Is Tbilisi Safe in January 2026?

Most Tbilisi street taxis ignore meters entirely and negotiate fixed prices instead. Drivers routinely quote foreigners 3–5 times the fair local rate, knowing tourists have no reference point for what a ride should cost.

How to avoid: Download Bolt before arriving — the fare is set upfront and cannot be changed. Yandex Go is a good backup. If you must negotiate a fare, research typical prices online for your route first, and agree on the amount in writing or show the driver the destination on a map.

A local or other tourist befriends a solo traveler and suggests a visit to a "great bar." These venues often do not appear on Google Maps and have no posted prices. When the bill arrives it can run into hundreds of dollars. Refusing to pay can turn confrontational.

How to avoid: Never follow strangers to bars not listed or reviewed on Google Maps. Before ordering anything, ask for the menu with full prices. Leave immediately if prices are not shown. Tell someone where you are going before heading out at night.

Individuals dressed in dark clothing or partial uniform approach tourists on Rustaveli Avenue claiming to be plainclothes police conducting a currency inspection or drug search. They request to examine the tourist's wallet, passport, or bag, and then pocket cash or swap genuine banknotes for low-denomination replacements before returning the wallet. The Georgian national police do not conduct random wallet checks on the street, making this a straightforward impersonation scam.

How to avoid: Never hand your wallet or passport to anyone on the street, regardless of the badge they show. Real Georgian police wear clearly marked uniforms and operate from identifiable vehicles or fixed checkpoints. If you are uncertain, ask to be taken to the nearest police station — genuine officers will comply.

Scammers create fake listings for apartments in Vake and Sabashvili districts with photos stolen from real properties, offering below-market rent. Travelers book and prepay but the apartment either does not exist or is already occupied. Money is lost and no accommodation appears. Similar listings reappear weeks later under different user accounts.

How to avoid: Use platforms with strong buyer protection guarantees. Request a video call tour of the property before paying. Verify the listing history—new properties with no reviews are higher risk. Call the stated landlord using numbers from their official website, not contact info on the booking site alone.

Unofficial wine tour operators approach tourists near Metekhi Church and around Shardeni Street, offering Kakheti wine region tours at premium prices (80-120 dollars per person), then deliver substandard experiences—cheap wine, unsafe vehicles, skipped promised vineyards, or aggressive upselling of expensive bottles. Many do not have proper licensing or insurance.

How to avoid: Book tours only through hotel concierge recommendations or official travel agencies on Rustaveli Avenue. Request to see business registration and tour operator license. Verify reviews on TripAdvisor specifically mentioning the operator name and recent visit dates. Ask detailed questions about which vineyards are included.