Planning a trip to Tbilisi and wondering how to stay connected in Georgia? Make sure you don't get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data plans. This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card at Tbilisi Airport in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, info about the best eSIMs for Georgia, my recommendation, information about international sim cards and more.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in my destination, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Georgia
- Arriving at Tbilisi Airport
- Where to buy a sim card at Tbilisi Airport
- Prices sim card at Tbilisi Airport in 2024
- Best sim card at Tbilisi Airport in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Georgia
- Order a prepaid sim card for Georgia online
- How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city
- Travel tips for Tbilisi
Georgia has been one of my favorite countries to hang out in and between my trips around the world. It is a great digital nomad country with fantastic places to visit and things to do.
If for some reason you were not able to buy a sim card for Georgia at Tbilisi Airport then get yourself a prepaid sim card in the city center of Tbilisi and check out my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Georgia in 2024.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Tbilisi Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Magti sim card at Tbillisi Airport on arrival. Although Cellfie has some great prepaid sim card deals for tourists, Magti has much better 4G/5G mobile data network coverage in Georgia.
eSIMs for Georgia are easy to get online, but a little more expensive than buying a prepaid sim card at Tbilisi Airport. A Jetpac eSIM for Georgia is the best buy with 10 GB data for $28 USD.
Other recommended eSIM providers are Airalo and SimOptions.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible and the idea of buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Tbilisi sounds like too much hassle then check out my comparison of the best world travel sim cards with global coverage in 2024 and get a sim card delivered at your home address.
When traveling to Georgia I am sure you will love the vibe and the people. The quality of life and the value for money is amazing in Georgia. Check out my complete travel guides for Tbilisi or Batumi with all my travel tips, things to do, places to visit, best restaurants and more.
Why buying a sim card for Georgia
First and foremost we want to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming or get charged crazy amounts on your phone bill. Also don't fall for the trap of overseas data roaming plans. They reduce the data speed on these plans.
Although many people in Georgia consider themselves part of Europe, the reality is that Georgia is NOT part of the EU and that also means there is no free EU data roaming available. Sim cards from Europe don't work in Georgia unless paying extra for data roaming.
Most hotels, bars, malls and restaurants offer free pubic WiFi in Georgia, yet I still recommend you to buy a sim card for Georgia.
Having a working data connection can save you a lot of hassle and traveling gets simply more convenient. Georgia is a beautiful country and staying connected while on road trips keeps you entertained, but what about getting directions from Google Maps, finding a nearby restaurant or ordering an Uber to get back to your hotel.
There are many reasons I can come up with to buy a sim card for your trip to Georgia.
What about your safety? What you gonna do in emergency situations when you need internet on your phone or think about checking your banking apps.
Keep in mind that surfing the web on free public WiFi is through an unsecured network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
As I am continuously traveling around the world since 2012 and also aiming to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Europe, Germany, Frankfurt, United Kingdom, London, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Istanbul, Turkey, USA, New York, Vietnam, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Manila, Philippines and many more.
So next time when planning your trip abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your destination. Bookmark me!
Arriving at Tbilisi Airport
The biggest international airport in Georgia is in the capital of Georgia. The airport is located about 17 kilometers away from the city center of Tbilisi. There are arrivals and departures all night long and the airport is open 24 hours. One time I arrived around 4.00 AM local time and it was pretty busy.
The airport is fairly small for international standards but is undergoing reconstruction and aims to be the biggest airport in the region.
There are a bunch of car rental, cafes, convenience stores and sim card shops in the arrival hall and they are open 24 hours. Also important: there is fast and reliable free WiFi at Tbilisi Airport!
Where to buy a sim card at Tbilisi Airport
As soon as you walk into the arrival hall you will find all the mobile phone shops right in front of you. There are three mobile internet operators in Georgia and all three have a phone shop at the airport.
Right in front you will see Cellfie (former Beeline), on your right there is Magti and next to the exit on the left there is Geocell/Silknet.
Prices sim card at Tbilisi Airport in 2024
Info and prices below are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Georgian Lari and $1 USD = 2.7 GEL and 1 GEL = $0.36 USD.
Geocell/Silknet
There is a Geocell kiosk selling Georgia sim cards for tourists. The following packages include unlimited calls/text in Georgia:
- 1 GB data = 25 GEL - $9 USD
- 5 GB data = 35 GEL - $13 USD
- 7 GB data = 40 GEL - $15 USD
- 20 GB data = 65 GEL - $24 USD
- 35 GB data = 95 GEL - $35 USD
All the above sim card packages are valid for 30 days, only within Georgia. Coming from a western country I am sure these prices are very affordable.
