Do I need a visa to enter the country?
Contrary to popular belief, every Juan headed to Georgia needs to secure a visa prior to their arrival. But unlike other countries in Europe, securing a tourist visa is fairly easy, and may even be done right at the comforts of your own home. In addition, there are some Filipinos who are exempted from this rule.
Who’s exempted from the visa application process?
You don’t need to apply a tourist visa to Georgia if you’ve secured a valid visa for any of the member countries of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) agreement. Here’s the list of the countries that belong to this organization.
| Australia | Estonia | Ireland | Mexico | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Finland | Israel | Netherlands | Spain |
| Belgium | France | Italy | New Zealand | Sweden |
| Canada | Germany | Japan | Norway | Switzerland |
| Chile | Greece | Korea | Poland | Turkey |
| Czech Republic | Hungary | Latvia | Portugal | United Kingdom |
| Denmark | Iceland | Luxembourg | Slovak Republic | United States |
Furthermore, any Pinoy who has a residence visa to any country in the Middle Easy may get a visa upon arrival in Georgia.
How to apply for a tourist visa to Georgia
- Open www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/
- Fill up the details, including citizenship, type of passport, expiration date of passport, purpose of visit.
- Fill up travel information (pick your travel date in Georgia).
- Check Terms and Conditions.
- Type personal information.
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee – USD 20.40 (PHP 1,000) via MasterCard or Visa.
- Don’t forget to upload the required documents.
- After 5 days, you will receive the visa for your trip to Georgia. For this type of visa, you can stay in Georgia up to 30 days.
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
There’s no off-season or peak-season variation in Georgia. Thanks to its unique geographical location, Georgia enjoys a diverse climate, which is mostly subtropical. But, if you are into ice skiing and snowflakes, you might want to visit it during winter (December to February). With frost-covered grounds and multi-colored trees, autumn (September to November) makes a great option for those love nature and landscape photography.
While summers (June to August) here offer a pleasantly warm weather, expect to see flocks of tourists during this season, especially in resorts and coastal areas. Spring (March to May), meanwhile, has a favorable and relaxing climate.
Getting in
There are no direct flights from Manila to Tbilisi – Georgia’s capital and main international hub. To get there, you need to take a connecting flight from airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Philippines Airlines and Qatar Airways. On average, travel time from the Philippines to Georgia via air is 16 hours and 25 minutes.
For more information regarding the flights to Georgia, use Skyscanner’s dynamic flight search tool.
Money and costs
- The currency in Georgia is lari (GEL).
- GEL 1 is approximately equivalent to PHP 20.81.
- ATMS accepting Maestro, Cirrus, Visa and MasterCard cars are plenty in towns and cities.
- You can make purchases with our credit card at some shops, restaurants and hotels (less frequently outside the capital).
Although technically Georgia is still a part of the European continent, it’s supremely affordable, as compared to other countries in the region. As a matter of fact, you can have blast for a week in Georgia with a budget of PHP 34, 000 to 40,000 (excluding lodging). With this amount of money, you’ll have more than enough to eat tasty food, go on sightseeing tours, and enjoy nice wine.
Getting around
By train
Georgia has a relatively extensive train network that can take you to many parts in the country. Though they are pretty slow, they are still a great option for those who are on a budget.
Mini-bus
Mini-buses are called “marshrutkas” in local language, and they operate on established tracks. Once you’ve figured out the number of your bus route, flag down one on the street by holding out your hand with your palm facing down. In addition, there are mini-bus lines from one city to another. Usually, the routes end at city markets and bus stations. Their destination is normally written in Georgian, which can be seen on a sign in the bus’s front window. If you can’t find the mini-bus you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to ask a marshrutka driver.
Taxis
Surprisingly, taxis are the best means of transportation in this European country. Not only are they convenient and easy, but they are quite cheap as well. Trips within the range of Tbilisi cost around GEL 5 to 15, depending on the destination or distance. Since drivers are well-known to exaggerate prices to foreign travelers, establish a price and destination before you get in the cab. Though official taxi cabs are required to put up meters, drivers might not use them, unless you tell them to do so.
Bike
With Georgia’s mountainous terrain, mountain biking is definitely a great alternative, when exploring places outside the cities. After all, a mountain bike can take you to more remote regions in the country. In bigger Georgian towns, you may rent a bike, to make your way around a region.
Tour company
It’s advisable to hire the services of a reliable tour company, if you intend to explore the secluded remote mountainous regions of the country. Remember, renting a jeep can be a pretty expensive option, with the high cost of gas.
City bus
There are brand-new Ukrainian Bohdan buses that operate in the capital. And yes, they are cheap, with a price of GEL 0.50 per ride per person. But, on the low side, they got no air condition, and are slow outside Tbilisi and when drifting through the Georgian countryside.
Important Georgian phrases and words
Learning a few Georgian words and phrases may come in handy in certain situations. Here are some important phrases to learn, prior to your trip.
- Hi – salami
- Sorry – bodishi
- Can you help me – shegidzliat
damehmarota - How can I get to – rogor mivide …. –mde
- Help – damehmaret`
- Do you have rooms available – gaaqvt
otahebi - What time is it – romeli saat`ia
- Where – sad
- What – ra
Cities to visit in Georgia
- Tbilisi – The most diverse and cosmopolitan city in Georgia, and features an interesting mash-up of ultra modern and old classical buildings.
- Borjomi – It’s a scenic small city with a national park, a summer mansion of the Romanov dynasty in Russia, and famous mineral water.
- Telavi – Kakheti’s capital and a good jump off point for nearby monasteries, castles and wineries.
- Mtskheta – Eastern Georgia’s historic former capital, the center of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Kutaisi – Home to a couple of UNESCO World Heritages sites, and the capital of ancient Colchis.
Other noteworthy travel destinations in Georgia
- Bakuriana
- Mount Kazbeg
- The Georgian Military Highway
- Kakheti
- Mazeri
- Upper Svaneti
Where to sleep
There are plenty of cushy hotels in Batumi, Tbilisi and other Georgian cities. On the countryside of Georgia, though, private homes are the best and cheapest option, which are very much similar to homestays, meaning expect little privacy.
Consulate General of the Philippines
If ever you bump into some trouble, and need some help, reach out or go to the Philippine Honorary Consulate general in Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Address: 9 Takaishvilli Street,Tbilisi, 380012, Georgia
- Email: phconsul@hotmail.com
- Fax: (+995) 32 229 2549
- Phone number: (+995) 32 222 4544
Get the best travel bargains to Georgia by booking your hotel and flights with Skyscanner!
