A last-minute escape can be affordable without stretching your budget.
Snow, souvenirs and khachapuri set the tone for Dubai-based Khushie Mallya’s energetic recounting of her trip to Georgia.
During a five-night, six-day getaway booked through Holiday Package, she and her companions spent the first two days in Gudauri exploring the mountain region. “The mountain tops still had some snow and the weather was beautiful. It was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city,” she says, describing the refreshing break from urban life.
The remaining four days were spent in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, where she immersed herself in local culture and cuisine. “I spent a lot of time exploring local markets, enjoying Georgian dishes such as khachapuri, khinkali, and ojakuri, among others,” she says.
She also joined a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, including a visit to the underground market. “We even visited the Chronicles of Georgia, did a lot of local shopping and brought back some lovely souvenirs,” she adds.
Reflecting on the trip, Mallya says a week in Georgia feels just right. “We didn’t want to come back. The temperatures in the city dropped to as low as 3 degrees during early mornings and late evenings, while daytime highs were around 25 degrees,” she recalls.
The total trip cost, including flights, hotel stays, food and shopping, came to around Dh6,000–7,000. Still, even more budget-friendly options are possible for those planning a shorter getaway.
It’s easy to understand why many travellers, like Mallya, are drawn to Georgia. For many UAE residents, it has become a go-to destination for spontaneous escapes—close enough for a long weekend, visa-free, and offering mountain scenery, vibrant culture and great food. What more could one ask for from a holiday?
So, with that in mind, if you’re considering booking a last-minute trip of your own, here’s how you can make it happen.
So, how much should you budget? A spontaneous getaway doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Current return fares from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah start at around Dh1,680, while one-way tickets are available from Dh844, based on the latest deals on Air Arabia’s website. If you prefer an all-in-one option, holiday packages available on platforms such as Flydubai, which include both flights and hotel stays, start from Dh1,659. It’s worth comparing options to see which one suits your plans and budget best.
If you’d rather skip the planning, companies such as Travel Wings are offering a three-night Tbilisi City Escape package from Dh999 per person (on a double-sharing basis). More comprehensive itineraries covering destinations like Gudauri and Kazbegi start from around Dh3,099, while week-long Georgia holidays begin at approximately Dh6,600.
According to Ipshita Sharma, a travel consultant at SCN Travel & More, last-minute trips to Georgia are very much possible, provided travellers remain flexible.
“Last-minute trips to Georgia are absolutely doable if you’re flexible. Keep an eye on flight prices and be open with your travel dates—it really helps. It’s also worth checking airline websites directly,” she says.
For a comfortable four-day holiday, Sharma recommends budgeting around Dh4,000 per person, while those opting for luxury hotels and premium experiences should expect to spend Dh7,000 or more.
She also recommends looking beyond comparison websites.
“Everyone loves hunting for deals on flight and hotel comparison sites, but it’s worth speaking to a travel agent. Travel agents often have access to special fares, package rates and supplier offers that aren’t always available online. When you’re booking at the last minute, having someone else juggle flights, hotels and visa requirements can save you both money and a lot of stress,” she says.
While booking platforms certainly have their place, she notes that they don’t always provide the same level of personalised support. “Booking sites are essentially doing what travel agents do, just without the customer service or hand-holding. The best deal isn’t necessarily the one you find yourself, but the one your travel agent already knows about.”
For travellers planning independently, a comfortable three-night getaway could be structured along the following lines, though actual costs will vary depending on season, accommodation, and chosen activities.
Return flights: Dh1,680–1,700
Three-star hotel: Dh600–900
Food and cafés: Dh180–350
Tours and activities: Dh200–450
Local transport: Dh100–200
That brings the total to roughly Dh2,800 to Dh3,600 per person, although budgeting closer to Dh4,000 allows more room for upgraded stays, extra sightseeing and spontaneous splurges.
A short flight: You reach before your movie is over
One of Georgia’s biggest advantages is just how close it is.
