Currency of Georgia against the ruble for today. Currency of Georgia: currency exchange, exchange rate and tips for tourists. What kind of money is better to take with you to Georgia?
When we were planning an independent trip, we had a question: “What currency should I take to Georgia and is it profitable to cash out the card at an ATM?” I didn’t want to lose my honestly earned money on an exchange, so we conducted a small experiment, during which we determined the most profitable method for ourselves. I hope that our experience will help you figure out what money to bring to Georgia.
The paper currency of Georgia is called lari, kopecks are called tetri.
How much money to go to Georgia with?
- Bring rubles and exchange them for lari upon arrival
- Travel with hryvnias and exchange for lari upon arrival
- Take euro/dollar and change it to lari upon arrival
- Cash out your card at an ATM
Yes, yes, we had all this currency with us. We receive our income in rubles; we bought dollars before the trip, but hryvnia and euros were left over from the summer.
I want to say right away that there is no point in going to Georgia with hryvnia. There are very few exchangers that accept Ukrainian currency, and they exchange it at an unrealistically low rate. Things are the same with dollars and euros, so I will write using dollars as an example. In this article we will look at only 3 options in detail:
- Carry dollars and buy Georgian currency on the spot
- Travel to Georgia with rubles
- Cash out your card at a local ATM
Dollars
In Vladikavkaz, we bought $100 at the rate of 59.6, respectively, for the operation we paid 5,960 rubles. In Tbilisi they exchanged dollars at the rate of 2.40, it came out to 240 lari. There are a lot of exchange offices, especially in big cities, so buying Georgian currency will not be difficult. True, the exchange rate is slightly different, you need to go to a couple of banks and exchange money where the best offer is for the current day.
Rubles
On the same day we exchanged 6,000 rubles. at the rate of 0.0402 and received 241 lari. To be fair, it’s worth subtracting 2 lari from the amount, since when buying dollars we spent 5,960 rubles, and here it’s 6,000 rubles. It turns out that if you spend the same amount in rubles, you get almost the same money. There are a lot of exchange offices where rubles are bought in Georgia. There will be no problems in tourist cities; almost every bank exchanges rubles for the Georgian currency.
Cash out via ATM
I don’t know what commission the ATM and the issuing bank charged for cashing out, so I’m counting everything together. For 500 lari, 13,458 rubles were debited from the card, it turns out that the operation took place at the rate of 0.037 (including commissions and other surcharges). And this is no longer so pleasant if you change the same rubles at an exchange office. Then we are from 13,458 rub. would have received 541 lari.
What currency to take to Georgia. Conclusion
In my opinion, cashing out money from a card that supports the national currency: rubles, hryvnia and others is categorically unprofitable. Depending on the payment system, the conversion takes place through the dollar or euro, and in the end you will receive much less money than you could.
What currency to take to Georgia is an individual matter, but personally, I prefer to go to Georgia with dollars/euros and exchange for lari upon arrival. To make the picture clearer, you can check the current GEL exchange rate on the day of your trip. Here is a list of the most popular banks in Georgia:
- Bank of Georgia
- Procredit Bank Georgia
- LibertyBank Georgia
- CartuBank Georgia
National Georgian money is called lari. International bank code is GEL. One lari is equal to 100 tetri. Currency is represented in banknotes and coins.
Story
Coin design
Georgian money in the form of coins is minted from stainless steel. With a denomination of 50 tetri, they are made of brass or copper-nickel alloy. Coins in denominations of one unit are minted from it. And money in denominations of two and ten are made of bimetal.
The coins depict the sun, the date of manufacture and the inscription “Republic of Georgia”. It is engraved in two languages - national and English. The first coins had six denominations - from 1 to 50 tetri. The initial series was minted in 1993 at the Paris Mint.
Currently in use are tetri, which were released in 1999 and 2006. The coins have six denominations - from 1 to 50 and in denominations of 1 and 2 lari. A separate series of collectible metal money was issued in two types, differing in appearance, in denominations of ten lari. The obverse bears the symbols of the country - a bunch of grapes, a golden lion, a peacock and St. Mamai. On the reverse side of the coins is depicted
Banknote design
Georgian paper money has different colors. Banknotes are issued in denominations:
- 1 lari - blue-green;
- 2 - pink-gray;
- 5 - brown-blue;
- 10 - blue-violet;
- 20 - orange-brown;
- 50 - green-blue;
- 100 - gray-green;
- 200 - yellow-blue.
