A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Tbilisi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sochi or Tbilisi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sochi or Tbilisi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sochi or Tbilisi?

Sochi

Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

Which place is cheaper, Tbilisi or Sochi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $61, while the average daily cost in Tbilisi is $29. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sochi and Tbilisi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $15
    Tbilisi $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $30
    Tbilisi $24
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Tbilisi

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Tbilisi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sochi


Hotels in Tbilisi


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Tbilisi $6.12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • (Copy of) Private Transfer: Tbilisi to Gudauri: $145
  • 3-Day Tbilisi & Mtskheta Discovery + Airport Transfers: $159
  • 4 Days Private Tour in Georgia With Free Airport Transfers: $237
  • 4 Group Tours Including Airport Transfers: $172
  • Batumi airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $16
  • Borjomi to Tbilisi Airport Transfer: $66
  • Comfortable transfer from Tbilisi Airport: $54
  • Comfortable,fast and safe private transfer from airport: $30
  • From Transfer to Gudauri Ski Resort: $54
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $244
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Gudauri Or Kazbegi: $163
  • GEORGIA Intercity Transfers and Shuttle Service: $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Tbilisi?

Prices for flights to both Tbilisi and Sochi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sochi $17
    Tbilisi $7.93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Middle East Evening with Live Singers and Dinner in Tbilisi: $40
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Vegetarian Georgian Cooking Class: $78
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $90
  • Traditional Georgian Food - Cooking Masterclass at Family: $103
  • Nana's Kitchen - traditional Georgian cooking class at real Georgian family home: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $114
    Tbilisi $14

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Experimentorium Ticket: $5.45
  • Old Town Walking Tour: $9.50
  • Afternoon Walking tour of Old Town: $10
  • Walking Tour in Old Tbilisi - Group Tour: $12
  • From Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, and Ananuri: Group Tour: $12
  • Highlands Tour: Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri, and Zhinvali: $12
  • Underground Printing House Museum Tour in Tbilisi: $13
  • Tbilisi Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • First impression of Tbilisi-3 hours walking tour: $13
  • Guided History, Culture & Architecture Walking Tour: $14
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • One-day tour to the birthplace of wine, the city of love: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Tbilisi $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $18
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $19
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $20
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format: $24
  • Kakheti: Bodbe (Monastery), Sighnaghi (Love city), Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi: $24
  • From Kakheti Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Tbilisi, we can see that Sochi is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sochi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sochi than you might in Tbilisi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Tbilisi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Tbilisi?

Tbilisi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Tbilisi, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.