Is Tbilisi safe?
Safe for a capital, including late at night. Petty theft, taxi overcharging and aggressive drivers are the main problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-03-12.
- Homicide rate in Georgia: 2.0 per 100,000 people (2019, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Georgia: 12.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 112.
Safety in Tbilisi at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in crowded areas and on the metro, overcharging by street taxis and in some bars, and occasional bag theft from cafés. |
| At night | Center and Vera stay busy and feel safe late. Bolt is cheap and reliable after the metro closes around midnight. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon in the center. Stay alert with drinks at bars and avoid unlit areas late. |
| Other risks | Drivers rarely yield at crossings; Slippery stone steps in the old town; Icy pavements in winter |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street taxis quoting several times the Bolt fare, especially at the airport
- Bars in the center adding unordered items or high cover charges
- Strangers inviting you for drinks, then leaving you the bill
Take care
- Rustaveli Avenue during large political protests: tear gas and police lines
- Night streets with stray dogs on outer hills
- Pavements and drivers: cars often ignore pedestrian crossings
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Codeine and some prescription medicines are illegal; carry prescriptions and original packaging.
- Entering from Russia via Abkhazia or South Ossetia is a crime punishable by prison.
- Joining political protests can lead to questioning at exit or refused re-entry.
How Tbilisi compares in Georgia
Quick answers
Is Tbilisi safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon in the center. Stay alert with drinks at bars and avoid unlit areas late.
Is Tbilisi safe at night?
Center and Vera stay busy and feel safe late. Bolt is cheap and reliable after the metro closes around midnight.
What is the crime rate in Tbilisi?
Pickpocketing in crowded areas and on the metro, overcharging by street taxis and in some bars, and occasional bag theft from cafés. Nationally, Georgia records 2.0 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2019).
What number do I call in an emergency in Tbilisi?
All emergencies 112.
More about Tbilisi
Going to Tbilisi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Tbilisi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Tbilisi Transport Company
- Tbilisi International Airport
- Georgian National Tourism Administration
- Bolt Tbilisi
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.