One lari banknotes feature a portrait of the Georgian artist N. Pirosmanishvili. Behind it is a natural landscape. On the reverse side is a panorama of Tbilisi with a deer in the center. The five lari banknote depicts a portrait of academician I. Javakhishvili, St. George and the tree of life. On the reverse side of the banknote there is Tbilisi University, a golden lion and a map of Georgia.
On the 10 lari banknote, the Georgian poet A. Tsereteli is depicted on the front side. On the back of the bill there is a fragment of a painting framed by a vine.
On the front side of the one hundred lari banknote there is an image of national pride - the poet, and on the reverse - a fragment of a biblical composition in bas-relief.
Georgian money in denominations of 200 lari have on the front side an image of Sukhumi (now this city is located on the territory of Abkhazia) and inscriptions in three languages: Georgian, English and Abkhazian. This design is a symbol of the integrity of the country.
From the very beginning it was planned to introduce a 500 lari banknote. And a small edition of them went into circulation. But through the exchange method, the banknotes were withdrawn from circulation and acquired the status of unissued.
The banknotes are updated without major external changes. And there are still both new and old series of banknotes in circulation. They are replaced when there is a high degree of wear.
Exchange rate of lari to ruble and other currencies
Exchange rates in Georgia are determined by the National Bank, taking into account quotes and economic indicators of the country. You can exchange Georgian currency for rubles or purchase, etc. at any point. After the appearance of the national currency, the exchange rate of the lari to the ruble was 1:1. Interesting fact: at that time it had denominations of 150 and 250 thousand lari. But over time they disappeared from use. According to last year, the exchange rate of the lari to the dollar was 1:0.41, and to the Russian ruble - 1:26.84.
Currency exchange
In Georgia, currency exchange takes place without much hassle. There are many exchange offices throughout the country. Sometimes Georgian lari money can be exchanged for other currency even without a passport. But you will definitely need it at the bank. In Georgia, exchange offices are located at train stations, in large entertainment and shopping centers, and in all places where there are large crowds of people.
The course is almost the same everywhere. If there is a difference, it is small - one or two lari per hundred American dollars. There is no exchange fee at almost all points. But this point still needs to be clarified before concluding a deal in order to know for sure.
In this article we will tell you in detail not only about the currency of Georgia, but also about all sorts of tricks in exchange offices. Let's tell you how the exchange rate in , for example, differs from the exchange rate in . Let’s reveal a secret: where and how to change money when traveling around Georgia will be most profitable.
What is the currency in Georgia?
Officially, the national currency since 1995 is Lari (GEL) GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
1 lari = 0.33 euros;
1 lari = 0.38 dollars;
1 lari = 25.22 rubles;
1 lari = 10.64 hryvnia;
. It is used to pay in shops and restaurants, in transport and for housing. The thing is that in Georgia there is a special law prohibiting the use of any other currency, besides lari. For violating it, the establishment faces a considerable fine, so everyone follows the rule. Exception can only be rooms or apartments in which you negotiate directly with the owner.
This is what the national currency of Georgia looks like - the lari.
WITH credit cards You won’t be lost in Georgia either. IN major cities they are accepted without problems in almost any establishment (in small shops and markets you still need to have cash).
Popular banknotes of the country:
- banknotes with denomination: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 GELGEORGIAN GEL RATE:
1 lari = 0.33 euros;
1 lari = 0.38 dollars;
1 lari = 25.22 rubles;
1 lari = 10.64 hryvnia;
1 lari = 0.85 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.; - and coins: by 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 tetriGEORGIAN GEL RATE:
0.5 lari = 0.17 euros;
0.5 lari = 0.19 dollars;
0.5 lari = 12.61 rubles;
0.5 lari = 5.32 hryvnia;
0.5 lari = 0.43 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate., and 1 and 2 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
2 lari = 0.66 euro;
2 lari = 0.76 dollars;
2 lari = 50.44 rubles;
2 lari = 21.28 hryvnia;
2 lari = 1.7 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. (1 lari = 100 tetri GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
1 lari = 0.33 euros;
1 lari = 0.38 dollars;
1 lari = 25.22 rubles;
1 lari = 10.64 hryvnia;
1 lari = 0.85 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.).
