Georgia
The information below is provided by Lonely Planet readers and is not verified by Lonely Planet. For the official lowdown, contact your nearest embassy or check out our Travel Links.
Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
The Georgian embassy in Ankara Turkey has moved from Abdullah Cevdet. It is stıll in Chankaya but further south. The address is Hilal Mahallesi, Hollanda Cad. No.31. The phone number is still correct: 442 6508.
The embassy staff were very helpful and very fast. I am an Australian and recieved a 30 day visa for 19YTL (US$15) in 4 hours.
Anthony Legg, Australia (Sep 05)
Georgia visas: The situation has improved greatly. There
is no visa required or cost for US passport holders.
Barry Pell, USA (Sep 05)
Just looking at the Turkey latest edition and it says that you need a visa for entering Georgia. Just thought the following would be helpful for British travellers as we plan to go to Georgia next week. The following is a cut and past from the FCO website and has also been confirmed by their Consul here in Ankara: As a British National you may enter Georgia for up to 90 days without a visa. You may extend your stay in Georgia beyond 90 days by applying at the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Georgian law provides for the immediate deportation of anyone who overstays without a valid extension, together with a ban on re-entering Georgian territory for up to one year.
I appreciate lots of your readers are not Brits but if the above helps anyone avert a spurious visa getting trip to Trabzon then that is good!
Frances Riddelle, UK (Aug 05)
I just applied for a Visa to Republic of Georgia and am advised by the Washington Embassy that as of June 15th 20/05 no visas are required for citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan, Isael, Switzerland and EU countries for up to a 90 day stay.
John Deacon, USA (Aug 05)
It is now possible to easily obtain a 30 day entry visa upon arrival in Tbilisi simply by filling in a form (available in the airport arrival section) and handing over US$10. The entire process takes only a few minutes (depending on the queue length).
Jason Weeks, UK (Jul 05)
To get to the Georgian border the easiest way from Seki (Azerbaijan) take a taxi to Qax (around US$20) and then a minibus to the border at Baldaken. From there there are lots of buses to Tbilisi.
Inger-Anne Becker Wold, Norway (Jul 05)
Travel Tips
Over the past year, the situation in Svaneti has significantly improved with the imprisonment of a very powerful crime family in this region. As of about 6 months ago, all U.S. Government employees are now allowed to travel unrestrictedly to Svaneti due to this dramatic improvement.
Kevin McCarroll, USA (Nov 05)
Similarly to Azerbaijan, everyone except very young children (and one shepherd we met in the highlands who led a very isolated life) speaks and uses Russian.
You won't get into Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi if you're wearing shorts, even ones that cover the knee cap.
In restaurants try asking for jonjoli. This is a samphire-like vegetable unique to Georgia, tasting a little like capers.
Nick Wray, UK (Oct 05)
The good news is that there are ATMs in the bigger cities. In Batumi there are two, one at the Didibank near eras Moedani Plaza, and the Maritime Bank near the harbour entrance. In Kutaisi, the Bank of Georgia is in the main square. In Tbilisi try banks in Tavisuploebis Moedani. Visa, VisaElectron (PLUS network), MasterCard and EuroCard are accepted, others are probably not. Average withdrawal fee is 5 GEL. I do recommend this method to organise funds, because it's better not to carry large amounts of money and flash it around. There might be more ATMS in Rustavi, for example, but those mentioned by me above I tried personally.
Michal Kopczak, Poland (Sep 02)
Moving About
Be warned that Georgians will never admit that they don't know where somewhere is. We asked for the locations of various restaurants from lots of different people and time and time again they were very friendly and helpful, but would direct us completely wrongly. I think it is that they do not want to disappoint any foreigner in their country.
Nick Wray, UK (Oct 05)
At the Achara border if coming from Tbilisi or anywhere outside Achara you need your passport. I was denied entry from border guards at the Kobuleti roadblock. This happened on a marshrutka and in a private car. The protests of Georgians didn't help. I had to get my boss to send my passport in a marshrutka which I wasn't happy about.
Jon Oakes, Georgia (Dec 01)
Scams & Warnings
Do not wander streets at night on your own, especially in Tbilisi. You are likely to be mugged. Get a taxi door to door. Be wary on buses of pickpockets. A group may drop a coin under your seat, or stage a mock fight and fall on you to distract you (both these happened to me and I lost $100 from a zipped pocket). The locals are too scared to help you. Marshrutkas (mini-buses) are better all round than buses.
David Barrett, Australia (Dec 01)
Be careful when taking photographs - in both Tbilisi (at Alexandrov Park near the US Embassy and at the Dry Bridge) and Batumi I was questioned when taking photographs by plain clothes police and security respectively.
Jon Oakes, Georgia (Dec 01)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
The drive from Sarpi to Kobuleti is one of my favourite things in Georgia. I met a few Australian travelers who said it was a highlight of their travels in Europe and it reminded them more of Thailand than Russia. The greenery, smell of subtropical plants and twisting roads are breathtaking.
Jon Oakes, Georgia (Dec 01)
In Tbilisi the State Museum/Treasury is a must!! The guide was so incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Also, take the rickety ski lift to the ethnological museum, it's fun for an afternoon.
Andrew Dier & Vio Barco, USA (Oct 01)
^ back to top
|
