"How much should I tip?" is a question travellers ask in every new country. In Georgia it's fairly simple, with one detail many people miss: restaurant bills often already include a service charge. Here's how to avoid paying twice while still thanking people for good service.
The main rule
Tipping in Georgia is not mandatory but appreciated. There's no American-style culture of obligatory 20%. If you liked the service, leave a little extra; if not, nobody will demand it.
Restaurants and cafés
The service charge
Many restaurants in Tbilisi, Batumi and tourist areas automatically add a service charge to the bill — usually 10–18%. It's shown as a separate line at the bottom, sometimes in small print, sometimes noted on the menu.
Always check the bill. If the charge is already there, an extra tip isn't required. Many guests still round up or leave a few lari for especially good service.
Note that the service charge doesn't always go entirely to the waiter. If you want to thank a particular person, leave a little cash for them directly.
If there's no charge
Small cafés, canteens, khinkali houses and regional restaurants often don't add a service charge. Here it's customary to leave 5–10% or round up.
Tipping by card
Not all card terminals let you add a tip. The easiest way is to leave cash on the table or in the bill folder.
Taxis
- In apps (Bolt and others), tipping isn't required; you can add it in the app or leave small change.
- With regular taxis, round up — for a 13-lari ride, give 15.
- If the driver helped with heavy luggage, a couple of lari extra is a nice gesture.
Day drivers and transfers
If you hire a driver for a full day (say, to Kazbegi or Kakheti) and they were punctual, polite and told you about the sights, it's customary to leave 5–10% of the fare or 20–40 lari. Many drivers effectively act as guides, and that's appreciated.
Guides and tours
- Group tour — optionally 10–20 lari per person for a full day.
- Private guide — 10% of the tour price, or a fixed amount if they were exceptional.
- Mountain guide (multi-day trek) — usually more, especially if they handled logistics, carried gear and kept you safe.
Hotels and guesthouses
- Porter — 2–5 lari per bag.
- Housekeeping — a few lari per day left in the room, or a lump sum at checkout.
- Guesthouse — tipping isn't expected. Hosts often appreciate a good online review, a small gift from your country or buying their wine, cheese or jam even more.
Bars and wine bars
- Paying per drink — round up.
- For a tasting with a sommelier who explained the wines in detail — a few lari or 10%.
Salons and spas
In salons, massage parlours and sulphur baths, tips of 5–10% are welcome but optional. At the Abanotubani baths you can leave the scrub attendant (kisa) a couple of lari.
Food delivery
You can tip couriers (Wolt, Glovo) in the app or with small change.
Feasts and the bill: local customs
If Georgians invite you to dinner, the host pays — it's a matter of honour. Trying to split the bill or pay for yourself may offend. Thank them, and next time invite them yourself or bring a small gift.
When dining with Georgian friends "as equals" the bill is often split, but a foreign guest may still not be allowed to pay. Don't argue too hard.
Currency and change
- Tip in lari where possible. Dollars and euros will be accepted, but local currency is easier.
- Carry small notes (5, 10, 20 lari) and coins — taxis and small cafés may not have change for big notes.
Cheat sheet
| Where | How much |
|---|---|
| Restaurant with 10–18% charge | optional, round up |
| Restaurant without a charge | 5–10% |
| Taxi | round up |
| Day driver | 5–10% or 20–40 lari |
| Group tour | 10–20 lari per person |
| Porter | 2–5 lari |
| Housekeeping | a few lari a day |
| Bar | round up or 10% |
| Spa, baths | 5–10% |
In short
In Georgia, tips are a thank-you, not an obligation. Check restaurant bills — they often already include a 10–18% service charge. If not, leave 5–10%. Round up for taxis, give drivers and guides 5–10% for a good day and keep small lari handy. And if Georgians invite you, don't try to pay — just thank them warmly.
