TBILISI TRAVEL GUIDE

This page is a guide only. It contains recommendations from either TMs, Referees or Parents from previous seasons. Venues or official hotels may change for the current season so we recommend that you check the reglements before confirming any travel arrangements. If you are booking hotels before the reglement is out, we advise you may want to consider booking with free cancellation as it is not guaranteed that competition details will stay the same.

Background Info
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and unique blend of old and new architecture. Located in a gorge along the Mtkvari River, it stands at a crossroads of Eastern and Western influences, offering a captivating mix of ancient landmarks and modern development. is the capital and largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River. With around 1.2 million inhabitants, it contains almost one third of the country’s population

Latest Foreign Office Travel Advice
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia

Sign up to Travel Alerts here
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Visa Requirements
Your British passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. You can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year.– see https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia/entry-requirements

Flights
Please note only British Airways provide direct outbound flights to Tbilisi on alternate days, with other operators 1 stop via Istanbul.

Passport control
Border control in Tbilisi usually takes about 20–30 minutes, please ensure those travelling alone under 18 have valid passports and permission to travel without parents.

Local Emergency Numbers
Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London Telephone: +44 020 7008 5000 (24 hours), See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Travel insurance
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia/entry-requirements
Make sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. The insurance may not cover less than 30000 GEL (ca 10000€) – details can be found here https://geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-georgia. In most cases your “normal” travel assurance will cover this, please consult with your insurance companies. Ideally have them issue a certificate stating that the coverage is valid for Georgia.

Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

For more information on travelling with medicines to Georgia, see Entry requirements. For information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Georgian Embassy in the UK.

Healthcare in Georgia
The UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Georgia. You or your travel insurer will need to pay for all treatment as it’s provided.

Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Outside Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Georgia where some staff will speak English.

Hospital – Iv. Bokeria University Hospital address N8, Z. Iarajuli street, T’bilisi, Georgia (staff speaks English)
Tel No 032 280 16 00

Venue
European Championships 2026: Hualing Plaza – Tbilisi
Previously used: OLYMPIC Palace/ Address: UNIVERSITY STREET 15A see directions from hotel here

Hotel European Championships Tbilisi 2026
Nominated Team Hotel: HOTELS & PREFERENCE HUALING TBILISI
Address – Tbilisi Sea New City0152 Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel No +33 (0)1 78 94 90 40 – Tbilisi City (20 minute walking distance to the venue or 7 minutes by taxi).

Breakfast
Runs early to late morning, which suits flexible fencing schedules. Good buffet with hot and cold options – eggs, cereals, pastries, fruit, cold cuts, and cheeses, plus decent coffee and juices.

Cleanliness
Hotel is consistently clean throughout – lobby, corridors, and rooms all maintained to a good standard. Daily room service and no issues reported.

Facilities
Reliable Wi‑Fi, comfortable working/meeting spaces suitable for team briefings, a gym, and an on‑site bar/restaurant. Everything needed, without leaving the building between competition days.

Restaurant
A mix of Georgian and international dishes. Plenty of straightforward athlete options (pasta, rice, meat, vegetables) alongside local food for those who want to try it. Portions are solid.

Supermarket – Nikora, Address 1 Viktor Kpradza Street, Tbilisi 0163 (7 minute walk from hotel)

Tbilisi

Useful information
https://georgia.travel/coming-to-georgia
https://georgia.travel/cities-towns/tbilisi
https://georgiantravelguide.com/en/tbilisi
Tbilisi – Wikipedia

City navigation
Tbilisi is fairly compact and easy to move around – metro, buses, and cheap taxis make it straightforward. Shops, pharmacies, and cafés are all accessible from the hotel area.

Safety
Generally safe in the areas used, including evenings, with standard city awareness. No previous issues with athletes moving around in small groups.

Weather
https://tbilisiairport.com/

The average temperature in Tbilisi in July for a typical day range from a high of 89°F (32°C) to a low of 63°F (17°C). Some would describe the temperature to be very warm. The general area may also feel breezy.

Money

Georgian lari (GEL) for everyday payments. Euros and pounds can be exchanged, and card payments are widely accepted in the places we used. See currency converter here.
U.S. dollars and euros are widely accepted and exchanged for local currency.
Credit cards may not be widely accepted in rural areas.
Avoid exchanging money in unlicensed facilities
Make sure you have cash at all times for payment

Transport
See Tbilisi airport link here

Option 1: Tbilisi Bus 337. City bus number 337 runs between Tbilisi Airport and Tbilisi Central Railway Station via Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. At just 1 GEL per person, it is by far the easiest and cheapest way to travel to the centre of the city and the Old Tbilisi area.

Taxi & Airport transfer
Straightforward – taxis (Bolt) or pre‑booked transfers are simple to arrange and reasonably priced. Journey time is short, and there are no issues with fencing kit or larger bags.

Taxis are readily available outside at the Arrival Hall. Expect a journey time of 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. The fare is determined by the taxi meter and can range from 40 to 60 GEL.

• Ride-sharing apps: Popular apps like Bolt and Yandex are available at the airport and can be used to book rides. You can use the airport’s Wi-Fi or purchase a local SIM card to use the apps.

• Public bus: A municipal bus (route #337) runs between the airport and Tbilisi city centre. The bus stop is located outside the Arrival Hall. A 90-minute ride costs 1 GEL, and you can pay with a Metro money card or a bank card.

Transport links
https://georgia.travel/international-transport
https://georgia.travel/local-transport
https://georgia4you.ge/useful-info/YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW/transportation-in-georgia

In Tbilisi, Georgia, local transport includes the metro, buses, and minibuses (known as “marshrutkas”). The metro is a reliable and fast option, with trains running every 5 minutes. Buses are well-organized and convenient, with some routes even offering real-time arrival displays. Marshrutkas are a popular and affordable way to get around, both within Tbilisi and to other parts of Georgia. Cable cars and funiculars are also available in specific areas of Tbilisi.

Detailed options:

• Metro: The Tbilisi Metro has two lines and 21 stations, operating from 6:00 AM to midnight. Trains run every 5 minutes and are a quick way to get around.

• Buses: Tbilisi Transport Company operates city buses that cover most areas of the city. You can pay with a Metromoney card or by using a bank card (Visa, Mastercard).

• Marshrutkas: These are minibuses that are a popular and affordable way to travel both within Tbilisi and between cities and villages.

Basics

Telecom, Mail and Internet
Georgia offers quality network communication. 3G is available almost everywhere and in big cities such as Tbilisi and Batumi, 4G is available. It’s most affordable to connect to a local operator and get a local SIM card upon arrival. Local SIM cards are sold in any public place and to buy one, you only need your passport.

https://georgia.travel/coming-to-georgia/telecom-mail-and-internet

Plug types: Type C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko) [travelpowerplugs.com]
Voltage: 220–230V
Frequency: 50 Hz
If you’re coming from the UK: You’ll need a Type G → Type C/F adapter (voltage is compatible, so no converter needed)