What to Pack for Georgia: The Ultimate Georgia Packing List for Women and Men

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Last Updated on: 14th March 2023, 09:13 pm

Wondering what to pack for Georgia and the Caucasus?

Trips to this part of the world often include time spent exploring the chich capital of Tbilisi, hikes in some of the country’s lush mountains, visits to sleepy monasteries, and nights spent transiting between cities.

Your bags will be potentially shoved into the backs of marshrutkas, tossed under buses, and stowed under your train seat.

Whether your plan is to spend time exploring Georgia or to venture on to Armenia and Azerbaijan, here’s my packing list for Georgia, including what to pack for women and men.

My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023

These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.

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Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.

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For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.

For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.

Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.

For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.

Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

Roller Suitcase or Backpack?

Whether you choose to bring a backpack or a roller suitcase depends entirely upon your travel style, time in the country, and the pace of your itinerary.

I chose to backpack, primarily because I was in the Caucasus for six weeks, changing cities once or twice a week.

I visited Georgia twice, and both times I was happy to be able to unpack my bags for a week since we decided to base ourselves out of Tbilisi.

However, on each visit, I was coming from a neighboring country, and I was happy to be able to keep all my belongings together in a backpack.

If you are only going to be visiting one or two places in Georgia, or you plan to spend a significant amount of time there, you could get away with bringing a roller suitcase.

The primary issue will be transportation since marshrutkas don’t have a ton of luggage room.

Things to consider before deciding whether to backpack or bring a roller suitcase:

Do you have private or shared accommodations?

How fast-paced is your itinerary?

Will you be based out of one or two cities for a long period of time?

When you travel, do you tend to overpack and not use all your items?

I think this part of the world is easier to backpack, but I have also lived out of a large roller suitcase in the Balkans and found it to be easy enough. Just consider your options ahead of time and don’t overpack!

Backpack Suggestions

These are the two backpacks I have used in the past:

For my trip to Georgia, I used my Bergans Skarstind 48 which is similar to this Bergans backpack. This backpack is easy to wear, and the fact that it is taller than it is wide makes the distribution of weight along my torso easy to handle.

Plus, I can squish it into the back of marshrutkas fairly easily.

For those unfamiliar with Bergans or who are Osprey diehards (which I used to be) then I would choose something similar to this Osprey Women’s pack. For men, I would choose something in the same size range (40-48 L).

During previous trips, I have backpacked with a standard daypack-type backpack that wasn’t designed for backpacking, and I would not recommend this option.

The major difference between a regular backpack and one designed for backpacking is how the straps distribute the weight across your torse.

Regular backpacks rely on carrying your pack weight on your shoulders, which is painful when transporting the 8-10 kg a typical backpack weighs.

Note that a woman should not use a man’s pack, because our hip belts are designed for our specific hip-needs.

If you do choose a man’s backpack, get one that has interchangeable hip belts and swap out for a woman’s hip belt.

Azerbaijan - Border Control — Taking mirror selfies in my backpack while waiting to cross the border from Azerbaijan to Georgia

Roller Suitcases

If you are going to bring a roller bag, I suggest getting a soft shell one that can squish.

My personal roller suitcase is the awesome Osprey Sojourn. I lived out of just this bag and a backpack for eight months, and I even took it on a multi-country bus trip last summer for six weeks through the Balkans.

In places like the Caucasus and the Balkans, you’re at the mercy of local transportation for getting your bag from place A to place B, and the storage space in these vehicles might not be ideal.

This bag has been crammed, pushed, squished, scratched, and jammed into the smallest and weirdest of cargo spaces and still looks and works great.

Daypacks and Day Bags

You will want to bring a smaller bag with you that can carry what you need to bring with you during the day.

This bag should also be where you store anything you need easy access to while in transit (like passports, cell phone, camera, emergency snacks, etc.).

For men, I typically see regular backpacks or messenger bags, while women will bring a regular backpack or a large purse.

What your pick for your day bag matters, as it will go with you everywhere and be with you all the time. Things to consider when choosing a daypack are:

what kind of safety features do I need and want?

do I want to look more fashionable or more like a tourist?

do I need to avoid looking like a tourist for safety reasons?

do I need to avoid looking like I have money for safety reasons?

how durable does my day bag need to be based on my itinerary (city/adventure/hiking/)?

how large or small is the ideal daypack for this trip?

