I used roaming last time when I was in Georgia, and it worked really well, but it wasn’t very cost-effective. Depending on your carrier, you may need to pay for a roaming pass or use pay-as-you-go rates for data, calls, and texts. In my case, I tried both.
In this guide, I compare costs, plans, and coverage from different providers when roaming in Georgia. I also look at alternatives like eSIMs, local SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and free WiFi so you can choose the option that offers the best value for your trip.
Data roaming allows you to use your regular mobile plan in another country without changing your SIM card. In Georgia, your carrier connects to a local network, such as Magti, Silknet, or Cellfie, so you can access mobile data, make calls, and send texts.
Whether roaming is free or paid depends on your carrier and home country. If you travel from an EU country, don’t assume Georgia falls under the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” rules. Georgia is not part of the EU or the European Economic Area, so many carriers charge extra unless your plan includes coverage in Georgia or you purchase a roaming pass.
Roaming offers convenience because your phone works as soon as you arrive. However, it is often more expensive than alternatives such as eSIMs or local SIM cards. Without a roaming package, data, calls, and texts can become costly very quickly.
If you’re planning to use your home carrier while visiting Georgia, make sure to check your provider’s roaming costs before you travel.
While most major providers offer travel passes that include data, calls, and texts, the daily fees can add up quickly on longer trips. Pay-per-use rates can be even more expensive, especially for mobile data.
Below is a breakdown of roaming options for travelers from the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe.
US travelers have several roaming options in Georgia, ranging from daily travel passes to premium mobile plans that include international benefits.
T-Mobile offers the most flexibility, with both monthly plans and short-term data passes, while AT&T roaming and Verizon roaming focus on simple daily options. These plans allow you to keep your US number active for calls, texts, and data throughout your trip.
| Provider | Georgia roaming options | Pay per use |
| T-Mobile | Experience Beyond/More plans from USD $140/month. International Passes: 1 day (2 GB, $5), 10 days (5 GB, $35), 30 days (15 GB, $50) | Calls $5.99/min, texts $0.40 sent / $0.10 received, MMS $0.25 |
| AT&T | International Day Pass: $12/day with unlimited data, talk, and text | Calls $4/min, texts $1, MMS $2, data $2.05/MB |
| Verizon | TravelPass: $12/day with unlimited data, talk, and text | Calls $1.79/min, texts $0.50 sent/$0.05 received, MMS $0.25, data $2.05/MB |
If you’re visiting Georgia from Canada, you can use your regular Rogers, Fido, or Bell plan through their roaming services. This is the easiest option if you want to keep your Canadian number active for calls, texts, banking alerts, and two-factor authentication.
All three providers offer daily roaming passes, while longer travel passes may make more sense if you’re staying in Georgia for a couple of weeks or more.
| Provider | Georgia roaming options | Pay per use |
| Rogers | Roam Like Home: CAD $18/day; Travel Passes: $100 (14 days), $120 (30 days) | Calls $3/min, texts $0.75, data $15/10 MB |
| Fido | Fido Roam: $18/day; Travel Passes: $100 (14 days), $120 (30 days) | Calls $3/min, texts $0.75, data $15/10 MB |
| Bell | Roam Better: $16/day; Travel Passes: $100 (14 days), $120 (30 days) | Calls $3.50/min, texts $0.99 |
UK travelers can use their existing mobile plans in Georgia, but the available roaming options vary quite a bit between providers. Some carriers offer daily passes, while others rely more heavily on add-ons and pay-per-use rates, so it’s worth checking what’s included before you travel.
| Provider | Georgia roaming options | Pay per use |
| Vodafone | £8/day for calls, texts, and ~25 GB of data; Extras for data, calls, and texts available from £6.40 to £28.75 | Calls 60p/min, incoming calls 36p/min, texts 8p, MMS 66p, data 12p/MB |
| O2 | Roaming bundles available for pay-monthly customers | Pay Monthly: Calls £3/min, texts £1, data from £26/100 MBPay As You Go: Calls £2/min, texts 50p, data £7.20/MB |
| EE | Zone 4 Pass: £16 for 24 hours | Pay Monthly: Calls £2.46/min, texts 98pPay As You Go: Calls £1.80/min, texts 60p |
Georgia isn’t included in the EU’s free roaming zone, so most European travelers will need a separate roaming package. Depending on your provider, this may come as a short-term travel pass with a set amount of data, calls, and texts.
| Provider | Georgia roaming options |
| WindTre (Italy) | €9.99 (7 days, 3 GB, 20 minutes) or €19.99 (30 days, 10 GB) |
Travel tip: Georgia plug types include Type C and Type F. If your devices use a different plug type, make sure to bring a travel adapter.
