You've probably seen the signs in Tbilisi or Batumi. Bright neon numbers flickering in the windows of tiny booths wedged between bakeries and wine shops. If you're carrying a pocketful of lari and trying to figure out georgia money to usd rates, it's easy to feel like you're playing a high-stakes game of Tetris with your budget. Honestly, most travelers and even some expats mess this up because they treat the Georgian Lari (GEL) like a major currency. It isn't. It’s a small, scrappy currency that moves on its own rhythm.
Understanding the exchange isn't just about Googling a number. As of January 2026, the rate is hovering around 0.37 USD for 1 GEL. But that is the "market" rate. The rate you actually get at a kiosk or a bank? That’s a different story.
The Reality of the Lari Exchange
The Georgian Lari, or ₾, was born in 1995. Before that, Georgia used "coupons" that were basically worthless due to hyperinflation. Because of that history, Georgians are obsessed with the US Dollar. It’s the "shadow" currency here. You’ll see real estate and cars priced in dollars, even though by law, you have to pay in lari.
When you're converting georgia money to usd, you're dealing with a currency that is managed by the National Bank of Georgia (NBG). They aren't trying to make the lari super strong; they’re trying to keep it stable. Right now, the NBG has kept its key interest rate at 8%. Why does that matter to you? Because it keeps the lari relatively attractive to hold, preventing it from crashing against the dollar. If that rate drops, your lari might buy fewer dollars very quickly.
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Denominations You’ll Actually See
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 tetri. Plus the 1 and 2 lari coins.
- Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and the rare 200 lari.
Forget about 1 and 2 tetri coins; they’re basically extinct. If a shop owes you 2 tetri in change, they’ll just round it. Don’t be that person who holds up the line over 2 tetri. It’s worth less than a fraction of a cent.
Where the Money Disappears: Exchange Traps
Kinda surprisingly, the best place to exchange georgia money to usd is often those little street booths, not the big fancy banks. Banks like TBC or Bank of Georgia are safe, sure, but their "spread"—the difference between the buying and selling price—is usually wider. You might lose 3-5% just by walking into a bank branch.
Street booths in city centers (especially away from the airport) often have spreads so thin you wonder how they pay the electric bill. But—and this is a big but—always check the board. Some booths in tourist traps like Old Tbilisi or near the Batumi Piazza will show a great rate but have a "hidden commission" sign in tiny letters.
Pro Tip: Always ask "How many dollars for 100 lari?" before you hand over the cash. If the math doesn't match the board, walk away.
The Airport Mistake
Never, ever exchange your bulk cash at the Tbilisi International Airport. It’s a classic trap. The rates there can be 10% worse than what you’ll find in town. If you need 20 lari for a Bolt ride into the city, fine. Otherwise, wait until you get to Marjanishvili or Liberty Square.
Factors Driving the Rate in 2026
The lari is "sorta" tied to the health of the neighborhood. When Turkey’s Lira struggles or the Ruble wobbles, the Lari often feels the heat. However, Georgia has been pulling in a lot of "digital nomad" money and tourism revenue, which has actually kept the GEL stronger than many expected.
The National Bank of Georgia has been buying up dollars—about $1.8 billion in recent periods—to build up reserves. This is a double-edged sword. It prevents the lari from getting too strong, which would hurt Georgian exporters, but it also provides a safety net so the currency doesn't collapse if there's a geopolitical spike.
Why USD is King in Georgia
If you're an expat living in Georgia, you’ve probably noticed that everyone wants dollars. If you're paying rent, your landlord might "suggest" paying in USD. While the official transaction must be in GEL, many people keep their savings in dollars. This means there is always a high demand for USD, which keeps the exchange booths busy and the rates competitive.
How to Get the Best georgia money to usd Rate
- Use an App First: Check the XE or TBC Bank app to see the mid-market rate. This is your baseline.
- Avoid Weekend Exchanges: The markets are closed. Booths often hedge their bets by offering worse rates on Saturdays and Sundays to protect themselves against Monday morning gaps.
- The "Big Note" Advantage: Sometimes, if you’re exchanging a large amount (like $1,000+), you can actually negotiate a slightly better rate at the booth. Just ask.
- Mind the Condition: Georgia is weirdly picky about US banknotes. If your dollar bills have a tiny tear, a mark, or are from an older series (like the "small head" hundreds), many booths will refuse them or charge a "damaged bill" fee. Keep your USD pristine.
Practical Steps for Converting Your Cash
If you are sitting on a pile of lari and heading back to the States, don't wait until you're at your home airport. Most US banks won't even recognize a Georgian Lari note, and if they do, they’ll give you a pathetic rate. Exchange your georgia money to usd while you are still on Georgian soil.
Start by checking the exchange booths on Agmashenebeli Avenue in Tbilisi; they traditionally have some of the tightest spreads in the country. Compare three different booths—they’re usually right next to each other. Once you have your dollars, make sure they are the "blue" new-style $100 bills. These are much easier to use or exchange elsewhere later on.
Avoid using ATMs to "withdraw" USD unless you have a specific dollar-denominated account. If you use a standard US debit card at a Georgian ATM to get dollars, you might get hit with a triple whammy: a foreign transaction fee, a poor conversion rate from GEL to USD, and an out-of-network ATM fee. It’s almost always cheaper to withdraw GEL and exchange it at a high-volume booth.
Keep an eye on the inflation trends. The NBG expects inflation to hit about 3.5% by the end of 2026. If inflation starts creeping higher, the lari will likely lose value against the dollar. If you see prices in the grocery store jumping, it might be a sign to convert your excess lari into USD sooner rather than later.
Check the official National Bank of Georgia website for the daily "official" exchange rate. While you can't trade at that rate, it tells you exactly where the ceiling and floor are for the day. If the street rate is more than 2% off the official rate, you're getting ripped off. Consistency is key here. Stick to reputable exchange points with clear electronic boards and always count your cash twice before leaving the window. Usually, once you walk away, the transaction is "final," and disputes are nearly impossible to win.
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Final bit of advice: if you have leftover "tetri" coins, spend them on a coffee or leave them as a tip. No exchange booth wants coins, and they’ll just end up as heavy souvenirs in your luggage.