Travel Costsin Mtskheta

What a trip to Mtskheta costs, including typical daily budgets, transport, food, attractions, payments and common money mistakes.

Money & costs

How much does Mtskheta cost?

Cards are accepted in most restaurants and established shops in the centre, but stalls, small local shops, monastery shops, candles and donations are cash. Carry small lari notes: the most common cash needs here are the ones no card terminal covers. ATMs are available in the town but are fewer than in Tbilisi and can be busy on feast days and weekends. Currency exchange is better done in Tbilisi. There is no expectation of tipping beyond restaurants, where a service charge of around ten per cent is often already added.

Budget

About 40–70 GEL per person for a day trip from Tbilisi: minibus both ways, a local lunch, water and a shared taxi to Jvari. All the major sites are free to enter.

Mid-range

About 120–220 GEL per person for a comfortable day with a taxi or ride-hailing car each way, a driver for Jvari and Shio-Mgvime, a good lunch and a few purchases.

Luxury

From roughly 350 GEL per person upwards with a private driver-guide for the day, an unhurried restaurant lunch and a Kartli winery visit added on.

Everyday prices

CoffeeAbout 5–12 GEL, as of September 2026

Typical mealAbout 20–45 GEL per person at a local restaurant; more at the cathedral-gate places

TaxiAbout 25–40 GEL each way between Tbilisi and Mtskheta by ride-hailing app; roughly 20–40 GEL for the Jvari round trip with waiting, as of September 2026

Public transportAbout 2 GEL for the minibus from Tbilisi, plus 1 GEL for the Tbilisi metro to the departure point

Museum ticketThe cathedral, Jvari, Samtavro and Shio-Mgvime have no entrance fee; donations are welcomed

Information last verified: September 7, 2026

Continue planning

More about Mtskheta

Experiences & attractions

Things to Do

What there is to do in Mtskheta: the major sights, local experiences and the practical detail you need to plan around them.

Eat like you understand the place

Food

What to eat and drink in Mtskheta, from signature dishes and local drinks to markets, dietary needs and restaurant etiquette.

Know before it happens

Scams

Common scams, tourist traps and avoidable problems in Mtskheta, with practical advice on how travelers can recognize and avoid them.

Bring home the right things

Souvenirs

What to buy in Mtskheta, where to shop, typical prices, authenticity advice and which souvenirs are genuinely connected to the destination.

When to go

Weather

A month-by-month guide to weather, crowds and seasonal conditions in Mtskheta, and how to choose when to go.

Family travel

With Kids

Visiting Mtskheta with babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, including strollers, car seats and changing facilities.

Travel for more people

Accessibility

Accessibility information for Mtskheta, including walking difficulty, wheelchair access, transport, stairs, seating and sensory considerations.

After dark

Nightlife

A practical introduction to nightlife in Mtskheta, including nightlife areas, atmosphere, late-night considerations and safety.

Complete destination guide