  • Wrap skirt (for women) (Many churches require skirts over tight pants)
  • Light cardigan or sweater (For air-conditioned restaurants and evening rooftops)
  • Swimsuit (For Abanotubani sulfur baths)

Nice to Have

  • Smart casual evening outfit (Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue cafe culture is fashion-conscious)

👟Footwear

Essentials

  • Sturdy walking shoes with grip (Old Town cobblestones and steep hills to Narikala Fortress)
  • Flip-flops for sulfur baths

Nice to Have

  • Comfortable walking sandals
  • Evening shoes

🧴Health & Comfort

Essentials

  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+) (Summer sun is relentless in Tbilisi's stone streets)
  • Imodium and digestive aids (Khachapuri, khinkali, and wine are rich and plentiful)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Lip balm

Nice to Have

  • Insect repellent (Useful for riverside dining and Kakheti vineyards at dusk)

📱Gear

Essentials

  • Type C/F plug adapter
  • Portable charger

Nice to Have

  • Wine bottle protector sleeve x2 (Kakheti wine is excellent and runs $5 to $10 a bottle)
  • Camera (Old Town Tbilisi is worth shooting at golden hour)

When to visit and what changes by season

Spring (Mar-May)

March to May · 45-75°F

March starts chilly. By May it's warm, and wildflowers come up across the valleys and foothills. April and May are the wettest months in Tbilisi, so expect afternoon showers. Mountain passes start opening in late May, though the high Svaneti trails can still hold snow.

  • layers for swings
  • rain jacket
  • allergy meds
  • moderate hiking gear

Summer (Jun-Aug)

June to August · 65-95°F

Tbilisi bakes, often past 90°F. Mountain trekking hits its peak now, with trails clear and guesthouses open. Batumi is warm and humid, with the odd thunderstorm. This is high season. Prices climb and the trails fill up.

  • lightweight city clothes
  • trekking layers
  • sun protection
  • swimwear

Fall (Sep-Nov)

September to November · 40-80°F

September is warm and golden, often the best month for Tbilisi. October brings the rtveli (wine harvest) in Kakheti. November cools fast. The mountain passes close by the end of it. The fall color in the hills is worth the trip on its own.

  • warm layers for late fall
  • wine harvest gear
  • rain jacket
  • warm socks

Winter (Dec-Feb)

December to February · 28-45°F

Tbilisi is cold but often sunny. The mountains are buried in snow and many high roads close. Gudauri ski resort is two hours out. Batumi stays mild but very wet. Winter is the time for the sulfur baths, the wine bars, and the city without the crowds.

  • insulated jacket
  • thermal layers
  • waterproof boots
  • ski gear if applicable

Packing tips for Georgia

  1. 1Pack for temperature extremes even on a short trip. One day can run from 95°F in Tbilisi to 55°F in Kazbegi. A compressible fleece or down jacket earns its bag space.
  2. 2Bring a lightweight scarf. It covers your head at churches, adds a warmth layer, and shades you from sun. Women reach for it daily at religious sites.
  3. 3Carry a Type C/F adapter and check that your devices take 220V. Most phone chargers handle dual voltage. US hair dryers and electric shavers often do not.
  4. 4Download offline maps before you leave the cities. Google Maps holds up in Tbilisi but drops off in Svaneti, Tusheti, and the mountain passes where cell service is thin.
  5. 5Leave room for wine. A bottle of good Saperavi or amber runs $5 to $10 at local shops. A bottle protector sleeve keeps it intact in your bag.
  6. 6Georgian pharmacies (aptiaki) are well-stocked and cheap, but bring your prescriptions from home in their original containers. Over-the-counter basics are easy to find.
  7. 7Carry Lari in cash for marshrutka minibuses, market vendors, and rural guesthouses. Cards work at most Tbilisi restaurants and hotels. Outside the capital, cash is what you need.
  8. 8Tbilisi tap water is safe and clean, so bring a reusable bottle. In the rural mountains, ask locals before you drink from a tap or a stream.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Georgia as a US citizen?
No. US citizens can stay in Georgia for up to 365 days without a visa. No advance registration or arrival form is required, and your passport only needs to be valid at the time of entry. Georgia is one of the few countries that lets Americans stay a full year visa-free. If you connect through Schengen Europe, count on six months of passport validity for that leg.
What plug adapter do I need for Georgia?
Georgia uses Type C and Type F plugs at 220V, 50Hz. You'll need a plug adapter. Then check that your devices handle dual voltage (110V to 240V), which most phone chargers and laptop bricks do on their own. A hair dryer or electric shaver rated for 120V only won't work without a voltage converter.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Georgia?
Yes, in Tbilisi and most major towns. The municipal supply is clean, so bring a reusable bottle and refill it freely. The coast, including Batumi, is fine too. In the remote mountains, ask locals before you drink from a tap or stream.
What is the dress code for churches in Georgia?
Georgian Orthodox churches want covered shoulders and knees for everyone. Women cover their heads with a scarf and should wear a skirt, and many churches keep loaner wraps at the door. Men wear long pants, not shorts. This holds at every church and monastery, from Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral to a remote mountain chapel.
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
May, June, September, and October give you the best mix of comfortable weather and open mountain trails. September is probably the single best month: warm in Tbilisi, wine harvest in Kakheti, clear mountain skies. July and August are hottest in Tbilisi but prime for Caucasus trekking. For skiing at Gudauri, go December through February.
What currency does Georgia use?
Georgia uses the Georgian Lari (GEL), roughly 2.70 GEL to the dollar. You can't get Lari outside the Caucasus, so bring USD or EUR and change it at the airport or in Tbilisi. City ATMs are everywhere and pay out Lari at good rates. Visa and Mastercard work at most restaurants and hotels.
Do I need hiking boots for Georgia?
If you plan to trek the Caucasus (Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti), bring waterproof hiking boots with ankle support. The trails are rocky and muddy, with river crossings. For a Tbilisi-only trip, sturdy walking shoes with good grip handle the steep cobblestone hills. Casual sandals are enough for Batumi's beachfront.
What should I know about the Georgian supra?
A supra is a traditional Georgian feast run by a tamada (toastmaster), who moves the evening through long toasts to God, country, family, the departed, and the guests. Wait for each toast before you drink, hold your glass in both hands when a toast is to you, and keep eye contact. You don't have to drink alcohol. If you don't, say so politely and that's respected.
Is Georgia safe for tourists?
Georgia is generally very safe, with low violent crime. Tbilisi, Batumi, and the main tourist routes are well-traveled and welcoming. Watch your valuables in crowds like you would anywhere. Mountain passes can be rough driving, and the border areas near South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be avoided. Check the current travel advisory before you go.
What should I NOT bring to Georgia?
Skip beach resort clothes for Tbilisi and the mountains. Don't pack only shorts and tank tops, since the churches need modest cover. Don't bring single-voltage US electronics without checking them against 220V first. You don't need malaria pills or special vaccinations for Georgia, and heavy formal business attire just takes up room.

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