The flight from Dubai to Tbilisi takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, making it one of the quickest international getaways from the UAE. You can leave in the morning and be exploring the city by late afternoon.
Adventures to plan
Georgia shows that memorable experiences don’t have to come with eye-watering price tags.
Guided walking tours through Old Tbilisi start from just Dh34, while evening walking tours and even boat rides are available from around Dh38. Guided visits to the Chronicles of Georgia also begin at approximately Dh38.
What to do in Georgia: Tours and experiences worth booking
On the cobblestone streets of Old Tbilisi, travellers are treated to a blend of mountain scenery, cultural day trips and immersive city experiences.
Here are some of the most popular tours and day trips for UAE travellers, according to TripAdvisor:
Easy city introductions (budget-friendly starts)
- Old Tbilisi Highlights and Hidden Gems walking tour (3 hours) — from Dh38
- Tbilisi walking tour with cable car and bakery stop — from Dh34
- Evening walking tour with boat ride — from Dh38
- Chronicles of Georgia guided tour with transport — from Dh38
- City sightseeing red bus tour — from Dh76
Culture, history and nearby escapes
- Mtskheta, Jvari and bazaar tour — from Dh68–76
- Day trip to Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe — from Dh110
- Private Tbilisi city highlights tour (Old Town and top attractions) — from Dh283
Mountains and scenic day trips
- Caucasus Mountains: Kazbegi, Gudauri and Ananuri tour — from Dh87–110
- Kazbegi and Juta 2-day trekking tour — from Dh1,017
- Vardzia, Rabati & Borjomi day trip — from Dh146–162
- Canyons and caves tour (Kutaisi to Tbilisi) — from Dh147
Longer cross-border add-ons
- Armenia day tour from Tbilisi (Sevan, Dilijan, Yerevan) — from Dh298–302
- Full-day Armenia tour with homemade lunch — from Dh298+
- Private transfer with scenic Armenia stops — from Dh369–497
Hands-on cultural experiences
- Khinkali and Khachapuri cooking class in Tbilisi — from Dh117
History in a modern life
Tbilisi is a city that blends old-world charm with a modern, evolving identity.
On one side of the Mtkvari River lies Old Town, where colourful wooden balconies, narrow cobbled lanes and tucked-away courtyards invite hours of unhurried wandering. Comfortable shoes are essential, as every turn seems to reveal a new café or a small artisan shop.
A cable car ride up to Narikala Fortress—one of the city’s oldest landmarks—offers sweeping views over Tbilisi’s rooftops before you descend back through the historic quarter.
From there, a walk across the striking Bridge of Peace leads you into the city’s modern face, where glass-and-steel architecture, contemporary galleries and stylish restaurants contrast with centuries of history.
Skip one restaurant: cook with a local instead
Rather than simply ordering khachapuri at a restaurant, travellers can opt to learn how to make it themselves.
One of Tbilisi’s most memorable experiences is joining a cooking class hosted in local homes. Here, residents guide visitors through the preparation of traditional khachapuri—the country’s famous cheese-filled bread—along with hand-folded khinkali dumplings, using recipes passed down through generations.
What you need to know about visa rules
Georgia introduced updated entry rules effective May 16, 2025, impacting citizens of 17 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Under the revised policy, nationals of these countries may enter Georgia without a separate Georgian visa if they hold a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from a GCC country, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait or Oman.
However, the requirements have been tightened: the GCC visa or residence permit must be valid for at least one year on the day of entry into Georgia.
The verdict
Some destinations require months of planning, but Georgia isn’t one of them.
With short flights, affordable fares, stunning scenery, comforting food, and enough history, culture and mountain adventures to fill a week, it’s one of those rare places that rewards spontaneity.
So the next time someone in the group chat asks, “Where can we go this weekend?”, you might not need a long debate.
Just a passport—and an appetite for khachapuri.
