Georgia is a country in both Europe and Asia, you could. It intersects both the European and Asian continents. There are plenty of things to do in Georgia, such as seeing the scenic ruins of an old fort in Narikala, explore a cave in Vardzia, or see the Gergeti Trinity Church. Georgia is full of history.
What about Abkhazia? The Republic of Abkhazia is a sovereign state in Georgia. It is partially recognized as a republic on the east coast of the Black Sea by the international community. However, some may not even know the republic even exists. The state has many beautiful lakes, mountains, and rivers to explore. Do not forget about Anaklia Beach.
Many travelers prefer to buy a local SIM card in both Georgia and Abkhazia because it is much cheaper than to roam with your provider. Roaming can be expensive in many cases, which travelers would rather spend in these two nations. Unless you have a Russian operator, you would not be able to roam in Abkhazia, so you have no choice there.
In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in both Georgia and Abkhazia. I will start with the 3 providers in Georgia, followed by the 2 in Abkhazia. Let's do this.
Special note for those from Ukraine: be sure to ask about special benefits for Ukrainians. Many mobile operators around Europe have waived fees for you or introduced exclusive plans, including free calls back to Ukraine. Слава Україні! 🇺🇦
Original publication: 8th of January 2020. Last updated: 14th of March 2023.
Table of Contents
Telecom Providers in Georgia
Georgia has 3 telecom providers: MegtiCom, Geocell (Silknet), and Beeline Georgia. Silknet used to be a standalone operator with a CDMA network, but they have merged with Geocell.
If you have a CDMA phone, then you can use Silknet’s CDMA network, which is still in use. Unfortunately, I do know how extensive the CDMA network is. For everyone else, all operators have GSM networks, which is what almost every phone use. 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE can be used with all networks.
Best SIM Card in Georgia
If you want to buy a SIM card in Georgia, I would recommend going with MagtiCom because they have the most extensive network and best speeds. If you are on a budget, Beeline Georgia would be an option if you are staying in populated areas.
Best SIM Card in Abkhazia
If you want to get a SIM card in Abkhazia, then I would recommend getting one from Aquafon because they are the largest provider and have the lowest rates.
SIM Card Registration Regulations in Georgia & Abkhazia
Just like other countries in the Caucasus, you have to show your passport when buying a SIM card.
Do note that all providers will charge you a monthly fee of 0.20 GEL ($0.07) for the Georgian emergency services regardless of the package or provider you choose.
This article will also cover Abkhazia, which is an autonomous region in Georgia. Abkhazia has 2 telecom providers: Aquafon and A-Mobile. All Abkhazian providers use Russian Rubles (RUB) instead of Georgian Lari (GEL). 10 RUB is 0.16 USD. More about these providers will be discussed after covering Georgia.
With that said, let’s see what Georgia has to offer to us.
MagtiCom
MagtiCom is the largest provider in Georgia with the best coverage and speed. Their 4G/LTE network covers more than 90% of the population, making it the most extensive 4G/LTE network in Georgia.
SIM Card Price – MagtiCom
MagtiCom SIM cards are sold for 3 GEL in MagtiCom stores and from vendors.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Georgia without personal detail capturing, you can get Georgia Kargi Mobile eSIMs from Airalo (five options):
- 1 GB/7 days
- 2 GB/15 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days
- 10 GB/30 days
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Airalo Discover Global eSIM to be used in 85+ countries worldwide with five variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/15 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/60 days
- 20 GB/180 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
From 2023 on, my goal is to test this eSIM in all eligible countries.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Discover Global eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Georgia.
You can read about them in my Best Georgia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
You will get 1 GEL credit for free for calls and SMS.
The following MagtiCom data packs can be added:
- 0.20 GEL: 10 MB, throttled to 2G speeds after full use, until midnight
- 0.50 GEL: 70 MB, throttled to 2G speeds after full use, until midnight
- 5 GEL: 1 GB for 30 days
- 9 GEL: 3 GB for 30 days
- 12 GEL: 5 GB for 30 days
- 30 GEL: 20 GB for 30 days
- 150 GEL: Unlimited data for 30 days
Since recently, MagtiCom sells tourist SIM cards, called the Georgian SIM card, in Georgian airports (both Tbilisi Airport and Kutaisi). The following two variants are available:
- 15 GEL: 5000 MB and unlimited domestic SMS
- 30 GEL: 3000 MB, unlimited domestic calls and SMS, and 30 international minutes
Geocell (Silknet)
Geocell, or Silknet, is Georgia’s second operator. Their coverage is decent, and they have a CDMA network for those who have a CDMA phone.
SIM Card Price – Geocell (Silknet)
Geocell SIM cards are sold for 5 GEL and come with the same amount in credit.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Georgia without personal detail capturing, you can get unlimited data eSIMs from Holafly (seven options):
- Unlimited/5 days
- Unlimited/10 days
- Unlimited/15 days
- Unlimited/20 days
- Unlimited/30 days
- Unlimited/60 days
- Unlimited/90 days
The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!
No idea what or who Holafly is? Check out my Holafly review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than ten countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Airalo Discover Global eSIM to be used in 85+ countries worldwide with five variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/15 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/60 days
- 20 GB/180 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
From 2023 on, my goal is to test this eSIM in all eligible countries.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Discover Global eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Georgia.
You can read about them in my Best Georgia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
The following monthly data packs can be added:
- 3 GEL: 500 MB
- 5 GEL: 1.2 GB
- 7 GEL: 2 GB
- 10 GEL: 4 GB
- 15 GEL: 6 GB
- 30 GEL: 15 GB
You can also get Geocell’s tourist SIM card called All Inclusive. For 20 GEL, you get 2 GB, unlimited domestic minutes and SMS, and 30 international minutes, which is a good deal if you are interested in calling and texting.
