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 reglement’s 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

Tbilisi – Wikipedia

Tourist information
https://georgiantravelguide.com/en/tbilisi

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

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

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0) 20 7008 1500 (24 hours) 020 7008 5000 (24 hours), See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Travel insurance
All visitors to Georgia must have appropriate travel insurance to cover all healthcare needs during their visit. You may be asked for evidence of this, either by your airline at check-in or by immigration authorities when you arrive in Georgia. You may face difficulties if you do not have this evidence.

Make sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

https://georgia.travel/coming-to-georgia/medical-information

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.

 Venue
OLYMPIC Palace/ Address: UNIVERSITY STREET 15A see directions from hotel here

The Olympic Palace sports complex has warm-up areas, large locker rooms and toilets. Guests of the complex can use free Wi-Fi and use the local café.

Hotels
Hilton Garden InnTbilisi (3.3km from venue)

Flights
Please note no direct outbound flights to Tbilisi, with 1 stop via Istanbul.

Useful information
https://georgia.travel/coming-to-georgia

 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
The currency of Georgia is the lari (GEL).  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

Georgian Lari (GEL) The Georgian lari is the official currency of the country of Georgia.

 Transport
See Tbilisi airport link here

Option 1: Tbilisi Bus 337. City bus number 337 (previously the 37) 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: 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

Georgia uses the Type F plug. Type F electrical plugs used in Georgia are manufactured to the CEE 7/4 and CEE 7/7 standards and is commonly referred to as a Schuko plug..