If you already have your bags ready to travel to Georgia, but you still don’t know how roaming works in this country don’t worry. In this article, you will find everything you need to know to connect to the internet through this service during your vacations or business trips. Additionally, we will also show you the best alternatives to avoid paying the expensive roaming rates in Georgia.
Before we start, you must know that although Georgia has excellent diplomatic relations with the European Union, it’s not part of the Union, therefore, roaming is not free. This also occurs when roaming in Andorra or Switzerland.
So, if you want to save yourself some time, you can scroll down to this article’s table of contents and look for the operator you use. Find out about the prices you will have to pay if you wish to access basic cellular services such as data, minutes, and messaging. If these prices don’t convince you, remember that you can take a look at other products that provide internet connection such as data SIM cards, the eSIM Georgia, and Pocket WiFi although the latter is usually quite expensive as well.
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Comparison of internet roaming prices in Georgia with International cellular operators
We know that there’s nothing worse than running out of internet away from home. Therefore, below, we present the cellular internet rates of all the operators offering roaming services in Georgia, so you can have all the information you need to choose the best option to connect to the internet during your trip.
| Cellular operator | Cellular data or Internet |
| AT&T | 2.05 USD/MB |
| T-Mobile | 15 USD/MB |
| Optus | 0.02 USD/KB or |
| Vodafone | 7 USD/MB (VAT incl.) |
How to avoid paying for roaming in Georgia in 2022?
If the rates you saw in the table above didn’t convince you because they are too high don’t worry as there are many more ways you can get online in Georgia. Among these options, we have the Georgia SIM card and the data eSIM, which are much cheaper than the Pocket WiFi.
Use a prepaid data SIM card
The prepaid SIM card is one of the most popular options for travelers and, undoubtedly, it’s one of the easiest and most effective when it comes to connecting to the internet abroad at a reasonable price. To use this SIM card, all you have to do is insert it into your smartphone once you land at your destination. However, you should keep in mind that not all SIM cards offer the same, much less at the same price.
Both local operators and online stores with international shipping offer SIM card services for tourists. Depending on your plan you will be able to choose an alternative although it is always advisable to buy your SIM card before arriving in the country.
Georgia eSIM card
If you’re already in Georgia and for some reason, you couldn’t buy your SIM card before traveling, don’t worry. Thanks to the new eSIM Georgia you can connect to the internet at any time. This eSIM has the same features as a traditional SIM card. The only difference is that to activate it, you have to scan a QR code that you will receive on your email.
Holafly eSIM cards
For your trip to Georgia, Holafly has an eSIM available with unlimited data that has a great series of advantages. To buy it, you just have to visit the official Holafly website. Once there select your destination and the data plan and fill out the purchase form. Afterward, scan the QR code that you got on your email and that’s it!
Advantages:
- Very easy to use because you just have to scan the QR code and start browsing.
- You can keep your local number, your contacts, and your WhatsApp chats without any problem. Thanks to the fact that the eSIM is a digital product you can use a traditional SIM card and the eSIM simultaneously.
- Holafly offers 24 hours customer service to answer your questions.
- You can have multiple unlimited data plans at your hands
- Recharge your virtual SIM card service through top-ups.
Disadvantages:
- Only the following smartphones are compatible with the Georgia eSIM: iPhone XS, XR, and later versions, Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra and later versions, Samsung Galaxy Fold, Fold 2 and later versions, Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and later versions, Huawei P40, P40 Pro and later versions, Huawei Mate 40 Pro and later versions, Google Pixel 3, 3a (some versions don’t support eSIM), Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 5 and later versions, Oppo Find X3 Pro, Oppo Reno 5A, Motorola Razr (2019), and the Motorola Razr 5G (dual SIM).
Public WiFi in Georgia
During your trip to Georgia, you will find several places where you can connect to the internet for free. However, you should keep in mind that these networks have some limitations, and it can even be a bad idea if they are free because they may not be safe.
Advantages
- Unlimited internet.
- It’s free. In some cases, you only have to buy something at the respective store.
Disadvantages
- The quality of the networks is deplorable, so you can’t expect to do much.
- The insufficient security that these Wi-Fi networks offer makes them very vulnerable to hacking or information theft.
