Cash in Georgian lari (GEL)
Georgia attracts many travellers every year due to its geographical features, the scenery of various natural locations and, of course, the unique atmosphere of warmth and hospitality for which the local population is famous. To feel comfortable and get a lot of pleasure from the holiday, you need to have a certain amount of money in cash. That is why you need to understand what money is the national currency of Georgia and where you can exchange it.
What is the national currency in Georgia?
The financial turnover of this country is based on denominations, which are called lari. In the international classification, they are assigned their own unique code - GEL. The first national currency was issued in 1995 after a special instruction from the second president of the country — Eduard Shevardnadze.
Beauty is a unique lifestyle of the Georgian population. It is expressed even in the design of cash, which is used in daily life. Firstly, the name itself was not chosen by chance. It literally means prosperity, wealth, and heritage.
Each banknote is designed as a real work of art, an illustration from a book. The images are thematic and quite diverse:
- a deer from a painting by the artist Pirosmani;
- Samtavisi Cathedral Church;
- a fresco of the Gelati Monastery of the Virgin Mary;
- a peacock with a loose tail;
- grapevine.
Of course, you should not focus solely on the design of a banknote to determine its value. However, it is necessary to evaluate the artistry of each banknote.
What denominations of money are used in Georgia?
In Georgia, not only cash lari, but also smaller money — tetri. 1 GEL is 100 tetri.
The denominations of coins and notes are traditional — from 1 to 50 tetri and from 1 to 200 GEL.
There are also unique coins for investment jubilee models. The 500 GEL banknote, on which the image of David the Builder, Gelati Monastery was supposed to be printed, was never circulated, although it was printed.
Different alloys are used to make GEL cash coins. Small ones are made of stainless steel alloys. For larger ones, nickel, copper, aluminium alloys are used.
Where to get GEL cash?
As in any other country, you can get the necessary amount of cash in local currency in several ways:
- in banks;
- at money changers;
- from money changers.
It is worth considering that banks work strictly according to the schedule from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, the exchange office may work fewer hours — it opens later than the branch itself and closes an hour or two earlier. This information will help you better plan your time to visit the bank to get cash from your card or exchange other currency you have with you.
24/7 exchangers are not very common in Georgia. All transactions are carried out mainly before 7-8 p.m.
Of course, any transaction is subject to a conversion fee, which should also be considered when determining the amount to be exchanged.
When applying to money changers, you need to orientate yourself in the bank rate beforehand and make sure that the money you get is not fake.
It is not worth exchanging money at airports, bus stations, or railway stations, as such transactions will be highly unprofitable.
Where will you need lari in Georgia?
Despite the fact that this country already has a very developed infrastructure, there is an opportunity to pay with a bank card in supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants; cash will certainly be required here. Only lari and tetri are accepted in-home family shops, which you should visit in Georgia to buy unique souvenirs. For public transport and taxis, and various entertainments, the payment is also made in cash only, as well as in many shops.