During the 3 weeks of our stay in the country, we came across banknotes in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 GELGEORGIAN GEL RATE:
5 lari = 1.66 euros;
5 lari = 1.9 dollars;
5 lari = 126.1 rubles;
5 lari = 53.2 hryvnia;
5 lari = 4.25 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate..
For your comfort: When you hover over a currency symbol, a hint pops up with the current rate.
What currency is it customary to pay in Georgia?
In Georgia, everywhere and for everything, both locals and tourists pay exclusively one currency - lari.
If you have plans go shopping in Turkey, then keep in mind: even in border towns (Kemalpasa or Hopa) you will have to pay for purchases Turkish lira.
Do you pay for purchases with a card in Georgia?
On or in big cities You can pay for purchases with a credit card. Any supermarket and hotel have terminals with which you can make payments.
There are in the country and ATMs to withdraw cash. In this case, however, you will be charged commission withdrawn(on average approximately 2% of the amount).
One of the most popular banks in Georgia is TBC Bank. Helpful Tips:
- Even if you plan to pay with a credit card everywhere, a little cash in your wallet definitely won’t hurt. Terminals are not installed in all stores (especially small ones).
- When planning a trip to Georgia, check with your bank not only about the possibility of withdrawing money abroad, but also about the size of the commission.
- If you are going to travel to small towns in Georgia (for example), then be sure to take cash with you. In small towns, terminals can be found in only a small number of establishments.
Where and how is it better to change money (buy currency) in Georgia?
No matter how strange it may sound, in Georgia, unlike Bulgaria, the money is better and more profitable change in exchange offices(Exchange). Usually There are quite a lot of them in the city (in Batumi, for example, they are located in many houses, right on the ground floor), the operation takes place quickly, without a commission and without a passport.
Note: There are also exchangers, but as a rule, the rate there is not favorable.
Features of exchangers in the country:
Pay attention to the signs near the exchange offices. Even if the sign says “no commission,” just in case, ask the employee if this is true. Very rarely do you come across unpleasant individuals who still manage to deceive.
The exchange rate at exchange offices within one city is usually not much different. The difference is usually does not exceed 0.2 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
0.2 lari = 0.07 euro;
0.2 lari = 0.08 dollars;
0.2 lari = 5.04 rubles;
0.2 lari = 2.13 hryvnia;
0.2 lari = 0.17 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.. If you see a rate that is too favorable ( much higher than in other exchangers), then most likely this is the price for which the currency sell, but do not change. Many inattentive tourists fall for just such a trick. In any case, it never hurts to ask the exchange office employee personally.
So, for example, in Batumi we changed the currency several times in the same place, but still each time we clarified what the final amount would be.
Some exchangers are working until 24:00, most - from 9:00 (or even from 10:00) to 20:00.
Another proven option safe but less profitable currency exchange - banks. There are many of them in Georgia, but the most popular are two: Bank of Georgia (National Bank of Georgia) and TBC Bank. Their course most often a little lower than in exchange offices. To carry out any transaction in a bank, you will definitely need passport.
Usually working day bank employees starts at 9:00 and ends at 18:00. As a rule, Saturday and Sunday are days off. But in big cities, the work schedule may be changed (there are working Saturdays).
If necessary, in Georgia you can accept or send remittance. This operation also takes place at the bank, which means if you plan to use this service, take your passport.
Like other countries of the world, Georgia also has money changers. We categorically contact them we do not recommend. It is unlikely that you will be able to immediately determine authenticity money given to you.
In our experience, money better and more profitable change in (although it was strange for ourselves, after all, it’s a resort town). Therefore, if you also plan to go to Tbilisi or, we recommend change currency first.
And one more important point: in small towns (such as Akhaltsikhe) or villages with exchange offices and banks very tight. Therefore, we recommend go there already with currency.
How profitable is it to change money?
