Student life in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi

Student life in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is Georgia's capital and by far its largest city, with over a million residents. Most of the country's English-taught medical, dental and business programmes are based here, so it has the biggest international student community, the widest choice of housing and the best-connected hospitals.

Getting around

A two-line metro, buses and shared minibuses cover most of the city. A single ride costs about 1 lari and a monthly pass is typically 40-50 lari, so most students never need a car. Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Yandex Go are widely used for late-night trips.

Climate

Hot summers, cold winters with occasional snow, and mild spring and autumn. Student housing is centrally heated or gas-heated, so pack a proper winter coat rather than thermal layers.

Food and daily costs

Georgian staples such as khachapuri, khinkali and lobio are inexpensive, and supermarkets and open-air markets sell everyday groceries cheaply. Vegetarian options are easy to find because fasting traditions mean most restaurants offer meat-free dishes. South Asian restaurants and grocers have opened in the city.

Safety and community

Georgia is widely regarded as a safe country for students, with the usual city precautions applying at night and in crowded places. Tbilisi has a large international student community, which makes settling in much easier in the first semester.

Universities in Tbilisi: Georgian National University SEU, Caucasus International University, Caucasus University, New Vision University, East European University, Tbilisi State Medical University.

Student life in Batumi

Batumi is the capital of the Adjara region on Georgia's Black Sea coast. It is a compact, walkable city built around a seafront boulevard, with a subtropical climate, a lively summer season and a smaller, calmer student community than Tbilisi.

Getting around

The city is small enough to cross on foot or by a short bus ride, and the seafront boulevard runs for kilometres. Batumi has its own international airport, and buses and trains connect it to Tbilisi.

Climate

Mild, humid and wet, with warm summers and gentle winters compared with Tbilisi. Rain is common through much of the year, so a waterproof jacket is more useful than heavy winter clothing.

Seasonal costs

Batumi fills with holidaymakers in summer, and short-term rents rise accordingly. Students who secure university accommodation or a long-term lease before the season starts avoid most of that swing.

Student life

A pebble beach, city parks, a botanical garden and a busy cafe scene are all within easy reach of the centre, which suits students who prefer a quieter city with the outdoors close by.

Student life in Kutaisi

Kutaisi is Georgia's third-largest city and the capital of the Imereti region in the west of the country. It is among the cheapest places to study in Georgia, has its own international airport served by low-cost airlines, and sits close to Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting around

Kutaisi is easy to navigate on foot and by minibus. It is roughly three to four hours from Tbilisi by road, and the international airport gives students direct low-cost flights to a number of European cities.

Climate

Humid and mild, with more rain than Tbilisi and winters that are cooler than the coast. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons.

Cost of living

Rents, food and transport are lower than in Tbilisi or Batumi, which is the main reason many students choose Kutaisi. The trade-off is a smaller international community and fewer specialist services.

Student life

A central square with a well-known fountain, the Rioni river, Bagrati Cathedral and nearby canyons and caves give students plenty to do at weekends without leaving the region.