I find that for most trips, I use the same kind of daypack. I travel to many cities and do a lot of religious tourism, so I like to have a day bag that looks reasonably stylish while not looking expensive.

I like the safety features of my current bag, the Pacsafe Citysafe. I don’t do much hiking or trekking, so I don’t need something that can handle bad weather. Here are the three main daypacks I use:

Option 1: Sleek and Collapsible

In Georgia, I used a large Longchamp.

This bag rolls up completely, so I can store it away when necessary. However, it’s large enough to fit what I need to take out with me to explore a city for the day: wallet, camera, snacks, etc.

It’s also durable! I’ve used mine almost every day for two years and it’s still going strong.

Azerbaijan - Ganja - The Bottle House — Taking my Longchamp bag out around Ganja, Azerbaijan

Option 2: Safety and Technology-Friendly (What I Currently Use)

I recently added the Pacsafe Citysafe laptop backpack as my primary travel day bag. I can fit my laptop, DSLR camera, spare lens, and a few other personals belongings in it.

It’s cute enough that I don’t feel like a traveling monster but large enough that I can have my essentials with me.

Plus, it has a ton of built-in safety features, like interlocking zippers and hidden pockets. The company behind it, Pacsafe, focuses on creating travel products that have smart anti-theft technology built into them.

I don’t use the features every day, but I love being able to lock the zippers and hide my passport when things get dicey, like when forced to stand in a crowded marshrutka in Bosteri, Kyrgyzstan.

I’ve bought Pacsafe products in the past, but I bought this bag after watching my friend Allison use hers in Georgia and the Caucasus, where it came in really handy.

(Pacsafe also makes smaller bags that still have a ton of safety features to keep your belongings safe on the road. I especially like the Slim Crossbody if you want to find a small purse for your trip).

Allison wearing her Pacsafe bag waiting to cross into Georgia — Allison wearing her Pacsafe Citysafe waiting to cross into Georgia

Option 3: Large and Functional

Another option I’ve used in the past is a traditional backpack with a laptop slot. For this, I have this SwissGear Travel Laptop Backpack.

It’s a great travel daypack because the laptop slot and the middle pocket is large enough to fit my camera and work as a camera bag.

I have backpacked out of this bag, and while I was able to do it successfully (through Spain, Hungary, Romania, Jordan, Israel, Moldova, and Ukraine) I am much happier now with a true backpacking pack and using this as a day bag when I need something on the larger side.

Wizz Air Carry On Only Airport Mirror Selfie — This backpack can handle a ton of stuff…almost too much stuff.

Keeping Your Bags Organized

The key to successful packing, whether backpacking or traveling with a roller bag, is to make sure your bag is organized. This is how I divide up my things inside my bags:

Large Packing Cubes (1-2): Clothing

Medium Packing Cube (1): Underwear / Socks / PJs / and Swimsuit(s) (depending on the season)

Small Cosmetic Bags (5): I have a random collection of bags bought at various H&Ms across Europe, but they are all similar to this one. I use them like this:

Wet Toiletries: I keep my toothbrush and toothpaste in a ziplock inside. Other toiletry bottles also in zip locks inside.

I don’t want cross-contamination from one wet thing to another. I try to unpack these whenever I’m going to be somewhere for more than a night so they air out.

Dry Toiletries: razor (with the cap on!), hair brush, tweezers, etc

Medicine Kit: prescriptions, OTC meds, vitamins

Gadgets: cords, chargers, and converters,

Makeup and Jewelry

1 laundry bag (comes with the packing cubes) for tossing in dirty clothes until the next wash. This keeps my clean clothes fresher for longer.

Coin Purse (whenever I’m in Europe, I’m always shocked how fast the coins add up in my pack)

Canvas Tote Bag for groceries or for days when you need something lightweight

1-2 empty gallon ziplock bags and 3-5 empty small ziplock bags for random organizational emergencies. These seem to happen on every trip, and I’m always grateful to have them with me.

Georgia - Tbilisi - Dry Bridge Market — I love keeping extra ziplock bags with my luggage for organizing the small trinkets and packets you end inevitably end up with on the road.