To be honest, it is possible to exchange lari for currency, but absolutely not profitable. In this case, you will lose a lot of money on conversion fees.
What money is best to take with you to Georgia?
According to our experience, it is most profitable to take with you to Georgia dollars or Euro. You can also exchange rubles at a bank or exchange office, but at unfavorable exchange rate. Alternatively, you can take it to Georgia credit card, having previously learned commission size when withdrawing money and suitable payment system.
Tips for tourists or everything you need to know about currency and money in Georgia
We have collected the most important things about currency, money exchange and shopping in a short list:
What amounts of money can be brought in and out of the country?
You can import into the territory of Georgia any amount foreign currency. However, if it is over $2,000, it is better to fill out a declaration. National currency can also be imported, but the amount should not exceed 25,000 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
25,000 lari = 8,275 euros;
25,000 lari = 9,500 dollars;
25,000 lari = 630,500 rubles;
25,000 lari = 266,000 hryvnia;
25,000 lari = 21,250 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate..
You are allowed to export from Georgia in foreign currency an amount equal to what you imported, if it has passed since your stay in the country. no more than a year. But national currency is allowed to be exported in an amount not exceeding 3,000 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
3000 lari = 993 euros;
3000 lari = 1140 dollars;
3000 lari = 75660 rubles;
3000 lari = 31920 hryvnia;
3000 GEL = 2550 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate..
Before your trip, you need to stock up on information about the country you are going to visit. Wherever you go, one of the most important things is money. No matter how sad it is, you can’t have a vacation without money.
In this section we will talk specifically about money, or more precisely, about the Georgian currency and everything connected with it.
Banks and currency of Georgia
The national currency of Georgia is lari, in denominations: 1, 2 (coins), 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 (banknotes). Lari consists of 100 tetri - these are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 tetri.
In 2016, new banknotes in denominations of 20, 50 and 100 lari were put into circulation. In the future, it is planned to reissue 5 and 10 lari banknotes. The new banknotes have a higher degree of security and even take into account the needs of visually impaired people. The design belongs to the hand of the Georgian master Bacho Malazonia.
Since 1995, all payments in Georgia have been made only in national currency.
Lari is translated from ancient Georgian as “heritage” or “property”, and tetri means “white”.
In banks and exchange offices you can exchange currency for lari. The most popular currencies available at any exchange office are euros (EUR) and American dollars (USD). Less popular monetary units are rubles, hryvnias, drams and manats. Banks are the most reliable way to exchange currency in Georgia.
Lari to ruble exchange rate for today
The lari to ruble exchange rate for today in Georgia is approximately:
- 1 lari = 23.26 rubles;
Lari to hryvnia exchange rate:
- 1 lari = 10.87 hryvnia;
Lari to US dollar exchange rate
- 2.41 GEL = 1 USD.
Where can I exchange money
In Georgia, as in any other country, there is a pattern: the larger the settlement, the more exchange offices or banks are located in it. Therefore, if your goal is to enjoy wild nature in places remote from large cities, then it is best to change money immediately upon arrival.
In some places, currency exchange can be carried out without presenting documents, however Banks may require a passport.
In, as in any city in Georgia, there will be no problems with exchanging money. Exchange offices are concentrated mainly at train stations, airports, large shopping and entertainment centers and other crowded places. The exchange rate may differ in different places, but it does not make a big difference, so it is not worth pursuing a profit in this case. The difference per 100 dollars will be 1-2 lari.
Another advantage of Georgia is the absence of exchange fees. Here you don’t have to wander the streets looking for the 0% or no commission sign. Everything is working.
The most reliable place to exchange currency is a bank. The most common Georgian banks are Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank. The working day at the bank lasts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some exchange offices operate 24 hours a day. At the Bank of Georgia branch on Freedom Square you can change almost any currency.
Money can also be changed at exchange offices. They often look unsightly, but you shouldn't be afraid of them.
If you decide to withdraw money from an ATM, then this is also not a problem. ATMs, as a rule, “speak” all commonly used languages. Among them is Russian. There will be an option in the menu - GEL. If you need local cash, this is the place to go. Commissions depend on the banks' conditions. The average market level of commission for Georgian banks is about 2% of the transaction.
