Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Tbilisi

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared bathrooms, basic amenities

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Street food, local bakeries, grocery stores, traditional Georgian cafes, khachapuri stalls

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, metro, marshrutkas (shared minibuses), walking

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free walking tours, public parks, free museums, self-guided exploration, occasional paid attraction

Eat at local Georgian bakeries and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants - typically 60-70% cheaper

Use public transportation (buses and metro) instead of taxis - saves 70-80% on transport costs

Stay in Tbilisi's residential neighborhoods rather than Old Town tourist areas - accommodation typically 30-50% less expensive

Buy wine directly from local wine shops rather than restaurants - usually 200-300% markup at restaurants

Visit free attractions like Rike Park, Bridge of Peace viewing, and neighborhood exploration before paying for tours

Shop at local markets like Dezerter Bazaar for groceries and snacks - 50-70% cheaper than convenience stores

Take marshrutkas (shared minibuses) for day trips instead of private tours - typically 80-90% savings on transportation

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using excellent public transport system - can triple your daily transport costs

Eating only in Old Town tourist restaurants - typically 100-150% markup compared to local neighborhoods

Booking accommodation without comparing neighborhood prices - Old Town properties often 40-80% more expensive than equivalent quality elsewhere

Not researching free activities - Tbilisi has many no-cost attractions that tourists often pay for unnecessarily