Major city · Georgia
Telaviთელავი
Stay 2 nights in Telavi as a Kakheti wine base, not 1: the town itself is a half-day, but Alaverdi, Ikalto and Tsinandali need a car or taxi.
Telavi is the small capital of Kakheti, about 20,000 people, in the Alazani valley 2–2.5 h from Tbilisi by marshrutka. The town is walkable in an afternoon: the Erekle II palace, the old Cholokashvili street and the 900-year-old plane tree. Its real value is as a base for the wine villages and monasteries around it, which need wheels. Two nights covers the town plus two day loops; one night only works if you arrive by car and skip the town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GEL
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, Gombori pass snow), Jul–Aug (hot, 35 °C (95 °F)+)avoid Dec–Feb (cold, Gombori pass snow), Jul–Aug (hot, 95 °F (35 °C)+)
- Airports
- TBS · KUT
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders a…Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Ru…Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia
- Caucasus ↗The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders are closed; any route that crosses them is not a route, however short it looks.
- Caucasus ↗Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia as illegal; entering that way can mean arrest or a ban when you next reach Georgia proper.
- Georgia ↗Many passports enter visa-free for a long stay; if yours needs a visa, apply only on the official e-visa portal.
- Georgia ↗Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia: crossing their boundary lines from Georgian-controlled land is treated as illegal entry, and many governments advise against it.
- Georgia ↗In Orthodox churches women cover their heads and shoulders and wear a skirt or a wrap; men remove hats and avoid shorts.
- Georgia ↗Carry Georgian lari in small notes for minibuses, markets and the metro card; cards work in most Tbilisi cafés and shops but not everywhere outside the capital.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Telavi112 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire112
- Telavi tourist information+995 350 275 317
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Telavi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Georgian lari (₾, GEL).Georgia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMagti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie sell SIMs with a passport; cheap data.Georgia-wide
- Tap watercheckTap water is widely drunk in Tbilisi and mountain towns (check locally); bottled is cheap.Georgia-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: Check the bill for a service charge; otherwise 10%.Georgia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Georgia-wide
- SafetyTelavi is a small, calm town and street crime is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in cafés for customers; small fees at stations.Georgia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance and fire · +995 350 275 317 Telavi tourist information (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close Mondays; church services continue daily.Georgia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTBS Tbilisi International (About 2.5–3 h by road via the Gombori pass; no direct bus to Telavi, so taxi or a pre-booked transfer.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is flat and walkable in 20–30 min end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₾3–6
- Sit-down mealLunch or dinner, Georgian restaurant₾20–40
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, town centre to TsinandaliAgree the price first.₾5–15
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₾20–40
- Budget bedHostel or homestay bed, a night, per personGEL 30
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomGEL 130
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomGEL 220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GEL 70 · Mid GEL 140 · High GEL 260
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TBS Tbilisi International (About 2.5–3 h by road via the Gombori pass; no direct bus to Telavi, so taxi or a pre-booked transfer.) · KUT Kutaisi International (About 5–6 h by road; only worth it if your flight is much cheaper.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Telavi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is flat and walkable in 20–30 min end to end. Everything else — Alaverdi, Ikalto, Shuamta, Tsinandali, Gremi — is 8–25 km out and needs a taxi, a hired driver or your own car. Agree the price and the waiting time before you set off; a half-day loop with a driver is the usual arrangement. Marshrutkas run to Tsinandali and toward Alaverdi but are infrequent and stop early.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alaverdi Cathedral
goDoor to door: About 40 min each way
Taxi or car, 20 km (12 mi) northeast up the Alazani valleyTaxi or car, 12 mi (20 km) northeast up the Alazani valley
11th-century cathedral with a walled courtyard; pair it with a winery on the same road.
Ikalto Monastery
goDoor to door: About 25 min each way
Taxi or car, 10 km (6.2 mi) westTaxi or car, 6.2 mi (10 km) west
Small monastery and old academy ruins; 45–60 min on site is enough.
