Passport, visa and customs
Swedish citizens do not need a visa to Georgia. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the way home. Check that the passport is not broken or has any loose sides. It is good to always have copies of the passport with you. If the passport disappears, this must be reported to the nearest police station.
Vaccinations and health
No compulsory vaccinations are required for entry into Georgia, but vaccination against tetanus, polio, jaundice, hepatitis A and diphtheria is recommended. Tap water should not be drunk. Contact your vaccination center or health center for current information. It is good to be out in good time and preferably contact the vaccination clinic at least one month before departure. Public health care is inadequate, but private care is available in Tbilisi.
Weather and clothes
The country has a varied climate, due to the high mountains. In winter it is cold with large amounts of snow. Mild winds create a subtropical climate, but in the eastern parts of Georgia a drier climate prevails. The best time to travel to Georgia is May, June and September when it is usually warm and sunny, but not too hot.
Climate table for Tbilisi:
| Tbilisi | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max ° C | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 9 |
| Min ° C | -1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Precipitation etc. | 17 | 15 | 27 | 61 | 75 | 54 | 46 | 46 | 45 | 30 | 27 | 19 |
Currency and exchange rate
Georgia’s currency is called the Lari (GEL). We recommend that you bring US Dollars or Euros that are exchanged for local currency on site. Only larger hotels accept credit cards. In the big cities there are ATMs.
Transport and communications
In Tibilisi you get around by bus or by marshrutkas which is a kind of shared taxi transport. To make them stop shouting: ‘gaacheret!’ which means stay and pay when you get off. There is a metro but there are only signs in Georgian. Taxis rarely have taximeters. Agree on the price before you step in. Check with your mobile operator what applies to incoming and outgoing calls in Georgia. There are plenty of WI-FI zones, especially in the cities.
Security
Most of Georgia is a fairly safe destination, but some precautions are warranted when visiting peripheral and mountainous areas. Bag and pocket thefts occur. Passports, money, tickets and other valuables should be stored in a safe place. Traffic safety is significantly worse than in Sweden.
Food and drinks
Georgian cuisine uses a lot of walnuts, herbs, garlic, vinegar and red pepper. Pomegranates, different grains and other spices are also used to get the special taste and aroma that makes Georgian cuisine unique. Local specialties are e.g. khachapuri. Furthermore, stewed chicken is eaten in garlic sauce. Another important part of Georgian cuisine is cheese, e.g. the sour cheeses suluguni and imeretinskiy. Georgians also have famous white and red dry wines. Mukhuzani is a bitter wine, tsinandali is slightly sour and gurjaani dark and fruity
Shopping and gifts
Rugs and textiles can be popular souvenirs as well as samovars, kitschy gadgets and “tingel-tangel”, decorative wine bottles, copper sculptures, embroidered bags, colorful dolls or maybe a Caucasian sword (!).
Other information
Local time: 2 hours before Sweden
Electricity: 220 V.
Baggage: It sometimes happens that the checked baggage gets lost. Therefore, pack important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in your hand luggage. The same goes for valuables.
Languages: The official languages of the country are Georgian. Russian is widely spoken and English to some extent.
Travel insurance: Check what and which countries your home insurance or your card insurance covers.
