Tbilisi
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that getting a local SIM card is essential for staying connected in Tbilisi, with Magti and Geocell offering counters at Tbilisi International Airport. Most newcomers opt for a tourist SIM, which can be purchased for a reasonable price, such as 20GB for 20 GEL/month from Silknet. Watch out for coverage outside the city, as some areas like Kazbegi can have spotty signal, but Magti is generally considered to have the best coverage across Georgia. To get started, you'll need to register your SIM with your passport, a simple process that operators will handle as part of the purchase. Today, you can take a concrete step by visiting the arrivals hall at Tbilisi International Airport to purchase a Magti or Geocell SIM before leaving the airport.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Saburtalo · Experience date Feb 11, 2026
Switched to Silknet after losing signal repeatedly in Kazbegi. 20GB for 20 GEL/month. If you travel to the mountains or rural Georgia regularly, Silknet edges out Magti for coverage.
Rustaveli · Experience date Mar 31, 2026
Receiving calls when abroad: Telegram is universally used in Georgia and is free for calls and messages over data. WhatsApp is also widely used. Most Georgians prefer Telegram over regular calls. For calling Georgian landlines or non-app users from abroad: Skype rates to Georgia are very cheap (under €0.02/minute). Calling from a Georgian SIM abroad: standard international rates apply — use WhatsApp/Telegram instead. Georgian expat communities are very active on Telegram — join the 'Tbilisi Expats' and 'Digital Nomads Georgia' channels for useful local information.
Vera · Experience date Apr 8, 2026
Magti and Geocell both have counters in the arrivals hall at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). A Magti tourist SIM with 10GB data costs around 15 GEL (approximately $5–6). Show your passport — no Georgian residency required. Activation is instant. Magti has the best 4G coverage across Tbilisi, including the Old Town, Rustaveli, and Vake districts. If the airport counters are closed (late-night arrivals), Silknet and Magti stores are in every major supermarket in the city.
Vera · Experience date Mar 15, 2026
On Magti 30GB for 15 GEL/month — that's about $5.50. Top up at any Magti shop, convenience store, or via the Magti app. Coverage is excellent within Tbilisi and on the main highways.
Vera · Experience date Mar 22, 2026
TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia (BOG), the two main Georgian banks, both have mobile apps that work excellently. TBC app: English and Georgian, full online banking, QR payments, instant GEL transfers. BOG app: similar features. Both apps require a Georgian phone number for SMS verification. If you have a Georgian bank account (very easy to open — more in the banking section), the mobile app with your Georgian SIM number gives you full banking control. Tbilisi is increasingly cashless in restaurants and shops — mobile payment via app QR codes is widespread.
Old Town · Experience date Apr 23, 2026
Top up your Georgian SIM at: any Carrefour supermarket (Saburtalo, Vake, Gldani branches — multiple locations), Goodwill supermarkets, BP and other fuel stations, operator branded stores, or via the Magti/Geocell app with a foreign Visa/Mastercard. The apps work reliably with foreign cards. Georgian convenience stores (most have a mobile top-up terminal) are the easiest street-level option. Avoid airport vendors for top-ups — buy at any city supermarket instead.
Freedom Square · Experience date Apr 1, 2026
Georgia's country code is +995. Tbilisi landlines: +995 32 + 7-digit number. Georgian mobile numbers: +995 5xx xxx xxx. International calls from a Georgian SIM: use standard dial codes — WhatsApp and Telegram calls work freely, no VPN needed. Georgia has no restrictions on VoIP apps. Many expats use WhatsApp for all calls — Georgian locals are heavy WhatsApp users. Tip: save the emergency number 112 (police, ambulance, fire — unified emergency number in Georgia).
Rustaveli · Experience date Feb 22, 2026
Tested speeds across Tbilisi: Magti averages 40–80 Mbps download in Rustaveli, Vake, and Saburtalo. Geocell: 35–70 Mbps in the same areas. Old Town (Abanotubani, Metekhi): speeds drop to 20–40 Mbps due to the dense medieval buildings. Outlying areas like Gldani and Didi Dighomi: 15–30 Mbps on both networks. 5G: not yet commercially available in Georgia — 4G LTE is universal. For remote workers: speeds are easily sufficient for video calls and cloud work anywhere in central Tbilisi.
Freedom Square · Experience date May 4, 2026
Silknet is Georgia's third major operator and the best choice if you're renting a furnished apartment without internet. They offer SIM + home fibre internet bundles. Standalone SIM: 15–20 GEL for a 15GB monthly plan. Coverage in central Tbilisi is comparable to Magti. Silknet's main advantage: if your apartment already has Silknet fibre (very common), you can top up your data allowance through the same account. English customer service available at main branches in Saburtalo and Rustaveli areas.
Saburtalo · Experience date Mar 11, 2026
Georgian SIM registration requires your passport. The operator registers the SIM to your name as part of the purchase process — you cannot buy anonymous SIMs in Georgia. The registration is straightforward: the store staff enter your passport details (takes 5 minutes) and activate the SIM. No other documents required. The registered SIM is valid for the duration of your stay regardless of length. Foreign tourists: no restriction on how long you can use a Georgian SIM — it stays active as long as you top up within 90 days.