YouTrip in Georgia 2026: GEL Exchange Rate, ATM Tips & Tbilisi Guide
For Singaporeans travelling to Tbilisi & Batumi | Updated November 2026
📋 In This Guide
Planning to use YouTrip in Georgia? The short answer: yes, YouTrip supports the Georgian Lari (GEL) and gives you one of the best exchange rates available to Singaporeans, with zero foreign transaction fees. As at November 2026, 1 SGD ≈ 2.02 GEL via YouTrip — far better than airport counters or hotel cashiers. Here’s everything you need to know before your Tbilisi trip.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Exchange rates and fees are indicative and change daily — always verify the latest rate in your YouTrip app before spending.
Does YouTrip Work in Georgia?
Georgia — the Caucasus country, not the US state — is fast becoming one of the most talked-about travel destinations for Singaporeans. Tbilisi’s ancient old town, Batumi’s Black Sea promenade, and the Kakheti wine trails are drawing a growing wave of Singaporean travellers. And crucially, it’s remarkably affordable once you have the right card.
YouTrip is a Singapore-issued multicurrency Mastercard prepaid card that holds and spends in 150+ currencies at the interbank exchange rate, with no foreign transaction fee. The Georgian Lari (GEL) is included in YouTrip’s supported currencies — verify this in your app under “Wallet → Top Up” before your trip, as supported currencies can change.
Because Georgia is not in the Eurozone and uses its own currency, most Singapore bank debit and credit cards will impose a 2–3.5% foreign currency administration fee on every GEL transaction. YouTrip eliminates this fee entirely by locking in a near-mid-market rate when you convert SGD to GEL in the app. For a typical week-long trip spending S$800–1,000, that’s S$16–35 saved on fees alone — before counting the better base rate.
We’ve published similar guides for other Caucasus and Eastern European destinations. If you’re planning a multi-country trip, check our guides for YouTrip in Romania, YouTrip in Poland, and YouTrip in Hungary to see how the savings stack up across each destination.
Ready to sign up? Visit our YouTrip referral page for the latest sign-up bonus before you apply — referral bonuses change periodically, so check before you open the app.
SGD to GEL Exchange Rate (November 2026)
The mid-market exchange rate for SGD/GEL as at 11 November 2026 was 1 SGD = 2.02037 GEL (source: XE.com, 03:43 UTC). The 7-day range was 2.0205–2.0279, indicating a stable pair with limited daily volatility. YouTrip’s in-app rate is typically 0.2–0.5% from the mid-market rate, still far better than retail FX or bank card rates.
For quick mental arithmetic while in Georgia, use the rule of thumb: multiply your GEL price by 0.5 to get the SGD equivalent (e.g. 50 GEL ≈ S$25).
| SGD Amount | Approx. GEL (at 2.02) | What it covers in Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| S$5 | 10 GEL | 2 coffees or a khachapuri |
| S$10 | 20 GEL | Full meal at a local restaurant |
| S$25 | 51 GEL | Wine tasting tour in Kakheti |
| S$50 | 101 GEL | Budget guesthouse night or private car day tour |
| S$100 | 202 GEL | Mid-range hotel night + dinner for two |
Source: XE.com mid-market rate, 11 November 2026. YouTrip’s actual in-app rate may differ. Prices in Georgia are indicative for 2026 based on available travel data.
Card Fee Comparison: YouTrip vs Other Options in Georgia
Not all payment methods are equal when spending Georgian Lari. Here’s how the main options compare for a typical Singapore traveller:
| Payment Method | FX Fee | ATM Fee (overseas) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTrip | 0% | S$5 / ATM withdrawal | Interbank rate, prepaid Mastercard |
| DBS Visa Debit | 2.5% | S$5 + 1.5% | Admin fee on all foreign txns |
| OCBC 365 / Standard credit cards | 2.5–3.5% | S$5–8 | Points accrual may partially offset |
| Airport money changer (SG) | ∼3–5% | — | Spread varies; GEL not always available |
| Hotel / shop dynamic conversion | 5–10% | — | Always choose GEL, never SGD |
Source: DBS, OCBC published fee schedules (November 2026); airport FX rates indicative. Always choose “charge in local currency” (GEL) at card terminals to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.
Best ATMs to Use in Georgia (and Which to Avoid)
Even with YouTrip, you’ll want some physical GEL cash in Georgia — smaller cafes, marshrutka minibuses, rural guesthouses, and market vendors often operate cash-only. The question is which ATM to use, because Georgian ATM fees for foreign cards vary significantly by bank.
✅ Best ATMs for Foreign Cards
- Basisbank (ბაზისბანკი) — Generally charges the lowest or no additional fees for foreign Mastercards. Found in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi city centres.
- Cartu Bank — Another traveller-friendly option with competitive rates for foreign card withdrawals. Available in major cities.
❌ ATMs Known for Higher Fees
- Bank of Georgia (BOG) — The largest bank in Georgia, ubiquitous, but known to charge higher conversion spreads for foreign cards.
- TBC Bank — Second largest, also widely available but may impose dynamic currency conversion by default — always decline and choose GEL.
- Liberty Bank, ProCredit Bank, Halyk Bank — Generally higher fees for non-Georgian cards; use as a last resort.
Pro tip: When any Georgian ATM asks “Would you like to convert to your home currency?” — always select No / Continue in GEL. This avoids dynamic currency conversion (DCC), where the ATM uses its own (unfavourable) rate instead of Mastercard’s network rate. With YouTrip, you want the conversion to happen inside the YouTrip app where you get the interbank rate.
