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Georgia (the country, not the US state) felt very safe and very cheap for a solo trip, and in just four or five days I got a capital full of character, a giant hilltop monument and a whole monastery carved into a cliff.
I went on my own in August 2022, using four to five days of annual leave. Here’s how I did it, what it cost, and what I’d tell any woman thinking about Georgia for a solo trip.
Is Georgia safe for solo female travellers?
For me, yes: Georgia felt very safe. Other solo women say the same, and Georgia’s own tourism board points to Tbilisi’s low crime rate and how rarely tourists report harassment.
A few things are still worth knowing:
- Cover up for churches and monasteries. Women are expected to cover their shoulders, legs and hair. Many churches have scarves at the door, but carry a light scarf and a long skirt or trousers just in case.
- Use Bolt, not street taxis. Bolt works well in Tbilisi, it’s cheap and you skip the haggling and language barrier. Drivers waiting outside the airport often quote two or three times the Bolt price.
- Marshrutkas (minibuses) drive fast. They’re cheap and fine to take alone, but buckle up.
- Georgians love a drink. Wine and chacha (a strong grape spirit) flow freely, and you may be invited to join. Enjoy it, but pace yourself and watch your drink, as you would anywhere.
- Normal city sense at night: stick to busy streets and plan your way home.
Getting there and getting from Tbilisi airport to the city
I flew Bucharest – Istanbul – Tbilisi, with one connection. Compare flights to Tbilisi on Booking.com.
From Tbilisi airport to the centre:
- Bus 337: 1 GEL (about €0.35), but cash isn’t accepted. Tap a contactless card or phone when you board. It takes 50 to 70 minutes.
- Bolt: 15 to 25 GEL (about €5–9 / $6–10) and 25 to 45 minutes. Book it in the app rather than taking a driver from arrivals.
For maps, Bolt and translations, get an eSIM before you land.
New since 2026: Georgia now requires every tourist to have travel health insurance for the whole stay, with at least 30,000 GEL (about €10,300) of cover. Have the policy on your phone or on paper at the border.
Things to do in Tbilisi
Tbilisi Old Town and Narikala Fortress
This is what I remember most from Tbilisi: wandering the Old Town, with its crooked wooden balconies, then heading up to Narikala Fortress for the view over the whole city. The easy way up is the cable car from Rike Park, which costs 2.5 GEL (under €1) one way and runs from 10 am until late. It’s paid with a MetroMoney transport card. I did both: the cable car one way and walking the other.
If you have more time
I kept my Tbilisi time simple, but these are on most people’s lists:
- The sulphur baths in Abanotubani, the domed bathhouses at the foot of the Old Town
- Mother of Georgia, the statue on the hill near Narikala
- A Georgian wine tasting. It’s the one thing from the food and drink I still remember, so don’t leave without trying some.
The Chronicles of Georgia
Just outside Tbilisi, above the Tbilisi Sea, is a monument you won’t forget in a hurry: the Chronicles of Georgia. It’s 16 giant stone columns, each 30 to 35 metres tall, carved with scenes from the life of Christ and Georgian history by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. Work started in 1985 and it was never fully finished. People call it Georgia’s Stonehenge.
- How to get there: I took a Bolt. It’s about 20 to 25 minutes from the centre.
- Entry: free.
- When to go: morning or sunset, when the columns glow. There’s a long staircase up and almost no shade, so bring water.
Day trip to Vardzia from Tbilisi
Vardzia is a 12th-century cave monastery carved into a cliff in southern Georgia, with hundreds of rooms, tunnels and a church inside the rock. It’s far from Tbilisi (about 225 km, 4 to 5 hours each way by road), so I booked a group day tour, which cost me under €40. Mine also stopped at Borjomi, the spa town famous for its mineral water, and Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe.
- Entry: 15 GEL (about €5). Check whether your tour includes it.
- Hours: daily from 10 am, closing between 5 and 7 pm depending on the season.
- Wear and bring: shoes with grip, water, sun protection and cash (there’s no ATM on site). To enter the cave church, women need a long skirt and a head covering.
- Be ready for a long day: most of it is spent in the van, so bring snacks and something to listen to.
You can compare Vardzia day tours from Tbilisi here.
How I did Georgia in 4–5 days
- Day 1: fly in, bus or Bolt to the centre, evening walk in the Old Town
- Day 2: Old Town and Narikala Fortress, Georgian wine in the evening
- Day 3: Vardzia day tour
- Day 4: Chronicles of Georgia, last wander around Tbilisi
- Day 5: fly home
Four or five days is enough for Tbilisi and one big day trip. If you have a week to ten days, add Kazbegi in the mountains and the Kakheti wine region.
What my solo Georgia trip cost
Georgia felt very cheap. I don’t remember what I paid for flights or the guesthouse, so here’s everything else I know. Prices at about €1 = 2.9 GEL and €1 = $1.12 (October 2026).
| What | GEL | € | $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 337 from the airport | 1 | €0.35 | $0.40 |
| Cable car to Narikala | 2.5 | €0.85 | $1 |
| Vardzia group day tour | under €40 | under $45 | |
| Vardzia entry (if not included) | 15 | €5 | $6 |
| Bolt to the Chronicles of Georgia | didn’t keep track | ||
| Chronicles of Georgia | Free | Free | Free |
Where to stay in Tbilisi
I stayed in a guesthouse/Airbnb. Guesthouses are a great choice in Georgia: cheap, often family-run, and many hosts are full of tips. You’ll find plenty of guesthouses and apartments in Tbilisi on Booking.com. Staying in or near the Old Town means you can walk to most things.
Georgia solo travel FAQ
Is Georgia safe for solo female travellers? It felt very safe to me. Cover up in churches, use Bolt instead of street taxis, and use normal city sense at night.
How many days do you need in Georgia? Four or five days for Tbilisi and one day trip, a week to ten days to add the mountains and wine country.
Do I need a visa for Georgia? EU, UK and US citizens (and those of around 100 other countries) can visit visa-free for up to a year. Since 1 January 2026, though, every tourist needs health and accident insurance covering the whole trip (at least 30,000 GEL of cover), and border officers can ask to see it. Check the rules for your passport before you go.
Is Georgia expensive? No. Transport costs pennies, and the Vardzia day tour was my biggest spend after flights.
How do I get from Tbilisi airport to the city? Bus 337 (1 GEL, card only) or Bolt (15–25 GEL).
Can you do Vardzia as a day trip from Tbilisi? Yes, on a group tour, but it’s a long day: 4 to 5 hours each way.
For more ways to keep trips cheap, see my budget travel tips.
