- Currency
- GEL
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: infobatumi.ge, triproadwayplanner.com.ge
Good to know
Good to Know
- Batumi is highly card-friendly but carry some cash for markets, small minibuses, and tipping. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize ATM fees.
- Use Basis Bank or Cartu Bank ATMs for fee-free withdrawals. If neither is available, TBC Bank (2 GEL) is cheaper than Bank of Georgia (3 GEL).
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs—always choose to withdraw in Georgian Lari for the best rate.
- Public transport (buses) now requires a Batumi Card or contactless bank card; cash is not accepted for fare payment.
- Exchange money at licensed bureaus (not airports); rates at airports are less favorable.
- Larger bills can be hard to break in cash, so withdraw in smaller denominations when possible.
Fee Free Banks
Basis Bank
- Fee Gel
- 0
- Withdrawal Limit
- 2000 GEL (~$757)
Cartu Bank
- Fee Gel
- 0
- Withdrawal Limit
- Varies
Banks With Fees
Bank of Georgia
- Fee Gel
- 3
- Fee USD
- GEL 3.00
TBC Bank
- Fee Gel
- 2
- Fee USD
- GEL 2.00
Card Acceptance
- General
- Batumi is card-friendly with widespread acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted. Many establishments accept contactless payments.
Where Cards Work
Yes, widely accepted
- Venue Type
- Restaurants and bars
Yes, widely accepted
- Venue Type
- Hotels and accommodation
Yes, widespread in city center areas
- Venue Type
- Shops and retail
Yes - Bolt and Yandex Go accept card payments seamlessly
- Venue Type
- Ride-hailing apps
Markets and street vendors
- Acceptance
- Mostly cash. Batumi market vendors typically do not have card terminals
Public transport
- Acceptance
- Contactless cards required for buses; requires Batumi Card (transit card) or Bank of Georgia contactless card
Note
Georgia has some of the lowest ATM fees globally. Most ATMs do NOT charge local withdrawal fees.
ATM Availability
ATMs abundant in Batumi, especially in city center, near Bank of Georgia (orange branding) and TBC Bank (green branding)
Currency
GEL
Tipping Norms
- General
- Tipping is not a widespread custom in Georgia. While appreciated, it is not obligatory.
Taxis
- Custom
- Rounding up or small tip acceptable but not expected
Restaurants
- Custom
- Appreciated but optional. Tipping is uncommon unless service is exceptional.
- Note
- Tipping is not mandatory. Service charge of ~10% is typically included but not always listed.
Guides And Services
- Custom
- 10-15% appreciated if service is good
Banking
- Currency
- Georgian Lari (GEL)
- Overview
- Georgia has a well-developed banking system. Foreigners can open bank accounts, though requirements vary by bank.
- Notes For Nomads
- No detailed local sourcing found for specific account-opening requirements in Batumi. Recommend consulting local banks directly (Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, Liberty Bank are major players). Typical requirements likely include passport, visa/residency status, proof of address. Some banks may require minimum deposits.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.infobatumi.ge
- 2.triproadwayplanner.com.ge
- 3.backpackmoments.com
- 4.atmfeesaver.com
- 5.atmfeesaver.com
- 6.triproadwayplanner.com.ge
- 7.houseoftours.com
- 8.wise.com
- 9.gobatumi.com
- 10.currency.wiki
- 11.xe.com
- 12.conciergebatumi.com
- 13.amcenters.com
- 14.acibademhealthpoint.com
- 15.medica-tour.com
- 16.madloba.info
- 17.expathaus.ge
- 18.ge.usembassy.gov
- 19.exchange-rates.org
- 20.tradingeconomics.com
- 21.exchange-rates.org
More About Batumi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.