During my trip to Georgia, roaming was reliable, but the costs were difficult to justify, especially once I needed more data. Since I ended up extending my trip, I switched to an eSIM instead.
Based on my experience, here are some of the best eSIMs for Georgia, along with the key details you need to compare your options and choose the right plan for your trip.
Holafly offers up to 5G coverage in Georgia through partner networks such as Magticom Ltd and Beeline Georgia. All eSIM plans include unlimited data and flexible durations ranging from 1 to 90 days. Prices start at $3.90 per day and can drop to $1.55 per day with longer-term plans.
Every Georgia plan also includes 1 GB of hotspot data per day, allowing you to share your connection with family and friends during your trip. In addition, you get 24/7 customer support and access to Holafly Always On benefits, which provide 1 GB of backup data each month at no extra cost.
Yesim offers both pay-per-GB and unlimited data eSIM plans for Georgia, with up to 5G coverage via partner networks Cellfie and Geocell.
Its cheapest option is a 300 MB plan for just $0.54, available as a first-time user deal. Unlimited plans are available for durations ranging from 1 to 30 days, while data-capped plans range from 300 MB for one day up to 30 GB for 30 days.
With every Yesim plan, you get hotspot access with no set sharing limits (subject to your plan’s terms), 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day Yesim refund guarantee if you’re eligible.
Vodafone Travel offers fixed-data eSIM plans for Georgia ranging from 6 GB to 40 GB, with validity periods of 7, 10, or 30 days. All plans support up to 5G speeds where available and include 24/7 customer support.
You can top up your plan if you run out of data before it expires. Vodafone Travel also regularly offers double-data promotions, giving you more data for the same price. This promotion is usually available throughout the summer until September 30, although it may end earlier or change without notice.
Roaming is super convenient, but it’s definitely not the most affordable way to stay connected in Georgia. If you’re planning to use a lot of data or stay in Georgia for a long time, here are several alternatives to roaming I considered during my trip.
An eSIM is my preferred alternative to roaming in Georgia. You can buy and activate your eSIM online before your trip, which means you’ll have data as soon as you land.
Most Georgia eSIM providers connect to major local networks such as Magti, Cellfie, and Silknet, offering coverage comparable to that of a local SIM card. They’re also usually much cheaper than paying daily roaming fees, especially for trips lasting more than a few days.
The biggest advantage is convenience. There’s no need to visit a store, swap SIM cards, or carry extra devices. Just make sure your phone supports eSIM technology before purchasing a plan.
Local SIM cards are another affordable way to stay connected in Georgia. You can buy them at Tbilisi International Airport, mobile carrier stores, shopping centers, and convenience stores throughout the country.
The main providers are Magti, Silknet, and Cellfie. All three offer prepaid plans with data, calls, and texts, although Magti is generally considered to have the strongest coverage, particularly outside major cities.
A local SIM card can also be a good option if your phone doesn’t support eSIMs.
Pocket WiFi devices create a personal WiFi hotspot that multiple devices can connect to at the same time. They’re popular among families, groups, and travelers carrying several devices.
The downside is that you’ll need to rent, charge, and carry an additional device throughout your trip. Rental fees can also add up, making pocket WiFi more expensive than an eSIM or local SIM card in many cases.
Unless you’re sharing data with several people, an eSIM is often the simpler option.
Free WiFi is widely available in Georgia, particularly in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and other tourist areas. Most hotels, cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, and airports offer free internet access to customers.
While this can help reduce your mobile data usage, I wouldn’t rely on it as your only way to stay connected. Speeds and reliability vary, and you’ll likely need mobile data when using maps, ride-hailing apps, or messaging services while moving around.
Yes. Most major mobile carriers from the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe offer roaming coverage in Georgia through local partner networks. Once roaming is enabled on your device, you’ll typically connect to networks such as Magti, Silknet, or Cellfie automatically.
Magti is generally considered the best mobile network in Georgia due to its extensive coverage and strong performance in both urban and rural areas. Silknet and Cellfie also provide reliable service in major cities and tourist destinations.
The three main mobile carriers in Georgia are Magti, Silknet, and Cellfie. These providers offer prepaid SIM cards, eSIM support, mobile data plans, and nationwide coverage for both residents and visitors.
Yes. US citizens can travel to Tbilisi and other parts of Georgia without a visa for stays of up to one year. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, and it’s always a good idea to check the latest entry requirements before traveling.
The best eSIM depends on your travel style. Holafly is a strong option if you want unlimited data, Yesim offers both unlimited and fixed-data plans at competitive prices, and Vodafone Travel provides fixed-data packages with generous allowances and seasonal promotions.
Yes. Free WiFi is widely available in hotels, airports, cafes, restaurants, and many public spaces throughout Georgia. However, having mobile data is still recommended to get reliable connection while exploring the country.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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