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Voykit pocket guide · Georgia
Poti
Skip Poti unless you are a dedicated birdwatcher heading to Kolheti National Park: half a day from Zugdidi or Batumi is enough.
Poti is a Black Sea port town with a closed airport and a few sights. Its main draw is Kolheti National Park, a wetland with good birding and boat tours on Lake Paliastomi. The town itself has a palm boulevard, a chapel and a free industrial zone. Most travellers pass through en route to Batumi or Zugdidi.
- Country
- Georgia
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (humid, mosquitoes), Nov–Feb (cold, few birds)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GEL
- Money
- Currency is the Georgian lari (₾, GEL). Change money at banks or exchange offices, not in the airport hall.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₾40–70 excl. bed · Mid ₾70–120 excl. bed · High ₾120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Magti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie sell SIMs with a passport; cheap data.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Check the bill for a service charge; otherwise 10%.; Drivers and guides: GEL 10–30 a day.
- Water
- Tap water is widely drunk in Tbilisi and mountain towns (check locally); bottled is cheap.
- Toilets
- Free in cafés for customers; small fees at stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Marshrutka to Kolheti NP | ₾2–3 |
| Boat tour Lake Paliastomi | ₾25–40 |
| Khachapuri (local bakery) | ₾3–6 |
| Beer (0.5 L) | ₾3–5 |
| Taxi within town | ₾5–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BUS · Batumi International Airport
- About 1 h by bus or car
- TBS · Tbilisi International Airport
- About 5.5 h by train or car
Typical fares
- Batumi → Poti marshrutka
- about ₾10, 1 h (check)
- Zugdidi → Poti train
- about ₾3, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable. Marshrutkas run from the centre to Kolheti National Park visitor centre (about 4 km (2.5 mi)). Taxis are cheap: negotiate before you ride.The town is walkable. Marshrutkas run from the centre to Kolheti National Park visitor centre (about 2.5 mi (4 km)). Taxis are cheap: negotiate before you ride.
See and do
Known for
- Kolheti National Park
- Black Sea port
- Palm Boulevard
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zugdidi | Marshrutka or train, about 30 min | 40 min |
| Batumi | Marshrutka or bus, about 1 h | 1.25 h |
| Martvili | Marshrutka via Zugdidi, about 1.5 h | 2 h |
| Anaklia | Marshrutka, about 30 min | 40 min |
Sleep
- City centre near Palm Boulevard
- Closest to the few restaurants and the promenade.
- Near the port
- Basic guesthouses; convenient for ferry arrivals.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | გამარჯობაgamarjoba |
| Thank you | მადლობაmadloba |
| How much? | რა ღირს?ra ghirs? |
| Where is the park? | სად არის პარკი?sad aris parki? |
| One ticket, please | ერთი ბილეთი, გთხოვთerti bileti, gtxovt |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Refusing hospitality outright
- Church: Cover up; do not turn your back to the altar; avoid: Shorts, bare shoulders, loud talk
- Supra: Follow the tamada; drink on toasts; avoid: Toasting with beer; leaving early without thanks
- History: Listen; avoid: Calling Georgia part of Russia or the region 'post-Soviet' casually
Scams and watch-outs
- The airport is closed: fly to Batumi or Tbilisi.
- Ferry schedules are irregular: book via UKRFerry or Navbul and confirm departure times.
- Mosquitoes in summer near the wetlands: bring repellent.
- The town has limited dining options; eat before 21:00.
Poti is generally safe. Watch for stray dogs and uneven pavements. Ferry areas can have pickpockets: keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Poti yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kolheti National Park
- Black Sea port
- Palm Boulevard
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Poti official website: poti.gov.ge
- Wikivoyage: Poti, revision 5243955 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5243955
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Poti
ამ მისამართზე, გთხოვთ
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
No embassy in Poti. The nearest consulate is in Batumi (check).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/poti). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.