Is Georgia safe? An honest answer

Georgia is one of the calmer countries in the region for visitors. Walking around Tbilisi or Batumi late in the evening is normal, hospitality is taken seriously, and tourists are treated well. Petty theft exists in crowded places, as anywhere, so keep your phone and bag close in markets.

The roads are the real risk

This is the honest part. Local driving is fast and overtaking is enthusiastic. Mountain roads are narrow, often without barriers, and the weather changes quickly. Every year visitors who rent a car have their trip spoiled by a scrape or a closed pass they did not expect.

Our drivers do these roads every week. They know where the ice sits in the morning, which sections have loose gravel and when it is better to swap the plan for another valley.

Winter and the mountains

• The pass above Gudauri closes after heavy snow. Check before you commit to a same-day return.
• A 4x4 is needed for the last climb to Gergeti Trinity Church and for Juta and Truso valleys.
• Never plan a tight flight connection on the same day you come back from the mountains.

Food, water and health

Tap water in Tbilisi is generally safe to drink, and mountain spring water is famously good. Pharmacies are everywhere and well stocked. The emergency number is 112, and operators usually speak English.

For families and women travelling alone

Georgians are warm with children, and restaurants welcome families late into the evening. Women travelling alone generally report feeling comfortable, though the usual sense applies at night in quiet areas. If you prefer a female-friendly plan, tell us and we will build the day around busier places and earlier returns.

How we reduce the risk

• Licensed vehicles that are serviced and checked before long routes.
• Drivers who speak English and Arabic, so nothing gets lost in translation.
• Daily weather and road checks, and free changes to the plan when conditions turn.
• You always know where your driver is, because your driver waits for you.

Still unsure?

Send us your plan on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly which parts are easy, which need care in your season, and what we would change.

Photo credits: Monument at Devil's valley, Georgia IMG 0733 — Peter from Bern, Switzerland (CC BY-SA 2.0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licenses.