Beeline Georgia
Beeline Georgia, just Beeline, is the smallest operator in Georgia. Their coverage is decent, but the “worst” of all Georgian providers.
SIM Card Price – Beeline Georgia
You can get a Beeline SIM card for 3 GEL, which will give you 3 GEL in credit as well.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Georgia without personal detail capturing, you can get Georgia Kargi Mobile eSIMs from Airalo (five options):
- 1 GB/7 days
- 2 GB/15 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days
- 10 GB/30 days
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Airalo Discover Global eSIM to be used in 85+ countries worldwide with five variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/15 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/60 days
- 20 GB/180 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
From 2023 on, my goal is to test this eSIM in all eligible countries.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Discover Global eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Georgia.
You can read about them in my Best Georgia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
The following data packs can be added:
- 1 GEL: Unlimited data for 3 hours
- 2 GEL: 700 MB for 7 days
- 3 GEL: 1.5 GB for 14 days
- 4 GEL: 1 GB for 30 days
- 5 GEL: 2.5 GB for 14 days
- 9 GEL: 4 GB for 30 days
- 10 GEL: 10 GB for 14 days
- 16 GEL: 8 GB for 30 days
- 25 GEL: 30 GB for 30 days
Telecom Providers in Abkhazia
As introduced in the introduction, the Republic of Abkhazia has its own 2 telecom providers: Aquafon and A-Mobile. The republic uses Russian Rubles instead of the currency of Georgia, which you should keep in mind.
Do note that if you plan on visiting Abkhazia, you cannot roam with your provider unless your provider is one of these Russian operators: MTS Russia, Beeline Russia, and MegaFon Russia.
Unlike Georgia itself, you do not have to show a passport when buying a SIM card in Abkhazia.
Let’s see what Aquafon and A-Mobile have to offer.
Aquafon
Aquafon is the largest operator in Abkhazia. They have 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE networks.
SIM Card Price – Aquafon
Aquafon SIM cards are sold for 50 RUB in Aquafon stores. You are, however, to top up at least 100 RUB in store.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Georgia without personal detail capturing, you can get unlimited data eSIMs from Holafly (seven options):
- Unlimited/5 days
- Unlimited/10 days
- Unlimited/15 days
- Unlimited/20 days
- Unlimited/30 days
- Unlimited/60 days
- Unlimited/90 days
The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!
No idea what or who Holafly is? Check out my Holafly review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than ten countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Airalo Discover Global eSIM to be used in 85+ countries worldwide with five variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/15 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/60 days
- 20 GB/180 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
From 2023 on, my goal is to test this eSIM in all eligible countries.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Discover Global eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Georgia.
You can read about them in my Best Georgia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
To take advantage of favorable data packages, you have to purchase their My Choice plan, which costs 350 RUB and requires a top-up of 630 RUB. Then, you can buy any of these monthly data packs:
- 600 RUB: 1 GB
- 1100 RUB: 3 GB
- 1450 RUB: 6 GB
- 1750 RUB: 9 GB
- 2000 RUB: 12 GB
- 2250 RUB: 15 GB
- 3000 RUB: 25 GB
- 3500 RUB: 35 GB
If converted to USD, data packages are much more expensive in Abkhazia than Georgia itself.
A-Mobile
A-Mobile is the other operator in Abkhazia with its own 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE network.
SIM Card Price – A-Mobile
A-Mobile SIM cards are sold for 50 RUB, but you have to pay a 200 RUB connection fee. Sometimes, they have promotions where they give you up to 500 MB for free.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Georgia without personal detail capturing, you can get Georgia Kargi Mobile eSIMs from Airalo (five options):
- 1 GB/7 days
- 2 GB/15 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days
- 10 GB/30 days
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Airalo Discover Global eSIM to be used in 85+ countries worldwide with five variants:
- 1 GB/7 days
- 3 GB/15 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/60 days
- 20 GB/180 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13th of March (2023 data only)
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!
From 2023 on, my goal is to test this eSIM in all eligible countries.
- Be sure to check out my Airalo Discover Global eSIM review for my insights!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Georgia.
You can read about them in my Best Georgia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
A-Mobile sells the following daily unlimited data packs, which gets throttled to 2G speeds after full use:
- 30 RUB: 100 MB
- 55 RUB: 200 MB
- 75 RUB: 300 MB
The following monthly A-Mobile data packs are available;
- 150 RUB: 100 MB
- 360 RUB: 300 MB
- 500 RUB: 500 MB
- 800 RUB: 1 GB
- 1400 RUB: 2 GB
- 1650 RUB: 3 GB
- 1800 RUB: 4 GB
- 2000 RUB: 5 GB
- 3500 RUB: 10 GB
- 4500 RUB: 15 GB
- 5000 RUB: 20 GB
- 6000 RUB: 30 GB
- 7500 RUB: 50 GB
A-Mobile also sells tourist SIM cards called Guest. They cost 250 RUB and come with 200 RUB in credit. The following packs can be added:
- 333 RUB: 1 GB, 50 on-net minutes, and 10 minutes to Russia for 7 days
- 555 RUB: 3 GB, 100 on-net minutes, and 30 minutes to Russia for 14 days
- 777 RUB: 4 GB, 200 on-net minutes, and 50 minutes to Russia for 30 days
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Georgia and Abkhazia
Getting a SIM card from MagtiCom would do you well when considering a Georgian SIM card. For Abkhazia, Aquafon would be the best.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other European Countries
Visiting other countries in Europe? Check out my Europe SIM card buying guide, covering other European nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
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If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
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Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
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