Magti
On your right hand side when walking out of arrivals there is Magti Georgia. The two ladies at the booth seemed a little tired this early in the morning but were very helpful finding me the perfect tourist sim card for Georgia. These are the 2 plans they offer:
- 3 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international calls for 15 days = 30 GEL - $11 USD
- 5 GB data + free texting for 15 days = 15 GEL - $5.5 USD
Cellfie (former Beeline)
A Georgia prepaid sim card for tourists from Cellfie costs:
2 GB data + Unlimited calls/sms in Georgia + 50 minutes international calls for 15 days = 20 GEL - $7.5 USD
If you need more data there are add-on data packages avaiable:
- 1 GB data = 4 GEL - $1.5 USD
- 4 GB data = 9 GEL
- 8 GB data = 16 GEL - $6 USD
- 30 GB data = 25 GEL - $9 USD
The above data packages are valid for 30 days, calls and sms are not included. These Beeline/Cellfie data packages are really good value if we compare them with the Magti and Geocell.
Best sim card at Tbilisi Airport in 2024
Comparing all the Georgia sim cards for tourists available at Tbilisi Airport I can come to the conclusion that Magti is the best prepaid sim card for tourists at Tbilisi Airport in 2024.
You get a tourist sim card with 5 GB data for around $5 USD.
As a comparison the best value eSIM for Georgia is from Jetpac and you pay $28 USD for 10 GB data.
If you are a fan of big data bundles you might want to consider a Cellfie sim card with 30 GB data for around $9.5 USD.
Keep in mind that Cellfie has the weakest 4G/5G mobile data network coverage in Georgia, so it is not the most recommended sim card for traveling in Georgia. Check out my comparison of the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in Georgia for more info.
Why choosing Magti as the best sim card for Georgia? This is based on my own experiences, advice from locals and expat friends and my comparison of the 4G/5G coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers in Georgia.
Best eSIMs for Georgia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Georgia in 2024 is an eSIM. Keep your own phone number from home and use an eSIM for Georgia at the same time. Within a couple minutes you can arrange everything online and there is no need to swap a physical sim card or visit a sim card store.
You order an eSIM for Georgia on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Georgia eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Georgia it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Jetpac
Jetpac comes out as the best-buy eSIM for Georgia in 2024.
Here are the available Jetpac eSIMs for Georgia:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $16 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 25 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $140 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Georgia.
The Jetpac eSIMs for Georgia operate on the Beeline/Cellfie 4G/LTE/5G network and on top of that are valid in 99 other countries around the world.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for Georgia for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $10 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $13.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49 USD
Click here for more info or to order an Airalo eSIM for Georgia.
All the above data-only eSIMs are only valid in Georgia. These Kargi Mobile eSIMs operate on the Cellfie (former Beeline) 4G/LTE mobile network in Georgia.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another trusted eSIM provider. They offer the following eSIMs for traveling to Georgia in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $13.50 USD
- 5 GB data for 15 days = $19.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $44.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order a SimOptions eSIM for Georgia.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Georgia.
Order a prepaid sim card for Georgia online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but buying a sim card at Tbilisi Airport sounds like too much effort then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Georgia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Georgia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards valid in 124 countries including Georgia:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international physical prepaid sim card for Georgia via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can also order an eSIM for Georgia. It is simple, fast and easy.
Best ways to get around in Georgia
Ever heard of a transportation search engine? Since I started using 12Go Asia finding bus, train and flight tickets became much easier. If you are looking how to travel around Georgia or even international to Yerevan in Armenia or Baku in Azerbaijan this is a great tool.
Powered by 12Go system
Try the search engine above yourself and find all bus, train and flights in one overview including: travel duration, price, seat availability, reviews and you can of course directly book your ticket online.
How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city
There are 3 ways to get to Tbilisi City Center: bus, train, taxi.
The bus runs 24/7 and cost only 1 GEL = $0.4 USD. It takes around 30 - 40 minutes to reach the city center. Busses are modern. Look for bus route nr. 37.
The train does NOT run that often and stops running at night. It is very comfortable though. The train also cost 1 GEL only and takes 20 minutes. The train is my preferred way of transportation from Tbilisi Airport to the city center.
As usual there are of course many taxi drivers waiting for you when you arrive. Within 20 minutes depending on traffic they will drop you in front of your hotel. These guys ask between 25 - 60 GEL. As a modern traveler I would like to suggest to download the Yandex app, this is the Uber for Georgia. I arranged a taxi through Yandex and paid 20 GEL, where the taxi drivers at the airport were asking 40 - 50 GEL.
Travel tips for Tbilisi
Georgia is striving to be one of the most tourist friendly countries in the world and has opened its borders to a many international visitors. There is a big chance your country is also listed for staying up to 365 days in the country. Yes the stamp in your passport is valid for 1 year! Tbilisi tourism is picking up fast and the city has a lot to offer. Not only is traveling around the city easy and cheap, there are many things to do and places to see in Tbilisi.
To catch up with work I lived a little more than 3 weeks in Tbilisi. Have a look at my all my Tbilisi travel tips here.
Take for example the ferris wheel on top of the hill with magnificent views or the cosy Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue with its many bars and restaurants. Eat out for just a couple dollars and drink a good coffee for 1 euro!
There are many reasons to visit Tbilisi in Georgia. And when traveling to Georgia also don't miss the second biggest city on the west coast, check out my Batumi travel tips here!
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a prepaid Tbilisi sim card were helpful for your upcoming Tbilisi holiday. In case you have any questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. I am happy to help you out!
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Georgia!