What to Wear in Georgia for Women

Here’s what women should pack for Georgia.

You’ll want clothing that layers easily since the high season can go from cool nights to hot days with humid rainstorms in between.

If you’re planning on doing hiking or trekking, you will want to bring items appropriate for your activities.

In Tbilisi, the women dress pretty chic and casual, while in the countryside you will see more traditional items of clothing like headscarves.

You should wear what you feel comfortable in, with breathable fabrics that hang dry well.

This list assumes you will be on the road for more than a week, and that you will hand-wash your clothes or take them to be laundered.

Clothes

3-4 shirts or blouses (Make sure that you have modest clothes to wear for visits to churches or monasteries. This means no cleavage showing and shoulders are covered. In some of the monasteries, you will want to make sure that you are covered at least past your knees).

1 tank top

1 tee shirt

2-3 dresses (If you don’t wear dresses or skirts, then pack additional shirts and jeans or shorts to wear instead).

2-3 pairs of leggings (optional, but great for layers or visiting churches while wearing a dress or skirt for going into the churches and monasteries)

1 pair of jeans

1 skirt (optional)

1 sweater, cardigan, or kimono for light layering (I found that even in early summer, I wanted to have layers available).

1 jacket (I brought my jean jacket, but something that can handle light rain would also be a good idea since it rained frequently during our two weeks).

1 pajama top

1 pajama bottoms (or use one of the leggings)

1 swimsuit (Optional depending on weather and plans. The sulfur baths in Tbilisi are nude, but you will want a bathing suit for swimming at Turtle Lake or going to the Black Sea in Batumi).

Shoes & Sandals

Comfortable Closed-Toed Walking Shoes (I use boots like these or like these. Pack hiking shoes if you’re planning on hiking. Otherwise, any closed-toed shoes will work).

Comfortable day shoes (I have had a pair of these Tevas for the last two years, and I’ve worn them so much they have a hole in the right sole.

For cold weather months, I opt for the second pair of boots. Both the sandals and the boots are perfect for travel because the rubber souls make them extra durable and comfortable at the same time).

Extra Easy Slip-on Sandal or Flip-Flops (I use these Croc Jellies because they work for hostel showers but are also wearable outside.

I’m currently on pairs #2 and 3. I own them in blue and pink). Remember that you’ll need to take off your shoes before entering the mosque in Tbilisi, but you do not need to remove your shoes for visiting Orthodox churches.

Georgia - Tbilisi - Mosque — Wear slip-on shoes or sandals when visiting the Mosque in Tbilisi since you will have take your shoes off at the entrance.

Underwear & Socks

7-8 pairs of underwear (I like to have enough for one week before having to do laundry, but you can bring more or less depending on yon our needs).

1-2 bras (If you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, you might want one of these to be a sports bra).

1-2 pairs of socks (summer) or 5-7 pairs of socks (winter). Bring more if you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking.

Jewelry & Accessories

1-2 items of each kind of jewelry you prefer. For me, that’s a few pairs of earrings, one bracelet, my two rings, and a necklace.

A Scarf for Visiting Churches and Mosques in Georgia, since visitors sometimes need to wear a scarf to enter a monastery or church.

While not enforced at every church, you will want to have a handy scarf in your bag as not every church has visitor scarves available. You will also need a scarf for visiting the mosque in Tbilisi.

Sunglasses (regular or prescription if required). Georgia is sunny and bright during the high season!

Hairpins, Bobby Pins, or Barretts (1-3 styles depending on your hair needs)

Headbands or Hair Wraps (1-4 depending on your needs)

Watch (optional)

Georgia-Tbilisi-Scar — Wearing a loaner scarf in Georgia while visiting monasteries.

Winter Clothing

This obviously depends on your plans. If your purpose of visiting Georgia in winter is to ski or do winter activities, then you will need to pack accordingly. However, if your goal is to explore Tbilisi and do a few light day trips, you’ll want to wear good city winter clothes:

Winter Coat

Gloves

Upgrade your socks to thick, warm socks

Winter Scarf

If you’re going to be hiking, make sure to bring winter thermal layers.

If you plan to come to Tbilisi in winter, pack for a winter city trip unless you will be doing adventure or winter sports.