What currency does Georgia use, and can I pay by card?
Georgia's currency is the lari (GEL), divided into 100 tetri. All shop prices are shown in lari, and paying in dollars or euros is not normal for everyday purchases. Exchange offices are common in towns and usually display their buy and sell rates clearly.
In Tbilisi and other cities, bank cards and contactless payments work in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and on public transport. Cash in lari is still needed at bazaars, small village shops, roadside stalls and some guesthouses, so it is worth carrying some for trips outside the cities.
Where do people in Georgia buy groceries and everyday goods?
Georgians shop at supermarket chains, at small neighbourhood grocery shops, many of them open around the clock, and at bazaars, the covered and open-air markets found in every town. Bazaars sell fruit, vegetables, cheese, spices, meat, wine and household goods.
Fresh bread is bought daily, often from small bakeries that bake it in traditional round clay ovens. Prices in supermarkets are fixed, while bargaining is common at bazaars, especially when buying larger amounts. Most shops open seven days a week.
Is VAT included in shelf prices in Georgia?
Yes. In Georgia, the price on the shelf and on the receipt already includes value added tax, which has a standard rate of 18%.
Georgia also runs a tax-free scheme that lets foreign visitors reclaim VAT on eligible goods from participating shops, usually above a minimum spend, when they leave the country with the goods and the tax-free forms. Conditions can change, so check the current rules before you rely on a refund.
What moves prices in Georgia?
Georgia imports much of its food, fuel and consumer goods, so the lari's rate against the dollar and euro feeds quickly into shelf prices. The country went through a spell of high inflation in 2021 and 2022, which has since eased.
Tourism and the arrival of many foreign residents in recent years have raised demand, especially in Tbilisi and Batumi. Local seasonal produce, by contrast, can be inexpensive at harvest time. Because prices react to both the currency and the season, the read date shown next to each price on this page matters.
Coverage by category
Compared with the other cities
US dollar prices for 37 products that we also have in at least three other cities. The percentage shows the difference from the average of those cities.
Lower in Georgia
- Potatoes - 1 kg$0.42-72%
- Apples - 1 kg$0.87-70%
- Gloves - 1 pair$3.27-70%
- Onions - 1 kg$0.52-64%
- Socks - 3-pack$3.08-64%
- Laundry detergent - 1.5 L$1.93-62%
Higher in Georgia
- Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L$9.01+151%
- Shower gel - 400 ml$8.66+113%
- Shampoo - 400 ml$8.30+112%
- Toothbrush - 1 piece$2.02+52%
- Liquid soap - 500 ml$3.07+34%
- Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml$1.89+31%
Local product types can differ between cities. The comparison tool only matches the same product type.
Compare Georgia with another country
Same budget, same products: see where your money goes further.
Insights and guides about Georgia
All articles →Travel and life in Georgia
Pictures of Georgia
How these prices were read
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details. Data & methodology
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Questions people ask
What is the price of eggs in Georgia?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was GEL 4.62 per 10 pieces, about $1.78 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of rice in Georgia?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was GEL 3.98 per 1 kg, about $1.53 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of bread in Georgia?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was GEL 1.80 per 0.5 kg, about $0.69 at that day's reference rate.
How much is US$100 in Georgian lari?
At the reference rate of November 8, 2026, US$100 comes to about GEL 259.72.
Which products cost less in Georgia than in the other cities?
By dollar price, the clearest gaps are potatoes (-72%), apples (-70%), and gloves (-70%).
Which city do the Georgia prices come from?
All prices on this page were read in Tbilisi.
Do I need cash in Georgia?
In Georgia, cards work in most supermarkets, cafés and restaurants in the cities, but cash in Georgian lari is still needed at bazaars, small village shops, roadside stalls and some guesthouses.
Can tourists get a VAT refund in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has a tax-free scheme that lets foreign visitors reclaim VAT on eligible goods bought at participating shops, usually above a minimum spend, when leaving the country. Check the current conditions before you buy.
Can I pay in dollars or euros in Georgia?
Everyday prices in Georgia are set and paid in lari, so shops do not normally accept dollars or euros. Exchange offices in Georgian towns and cities convert both currencies into lari.
Where do these prices come from?
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details.