YouTrip charges S$5 per overseas ATM withdrawal. To minimise this, withdraw larger amounts less frequently (e.g. take out 300–400 GEL / S$150–200 at a time) rather than multiple small withdrawals.
What Does S$100 Buy You in Tbilisi?
Georgia is exceptionally affordable by Singapore standards. S$100 ≈ 202 GEL — here’s a realistic breakdown of what that budget covers in Tbilisi in 2026:
Georgia’s affordability is one of its biggest draws for Singaporeans. A solid sit-down meal in a local Georgian restaurant (not tourist traps on Shardeni Street) runs 15–25 GEL (S$7.50–12) per person including a glass of local wine. Street food like churchkhela (walnut-grape candy) or fresh puri bread costs under 3 GEL (S$1.50). Bolt and Yandex ride-hailing apps work in Tbilisi with English interfaces and prices that are a fraction of Grab — a 20-minute cross-city ride costs roughly 8–15 GEL (S$4–7.50).
Accommodation ranges from S$10–25/night for clean hostels in the Old Town, to S$50–80 for a well-rated boutique hotel. The famous Tbilisi sulphur baths in Abanotubani start from about 20 GEL (S$10) for a private room — a unique experience well worth the spend.
Top YouTrip Money Tips for Georgia
- Top up SGD before you fly, convert to GEL in-app: Do not wait to convert at Georgian currency exchange booths — they often run wide spreads, especially in Tbilisi Old Town tourist zones. Convert in the YouTrip app when the rate looks good (monitor it in the days before your trip).
- Always pay in GEL: At every card terminal, supermarket self-checkout, and restaurant POS, select “GEL” when asked about currency. Never allow the merchant’s bank to handle the conversion.
- Use Basisbank or Cartu Bank ATMs for cash withdrawals: Withdraw 300–400 GEL at a time to spread the S$5 YouTrip ATM fee across more spending.
- Keep some USD as a backup: Georgian locals and guesthouses in rural areas sometimes prefer USD for large transactions (tours, accommodation). USD can be exchanged easily at any Georgian bank or exchange bureau. YouTrip can also hold USD — check the in-app rate vs. a local exchange booth.
- Use Bolt for rides, not taxis: Tbilisi street taxis often quote inflated “tourist prices” and may not accept card. Bolt and Yandex Go both work well in Tbilisi with upfront pricing — card payment accepted.
- Wine tasting: pay by card where possible: Major wineries in Kakheti accept Mastercard. Smaller village family wineries are often cash-only — carry GEL cash for these.
If you’re looking for broader money management tips for travel, our YouTrip Czech Republic guide covers similar Eastern European cash dynamics and is a useful companion read.
Ready to Spend Smarter in Georgia?
Get YouTrip before your trip and save on every purchase in GEL. Zero foreign transaction fees, 150+ currencies, and a Mastercard accepted everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does YouTrip support Georgian Lari (GEL)?
Yes, YouTrip supports GEL (Georgian Lari) as one of its 150+ supported currencies. You can convert SGD to GEL directly in the YouTrip app before or during your trip. Always verify the current supported currency list inside your YouTrip app, as the list is subject to change.
What is the SGD to GEL exchange rate in 2026?
As at 11 November 2026, the mid-market rate was 1 SGD = 2.02037 GEL (source: XE.com). YouTrip’s in-app rate is typically within 0.2–0.5% of the mid-market rate. For a rough mental guide: 50 GEL ≈ S$25, and 100 GEL ≈ S$50. Always check the live rate in your YouTrip app as it changes throughout the day.
Which ATMs in Tbilisi are best for YouTrip withdrawals?
Basisbank and Cartu Bank ATMs are generally recommended for lower fees on foreign card withdrawals. Bank of Georgia (BOG) and TBC Bank ATMs are more common but may charge higher spreads or default to dynamic currency conversion — always select “Withdraw in GEL” when prompted. YouTrip charges S$5 per overseas ATM withdrawal, so withdraw larger amounts less often to minimise this fee.
Is it better to use card or cash in Georgia?
It depends on where you are. Tbilisi’s restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and larger shops widely accept Mastercard. However, street food stalls, market vendors, marshrutka buses, rural guesthouses and village wineries are often cash-only. A practical split: use your YouTrip card for most purchases, and keep 100–200 GEL (S$50–100) in cash for small vendors and rural areas. Withdraw cash at a Basisbank or Cartu Bank ATM.
Can I use YouTrip in Batumi as well as Tbilisi?
Yes. YouTrip is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted in Georgia — including Batumi, Kutaisi, Telavi, and other cities. GEL is the only currency used throughout Georgia, so a single YouTrip GEL conversion covers your entire trip regardless of where you travel within the country.
Should I exchange money at Singapore airport before flying to Georgia?
It’s not recommended. Georgian Lari is not commonly stocked at Singapore money changers, and the spread for GEL (if available at all) would be significantly worse than YouTrip’s rate. The better approach is to convert SGD to GEL inside the YouTrip app at any time — before departure or once you land. You can also withdraw GEL cash from an ATM in Tbilisi’s Shota Rustaveli Avenue or the airport arrivals hall immediately after landing.
Is YouTrip available to Singaporeans and Singapore PRs only?
YouTrip Singapore is currently available to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and holders of a valid Employment Pass, S Pass, or Dependant Pass. You will need a valid Singapore-linked mobile number and SingPass for identity verification. If you do not qualify, YouTrip offers separate apps for Malaysia and Thailand residents.
This article was researched with the help of AI. While we strive to keep all information accurate and up to date, there may be errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us.
