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.
Vake · Experience date Mar 27, 2026
Georgia has zero restrictions on internet use. No blocked websites, no VPN required, no VoIP restrictions. All messaging apps work freely: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Zoom — unrestricted on any Georgian SIM. This is a significant advantage for digital nomads compared to neighbouring countries. Georgia is one of the most internet-free countries in the region. Download speeds are solid and latency to EU servers is acceptable (30–60ms to Frankfurt). Total internet freedom is a genuine quality-of-life advantage.
Freedom Square · Experience date Mar 8, 2026
If you arrive in Tbilisi late at night and the airport SIM counters are closed: the 24-hour Carrefour in Saburtalo (Vazha-Pshavela Ave) sells Magti and Geocell SIMs until midnight. Several 24-hour convenience stores in Rustaveli and Shardeni areas sell top-up vouchers but not always new SIMs. Best backup: order a Georgian eSIM (Airalo) before leaving home — activate immediately on landing for data while you find a local SIM the next morning.
Vera · Experience date Jan 13, 2026
Old Town (Altstadt/Dzveli Tbilisi) has limited operator stores. Nearest reliable options: Magti and Geocell stores near Rustaveli Metro station (Rustaveli Avenue, 10-minute walk from Freedom Square). Alternatively: Carrefour Express stores in the Old Town area sell SIM cards and top-ups. Best approach if arriving at Narikala area: take a taxi to Rustaveli (10 GEL) and buy your SIM there rather than struggling to find a tourist-area store. Freedom Square area has a Geocell store that's reliable for English-speaking tourists.
Old Town · Experience date Nov 13, 2025
EU SIM roaming in Georgia: Georgia is NOT in the EU roaming zone — your EU SIM charges standard international roaming rates in Georgia (€5–15/day typically). Never rely on your EU SIM for data in Georgia — buy a local Georgian SIM immediately on arrival. A month of Georgian data costs $5–10 versus €150+ on EU roaming. Only exception: Airalo/Holafly international eSIMs — these provide Georgian data at around $15–20/month, cheaper than EU roaming but more expensive than local Georgian SIM.
Freedom Square · Experience date Mar 6, 2026
Both Magti and Geocell are solid choices for central Tbilisi. Magti: slightly better Old Town and historic district coverage, more stores, top-up available at more locations. Geocell: slightly cheaper monthly bundles, better app in English, slightly faster speeds in Saburtalo and Vake. For a 1–4 week stay: Magti is easier to buy and top up. For 1+ months: compare current bundle prices in store — both change promotions frequently. Both operators have English-speaking staff at main Rustaveli Ave branches.