Georgia Tourist SIM Card: Magti, Silknet and Cellfie
Plan prices in lari and dollars, where to buy at the airport and in town, whether you need a passport, how coverage works in Tbilisi and the mountains, and when eSIM is the better choice.
A tourist SIM card in Georgia is inexpensive: a pack for 7–30 days with several gigabytes or unlimited data costs about 5–30 lari (roughly $2–11), plus up to 10 lari for the card itself. Magti, Silknet and Cellfie (Beeline brand) sell them at the airport, in shops and in stores, and you need your passport. If you need internet right after landing, get an eSIM in advance.
Prices checked in October 2026 from reviews and public sources. Carrier websites don’t publish a single tourist price list, and reviews disagree, so amounts are given as ranges. Exchange rate for conversion: about 2.7 lari to the dollar.
How much does a SIM card in Georgia cost for tourists?
Georgia has three operators: Magti, Silknet (which now includes Geocell’s network) and Cellfie (the Beeline brand). Here are the rough prices from independent reviews:
| Operator | What they offer | Price (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Magti | Tourist SIM with 5 GB for 15 days | about 5–15 GEL ($2–5.5) |
| Silknet | Unlimited for 7 days / tourist pack for 30 days | about 10–15 GEL for a week, about 30 GEL for a month ($4–11) |
| Cellfie | 30-day packs: from 3 GB to 20 GB, with minutes and SMS | about 8–25 GEL ($3–9) |
According to reviews, the SIM card itself can cost up to 10 GEL (~$3.7) separately. Exact amounts could not be confirmed on carrier websites, so use the range and ask for the total before you pay.
Where to buy a SIM card in Georgia as a tourist?
- Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports. Carrier counters are in the arrivals hall. Prices are sometimes higher than in town, but the reports differ.
- Magti, Silknet and Cellfie stores in Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities. Advisers will help you choose a pack and often speak Russian or English.
- Shops and kiosks sell starter kits, but registration still goes through your passport.
Do you need a passport to buy a SIM in Georgia?
Yes. When you buy a physical SIM, the operator registers the number in your name and asks for your passport. An eSIM bought online does not need a passport, but it has no number: it provides mobile data only.
Is a local SIM or an eSIM better for tourists?
| Local SIM | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Airport or store, with passport | Online before the trip |
| Passport / documents | Required; the number is registered to you | Not needed, only email |
| Internet on landing | After the queue and activation | Immediately, if the profile was installed in advance |
| Price for 7–30 days | ~$3–11 plus the card | Depends on data volume, see the table below |
| Number | Georgian, you can make calls | Data only |
| Main SIM | Needs a second slot or a swap | Stays in your phone |
| Best for | Months, relocation, calls to local numbers | Trips of 1–14 days |
Honest verdict: Georgia is one of the countries where a local SIM is really cheap. If you stay a month or longer, it is the better deal and gives you a number for taxis, delivery and banking. For 3–10 days the money difference is small, and an eSIM saves queue time. More: eSIM or physical SIM.
How much does an eSIM for Georgia cost?
You can buy a plan in advance and activate it within 180 days of purchase. The cheapest plan starts from $2.89.
| Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.89 |
| 3 GB | 1 month | $6.59 |
| 5 GB | 1 month | $9.79 |
| 10 GB | 1 month | $16.29 |
| 20 GB | 1 month | $22.49 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 7 days | $12.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 15 days | $25.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 1 month | $49.90 |
Our Georgia plans use Geocell, Magti and Beeline, with 5G on Geocell. There is no local number: SMS codes go to your main SIM. Hotspot works on most plans, and when data runs low, you can top up the same eSIM on most plans. All plans: eSIM for Georgia. Plans for other countries: all eSIM destinations.
How to get internet in Georgia before you land
- Check your phone. You need an iPhone XS or newer, or a current Android: device list.
- Buy the plan and wait for the email with the QR code, which usually arrives within a few minutes.
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. Instructions: how to install an eSIM.
- Don’t turn the profile on before you land. The plan starts when you first connect to a Georgian network.
- After landing, select the eSIM for mobile data, turn on data roaming on it, and turn off mobile data on your main SIM.
If it didn’t connect: how to activate an eSIM.
Coverage in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi and the mountains
In Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and along the main roads, all carriers have good signal. According to the catalogue, 5G is available on the Geocell (Silknet) network. In the mountains the picture varies: Magti is usually considered the strongest in high altitude areas (Kazbegi, Svaneti, Khevsureti), while Cellfie is weaker outside the big cities. For routes in Svaneti and Tusheti, download offline maps in advance. More: Magti, Silknet, Cellfie, Geocell.
When is a local SIM cheaper, and when isn’t it?
Georgia is a country where local tariffs are genuinely cheap: a monthly pack from Cellfie or Magti costs roughly 8–30 GEL. So for a month or longer, an eSIM makes little sense unless you need internet in the first hours. For a weekend or a week, the money difference is small, and you save more time by not queuing at the airport and showing your passport.
Another scenario: you are travelling through several Caucasus countries. Then one profile for the route is simpler than collecting SIMs from three operators, but check which countries your plan covers.
How much data does a tourist need in Georgia?
For a week-long trip with navigation, messengers, photos uploaded to the cloud and occasional video calls, 5–10 GB is usually enough. If you work remotely, share the connection with a laptop or watch videos on the road, take 20 GB or more, or unlimited with a clear fair-use policy. Check the hotspot conditions: some packs limit tethering. Keep in mind that in the mountains and outside the cities the speed drops regardless of your plan.
A small detail: in Georgia many ads and tariffs are written in Georgian, and English options in the carrier apps are often hidden in the settings. Ask the adviser to show your remaining data and the pack’s expiry date right after activation.
Travel tips
- Turn off roaming on your main SIM. Otherwise background updates will charge you.
- Airport Wi-Fi is available but unstable. Install the eSIM at home or in your hotel.
- Dual SIM lets you receive bank codes on your main number while data goes through the eSIM.
- Compare prices at the airport and in town if you have time.
- For a long trip, take a local SIM: monthly packs are cheap.
FAQ
How much does a SIM card in Georgia cost for tourists?
Packs for 7–30 days cost about 5–30 GEL (~$2–11), and the card may cost up to 10 GEL on top. Prices are estimates for October 2026.
Which carrier is best in Georgia?
Magti is usually the best in the mountains, Silknet is often the cheapest weekly unlimited option, and Cellfie is inexpensive in the cities. The final choice depends on your route.
Can I buy a SIM card at Tbilisi airport?
Yes, carrier counters are in the arrivals hall. You need a passport. Prices are sometimes higher than in town.
Do I need a passport for a SIM in Georgia?
Yes, for a physical SIM. An eSIM bought online does not need one.
Can I order an eSIM for Georgia online?
Yes. The QR code arrives by email, and you can install it at home. Online ordering will open soon; until then, the country page shows the available plans.
Will I get a Georgian number with an eSIM?
No, it is data only. Use messengers for calls.
What if the internet doesn’t work?
Check that the eSIM is selected for mobile data and that data roaming is on for it. Instructions: eSIM not connecting.
Conclusion
Georgia is perhaps the best example of a country where the choice depends on how long you stay. For 3–10 days, an eSIM bought in advance is more convenient: plans for Georgia. For a month or longer, a local SIM from Magti, Silknet or Cellfie is cheaper. Refunds: 180 days if the profile is not installed, and 30 days if it is installed but not activated.