Where is the best place to exchange money in Tbilisi: at the airport or near Ortachala bus station?

Recent arrivals advise exchanging only a small amount at the airport (around 1000 RUB) for taxi/bus fare — the rate is about 29-30 GEL per 1000 RUB, but only 2 specific exchange booths at the airport offer this rate (others are much worse). The rest should be exchanged in the city at a better rate, and travelers should carefully count the money they receive.

One approach: exchange a small amount at the airport for taxi fare (25-40 GEL), look for a 'Rico Credit' exchange office on the way into the city for a partial exchange, then the next day (or as needed) check rates at Pushkin Street 6 or near Marjanishvili metro station.

There was no confirmed recommendation for a good-rate exchange office at Ortachala bus station. If the rate matters, travelers suggest relying on central Tbilisi rather than expecting the best deal at the station.

If the exchange booths at the airport are closed, travelers report that there is at least one 24/7 exchange office in the city, and sometimes a couple of other exchange points are open as well.

A practical tip from travelers: Tbilisi Airport is close to the city and most services are concentrated in the center, so if the airport rate is poor, it makes sense to exchange money after reaching downtown.

Travelers often ask about the best airport exchange rate, but in these messages no specific airport booth was confirmed as having a good rate. In practice, that means comparing the airport rate with city options and avoiding exchanging your full amount right away.