Pocket WiFi
One of the most efficient alternatives, but at the same time, more expensive, is to buy or rent a portable Wi-Fi router. With this small pocket router, you can connect to the internet and surf anywhere in Georgia. However, remember that this router only provides internet access, so other services such as calls, or messages won’t be available.
Among the Pocket WiFi options, some companies like TravelersWIFI stand out. They offer Pocket WiFi devices, so you can connect to the internet during your trip at a much higher price than what we have seen here, but with the advantage that you can connect more than one device to this product.
How much does the roaming service cost with the main international cellular operators in Georgia?
As you know, roaming in Georgia is not free, since it’s not part of the European Union, nor is it part of the European Economic Area. This means that if you want to activate this service during your stay in this country, you will have to pay an added fee.
The added rate you have to pay will depend a lot on your operator because there will be operators that charge you more or less for the same amount of data or the same service.
Roaming in Georgia with AT&T
If you activate roaming in Georgia and have the AT&T cellular line active you will have to pay for additional charges depending on the amount of data, minutes, and messages that you consume. So, here we will explain in detail the prices of roaming service with AT&T for Georgia.
The price you have to pay for each MB used is 2.05 USD, so it’s very cheap. On the other hand, if you want to make calls, for each minute of the call you’ll have to pay 3 USD. With AT&T roaming you will also be able to send messages, at a cost of 0.50 USD per message, however, if you would like to send messages with images and videos the price of each one will be 1.30 USD.
Roaming in Georgia with T-Mobile
As with the other operators, if you are a T-Mobile user and activate roaming in Georgia you will have to pay an additional fee. However, if you have one of T-Mobile’s Simple Global plans you can get unlimited text messages and data. You will only have to pay for the calls you make in Georgia, however, the price is very low, only 0.25 USD per minute.
On the other hand, in case you have other T-Mobile plans on your cell phone, you can also activate roaming in Georgia. However, the prices are a bit high. For each MB consumed, you will have to pay 15 USD, as you can see, it is a pretty steep price.
In addition, if you want to send messages, each message will cost 0.50 USD. The difference is that if you receive messages they will be deducted from your home messaging plan, but if you do not have a domestic text messaging plan, incoming messages cost $0.20 USD each. Finally, for each call you make while in Georgia, you will have to pay 0.25 USD per minute.
Optus roaming in Georgia
If you decide to activate roaming in Georgia with Optus operator, depending on the plan you have, you will be able to use different roaming options in Georgia, so we will explain each of them below.
First of all, if you have any of these Optus Choice Plus, Optus Plus Family, and Optus Plus Kids cellular plans, you will be able to opt for the International Roaming Adds-On. This will allow you to opt for 24-hour plans or 7-day packages. The 24-hour plan is priced at $10, and you will have 1 GB of data and unlimited calls and messages. On the other hand, with the 7-day package, you will have to pay $50 to enjoy 5 GB with unlimited calls and messages.
The second option available to activate roaming in Georgia with Optus is through the Optus Roaming Pass. With some plans, you can purchase 1 GB of data with unlimited calls and messages paying 10 USD.
Finally, with Optus you can also use standard roaming. For Georgia, the usage charges are 0.02 USD per KB, and 0.50 USD for sending messages, you can receive messages for free, but if they contain images or videos they will be charged 1 USD each. In addition, to make and receive calls you will have to pay 1.30 USD per minute. Compared to other carriers, Optus is a bit cheaper, but you will have to manage your data and minute consumption very well.
Roaming in Georgia with Vodafone
If you’re interested in connecting to the internet with Vodafone in Georgia surely you would like to know the prices that this operator offers to access the roaming service.
First of all, to access the Internet, you will have to pay 7 USD per MB. Likewise, to make and receive calls the price is 2 USD per minute. As for text messages, for each message sent you will have to pay around 1.5 USD, the good thing is that you receive messages for free.
How to activate roaming in Georgia?
After knowing the prices and the alternatives you have to avoid paying for the expensive roaming services that operators offer it’s time for you to learn how you can activate the roaming service.
- AT&T: calling 611.
- Vodafone: it’s activated through the website on your profile or the My Vodafone app.
- T-Mobile: You can turn on data by dialing #RON#.
- Optus: it’s activated through their app, you must choose the roaming add-on.