You can pay with cards. The number of points accepting cards is large, but not everywhere. Even in Tbilisi you can easily be left without water if you don’t have 50 tetri in cash.
Restaurants, cafes, most shops, hotels, hostels - they all accept cards. Stalls, bazaars, small shops - surprises can await you in the most unusual places. Therefore, do not walk around the city without a minimum amount of cash.
What currency should I take with me to Georgia?
Based on popularity, it is best to take American dollars or euros with you, because they will definitely be accepted at any exchange office. If we talk about benefits, then you need to calculate it immediately before the trip, because exchange rates do not stand still.
To make the calculation, you need to compare the ruble to lari exchange rate and the dollar to lari exchange rate. For example, we need to change 10,000 rubles. If you exchange them for lari at the rate of 22.00 rubles per lari, you will get 454 lari. If 10,000 rubles are first exchanged for dollars at the rate of 62 rubles per dollar ($162), and then exchanged for lari, the result will be 433 lari. Exchange rates are constantly changing, so be careful.
It is allowed to import any amount of money in foreign currency into the territory of Georgia. However, it is advisable to fill out a declaration if the amount exceeds the equivalent of $2,000. Restrictions are imposed on the import of national currency in the amount of GEL 25,000. It is allowed to export national currency in an amount of no more than 3,000 lari.
How much money to take on vacation?
Questions about what currency to take to Georgia (rubles, dollars or euros) pop up constantly, so this post contains answers to FAQs from blog readers.
What kind of money is there in Georgia?
The currency of Georgia is called Lari, 1 lari = 100 tetri
Officially, all payments on the territory of Georgia are made in lari. Sometimes You can pay in dollars or euros for excursions or taxi services.
What currency should I take to Georgia?
Conclusion: Today it makes no difference which currency to take. You can travel with rubles + a ruble card. Or with dollars + dollar card, euro - whatever is more convenient for you. Tomorrow everything could change. You need to do some math before you go, the course varies.
Dollars? Rubles? Maybe a euro? I don’t recommend bringing other currency with you, because... freely exchange for lari in any exchanger only rubles, $ and € are allowed
Let's turn to the simplest mathematics.
How to count?
Let's see at what rate you can buy laris today in exchange offices in Georgian cities. This is the real rate, I periodically compare it with the rate in exchange offices in Tbilisi and Batumi - the data is the same.
There is no information on the site which specific exchangers offer this rate. There are hundreds of currency exchange points in the cities of Georgia; the exchange rate in them changes several times a day.
Need a good course search locally. Let's go around the city and compare.
For example we have 10,000 rubles
In Russia Today you can buy dollars and euros at the following rates:
$1 = 66.68 ₽
€1 = 75.56 ₽
We get:
10 000/66.68 = 149.97$
10 000/75.56 = 132.34€
In exchange offices in Georgia today the rates for buying lari are as follows ( first column):
We exchange rubles for lari in Georgia: 10,000 rubles * 0.0396 = 396 GEL
We exchange dollars purchased for 10,000 rubles in Georgia: $149.97*2.65 = 397 GEL
We exchange euros purchased for 10,000 rubles in Georgia: 132.34€*3.007 = 397.95 GEL
Conclusion: You can travel with rubles, dollars or euros. No difference. For the sake of winning 1-2 lari, there is no point in bothering with buying dollars or euros in Russia and then exchanging them for lari.
BUT! Please calculate for yourself before your trip what kind of money is best to take to Georgia - the exchange rate changes daily.
Where can I change money?
In the branches banks The exchange rate in Georgia is unfavorable, so it is better to change at exchange offices. An exchanger is a window or door in the wall where a person sits and changes money. There is no commission.
Check several exchangers at once, because... on the same street, especially in the center, the difference between rates is up to 20 tetri (this is a lot).
Currency exchange at airports
Tbilisi
Exchangers work around the clock. Often the exchange rate at Tbilisi airport is the same as in the city center, and sometimes even more favorable.
If you have a lot of free time, having arrived in Tbilisi, get wifi, go to rico.ge, look at the rate at the city's exchange offices, compare it with the rate at the airport. If it’s better at the airport, change money there.
Or buy some lari at the airport for travel and exchange the rest in the center.
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