Transportation

Flights

  • Istanbul, Turkey (IST) is the best connecting airport for Tbilisi (TBS - Tbilisi International Airport). Turkish Airways usually has the shortest & most cost-effective flights from the US.

  • Other airways are also an option. Qatar Airways has high-quality service and multiple flights from the US to Tbilisi with a short layover in Doha. (DOH)

  • We recommend to buy your flights around 3-6 months out

Driving

  • There is no Uber in Georgia, and taking a taxi is not for the faint of heart. While abundant, standard taxis will only accept cash and almost always ask for inflated rates from foreigners.

  • We recommend downloading Bolt app before arrival, which functions just like Uber. It can link to a US Credit Card and convert from local GEL currency to USD.

  • Within-city rates for Bolt/Taxis should all be between $5 (city neighborhoods) and up to $15 (Airport to the city center etc.)

  • The best way to get from the airport to the hotel is by the Bolt app. If the app does not work, there are plenty of Taxis available at the airport but you will need cash.

  • There is a subway system in Tbilisi. Expect Soviet Era.

**be prepared for fast & aggressive driving!

Phone

  • If your phone plan doesn’t allow a good international plan, we recommend downloading en eSIM which is the data plan

  • Most US cell carriers will generally offer free limited data for visitors to Georgia. Please keep in mind that internet speeds won’t be nearly as fast so plan accordingly.

  • Please also download WhatsApp before coming, as this is the best international messaging app (data & wifi accessible)

Recommended restaurants/bars

  • Recommended Restaurants: Barbarestan (old school, up scale Georgian restaurant), Oro - Marjanishvili (specializing in Magrellian cuisine), Zala Restaurant & Cellar, Keto da Kote (trendy innovative food in traditional Tbilisi neighborhood), Pasanauri (typical no frills chain for Khinkali) - Leonidze St, Cafe Leila (sam loves- great cafe with beautiful interior.

  • We recommend trying the following staples of Georgian cuisine: Khinkali (Georgian Soup Dumplings), Mtksvadi (Pork Skewers), Kababi (Kebab), Khachapuri (Cheese Boat), Badrijani Nigvzit (Eggplant with Walnuts), Pkhali Assortment (Vegetable and nut spreads), Nadugi (Cheese/mint dish), Lobio (Bean Stew) Mchadit (Corn Bread), Chashushuli (stew), Chakapuli (stew), etc.

  • Recommended Bars, Nightlife & Wine bars: 8000 Mosavali (huge wine selection), Chacha Time (bar specializing in Cha Cha tastings), Shavi Lomi (great bar/cafe with courtyard), Philosof Club (live music), Fabrika (sam loves) - common space bars & food trucks, Bar 22 (dive), Griboedov Bar (dive). Left Bank (artistic queer night club).

If you plan to travel outside Tbilisi

  • Georgia has distinct regions within its borders. The country is divided into Eastern and Western parts by Rikoti pass.

  • For exploring outside Tbilisi, we recommend renting a vehicle from multiple agencies available locally. Avis/Budget/Hertz all operate in Tbilisi. Please plan if you will be renting a car and reserve it in advance. Keep in mind most rental cars will have manual transmission unless you upgrade to Automatic in advance.

  • Kakheti Region in Eastern Georgia is world famous for its winemaking (the world’s first wine was made here 8,000 years ago) beautiful, green rolling hills, and productive agriculture.

  • Kazbegi/Stepantsminda region is due north of Tbilisi and offers spectacular mountain recreation.

  • Western Georgia is a lush, forested region known for its delicious cuisine, medieval churches, and historic cities. 2nd largest city of Kutaisi is located here.

  • Black Sea coast is famous in the region for its pebble beaches and rocky mountain backdrops. Batumi - Las Vegas of the East is popular tourist destination.

Recommended stays

  • Rooms Hotel - high-end hotel right in the center (Rustaveli Avenue) of Tbilisi. We have 20 rooms reserved there with the discount link below (first come first serve).

    It has a beautiful courtyard and a critically acclaimed restaurant “Stamba” which used to be a newspaper factory during the Soviet era.

  • Unfound Door - boutique hotel located in Marjanishvili/Plekhanovi neighborhood. Think of this area as the “International District” from Tbilisi. The main street, Marjanishvili Avenue offers diverse cuisine from Middle Eastern countries. A 5-minute drive to the wedding venue.

  • Kisi Hotel - a small, boutique hotel in “Old Tbilisi” neighborhood. This small hotel offers a very authentic experience in the old part of town (that has been renovated). Cobblestone streets and narrow alleys lead you to the center of the city. Please note: vehicles are not always allowed in this neighborhood so prepare to walk. A 8-minute drive to the wedding venue.

Neighborhoods to check out

  • ძველი თბილისი Old Tbilisi - a historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets and old churches.

  • რუსთაველი / თავისუფლების მოედანი Rustaveli / Freemod Square - a central neighborhood with a little bit of everything. Restaurants/Bars/Shopping. Multiple side streets from Liberty Square all offer interesting sub-neighborhoods.

  • პლეხანოვი, მარჯანიშვილი - Plekhanovi / Marjanishvili - International District. Middle Eastern restaurants, city theaters, and hip dive bars.

  • ვაკე / Vake - an affluent neighborhood is known for good shopping, several boutique malls, and Vaki’s Park (a big park with fountains and hiking trails)

Landmarks and site seeing

  • Tbilisi has numerous landmarks that are highly recommended for visitors to see. Trinity Church is one of the largest churches in the world. We also recommend taking the gondola to visit Kartlis Deda and Narikala Fortress. Be sure to check out Leghvtakhevi Waterfall, the Chronicles of Georgia statue, Dezerter Bazaar and the underground markets located all over the city.