Tsinandali
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Marshrutka from the main station (about ₾0.5) or taxi (about ₾5), 8 km (5 mi) eastMarshrutka from the main station (about ₾0.5) or taxi (about ₾5), 5 mi (8 km) east
Chavchavadze estate, park and wine cellar; the easiest car-free outing from Telavi.
Gremi
goDoor to door: About 40 min each way
Taxi or car, 25 km (16 mi) east toward KvareliTaxi or car, 16 mi (25 km) east toward Kvareli
Citadel and church on a hill; combine with a Kvareli winery for a full day.
Sighnaghi
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h by road
Only 1–2 marshrutkas a day; otherwise taxi or your own car
Check the marshrutka schedule first, or treat it as a separate stop rather than a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centre, around Erekle II street
Walk to the palace, the plane tree, the market and most restaurants. Best for a first night without a car.
Alazani Avenue / marshrutka station side
Cheaper hotels and the bus and marshrutka stations; 10–15 min walk to the old town.
Kisiskhevi and the wine villages
Winery stays 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) east; you need a car or a driver, and taxis are hard to find after dark.Winery stays 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) east; you need a car or a driver, and taxis are hard to find after dark.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₾70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₾120–220 excl. bed
- High
- ₾220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × GEL 130 | GEL 260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GEL 140 | GEL 560 |
| Marshrutka Tbilisi → Telavi, one way2 × GEL 15 · check | GEL 30 |
| Taxi or driver, half-day Kakheti loop1 × GEL 120 · check | GEL 120 |
| Wine tasting, per cellar2 × GEL 30 · check | GEL 60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × GEL 25 | GEL 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GEL 108 |
| Trip total≈ GEL 297 per person per day, bed included | GEL 1,188 |
2026 estimate in lari; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₾3–6 |
| Khinkali, per piece | ₾1–2 |
| Lunch or dinner, Georgian restaurant | ₾20–40 |
| Glass of house wine | ₾5–10 |
| Marshrutka ride in the region | ₾0.5–3 |
| Taxi, town centre to TsinandaliAgree the price first. | ₾5–15 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₾20–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The palace of King Erekle II has been closed for renovation for years: check locally before you count on it.
- The 900-year-old plane tree now has a glass fence around it (since 2025), so you cannot walk up and hug it.
- Gombori pass (highway 38) is the short route from Tbilisi but has many bends and can be snowed in during winter: take the longer Gurjaani road then.
- Only 1–2 marshrutkas a day link Telavi and Sighnaghi, so do not plan on that connection without checking the schedule.
- Wine tastings add up: agree a price per tasting and a driver before you start, and never drive after tasting.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 112
- Telavi tourist information
- +995 350 275 317
Pocket card
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Telaviთელავი
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ამ მისამართამდე, გთხოვთTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire112
- Telavi tourist information+995 350 275 317
Embassy
No embassies in Telavi; most are in Tbilisi, about 2–2.5 h away.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marshrutka Tbilisi (Ortachala) → Telavi: ₾15, up to 2.5 h (check)
- Marshrutka Telavi → Tsinandali: about ₾0.5
- Taxi Telavi → Tsinandali: about ₾5
Say or show
- გამარჯობა — Hello (gamarjoba)
- მადლობა — Thank you (madloba)
- რა ღირს? — How much is it? (ra ghirs?)
- სად არის ტუალეტი? — Where is the toilet? (sad aris tualeti?)
- მე არ ვსვამ და არ ვმართავ — I don't drink and drive (me ar vsvam da ar vmartav)
112 works from any phone, English is available.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Telavi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, Gombori pass snow), Jul–Aug (hot, 35 °C+) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TBS: last marshrutka and taxi fallback, plus the Gombori winter alternative.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Erekle II square, Cholokashvili old street, the market and station side, the plane tree.
- Place pages with verified opening states (Erekle II palace, Alaverdi, Ikalto, Tsinandali) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wine-route fixtures: tasting prices, driver rates and a no-drive-after-tasting rule.