Tours to Georgia from Shymkent: prices

Holidays in Georgia from Shymkent are most conveniently started with a flight through Almaty: from there, direct flights to Tbilisi and Batumi operate, and the journey takes about four hours. The best months for a trip are from May to June and from September to October: the coast is warm, the mountains are dry, and prices are lower than the July peak. Sea and sightseeing usually take from seven to twelve days.

How to get to Georgia from Shymkent: what routes and flights are available?

The journey from Shymkent to Georgia almost always begins in Almaty, from where direct flights operate. It is also most convenient to compare flight and connection options here.

Connections through Istanbul and Dubai: when they are justified

Connections through Istanbul and Dubai lengthen the journey, but sometimes offer a more flexible schedule. For Kazakhstani tourists, such options are suitable when price matters more than speed. For a trip to Georgia with a small child, a long connection is an unnecessary burden.

What documents, money and communication are needed before the trip?

Preparation for a trip to Georgia from Shymkent begins with documents, money and communication. These three things are best sorted out before departure, not on the spot.

Visa, passport and medical insurance

Citizens of Kazakhstan do not need a visa for Georgia for stays of up to 90 days within half a year. For entry, a passport valid for at least the duration of the trip is sufficient. Medical insurance is arranged in advance: it is not mandatory, but it will come in handy when seeing a doctor. Insurance is especially useful in mountainous areas, where the hospital is far away. A policy covering active recreation is worth taking for those planning trekking in Svaneti. Copies of documents are saved on the phone and kept separately from the original. A calm holiday in Georgia begins with properly assembled papers.

Lari, cards of Kazakhstani banks and cash in the mountains

Lari is the only currency in circulation, and exchanging tenge on the spot is unprofitable. It is more profitable to bring dollars or euros and exchange them at banks and exchange offices in Tbilisi and Batumi. Cards of Kazakhstani banks are accepted in large hotels and restaurants, but not everywhere. At markets, in minibuses and with private individuals, cash is needed. In the high-mountain villages of Svaneti and in Bakuriani, ATMs may be absent, so a supply of cash is taken along. Offline maps help when communication is lost in the mountains. For a trip to Georgia from Shymkent, it is reasonable to keep part of the money in cash.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://kazakhstan.mfa.gov.ge/en/e-visa-portal. The information on this page was verified on 17.09.2026.

When to go: seasons and weather in different regions

The season in Georgia depends greatly on the region: the coast, the mountains and the shoulder season behave differently. The choice of month changes both the weather and prices.

Summer heat on the coast and windy resorts

In summer, Batumi and Kobuleti are humid and hot, while Kvariati and Ureki are windier and calmer. This is worth considering when choosing accommodation on the coast. In Kobuleti, the air is milder than in Batumi, and there is less noise. Ureki is known for its magnetic sand, but the wind almost always blows there. Kvariati is chosen by families with children because of the calm sea. In Svaneti, summer is cool, and even in July warm clothing is needed. Holidays in Georgia in July and August require pre-booked accommodation. The coast at this time is overcrowded, and prices reach their peak.

Winter ski slopes and the comfort of the shoulder season

In winter, the ski infrastructure operates in Gudauri and Bakuriani, while Borjomi and Kutaisi remain comfortable for sightseeing. The skiing season in Gudauri usually lasts from December to March. Bakuriani suits both skiers and those who simply walk along the snow-covered slopes. In Kutaisi, winter is damp, but accommodation is cheaper and there are fewer tourists. The shoulder season in Georgia is rainy, but prices are noticeably lower, and in Tbilisi, Gori and Svaneti there are fewer tourists. For sightseeing around the country, this is a calm time. A trip to Georgia in winter requires warm clothing and waterproof shoes.

How to get around the country and what to see

Within Georgia, distances are short, but mountain roads take a lot of time. It is convenient to build a route around one or two regions.

Trains, minibuses and car rental with Kazakhstani driving licence

A high-speed train runs between Tbilisi and Batumi, and it is convenient to get to Kutaisi, Gori, Borjomi and Kobuleti by minibuses from bus stations. The train to Batumi takes several hours and requires advance booking. Minibuses are cheaper, but depart when full and without a clear schedule. Car rental in Georgia is available with Kazakhstani driving licence, and this gives freedom in the mountains. Mountain roads to Svaneti and to Gudauri require experience driving on serpentine roads. At night, it is better not to get behind the wheel in the mountains. For a trip to Georgia from Shymkent, car rental is justified if the route is long.

Combined route: sea plus sightseeing

From Shymkent it is convenient to plan a combined route: the sea in Batumi or Kobuleti plus sightseeing tours in Tbilisi, Gori and Borjomi. At the sea they usually spend five to seven days, on sightseeing tours — three to four. From Batumi it is easy to get to Kobuleti and Kvariati. Tbilisi is convenient as a base for trips to Gori, Mtskheta and Borjomi. For Svaneti and the glacier in Mestia you need a separate couple of days and warm clothes even in summer. Such a route gives both the beach and the mountains in one trip. Holidays in Georgia turn out eventful if you do not try to cover everything at once.

Accommodation, food and expenses on site

Accommodation and food in Georgia cost differently in the capital and in the regions. Expenses depend on whether you cook yourself or eat in a cafe.

Apartments, guest houses and hotels: what is more profitable

Apartments and guest houses in Georgia are often cheaper than hotels and allow you to cook yourself, which reduces food expenses. In Batumi and Tbilisi the choice of apartments is especially large. Guest houses in Svaneti and Ureki give a home atmosphere and a low price. Hotels win with service and location, but in season they become noticeably more expensive. For families with children, apartments with a kitchen and a washing machine are more convenient. In Kutaisi and Gori accommodation is cheaper than on the coast. For a trip to Georgia from Shymkent, it is worth booking in advance.

Regional cuisine and where it is customary to bargain

Cuisine in different regions differs: in Svaneti they serve kubdari and Svan salt, in Adjara — Adjarian khachapuri, in Kutaisi — Imeruli khachapuri. In Tbilisi and Batumi it is easy to find dishes of all regions at once. Portions are usually large, and it is not worth ordering a lot. In Georgia it is customary to bargain at markets, but in cafes and shops prices are fixed. Spices, cheese and wine are more profitable to buy at the market, and not in tourist stalls. Tips are left optionally, usually rounding up the amount. Holidays in Georgia are impossible without tasting local cuisine.

Briefly

• From Shymkent it is more convenient to fly via Almaty: direct flights go to Tbilisi and Batumi.
• The best months for a trip are May, June, September and October.
• In summer they choose Batumi, Kobuleti, Kvariati and Ureki, in winter — Gudauri and Bakuriani.
• For the sea and sightseeing tours they allow from seven to twelve days.
• Apartments and guest houses noticeably reduce food expenses.